P6 Herbs for Health: An alternative approach to identify newer therapeutic option for the treatment of diabetes

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is amongst the top five risk factors for cardiovascular deaths all over the world and is a major public concern. In 2010, 285 million people in the world have diabetes mellitus, and the incidence of this disease will increase to 7.7% by 2030. This study planned to evaluate the usefulness of an indigenous poly herbal formulation (POL-4) in the treatment of diabetes. Material & Methods: The plant material and its aqueous-methanolic extract were used in both in vivo and in vitro assays using Sprague Dawley rats and aortic vessels from these animals. Results: The oral administration of the crude extract of POL-4 (POL-4.Cr) exerted antihyperglycemic effects at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min post glucose (2 g/kg) administration to rats, effect similar to those seen with glibenclamide (6 mg/kg) administration. When tested against alloxan (150 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) or fructose (25%)-fed rats, treatment with POL-4 administered at 3% and 6% in the diet, the latter induced marked protection against hypertension, hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia. A significant improvement in HbA1C and a positive effect on plasma insulin levels was also observed in POL-4 treated groups compared with rats that only received alloxan or were fructose fed. In isolated rat aorta experiments, an improvement in the damaged endothelium was observed in the vessels from the animal group administered POL-4, an effect similar to that seen in vessels from metformin treated animals. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the antidiabetic, antihypertensive and endothelial modulatory effects of POL-4, effects possibly due to the preservation of pancreatic β-cell function, and thus provides evidence supporting the medicinal use of this polyherbal formulation in diabetes.