Potency of Antidiabetic Effects of the Combination of Syzygium cumini and Andrographis paniculata in Rats with High-Fat Dietand Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

Abstract

Andrographis paniculata (AP) and Syzygium cumini (SC) are known for their antihyperglycemic effects. However, the combined effects of these plants have not yet been assessed. This study evaluated the oral acute toxicity and in vivo antihyperglycemic effects of the extract combining AP and SC (SCAP) in rats with high-fat diet- and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Thirteen female DDY mice for toxicity test were divided into three groups and orally administered one dose SCAP (0, 300, or 2000 mg/kg). On day 15, animals were euthanized, their internal organs were observed, and blood samples were collected for clinical biochemistry analyses. In vivo antihyperglycemic activity was examined in male Sprague- Dawley rats-induced diabetes. Diabetic rats were assigned to once-daily oral treatment with metformin, AP, SC or SCAP for 1 week. Concerning toxicity, SCAP had no effects on liver and kidney and histology of these organs displayed no abnormalities. Blood glucose levels had a tendency to reduce in treatment groups compared with the findings in the diabetic control group. SCAP treatment protected rats against pancreatic damage. These results illustrated that the combined SCAP treatment had beneficial effects on blood glucose levels and pancreatic β-cell function, in rats-induced diabetes. Key words: Syzygium cumini, Andrographis paniculata, Diabetes, Combination.