INFLUENCE OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SYZYGIUM CUMINI SEEDS ON THE ACTIVITY OF GLICLAZIDE IN NORMAL AND ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Summary Since drugs from oriental medicine are used along with allopathic drug therapy in highly populated countries, such as India and China, and since optimal blood sugar control is needed in diabetes, herbal drug that influences blood glucose was studied for its effect on gliclazide response in normal and diabetic rats. In this study the safety of the herb-drug combination with respect to blood glucose was studied in animal models. Albino rats were divided into three groups of six each and were fasted for 18 h prior to the experiment with water ad libitum. Three groups were orally received, 500 mg/kg body weight of methanolic extract of Syzygium cumini seeds (SME), gliclazide 2 mg/kg body weight, and SME prior to the administration of gliclazide 2 mg/kg body weight, respectively, in normal and diabetic rats. Blood samples were collected from the retro-orbital plexus at regular intervals after drug administration and were analyzed for blood glucose by glucose oxidase/peroxidase (GODPOD) method. Diabetes was induced by alloxan monohydrate 100 mg/kg body weight administered by i.p route. Gliclazide produced hypoglycemia/antihyperglycemia in normal and diabetic rats with peak activity at 2 h and 8 h. SME produced hypoglycemia/antidiabetic activity when given alone, and prolonged the effect of gliclazide in combination, in normal and diabetic rats without hypoglycemic convulsions. The blood glucose levels of gliclazide were not altered in the presence of SME. The study indicated that the combination can be used safely to obtain prolonged and sustained antidiabetic effect.