ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF A HERBAL FORMULATION IN ALLOXAN INDUCED TOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

Diabetes is a chronic complication characterized by damage, dysfunction and ultimate failure of eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels. The rapidly increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus is becoming a serious threat to mankind in all parts of the world. Traditional medicine has been used to treat various ailments from the vedic era and possess good therapeutic value. The use of plants in traditional medicines has been mentioned in the Charaka Samhita.. The present study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of a poly herbal formulation comprising of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume, Andrographis paniculata Nees, Cuminum cyminum L in the ratio 1:2:1. Albino rats of either sex were used as experimental models. The rats were divided into six groups each comprising of six rats each. The groups were Group I- Normal control, Group II- Alloxan induced disease control (120mg/kg b.wt), Group III- Alloxan+ Formulation (500mg/kg b.wt), Group IV- Alloxan + Formulation (750mg/kg b.wt), Group V- Formulation treated (750mg/kg b.wt) and Group VI- Alloxan + Glibenclamide (100mg/kg b.wt) respectively. After the experimental period of 45 days, the blood and tissues were collected and pre-clinical trials were carried out. The parameters studied were plasma glucose, hepatic glycogen, serum insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, glucose-6-phosphatase, glucokinase, serum and tissue proteins, serum urea and creatinine. Alloxan induced disease control group showed significant increase in plasma glucose, Glycosylated hemoglobin, glucose-6-phosphatase, serum urea and creatinine. It also showed significant decrease in serum insulin hepatic glycogen, glucokinase, serum and tissue protein. Oral administration of the formulation restored the level of biochemical parameters and glucose metabolising enzymes. From the present observation, it is evident that the formulation could be an effective antidiabetic drug in alloxan induced diabetes.