Evaluation of Antidiabetic Activity of Polyherbal Formulation “Vasant Kusumakar Ras” on Alloxan-induced and Dexamethasone-induced Diabetic Rats
Talha Jawaid
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Al Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 13317, Saudi Arabia.
Kumari Nishu
Hygia Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Mehnaz Kamal *
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia.
Saud M. Alsanad
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Al Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 13317, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The current study observed the antidiabetic effect of Vasant Kusumakar Ras, an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation, in alloxan-induced and dexamethasone-induced diabetic rats.
Materials and Methods: Alloxan (120 mg/kg, i.p.) and dexamethasone sodium phosphate (5 mg/kg, i.p.) were used to induce diabetes in rats. The oral antidiabetic activity of Vasant Kusumakar Ras was evaluated by single doses of Vasant Kusumakar Ras (400 and 600 mg/kg, p.o.) in albino rats during a 10-day treatment period, with the effect of the Vasant Kusumakar Ras on blood glucose levels and serum lipid parameters measured on 0, 7th, and 11th day. Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as the reference drug.
Results: In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, the elevated levels of blood glucose significantly (p < 0.05) decreased after oral administration of Vasant Kusumakar Ras (400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg), and Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). When compared to the diabetic control group, treatment with Vasant Kusumakar Ras and Glibenclamide for 10 days reduced total cholesterol (TC) significantly (p < 0.001). Treatment with Vasant Kusumakar Ras and Glibenclamide for 10 days, significantly (p < 0.001) decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level when compared to the diabetic control group. In dexamethasone-induced diabetic rats, all rats given with dexamethasone and Vasant Kusumakar Ras (400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg) showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the level of blood glucose when compared with diabetic control rats. The rats treated with dexamethasone and Glibenclamide showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose level when compared to diabetic control rats. When compared to the diabetic control group, treatment with Vasant Kusumakar Ras and Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) for 10 days reduced TC significantly (p < 0.001). Treatment with Vasant Kusumakar Ras and Glibenclamide for 10 days, significantly (p < 0.001) decreased LDL level when compared to the diabetic control group.
Conclusion: Vasant Kusumakar Ras was shown to have significant antidiabetic activity comparable to that of glibenclamide and it also improves the lipid metabolism in both alloxan-induced and dexamethasone-induced diabetic rats.
Keywords: Polyherbal formulation, vasant kusumakar ras, alloxan, dexamethasone, antidiabetic