[Effect of herbal hypoglycemic agents on antioxidant enzymes and metal ions in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats]

Background: up to know many herbal medicines with different oral formulations have been recommended for diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 4 herbal hypoglycemic agents include garlic [Allium sativum] neem [Azadirachta indica], tulsi [Ocimum sanctum] and bitter gourd [Momordica charantia] on blood glucose, antioxidant enzymes and metal ions in diabetics

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Methods: crude extracts of herbal agents was prepared and each one was given to one group of diabetic rats. Two group of diabetic rats received insulin and glibenclamide. As controls, two groups of healthy and diabetic rats received saline. Body weight, fasting blood glucose, antioxidant enzymes and metal ions were measured before and after the study

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Results: all agents including herbal preparations, insulin and glibenclamide reduced the levels of blood sugar and lipid peroxide when compared with diabetic control. These agents also increased levels of antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rats. Antioxidant enzymes decreased significantly in diabetic controls. Metal ions increased in diabetic rats treated with herbal agents, insulin and glibenclamide but decreased in diabetic controls

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Conclusion: above mentioned herbal plants may be useful in the treatment of diabetes as they not only have hypoglycemic effect but they also protect rats from free radical mediated cellular injury by improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes. They also improve the levels of metal ions which are associated with antioxidant enzymes