Ameliorative efficacy of polyherbal formulation in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-diabetic activity of a polyherbal formulation in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The methanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera, Catharanthus roseus and Momordica charantia were used in 3:1:1 w/w/w ratio for polyherbal formulation (PHF) preparation. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (GI, GII, GIII, T1 and T2) based on body weight. The high fat diet treated rats of four groups (GII, GIII, T1 and T2) were injected with 45 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin intra peritoneally to induce diabetes. Rats of group GI, GII were kept as normal and diabetic control respectively and GIII as standard control, were administrated with glibenclamide (2.5 mg/kg, orally for 60 days); and group T1 and T2 were administered with PHF daily at a dose of 375 mg/kg and 750 mg/kg body weight respectively for a period of 60 days. Administration of PHF showed dose dependent reduction in the blood glucose level on 30th and 60th days, which was comparable to that of standard drug glibenclamide. Significant decrease in body weight and increase in serum glucose level were observed in diabetic control, which was partially restored upon administration of PHF. Altered biochemical enzymes like AST, ALT and antioxidant enzymes (SOD) were normalized by administration of PHF in diabetic rats. Also, mean values of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDLcholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in rats treated with PHF were restored. The study indicated that PHF at higher dose showed significant decline (p<0.001) in blood glucose level.

Keywords

• polyherbal formulation
• streptozotocin
• type-2 diabetes