Abstract:
Modification of dietary habits and life style changes such as, regular
exercise together with mixed formulations containing blood sugar lowering herbs in
combination with antioxidants and detoxicants, have been incorporated in the
management of type -1 diabetes. Aqueous extract of 7 plants (Annona
squamosa(Annonaceae), Cassia fistula, Coccinia indica, Mangifera indica, Ocimum
sanctum, Lagerstroemia losflos-reginee, and Murraya koenigii) (PE) together with
swimming exercise (S) has been employed in the present study to evaluate the efficacy
against dyslipidemia and oxidative stress associated with type-1 diabetes. 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 PE
and subjected to swimming exercise of 30 minutes duration for 15 days. Animals
were sacrificed on the 16th day and, various parameters related to oxidative stress
(SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH and LPO) and lipid metabolism (Total lipids, TG, TC, LDL,
VDL, and VLDL) were evaluated. Diabetic animals showed down regulated antioxidant
defence and dysregulation of lipid metabolism. Both PE and S+PE restored the level
of antioxidants and markers of lipid metabolism to near normal levels. 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 alleviating symptoms of tissue oxidative damage
and disorders of lipid metabolism.
