Antidiabetic activity of a polyherbal preparation (tincture of panchparna) in normal and diabetic rats

The present work was executed to evaluate the anti-diabetic potency of a polyherbal formulation, and its influence on derangement in the metabolism of glucose and cholesterol and changes in sodium levels in serum and urine in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Serum glucose and serum cholesterol levels were found to be increased in diabetic animals. Serum sodium and urinary sodium, hepatic glycogen levels are found to be decreased in diabetic state. Treatment with the polyherbal formulation (1.0 ml/kg body wt) for 30 days in diabetic animals has shown decrease in serum glucose and serum cholesterol levels in comparison to control animals, whereas in normal treated animals, the formulation does not effect the serum glucose and serum cholesterol levels. Serum sodium and urinary sodium levels were increased in both diabetic treated and the control animals. Hepatic glycogen levels were increased in diabetic treated animals, but there was no change in the control treated animals.