Abstract

ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TESTS WITH A FORMULATION CONTAINING PHYLLANTHUS EMBLICA FRUITS AND TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM SEEDS

Mohammad Najmul Hossain and Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background: Phyllanthus emblica is a tree grown in Bangladesh for its edible fruits, while Trigonella foenum-graecum is a plant cultivated for its seeds, which are used as a spice. Based on indigenous uses, it was of interest to determine the antihyperglycemic properties of a polyherbal formulation containing the fruits and seeds of the two plants. Methods: Antihyperglycemic activity was determined through oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in mice. Results: Administration of methanol extract of the formulation, that is, dried fruits of Phyllanthus emblica and dried seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum (3:1 ratio, w/w) led to dose-dependent reductions in blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice. At doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg extract per kg body weight, the extract, significantly and dose-dependently, reduced blood glucose levels by 21.5, 31.1, 48.7, and 53.0%, respectively compared to control animals. By comparison, a standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide, when administered at a dose of 10 mg per kg body weight, reduced blood glucose level by 48.7%. Aqueous extract of the formulation at doses of 100, 200, 400 and 800 l per kg body weight led to reductions in blood glucose levels by 25.8, 33.1, 46.0 and 50.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Both methanol and aqueous extract of the polyherbal formulation can be beneficial in lowering blood glucose.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic, Phyllanthus emblica, Trigonella foenum-graecum, OGTT.