Vanillin improves glucose homeostasis and modulates metabolic activities linked to type 2 diabetes in fructose–streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Objective: This study investigated the antidiabetic effect of vanillin using in vitro, in silico, and in vivo experimental models. Methodology: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) was induced in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats using fructose–streptozotocin (STZ), then orally administered low (150 mg/kg bodyweight) or high (300 mg/kg bodyweight) dose of vanillin for 5 weeks intervention period. Results: Vanillin suppressed the levels of blood glucose, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatinine, urea, uric acid, when elevated serum insulin, HDL-cholesterol, and concomitantly improved pancreatic β-cell function, glucose tolerance, and pancreatic morphology. It also elevated both serum and pancreatic tissue GSH level, SOD and catalase activities, and hepatic glycogen level, while depleting malondialdehyde level, α-amylase, lipase, acetylcholinesterase, ATPase, ENTPDase and 5′-nucleotidase, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, and glycogen phosphorylase activities. Conclusions: The results indicate the potent antidiabetic effect of vanillin against T2D and its associated complications.