The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2019;8(3):129-134 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2019.8308

Research Article

Anti-diabetic potential and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) profile of a formulated polyherbal drug (FPD)

Ighodaro OM¹ , Asejeje FO¹ , Adeosun AM¹ , Ujomu T² , Bakre SR¹

Ighodaro OM,Asejeje FO,Adeosun AM,Ujomu T,Bakre SR

1. Biochemistry Laboratory, Lead City University, Nigeria
2. Department of Pharmacology &Therapeutics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 15th April, 2019 / Accepted: 20th June, 2019

Abstract

Background: Conventional treatments for diabetes mellitus apparently lack the desired therapeutic interventions and are relatively expensive for a number of individuals suffering from the diseases. Hence, several formulated polyherbal drugs are currently utilized as treatment options for diabetes. Objective: In view of this, the present study investigated the acclaimed antidiabetic potential of a formulated polyherbal drug (FPD) popularly sold in a major city (Ibadan) in Nigeria as Merry Herbal Tea. FPD was screened for its active constituents and antidiabetic efficacy using GC-MS technique and alloxan-induced diabetic rats respectively. Methods: The diabetic rats were randomized into a diabetic control group and three diabetic groups separately treated with FPD (5mL/kg), FPD (10mL/kg) and Metformin (12mg/kg) BW (p.o) twice daily, for a period of five days. Blood glucose (FBGL) was monitored at different time intervals using acucheck glucometer and pancreas was harvested from each animal and processed for histological examinations. Results: Although FPD at the studied doses lowered blood glucose levels in the experimental rats but unlike metformin, its hypoglycemic effect was not significant (P?0.05) when compared to the initial diabetic glucose level of the animals. This observation was substantiated by the pancreatic histological architectures of the FPD and metformin treated animals relative to their untreated diabetic counterparts. Conversely, FDP significantly lowered the number of diabetes-induced mortality (28.6 %) relative to the untreated diabetic group (60.1%). Contained in FDP among other bioactive compounds is Lup-20(29)-en-3-ol, acetate which has been associated with diabetic functions in previous studies. Conclusion: The blood glucose and mortality lowering effects, as well as the presence of Lup20(29)-en-3-ol, acetate demonstrated by FPD within the evaluation period tend to suggest a possible antidiabetic relevance for the formulated polyherbal drug. However, we recommend that the antidiabetic effects of FDP be assessed for a longer period and more assays related to diabetes be conducted before a definite conclusion is made on its antidiabetic relevance.