Comparative study of antidiabetic activity of two herbal extracts in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes and side effects of chemical medicines, it is worthwhile to discover non-pharmacological treatments for this disease. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L) and Cordia myxa, are among the widely used medicinal herbs.The present study aimed to compare the antidiabetic activities of Trigonella foenum graecum seed aqueous extract (TE) with Cordia myxa fruit aqueous extract (CE) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (120 mg/kg BW) and afterwards, rats were randomly allocated into four groups as the following: Group 1: Normal rats, Group 2: Diabetic control rats, Group 3: diabetic rats received TE (870 mg/kg BW), Group 4: diabetic rats received CE (500 mg/kg BW).The extracts were administered orally for 30 days. Treatment with both extracts caused a significant reduction in blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin of diabetic rats in comparison with diabetic control group (P < 0.001). The activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase in diabetic rats were decreased while there was an increase in the concentration of malondialdehyde in the liver. After a period of one-month oral administration, both extracts significantly decreased the altered parameters in diabetic rats compared to untreated controls (P < 0.05).Treatment with CE significantly decreased the elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and ALP (alkaline phosphatase) compared with untreated diabetic group (P < 0.05).Moreover, TE supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in liver enzymes except ALP compared to the diabetic control group (P < 0.05). Despite the comparable therapeutic efficacy, Cordia myxa fruit could be superior to Trigonella foenum graecum seeds due to its sweet taste and fewer side-effects.