Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTIDIABETIC, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF A STANDARDIZED POLYHERBAL FORMULATION CONTAINING MORINGA OLEIFERA, GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE AND TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM IN HIGH FAT DIET-STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Syed Aksha*

ABSTRACT

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is an escalating global metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, peripheral insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and persistent low-grade systemic inflammation. Monotherapy often addresses single pathways, while multi-target botanical combinations offer comprehensive therapeutic synergy. Objective: To comprehensively evaluate the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory efficacy of a standardized hydroalcoholic polyherbal formulation (PHF) comprising Moringa oleifera leaves, Gymnema sylvestre leaves, and Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds using a High-Fat Diet and Streptozotocin (HFD-STZ) induced rat model. Materials and Methods: The PHF was prepared in an optimized 1: 1: 1 (w/w/w) ratio via continuous hot Soxhlet extraction using 70% hydroalcoholic solvent and subjected to strict physicochemical and qualitative phytochemicalstandardization. Male Wistar rats were fed an HFD for 4 weeks followed by a single low-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Verified diabetic animals were randomly divided into five groups (n=6): Normal Control, Disease Control, Standard Drug (Metformin 150 mg/kg), PHF Low Dose (200 mg/kg), and PHF High Dose (400 mg/kg) administered daily via oral gavage for 28 consecutive days. Body weights, food/water consumption, fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance (OGTT), lipid profiles, serum insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), HOMA-IR, tissue antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH, MDA), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) were evaluated. Results: Preliminary screening confirmed high concentrations of flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, and saponins. Administration of PHF for 28 days produced significant (p < 0.001) dose-dependent reductions in FBG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, serum lipids (TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C), lipid peroxidation (MDA), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6). Conversely, it significantly restored body weight balance, serum insulin, HDL-C, and endogenous antioxidant enzyme levels (SOD, CAT, GSH) comparable to standard Metformin therapy. Conclusion: The standardized polyherbal formulation exhibits potent multi-targeted therapeutic activities, verifying its scientific validity and efficacy in mitigating the pathological progression of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Moringa oleifera; Gymnema sylvestre; Trigonella foenum-graecum; Polyherbal Formulation; Oxidative Stress.