Hepatoprotective Activity of Sunkist Orange Peel Nanoparticles Assessed through Hepatic Function and Morphology Using an Alloxan-Induced Wistar Rat Model of Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

The chronic metabolic disturbances associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) may cause liver injury through hyperglycemia, excess production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and ensuing oxidative stress. Sunkist orange rind (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) provides flavonoids alongside phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity and potential hepatoprotective effects. This investigation tested the potential hepatoprotective effects of Sunkist orange peel extract nanoparticles by assessing hepatic function and morphology using a Wistar rat model with experimentally induced DM. A laboratory experiment used control groups and measurements obtained only after treatment. Animals were assigned to six groups, comprising a healthy reference group, a diabetic group serving as the untreated control, a metformin-treated positive control, and three groups receiving the nanoparticle extract, administered at 100, 200, or 300 mg per kilogram of body weight (BW). Outcomes included total bilirubin concentrations, aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT or AST) activity, alanine aminotransferase (SGPT or ALT) activity, hepatic morphology scores, and representative histological findings. Significant between-group differences were observed in ALT activity (F(5,12) = 25.859; p < 0.001), AST activity (F(5,12) = 24.191; p < 0.001), total bilirubin (p < 0.001), and liver morphology scores (H(5) = 24.331; p < 0.001). The two lower dose levels (100 and 200 mg per kilogram of body weight) produced the most consistent biochemical improvement, with mean ALT values approximately 58.4% and 58.6% lower, respectively, and mean AST values approximately 53.8% lower than those in the untreated diabetic control. Treatment with 300 mg/kg BW yielded significant morphological improvement, although its effect on AST was less pronounced than that of the 100 and 200 mg per kilogram of body weight doses. No linear association between dose and response was observed. Sunkist orange peel extract nanoparticles show potential hepatoprotective activity in diabetic Wistar rats, particularly at 100–200 mg/kg BW for biochemical outcomes.