Anti-hyperglycaemic, Anti-dyslipidaemic and Hepatoprotective Effects of the Polyherbal Mixture Diarth in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Aim: This study evaluates the anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-dyslipidaemic and hepatoprotective effects of the polyherbal mixture diarth, in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Methodology: A total of 35 male Wistar albino rats weighing between 120-140 g were used for this study. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared alloxan-monohydrate (140 mg/kg body weight). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was determined using the glucose oxidase method. Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG) and High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined using enzymatic methods. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated using the Friedewald’s equation. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined using Reitman-Frankel method, while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was determined using the colorimetric phenolphthalein method. Phytochemical analysis was done on the herbal mixture, using classical methods.

Results: The results revealed the presence of the phytochemicals saponins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and tannins in the polyherbal mixture diarth. The results revealed significantly lower FPG levels in the negative control and treatment groups compared to the diabetic control. FPG level was significantly higher in the glibenclamide treated group, but showed no significant differences in the diarth group and the combination group (glibenclamide + diarth), compared to negative control. TC levels in the diabetic control was significantly higher compared to the negative control and treatment groups. There were no significant differences in TC levels in the negative control and the treatment groups. The diabetic control had significantly higher TG level compared to the negative control. TG level in the glibenclamide treated group was not significantly different from that of the diabetic control. TG level in the diarth treated group was significantly lower than the diabetic control, but also significantly higher than that of the negative control. TG levels in the combination group (diarth + glibenclamide) was significantly lower than the diabetic control, and showed no significant difference compared to the negative control. The negative control and treatment groups had significantly higher HDL-C levels compared to the diabetic control. The treatment groups showed no significant difference in HDL-C levels, compared to the negative control. The negative control and treatment groups had significantly lower LDL-C levels compared to the diabetic control. The treatment groups showed no significant difference in LDL-C levels, compared to the negative control. The results show significantly elevated ALT, AST and ALP in the diabetic rats compared to the negative control and treatment groups. The treatment groups showed no significant differences in ALT and AST levels compared to the negative control.

Conclusion: 140 mg/kg body weight of alloxan produced significant diabetes in the Wistar rats with dyslipidaemia and elevated liver enzyme levels. Treatment with the polyherbal mixture diarth showed anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-dyslipidaemic and hepatoprotective effects. The effects were equipotent compared to treatment with glibenclamide, thus could be incorporated in the management of diabetes.