Antioxidant and hypoglycemic effect of Vasconcellea candicans (A. Gray) A. DC. in albino mice: a native fruit of the Peruvian flora

“Mito”, “Andean Papaya” and “kerko” are the popular names of Vasconcellea candicans (A. Gray) A. DC. In some regions in Peru, this species is a shrub tree, endemic to the Peruvian Andes and Ecuador. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and hypoglycemic effect of the ethanolic extract of Vasconcellea candicans fruit on alloxan-induced hyperglycemia in albino mice. Vasconcellea candicans fruits were collected in Uruiza, Lucanas-Ayacucho, Peru. Phytochemical analysis was carried out to confirm chemical groups, and antioxidant activity in vitro was measured using two methods, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic-acid) diammonium salt radical cation (ABTS). In the pharmacological evaluation, hyperglycemia was induced with alloxan using doses of 170 mg/kg in albino mice, animals with a glucose level of more than 250 mg/dL were included in the treatment. Animals were randomized into five groups (I: Alloxan 170 mg/kg; II, III, and IV: Vasconcellea candicans extract: 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg body weight; and V: glibenclamide 5 mg/kg). The phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, saponins, and phenolic compounds. It was observed that at doses of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg, blood glucose was reduced by 43.6%, 60.8%, and 70.5 %, respectively, after 16 days of treatment. The ethanolic extract had an IC₅₀ = 19.6±0.5 µg/mL and 5.05±0.01 µg/mL against DPPH and the ABTS radical, respectively. In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of the Vasconcellea candicans fruit was demonstrated to be effective at 500 mg/kg following 14 days of treatment in mice.