Effect of a poly-herbal formulation, Okudiabet, on alloxan- induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The study examined the acute toxicity, hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of a poly-herbal drug, Okudiabet –a mixture of Stachytarpheta angustifolia, Alstonia congensis bark and Xylopia aethiopica fruits extract– used in the treatment of diabetes. The median acute toxicity value (LD50) of the drug was determined to be 16.5 g/kg body weight (bwt). A significant increase in the body weight was observed in the diabetic and normo-groups treated with the drug. There were significant reductions (p<0.05) in the plasma glucose and low density lipoprotein (LDL)- cholesterol levels, and significant increase (p<0.05) in high density lipoprotein (HDL)–cholesterol in the treated diabetic group compared to the control. Furthermore, significant reductions in aspartate aminotransferases (AST) and alanine aminotransferases (ALT) levels were observed in the treated diabetic animals compared to the control. Also significant reduction in the creatinine and increase in the protein levels respectively were observed in the treated diabetic group. The results showed that the phytomedicine had both good hypoglycaemic activity and beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors. The high LD50 value is an indication that the drug has a high safety margin.