Effect of PENN-DIABEX, a novel polyherbal formulation, in high fat diet streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disorder affecting millions worldwide, presents a significant health challenge characterized by impaired glucose regulation and potential complications. This study examines the antidiabetic effects of a polyherbal formulation (PENN-DIABEX) prepared from five different medicinal plant extracts. The objective is to ascertain its efficacy in managing streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats. To accomplish this, six distinct groups of rats were involved five with induced diabetes and one serving as a normal control. Among the diabetic groups, one received no treatment, functioning as the diabetic control group. The remaining three groups were administered PHF in three different doses while the 6th group was given metformin. On the last day of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were taken in collecting tubes to analyze blood biochemical parameters. Additionally, tissue samples from the liver, kidney, and pancreas were preserved in formalin solution for subsequent histopathological activity. The results of the study revealed that treatment with PHF in diabetic rats led to a significant (P < 0.01) improvement in fasting blood glucose levels (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and various biochemical markers including LFTs, RFTs, and lipid profiling. Furthermore, the histology of the liver, kidney, and pancreas indicated that the formulation did not induce any metabolic toxicity. Comparative analysis of the antidiabetic effects of PHF with those of metformin, revealed that the PHF showed better results than the standard drug. This suggests its potential utilization as a safer and alternative approach in the treatment of diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes; Histopathology; In vivo; PENN-DIABEX; PHF; STZ.

Fig. 1

Weekly fasting blood glucose (FBG) level of treated and control groups.

Fig. 2a

Rat liver (a) Normal group (NC) displaying the typical histological organization of the hepatic lobule. Notable are the normal hepatocytes (H) and the normal hepatic portal vein (HPV). (b) A diabetic control (DC) with extensive centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis, hemorrhage, and infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells (black arrow) (c) Hepatocyte ballooning degeneration with pyknosis of their nuclei (red arrow), necrosis of sporadic hepatocytes (black arrow), and infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells in treated diabetic rat liver (T1 200 mg/kg). (d) Hepatocyte ballooning degradation and apoptosis are visible in the treated diabetic rat liver (T2 400 mg/kg). (e) A diabetic rat liver treated with T3 600 mg/kg demonstrates a considerable (*) decline in hepatocyte ballooning degeneration and cytoplasmic vacuolization (black arrow). (f) Hepatic portal injury in the metformin standard (MS) diabetic group with necrosis of sporadic hepatocytes (long arrow). (H&E, inserted images ×400).

Fig. 2b

Kidney of rat (a) Normal group (NC) showing normal tubules of the kidney. (b) Diabetic control (DC) showing massive cell necrosis and hemorrhage (red arrow) and glomerular/ tubule granular damage (yellow arrow) and tubule dilation and vacuolization (black arrow) (c) Treated diabetic rat pancreas (T1 200 mg/kg), showing significant (*) decrease cellular necrosis (red arrow) and recovery of vasodilation. (d) Treated diabetic rat pancreas (T2 400 mg/kg), showing a more significant (**) decrease in cell necrosis and recovery of tubule granular damage (black arrow) (e) Treated diabetic rat pancreas (T3 600 mg/kg), showing normal vasodilation, glomerular damage (f) Metformin standard (MS) diabetic group showing mild cellular necrosis (red arrow) and vasodilation in kidney (black arrow). (H&E, inserted images ×400).

Fig. 2c

Pancreas of rat (a) Normal group (NC) showing normal Islets (red arrow) and normal β cells (black arrow). (b) Diabetic control (DC) showed massive β cells necrosis (black arrow) and damaged islets (red arrow). (c) Treated diabetic rat pancreas (T1 200 mg/kg), showing significant (*) decrease β cells necrosis (black arrow) and recovery of islets (red arrow). (d) Treated diabetic rat pancreas (T2 400 mg/kg), showing significant (**) decrease β cells necrosis (black arrow) and recovery of islets (red arrow). (e) Treated diabetic rat pancreas (T3 600 mg/kg), showing normal β cells and normal islets (f) Metformin standard (MS) diabetic group showing mild β cells necrosis and inflammation in islets (red arrow). (H&E, inserted images ×400).