EVALUATION OF THE PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERACTION BETWEEN THE HYDROALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF BLECHNUM ASPLENIOIDES “CUTI CUTI” AND METFORMIN IN HYPERGLYCEMIC ALBINO RATS

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) requires complementary therapies. Objectives: To determine the hypoglycemic effect of Blechnum asplenioides extract and its interaction with metformin in albino rats with induced DM. Methods: A controlled preclinical experimental study was conducted in a murine model using 72 Holtzman albino rats, randomly assigned to nine groups of eight animals each. Hyperglycemia was induced with alloxan 180 mg/kg. Treatments included metformin at 100 and 200 mg/kg, hydroalcoholic extract of Blechnum asplenioides at 250 and 500 mg/kg, and the respective combinations. Blood glucose (mg/dL) was measured by tail puncture at 1, 2, 6, and 24 hours. Means were compared using ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: Significant differences among groups were observed at all time points (p<0.05). At one hour, groups treated with Blechnum asplenioides 250 and 500 mg/kg, and the combination of Blechnum asplenioides 250 mg/kg plus metformin 100 mg/kg, showed reduced glucose levels compared with the untreated group. At two and six hours, most regimens produced significant decreases versus the untreated group. At 24 hours, Blechnum asplenioides 500 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg plus metformin 100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg plus metformin 200 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg plus metformin 200 mg/kg showed significant reductions compared with the untreated group (p<0.05); the last two were lower than the metformin 200 mg/kg group (p<0.05). No differences were observed compared with metformin 100 mg/kg at any measurement time. Conclusion: The hydroalcoholic extract of Blechnum asplenioides exerts hypoglycemic activity and, in combination with metformin, enhances glucose reduction, suggesting an additive effect.