Abstract
Herbal therapies always remain a potential source of glycemic control in diabetic patients. Plants or combination of plants
improve the healing action and lessen the adverse effects compared to synthetic drugs. The present research was designed to
evaluate antidiabetic potential of polyherbal formulation consisting of Sphaeranthus indicus, Caesalpinia bonduc, Bunium
persicum, Artemisia absinthium, Cuminum cyminum, Swertia chirata, Gymnema sylvestra, and Citrullus colocynthis in
alloxanized diabetic rats. Quantitative phytochemical, RP-HPLC, DPPH and in vitro alpha amylase analyses of formulation
were performed. Rats were grouped into six groups (n=15/group) named as control, diabetic control, glibenclamide treated,
Treated I, Treated II and Treated III. Hyperglycemic rats of treated groups I, II and III were administered polyherbal
formulation at dose rate of 200, 400 and 600mg/kg respectively for 8 weeks after induction of diabetes with alloxan
monohydrate (150, IP). The results have shown that alloxan significantly increased fasting blood glucose (531.81±4.29) and
serum glucose (526.0±6.26) levels. However, 8-weeks treatment of hyperglycemic rats with polyherbal formulation
significantly decreased the fasting blood glucose (156.82±4.51), serum glucose (148.8±4.04) and increased C-peptide and liver
glycogen levels. The levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TAC and TOS were also restored towards normal. Histopathological analysis
of pancreas also showed increase in size and number of pancreatic β cells after polyherbal formulation treatment compared to
diabetic group. This study shows that polyherbal formulation has antidiabetic potential as it can improve performance of
pancreatic β cells and insulin secretory capacity by reducing hyperglycemia and oxidative stress induced β cells apoptosis.
