Cocos nucifera and metformin combination for modulation of diabetic symptoms in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats
Authors
Ginpreet Kaur
aDepartment of Pharmacology, Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM'S NMIMS, Mumbai, 400056, India
Himanshu Sankrityayan
aDepartment of Pharmacology, Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM'S NMIMS, Mumbai, 400056, India
Deepashree Dixit
aDepartment of Pharmacology, Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM'S NMIMS, Mumbai, 400056, India
Cocos nucifera, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Combination therapy, Streptozotocin
Abstract
Cocos nucifera, belonging to Arecaceae family, holds quite an importance in the Indian traditional medicinal system. C.nucifera inflorescence (CnI) has been reported in the literature to be useful in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, diabetes, and dyspepsia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CnI as an adjuvant with metformin in ameliorating Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2-DM).
Objectives
To evaluate antidiabetic activity of CnI in combination with metformin in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.
Materials and methods
Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats using streptozotocin (45 mg/kg; i.p.). Plasma glucose level (PGL) was estimated after 72 h of STZ injection. Ethanolic extract of CnI (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) per se and in combination with metformin (22.5 mg/kg) was administered orally once daily to rats for a period of 28 days. PGL level was estimated on 7th, 14th and 21st day followed by Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and PGL both on the 28th day of treatment. DPPH assay was performed to evaluate antioxidant activity of CnI extract.
Results
Extract of CnI (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg alone and the combination of extract (250 mg/kg) along with metformin (22.5 mg/kg) significantly decreased PGL (p < 0.0001) on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days. Histopathological analysis of pancreatic tissue showed that treatment with CnI extract per se and in combination with metformin improved the damaged architecture of pancreas.
Conclusion
The combination therapy of CnI and metformin produced a significant antidiabetic effect than that of the extract alone and provides a scientific rationale for their use in antidiabetic therapy as an adjuvant.
Keywords: Cocos nucifera, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Combination therapy, Streptozotocin
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