Abstract:
Ayurvedic remedies for diabetes are usually mixed formulations
containing blood sugar lowering herbs in combination with immunomodulators,
diuretics and detoxicants, with the rationale behind such formulations being provided
by modern research. The plants for the present study were selected on the basis of
their anti-diabetic property, as these plants are consumed by the local people for
treatment of diabetes as also supported by literature survey. Plants like Annona
squamosa(Annonaceae), Cassia fistula, Coccinia indica, Mangifera indica, Ocimum
sanctum, Lagerstroemia losflos-reginee, and Murraya koenigii used in the present
study have been known to have same blood glucose lowering effect in diabetic animals
and, some of them have an anti-lipidemic and cholesterol lowering effects too. To this
effect, adult albino rats were made diabetic (DC) by a single i.p injection of alloxan
(120 mg / kg body weight). Animals having blood glucose level of 300 mg / dl or
higher were considered diabetic. Control and experimental animals were supplemented
with the extract (PE) subjected to swimming exercise(s) of 30 minutes duration for 15
days. Animals were sacrificed on the 16th day and various parameters related to
glycaemic status and carbohydrate metabolism were evaluated. The results of the
present study showed significant favorable effect of S+PE in non-diabetic as well as
diabetic rats. In terms of glycaemic regulation, neither PE nor PE+S showed any
significant effect either on fasting or fed glycaemic level in non-diabetic animals while,
both were equally effective in minimizing diabetic hyperglycaemia to the same extent.
In DC animals, both PE and S+PE improved the insulin status. There was increased
hepatic and muscle glycogen contents in both NC and DC animals treated with PE or
also subjected to exercise. The increased tissue glycogen load and glucose clearance
from blood are paralleled by significant decrement in tissue glycogen phosphorylase
activity. There was decrement in cytosolic GLUT 4 level in NC.PE and NC.S+PE
animals and significant increment in expression in DC.PE and DC.S+PE animals
over that of the low level in DC animals. Overall, the present study provides support
and evidence for consideration of a therapeutic approach combining the beneficial
effects of a polyherbal preparation in association with adaptive physical activity for
effective management of diabetic complications.
