Attenuation of Chemically Induced Diabetes in Rabbits with Herbal Mixture (Citrullus colocynthis and Cicer arietinum)

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the hypoglycemic potential of herbal mixture (Citrullus Colocynthis and Cicer arietinum) in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. Hypoglycemic potential was evaluated through curative and preventive modes of treatments. Blood glucose and lipid level was measured in serum of experimental rabbits. Significant (P<0.05) increase was observed in glucose level (466.33+9.07 mg/dl) in diabetic control group after the injection of alloxan (120 mg/kg) as compared to normal group (103.67±4.51 mg/dl). Treatment of diabetic rabbits with herbal mixtures at the dose of 150 mg/kg for three weeks significantly decreased (126±9.17 mg/dl) glucose level of the alloxan induced. The oral administration of herbal mixture in curative and preventive groups showed significant reduction in plasma glucose, and low density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol levels, and significant (P<0.05) increased was observed in the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL). The phytochemical studies revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and steroids in herbal mixture. The results of this study indicated that antidiabetic potential of herbal mixture (Citrullus Colocynthis and Cicer arietinum) may be due to presence of bioactive phytochemical constituents. It can be concluded that herbal mixture has strong hypoglycemic and antilipidemic potential which is comparable with standard drug.

Keywords

• Alloxan
• Cicer arietinum
• Citrullus colocynthis
• Herbal mixture
• Hypoglycemia