Abstract
Introduction: Type 2diabetes is one of the chronic and serious conditions that occur commonly. Metformin (MT) is an essential drug used to control symptoms of type 2 diabetes. It is usually taken in combination with other medications to lower blood sugar levels. Nanoparticles of the plant Costus speciosus (NPC) decreased the concentrations of blood glucose in the sera of experimental animals with diabetes type 2. Aim: This study aimed to examine the potential additive antidiabetic impact of oral NPC and their preliminary mechanism of action when added in combination with MT in type 2 diabetic rats, compared to MT monotherapy. Methods: Type 2 diabetes was induced in 30 male Wistar rats using high-fat diet and streptozotocin. The rats were separated into 5 groups and treated orally with MT, NPC, or MT and NPC. Results: The results showed that NPC reduced blood sugar levels, increased insulin secretion, decreased lipid peroxidation, downregulated gene expression of caspase-3, and improved the pathology of pancreatic beta cells. The use of the NPC and MT combination showed a marked improvement in body weight and insulin secretion, and a distinct reduction in oxidative stress and beta-cell damage. Conclusion: The use of NPC with MT is an effective treatment regimen in managing unfavourable symptoms of experimentally induced diabetes type 2.