Chemical constituents and pharmacological properties of capsule gurmar, a new anti-diabetes formulation of Hamdard laboratories [Waqf] Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

Capsule Gurmar is a new polyherbal Unani formulation developed by the R and D Department of Hamdard Laboratories [Waqf] Bangladesh for management and treatment of diabetes. The chemical constituents and analgesic, antioxidant, cytotoxic, neuropharmacological and hypoglycemic properties of the formulation have been preliminarily investigated using standard methods. We report here the results of these investigations. Phytochemical tests on the methanol extract of the contents of the capsules showed the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins in the formulation. When tested by using Tail-immersion method and acetic acid-induced Writhing test, the extract exhibited significant analgesic activity [comparable to that of the standard drug, Diclofenac-Sodium] and reduction of writhing response [38% at a dose of 400 mg/Kg body weight] in a dose-dependant manner. In the Hole cross and Open-field tests, the extract, at a dose of 400 mg/Kg body weight, displayed significant suppression of locomotor activity and exploratory behaviour of the mice. When subjected to Brine shrimp Lethality Bioassay, the extract was found to be significantly toxic to Brine shrimp nauplii [having LC[50] value of 3.16 micro g/ml]. Glucose Tolerance Test [GTT] demonstrated quite strong hypoglycemic activity of the Formulation, which significantly lowered the blood glucose level of the treated mice at the doses of 100 mg and 200 mg/Kg body weight. The effect was comparable to that of the standard oral hypoglycemic drug, Metformin Hydrochloride. These results indicated that Capsule Gurmar possesses analgesic, antioxidant, cytotoxic, CNS depressant and hypoglycemic properties