In-vivo anti-hyperglycemic effect of herbal extracts “Ocimum sanctum" and "Azadirachta indica" on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and its associated histopathological studies

In-vivo anti-hyperglycemic effect of herbal extracts “Ocimum sanctum" and "Azadirachta indica" on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and its associated histopathological studies

Abstract

Diabetes is a serious health concern in many countries with high blood glucose, obesity, and multiple organ failures in late stages. Treating diabetes with effective drugs is still a challenging issue since most of the available diabetic drugs are not effective in combating diabetes, especially in secondary disease complications like obesity, retinopathy, and nephropathy associated with diabetes. Hence search for effective antidiabetic medication, especially from natural sources is mandatory with no adverse side effects. In the present study, a combined herbal aqueous extract of "Ocimum sanctum" and "Azadirachta indica" was administered to diabetic-induced rats for 37 days. During experimentation, the mean blood glucose level was estimated and at the end of the experiment on the 37th day, the animal was sacrificed and observed for weight gain, plasma insulin, glycogen, glycated hemoglobin, urea, and creatinine level. The results revealed that "Ocimum sanctum" (TULSI)and "Azadirachta indica" (NEEM) leaf extract-treated diabetic groups significantly lowered the mean blood glucose level followed by increased glycogen and insulin level. Urea, creatinine, and HbA1c levels were considerably reduced in "Ocimum sanctum" and "Azadirachta indica" treated diabetic animals as compared to that of antidiabetic drug Glibenclamide-treated groups. "Ocimum sanctum" and "Azadirachta indica" treated diabetic animals showed considerable net body weight gain at the end of the experimental day. A concluding remark of the study shows "Ocimum sanctum" and "Azadirachta indica" herbal extract is effective against diabetes and it can be considered as an antidiabetic agent in ayurvedic medicine practice.

AFFILIATION:

R.M. SINGH, M.PHARM, SET’S COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, RGUHS

METHODOLOGY

Diabetic induction

Diabetes was induced in animal models using Streptozotocin following the methodology . In brief 32-h, fastened rats were induced diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg b.w prepared in 0.1 M Normal saline). After a week time, the blood glucose level was checked using a blood glucose meter (Accucheck, Inc.) by pricking ear lobes. Rats with blood glucose levels of 260 mg/dL and above are a hallmark of diabetes onset. The experimental setup was continued for 37 days. At the end of the 37th day animals were sacrificed by standard euthanasia procedure and the blood, and tissue samples were collected, processed, and stored at −80 °C until use . All the animal experiments were carried out after obtaining the standard Institutional Animal Ethical Committee

Group I: Normal vehicle control.

Group II: Diabetic control.

Group III: Diabetic + TULSI extract treated (100 mg/kg body weight).

Group IV: Diabetic + NEEM extract treated (100 mg/kg body weight).

Group V: Diabetic + NEEM extract (50 mg/kg b.w) + TULSI extract (50 mg/kg b.w).

Group VI: Diabetic + Glibenclamide (900 μg/kg b.w).

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