ANTIDIABETIC AND ORGAN-PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF A POLYHERBAL FORMULATION IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia and associated metabolic abnormalities. Herbal medicines have gained considerable attention due to their therapeutic efficacy and lower incidence of adverse effects. The present study evaluated the antidiabetic potential of a polyherbal formulation (PHF) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg). Animals were divided into eight groups comprising normal control, diabetic control, glibenclamide-treated standard group (10 mg/kg), and five treatment groups receiving PHF-1 to PHF-5 (500 mg/kg) orally for 21 days. Blood glucose levels were monitored on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. Biochemical parameters including lipid profile, liver enzymes, and renal markers were estimated at the end of the study. Histopathological examination of pancreatic tissues was performed. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparison test. Alloxan administration significantly increased blood glucose levels, dyslipidemia, hepatic enzyme levels, and renal biomarkers compared with normal animals. Treatment with polyherbal formulations significantly reduced hyperglycemia and improved biochemical parameters. PHF-3 and PHF-4 exhibited the greatest antihyperglycemic activity, reducing blood glucose levels from 279.27 ± 1.36 and 281.40 ± 1.27 mg/dL to 105.59 ± 1.03 and 100.04 ± 1.30 mg/dL, respectively, after 21 days. These formulations also restored serum lipid profile, liver function markers, renal function markers, body weight, and pancreatic architecture comparable to glibenclamide. The polyherbal formulation demonstrated significant antidiabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. PHF-3 and PHF-4 exhibited superior antihyperglycemic and organ-protective effects, suggesting their potential as promising herbal therapeutic agents for diabetes management.