Anti-Hyperglycemic and Anti-Dyslipidemic Activities of Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract In Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Objective: To compare the anti-hyperglycemic and anti hyperlipidemic activities of ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) roots with the standard drugs metformin and glimepiride in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Animal House of Basic Medical Science Institute (BMSI). Jinnah post graduate medical center (JPMC), Karachi conducted from May 2018 till August 2018. Materials and Methods: Total seven groups of Wistar albino rats comprising six rats in each were included. Study included negative control and positive control groups, to which 0.9% of sodium chloride was administered. Other five groups of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats were treated with metformin, glimepiride, rosuvastatin, ethanolic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) roots at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400mg/kg, respectively. The treatment was given for 28 days followed by the laboratory estimation of fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin, Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total lipid profile and serum amylase were evaluated. Results: A significant decrease was observed in all the glycemic indices at both doses of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) i.e. 200 mg/kg and 400mg/kg, but a more rampant decrease is observed at the dose of 400mg/kg. Similarly, both concentrations of extract showed significant decrease in all lipidemic indices that included HDLC, VLDL-C, LDL-C, total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG) and the serum amylase levels. Conclusion: This study concludes that the licorice herb has sufficient anti hyperglycemic and anti hyperlipidemic effects in diabetic rats without any aberration in pancreatic enzymes, hence it might be beneficial as additional dietary supplements for the effective management of diabetes mellitus along with standard drugs.

Keywords

• diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, licorice.