Antidiabetic activity of polyherbal formulations from chhattisgarh state

Diabetes mellitus is described as a metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies characterized by insulin resistance, relative insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. It is predicted that by 2030 diabetes mellitus may affect up to 79.4 million individuals in India. In the present study four polyherbal formulations were collected from various places of Chhattisgarh state, India. These formulations were selected on the recommendation of local healers. The formulations were designated as F1, F2, F3 and F4. These formulations were administered to the rats in two different doses i.e. 200 and 400mg/kg body weight; glibenclamide was used as standard drug. The antidiabetic effect of these polyherbal formulations was studied in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The blood glucose level of diabetic rat significantly increased compared to normal rats. Maximum reduction was seen in animals treated with F4 at its both the doses. All the formulations significantly lowered the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL and at the same time HDL level increased in rats treated with extract and standard drug compared to untreated rats. The body weight of rats belonging to diabetic control group decreased significantly on induction of diabetes. The rats treated with extract and glibenclamide were found to gain body weight when compared to diabetic control group. It is interesting that in polyherbal formulation treated rats there was significant decrease in blood glucose level and also lipid peroxidation; the observation shows increased levels of the antioxidant enzymes and decrease in lysosomal enzymes. The potent antidiabetic effect of the polyherbal formulation suggests the presence of such phytoconstitutents that can produce significant antihyperglycemic activity as well as other biochemical changes that can protect from complications of diabetes. The result of present study also suggests that the claims made by the local healers about the efficacy of formulation is correct, however extensive study is required to determine the mechanism by which the activity take place and at the same time the biological markers present in the formulations that are responsible for the activity.