ANTIDIABETIC POTENTIAL OF HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L. SEED EXTRACT: EVIDENCE FROM GLUCOSE UPTAKE, PKC MODULATION, OXIDATIVE STRESS, AND IN VIVO STUDIES

Abstract

This study investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities of Helianthus annuus L. (Sunflower) seeds. The plant material was collected from Murshidabad, West Bengal, and authenticated by the Botanical Survey of India. Seeds were processed through pulverization, defatting with n-hexane, and subsequent maceration with a 1:1 methanol-water mixture to obtain the extract. Phytochemical screening of the seed extract revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, and phenols.In vitro antioxidant assays, including reducing power, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, and nitric oxide scavenging, demonstrated concentration-dependent antioxidant activity. The extract also exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting heat-induced haemolysis and protein denaturation. The study further assessed the extract's impact on Nitric Oxide (NO) synthesis in liver and renal tissues, observing a reinforcing effect on NO production. Furthermore, In vitro studies on HepG2 and L6 cell lines indicated a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect at higher concentrations and enhanced glucose utilization. Additionally, Lipid Peroxidation (LPO) assays in a high-fat diet and metformin-induced diabetic rat model demonstrated that while lower doses of the test substance increased kidney LPO, higher doses exhibited antioxidant properties by reducing LPO levels in both liver and kidney, approaching those of the normal control group. These findings suggest that Helianthus annuus L. seed extract possesses significant antioxidant and potentially antidiabetic properties, warranting further investigation into its therapeutic potential.