EFFECTS OF TERMINALIA CHEBULA ON BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND PANCREATIC TISSUE IN DIABETIC RATS

摘要

The field of herbal medicine has been gaining importance since last many years and many natural products are being used to treat diabetes. Fruit of Terminalia chebula has been reported to have anti-diabetic activity. The present study was aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic effects of aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula by evaluating different serological parameters. It was observed that treatment of alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats with aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula (500 mg/kg body weight) resulted in a significant decrease in blood glucose level. There was no significant increase in serum ALT and AST levels indicating no hepatotoxicity to aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula. There was a significant decrease in serum urea and serum creatinine levels upon treatment with aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula indicating decreased renal toxicity. Aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula induced an improvement in lipid profile values, causing significant decrease in serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride level. In conclusion the present study indicated a significant antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula and supported its traditional usage in the control of diabetes and its complications. It can be stated convincingly that use of Terminalia chebula alone or in combination of conventional antidiabetic drugs may be beneficial and therefore can reduce the side effects and cost of allopathic treatment for diabetes. However, further studies are needed to evaluate its antidiabetic effects more and its further use as a potential therapy for diabetes.