Effect of a poly-herbal formulation, Okudiabet, on alloxan- induced diabetic rats

摘要

The study examined the acute toxicity, hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of a poly-herbaldrug, Okudiabet –a mixture of Stachytarpheta angustifolia, Alstonia congensis bark and Xylopiaaethiopica fruits extract– used in the treatment of diabetes. The median acute toxicity value (LD50)of the drug was determined to be 16.5 g/kg body weight (bwt). A significant increase in the bodyweight was observed in the diabetic and normo-groups treated with the drug. There weresignificant reductions (p<0.05) in the plasma glucose and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels, and significant increase (p<0.05) in high density lipoprotein (HDL)–cholesterolin the treated diabetic group compared to the control. Furthermore, significant reductions inaspartate aminotransferases (AST) and alanine aminotransferases (ALT) levels were observed inthe treated diabetic animals compared to the control. Also significant reduction in the creatinineand increase in the protein levels respectively were observed in the treated diabetic group. Theresults showed that the phytomedicine had both good hypoglycaemic activity and beneficialeffects on cardiovascular risk factors. The high LD50 value is an indication that the drug has ahigh safety margin.