# Effect of nipa palm (Nypa fruticans Wurmb.) vinegar on the incretin hormones and intestinal glucose transporters in type 2 diabetes mellitus rat model

## TL;DR

This study shows that nipa palm vinegar helps reduce blood sugar in diabetic rats by improving insulin and glucose transport in the intestines.

## Contribution

The study reveals a novel mechanism of nipa palm vinegar's antidiabetic effect via incretin hormones and intestinal glucose transporters.

## Key findings

- Nipa palm vinegar improved glycemic control and insulin secretion in diabetic rats.
- Treatment preserved pancreatic and liver health and reduced intestinal glucose transporter overexpression.
- The vinegar's effect may involve DPP4 inhibition and modulation of SGLT1 expression.

## Abstract

Nipa palm vinegar has been traditionally used to lower blood glucose levels by diabetic patients. This study aims to analyse the effect of aqueous extract (AE) of nipa palm vinegar on glycemic parameters and glucose transporter-incretin hormonal system in type 2 diabetic rat. The model was established using a combination of high-fat diet (p.o.) and low dose streptozotocin (i.p.). AE (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) was administered orally once daily for 28 days. Biochemical parameters related to type 2 diabetes including fasting glucose, serum insulin, lipid profiles, incretin hormone, liver, and pancreatic histology were evaluated. Relative expression of jejunal glucose transporters was also determined. Induction of diabetes caused significant (p = 0.026) weight loss, hyperlgycemia, hypoinsulinemia, dyslipidemia and reduced incretin hormones. Diabetes onset also disturbed HOMA-IR and HOMA-ß cell function indices, altered the morphological features of hepatocytes and pancreatic islet and overexpressed intestinal glucose transporters, SGLT1 and GLUT2. Repetitive oral administration of AE (1000 mg/kg) for 28 days ameliorated the biochemical abnormalities and improved HOMA-β cell function of diabetic rats. Histological studies revealed AE treatment preserved the integrity of pancreatic islet and protected hepatocytes from degeneration and atrophic effects of streptozotocin. Further analysis suggested the effect of AE in stimulating incretin hormones secretion via the action of DPP4 inhibitor and by modulating jejunal SGLT1 expression. In conclusion, the study suggested AE exerted its antidiabetic effect partially by stimulating insulin secretion via incretin hormone and intestinal glucose transporter pathway.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-025-04933-8.