Phytochemical Screening, In-silico Toxicity Profiling, and Antidiabetic Potential of the Flowers of Rosa alba L.

Abstract

Rosa alba L. is a perennial flowering shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. Diabetes is treated in Assam, India, with a decoction of its flower. But to date, there is no scientific evidence for its antidiabetic potential. Therefore, in addition to toxicity investigations, the current study aimed to determine its antidiabetic potential to support conventional claims. In-silico toxicity profiling for the phytoconstituents of the plant was predicted as non-toxic, non-mutagenic, and non-carcinogenic in mice and rats. The Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were determined and found to be higher in the ethanolic extract than in the aqueous extract of the flower. Antidiabetic activity of orally administered aqueous and alcoholic extracts (200 mg/kg body weight) was evaluated against the high-fat diet fed with a low dose of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Treatment of these extracts significantly (p<0.001) reduced the blood glucose level and lipid profile in induced-diabetic rats without affecting their liver and kidney functions. It was also shown that the liver and pancreatic tissues of animals treated with extracts had enhanced histopathologic architecture. The findings of the study revealed that the flowers of R. alba are a safe herbal remedy for controlling diabetes.