STUDY OF INTERACTION OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF PLEUROTUS PULMONARIUS (FR.) QUEL-CHAMP WITH ROSIGLITAZONE IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC MICE

Summary Mushrooms are low calorie food with very little fat, no starch and very low sugars, and so are the “delight of the diabetics”. Recently, we have reported significant hypoglycemic activity of aqueous extract of Pleurotus pulmonarius (Family: Lentinaceae) (PP-aqu) on serum glucose levels and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in alloxan induced diabetic mice at and more than 500 mg/kg, p.o. Herbal agents when given in combination with prescription medication may favorably alter pharmacodynamic activity of prescription medications. Hence, we have evaluated the antihyperglycemic effect of combination of PP-aqu (500 mg/kg, p.o.) with rosiglitazone (6 mg/kg, p.o.) on serum glucose levels and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in alloxan induced diabetic mice. Our results from acute and sub-acute studies suggest that combination treatment of PP-aqu with rosiglitazone has synergistic antihyperglycemic effect than either drug alone. Concurrent drug regimen of PP-aqu and rosiglitazone may be considered for effective diabetes control.