Antidiabetic Efficacy and Biochemical Modulation of Tinospora cordifolia Stem Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus remains a significant global health burden, with an estimated 537 million adults affected worldwide as of 2021, a figure projected to reach 783 million by 2045. While conventional pharmacotherapy such as metformin and sulfonylureas is widely used, their long-term application is associated with adverse effects including lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook.f. & Thomson (Menispermaceae), commonly known as Giloy or Guduchi, is a cornerstone of traditional Ayurvedic medicine renowned for its rich phytochemical composition and multifaceted pharmacological properties. This paper investigates the antidiabetic potential of a 70% ethanolic stem extract of T. cordifolia (TCE) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. We evaluate its efficacy in modulating blood glucose levels, preventing body weight loss, and restoring metabolic homeostasis. The findings demonstrate that TCE exerts comprehensive, dose-dependent antihyperglycemic protection against STZ-induced metabolic injury, with the high-dose extract (400 mg/kg) achieving a 51.3% reduction in fasting blood glucose, surpassing the efficacy of metformin (45.1%). These results position T. cordifolia as a promising multi-targeted therapeutic agent for diabetes management.