In-vivo anti-hyperglycemic effect of herbal extracts Tribulus terrestris (L) and Curcuma amada (R) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and its associated histopathological studies

Abstract

Dia/betes is a serious health concern in many countries with high blood glucose, obesity, and multiple organ failures in late stages. Treating diabetes with effective drugs is still a challenging issue since most of the available diabetic drugs are not effective in combating diabetes, especially in secondary disease complications like obesity, retinopathy, and nephropathy associated with diabetes. Hence search for effective antidiabetic medication, especially from natural sources is mandatory with no adverse side effects. In the present study, a combined herbal aqueous extract of Tribulus terrestris and Curcuma amada was administered to diabetic-induced rats for 37 days. During experimentation, the mean blood glucose level was estimated and at the end of the experiment on the 37th day, the animal was sacrificed and observed for weight gain, plasma insulin, glycogen, glycated hemoglobin, urea, and creatinine level. The results revealed that TT and CA extract-treated diabetic groups significantly lowered the mean blood glucose level followed by increased glycogen and insulin level. Urea, creatinine, and HbA1c levels were considerably reduced in TT and CA-treated diabetic animals as compared to that of antidiabetic drug Glibenclamide-treated groups. TT and CA-treated diabetic animals showed considerable net body weight gain at the end of the experimental day. A concluding remark of the study shows that TT and CA herbal extract is effective against diabetes and it can be considered as an antidiabetic agent in ayurvedic medicine practice.

Keywords: Curcuma amada; Diabetes; Glucose; Herbs; Insulin; Tribulus terrestris; Urea.

Fig. 1

Herbal samples. A: Fruits of Tribulus terrestris. B: Curcuma amada plant. C: Rizhome of Curcuma amada. D: Cut section of Curcuma amada.

Fig. 2

Histopathology of liver tissue. A- Control liver with intact normal hepatocytes (Nhp), B- Diabetic liver (STZ treated) (Dhp: Damaged hepatocytes), C- T.terrestris treated liver (Rhp: Recovered hepatocytes), D- C.amada treated liver, E− T + C treated liver (Combination of two extracts), F- Glibenclamide treated liver (Standard Drug).

Fig. 3

Histopathology of kidney tissue. A- Control. B- Diabetic (Ns: Necrotized sinusoids; Dg: Damaged glomeruli), C- T.terrestris treated Kidney (Rg: Regenerative glomeruli), D- C.amada treated Kidney (Rbs: Regenerative blood sinusoids), E− T + C treated Kidney (Pbs: Prominent blood sinusoids), F- Glibenclamide treated Kidney (Mrg: Moderate regenerative glomeruli).

Fig. 4

Histopathology of pancreatic tissue. A- Control (NI: Normal Islets), B- Diabetic (DI: Damaged Islets), C- T.terrestris treated (Rbv: Recovered blood vessels), D- C.amada treated Pancreas (Blood sinusoids), E− T + C treated Pancreas (PI: Prominent Islets), F- Glibenclamide treated Pancreas (RI: Recovered Islets).