Abstract

ORAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE TESTS IN MICE WITH A POLYHERBAL FORMULATION OF BRASSICA ALBA, CORIANDRUM SATIVUM AND FOENICULUM VULGARE

Tasmina Akter Lipi, Mehedi Hasan1, Tufael, Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background: Brassica alba, Coriandrum sativum, and Foeniculum vulgare are commonly cultivated spices in Bangladesh, and besides being used for culinary purposes are also considered in folk medicine to have medicinal properties, including blood glucose lowering properties. It was therefore of interest to evaluate the antihyperglycemic activity of a polyherbal formulation containing these three spices. Methods: Antihyperglycemic activity was determined through oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in mice. Results: Administration of methanol extract of the formulation, that is, powdered dried seeds of Brassica alba, Coriandrum sativum, and Foeniculum vulgare (1:1:1 ratio, w/w) led to dose-dependent reductions in blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice. At doses of 200 and 400 mg extract per kg body weight, the extract, significantly and dose-dependently, reduced blood glucose levels by 28.5 and 49.7%, respectively compared to control animals. At a dose of 100 mg per kg, the extract did not demonstrate any significant blood glucose lowering effect. By comparison, a standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide, when administered at a dose of 10 mg per kg body weight, reduced blood glucose level by 51.0%. Conclusion. The polyherbal formulation was effective in reducing blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice, which at the highest dose tested of 400 mg per kg was equivalent to that of glibenclamide.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic, Brassica alba, Coriandrum sativum, Foeniculum vulgare, OGTT.