Abstract

ANTIDIABETIC EFFECT OF POLYHERBAL EXTRACT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Biju T. Francis* and Sudha S.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic disorder that continue to increase in numbers and its complications impose significant consequences on individuals, families, health systems and countries. There are several approaches to control the ill effects of diabetes and its complications; however herbal remedies are the preferred choice due to low cost and lesser side effects. Multifactorial metabolic diseases develop several complications like hyperlipidemia, hepatic toxicity, immunodeficiency etc. and multiple clinical failures observed in monotherapy treatment. Hence instead of mono-drug therapy, combinations of herbs are found to be a better option for the management of the disease. Present study focused on combined effects of seven well-known herbal medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes. The in-vitro and in-vivo antidiabetic effects for polyherbal hydro-alcoholic extracts of Phyllanthus emblica (fruit), Phyllanthus Amarus (whole plant), Tinospora cordifolia (whole plant), Curcuma Longa (rhizome), Syzygium aromaticum (flower), Piper longum (fruit) and Moringa oleifera (Leaf) have been evaluated. The antidiabetic effects of individual plants are well known and the synergistic effect is expected, but unclear. No sign of toxicity was observed in animals. The antidiabetic activity of polyherbal extracts were screened against streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rats and effects are comparable with that of glibenclamide.

Keywords: Polyherb, antidiabetic, in-vitro, in-vivo, streptozotocin, diabetes mellitus.