Biological and Hypoglycemic Effects of a Polyherbal Extract on Alloxanized Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The current study investigates the antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective potentials of a polyherbal mixture containing the methanolic extracts of seeds from Nigella sativa, Cicer arietinum, Silybum marianum, and Citrullus colocynthis and the rhizome of Zingiber officinale. The polyherbal extract (PHE) showed significant total phenolic contents (187.17 GAE/g), ferric reducing power (28%), and radical-scavenging activity (86.16%). The PHE also showed a substantial hypoglycemic effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats by reducing the blood glucose level of the PHE-treated rats (−48.64%) and increasing the insulin level (107.5%) as compared with the diabetic control group. Likewise, an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) contents (22.95%) with an associated decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (−43.93%) was also noted. A significant decrease in serum levels of liver marker enzymes, e.g., SGPT (−36%), SGOT (−31%), and serum ALP (−12%), was also observed as compared with the standard drug-treated group. Based on the findings of the study, it may be suggested that PHE helps ameliorate the severity of diabetes as a herbal remedy and might be employed in nutra-pharmaceuticals, replacing synthetic antidiabetic compounds.

Antioxidant, Hypoglycemic, Antilipidemic, and Protective Effect of Polyherbal Emulsion (F6-SMONSECCE) on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

“…A variety of medications such as biguanides, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, etc., are available to manage diabetes and its associated abnormalities. However, the rate of mortality is still high due to the substantial side effects exhibited by such synthetic antidiabetic drugs . In 2021, 537 million individuals worldwide (diagnosed or undiagnosed) were estimated to have diabetes, and by 2045, that number is expected to rise by 46% to 784 million. , It is also reported that “The International Diabetes Foundation” (IDF) estimates that 10.5% of adults worldwide have diabetes and that number is expected to rise to 12.2% by 2045 …”

“…In recent years, researchers have been looking into medicinal flora to find out the most effective herbal formulations containing potent medicinal plants against diabetes . The safety and efficacy of herbal medications for the treatment of diabetes have been proven in the past studies. , The antihyperglycemic properties of such medicinal plants might be linked to the presence of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, and carotenoids, which are scientifically validated for producing antidiabetic effects either by enhancing insulin secretion from pancreas or lowering insulin resistance …”