Abstract
The present study was undertaken for the investigation of antidiabetic efficacy of Momordica charantia (karela) fruits, Trigonella foenum graecum (mathi) seeds, Coccinia indica (talakucha) leaves and combination of these three plant materials extract (CPMEt) following oral administration of aqueous extract to the diabetic rats at the dose 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg body weight daily for 90 days. The effects of these medicinal plant extracts and CPMEt were compared with a patent drug, glibenclamide at (5mg/kg b.w.). A total of ninety rats were randomly divided into fifteen groups, each group consisting of six replications (one group normal, one group diabetic control and other thirteen were diabetic treated groups). Diabetic mellitus was induced by injecting streptozotocin (STZ) to adult mixed albino rats (Long Evan's Strain) weighting between 150-200g at a dose of 55mg/kg b.w. intraperitoneally. Blood glucose, body weight, biochemical (AST, ALT, SAP, TCh, TGA, serum urea, serum uric acid and serum creatinine), hematological parameter (hemoglobin) and body weight were examined before treatment and on 15th, 30th, 45th, 60th, 75th and 90th day of experiment. At the end of day 90, all rats were sacrificed and pancreas, liver, kidney samples were collected for histopathological study. Among all plant materials extract (T3 to T14) and glibenclamide (T15) treated group, the highest reduction of fasting blood glucose level (62.94%), was found in glibenclamide 5mg/kg b.w (T15) group when compared with the diabetic control (T2) group. However, when compared among the treatment groups (T3 to T14). Diabetic+CPMEt-750 mg/kg b.w.(T14) group, showed highest reduction of blood glucose level (59.20%), lower than the patent drug treated group. Highest reduction of biochemical parameters; AST (43.21%), ALT (36.70%), SAP (36.70)%, TCh (30.18%), TGA (53.10%), serum urea (32.88%), serum uric acid (27.89%) and serum creatinine (33.82%) were recorded in group (T15) followed by group (T14) AST (38.43%), ALT (35.00%), SAP (35.01%), TCH (25.88%), TGA (48.54%), serum urea (30.88%), serum uric acid (24.26%) and serum creatinine (35.29%). Regarding hemoglobin level (28.56%) and body weight (55.11%) was increased in T15 group when compared with the diabetic control group (T2). However, when compared among the plant materials groups (T3 to T14), Diabetic+CPMEt-750mg/kg b.w.(T14) group showed the increased hemoglobin level (29.45%) and body weight (50.28%). when compared with the diabetic control group (T2). Histopathological study of the pancreas showed the significant (P<0.01) decreased number of islets, number of islets cell and islets diameter and relative weight of pancreas in diabetic control group rats. Although the relevant number of islets, islets cell, islets diameter and relative weight of pancreas was significantly increased (P<0.01) in combination of plant materials extract (CPMEt) with all dose level followed by in Momordica charantia (karela) fruits, Trigonella foenum graecum (Mathi) seeds, and patent drug group with exception of the group of Coccinia indica (Talakucha) leaves extract. Degenerative changes were remarkable in kidney and liver of diabetic control group, while highest regeneration changes showed in the treated (T5) and (T14) group. In conclusion, aqueous extract of Momordica charantia (karela) fruits, Trigonella foenum graecum (Mathi) seeds, Coccinia indica (Talakucha) leaves and combination of these three plant materials extract had noticeable effect to decrease the blood glucose levels, biochemical parameters and increased body weight and hemoglobin level. The degenerative changes in pancreas, kidney and liver tissues were noticed in streptozotocin induced rats at histopathology. These tissues regenerated by using aqueous extract of Momordica charantia (karela) fruis and an equal amount of combination of plants extract (CPMEt). But no noticeable effect of Coccinia indica (talakucha) leaves was found in the regeneration of pancreas, kidney and liver tissues.