Anti-hyperglycaemic activity of a polyherbal formulation and its protective role against hepatopathy in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate antihyperglycaemic activity of an aqueous extract of Diabcap (a polyherbal formulation) and to ascertain its role in hepatoprotection in Streptozotocin (STZ) (60mg/kg, ip single dose) induced diabetes in rats as though potentially uncommon yet diabetic hepatopathy may be an apt organ to be targeted in diabetes. The rats were randomly divided in diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Diabcap was administered in two different doses and results were compared with metformin. The diabetic rats showed a marked elevation in fasting blood glucose level, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, serum bilirubin, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum cholesterol & triglyceride. Administration of Diabcap significantly (p<0.001) reduced the blood glucose level in 300mg/Kg dose of hyperglycaemic rats and showed good results in improving liver function test and reduces the triglyceride and cholesterol level of STZ induced diabetic rats (SIDRs). Histological examination of the liver of normal, diabetic control and drug treated rats were in the same direction with biochemical findings. In vivo toxicity was also performed in albino rats. In the acute oral toxicity each group of rats was orally given a single dose of 2gm/Kg and in sub-acute toxicity rats were administered with 5, 50, 300mg/Kg body weight (BW) of Diabcap once daily for 28 days. This study provides compelling evidence for a holistic approach of Diabcap in amelioration of diabetes linked manifestation or dysregulations. Finally it was concluded that besides acting as an effective antihyperglycaemic agent it can also be used against diabetic hepatopathy.