UV-B-Enhanced Mimosa pudica L. Ethanolic Extract Exhibits Dual Antidiabetic and Hepatoprotective Effects in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Natarajan Shanthi1*, Pillathil Jegan Pillathil Senthil Mani2 and Murugesan Subbiah3 Indirarani Selvaraj4

*1PG and Research Department of Botany, Pachaiyappa's College, Affiliated to University of Madras, Chennai-600 030, Tamil Nadu, India.
2PG and Research Department of Botany, Pachaiyappa's College, Affiliated to University of Madras, Chennai-600 030, Tamil Nadu, India.
3PG and Research Department of Botany, Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai-600 030, Tamil Nadu, India.
4Assistant Professor and Research Department of Botany, V.O. Chidambaram College, Tuticorin- 628008, Affiliated to Mononmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
1prithishanthi@gmail.com, 2jppillathiljegan@gmail.com, 3smurugesan5@gmail.com
1 ORCID id: 0000-0002-1261-2499

Received: 12th Sep, 2025; Revised: 24th Oct 2025; Accepted: 16th Nov, 2025; Available Online: 1st December, 2025

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus is a prolonged illness characterized by raised blood glucose concentrations and associated complications such as dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and reduced liver function. This study examines the therapeutic potential of ethanol extracts from untreated (MPC) and UV-B-exposed (MPT). Mimosa pudica plant leaves in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Phytochemical analysis through total phenolic content (120.02±1.05mg GAE/g DW in control vs. 208.95 ± 2.01mg GAE/g DW in UV-B treated) and total flavonoid content (103.08 ± 0.70mg QE/g DW in control vs. 172.68 ± 1.23mg QE/g DW in UV-B treated) revealed significant enhancement induced by UV-B. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) revealed unique phenolic and flavonoid compounds exhibiting greater band intensity in samples treated with UV-B. Both extracts enhanced plasma insulin levels, reduced fasting glucose, rectified lipid profile irregularities (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, VLDL-C, while increasing HDL-C, and improved hepatic damage (ALT, AST, and ALP). Conspicuously, the MPT extract demonstrated enhanced effects, probably because of UV-B-induced increases in phenolics and antioxidants. UV-B exposure enhanced the phenolic levels and therapeutic properties of M. pudica in comparison to the untreated extract. These findings emphasize UV-B-treated M. pudica as a potential phytotherapeutic candidate for diabetes and associated metabolic disorders.

Keywords: UV-B treatment, antidiabetic activity, hepatoprotective effect, phytochemicals, lipid profile, liver enzymes, oxidative stress.

How to cite this article: Shanthi N, Mani PJS, Subbiah M and Selvaraj I; UV-B-Enhanced Mimosa pudica L. Ethanolic Extract Exhibits Dual Antidiabetic and Hepatoprotective Effects in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(1): 494-508. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.1.53