Hypoglycemic and α-amylase inhibitory effects of polyherbal aqueous extract in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a long-term metabolic disease in which blood sugar is elevated, due to a deficiency of either insulin production or insulin function, or both. Conventional antidiabetic drugs have been found to be limiting, thus making medicinal plants an interest of study as alternative drugs. In this study, antihyperglycemic, α-amylase inhibitory and histopathological effects of polyherbal aqueous extract of Annona muricata, Zingiber officinale and Andrographis paniculata were assessed in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Thirty-nine male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain were grouped as diabetic rats treated with 50, 100 & 200 mg/kg of polyherbal extract, diabetic rats not treated, glibenclamide treated rats (10 mg/kg) and normal control rats. Streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) was used to induce diabetes. Seven-day oral treatments were given. The blood glucose level, α-amylase activity, and the histopathology of the pancreas and testicle were determined. The polyherbal extract significantly lowered the blood glucose level in a dose-dependent fashion, with an increase in the level of activity when there was an increase in the dose; significant inhibition of α-amylase activity was also recorded. Histological examination showed that the architecture of the pancreatic islets, presence of β-cell regeneration and structure of the seminiferous tubules were restored in the treated groups as compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Polyherbal aqueous extract showed potent antihyperglycemic and α amylase inhibitory effects and had the beneficial effect on diabetes-induced pancreatic and testicular damage. The results indicated that it could be considered as a therapeutic agent in the management of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications.