title: DIA-2, a polyherbal formulation ameliorates hyperglycemia and protein-oxidation without increasing the body weight in type II diabetic rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The dried bulbs of Allium sativum (Garlic) and leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa (Banaba) are used as medicinal food for the treatment of diabetes and other ailments.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was undertaken to ascertain whether the combination of both garlic and banaba extract produces synergistic therapeutic effect in diabetic state.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the in vitro studies, the effect of standardized aqueous extract of Allium sativum (ASE), methanolic extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa (LSE) and their mixture (1:1 ratio), DIA-2 on insulin stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells, erythrocyte sorbitol accumulation and protein glycation were evaluated. Impetus from the in vitro findings triggered to screen the anti-diabetic potential of DIA-2 in rat model of type II diabetes and associated oxidative stress. In the in vivo studies, acute oral toxicity of DIA-2 was determined following OECD-423 guidelines in female rats. Anti-diabetic activity of DIA-2 was investigated in high fat diet/low dose streptozotocin induced type II diabetes at four dose levels (62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w) in rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Combination of ASE and LSE produced synergistic and a dose dependent increase in glucose uptake in 3T3 adipocyte cell lines when compared to the individual extracts. A similar effect was observed in the inhibition of sorbitol accumulation and protein glycation tests. DIA-2 restored the glucose and lipid level near to normal level without gain in body weight which is the most commonly encountered side effect with the use of conventional antidiabetic agents, particularly insulin, insulin secretagogues, sulfonylureas and thiazolidinediones. DIA-2 also decreased hepatic protein carbonyl content levels significantly in the diabetic rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study concluded that DIA-2 posses potent anti-diabetic activity and anti-oxidant effects.
authors: Centre for Toxicology and Developmental Research, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.
authors: K S
authors: KS
authors: Kesavanarayanan
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Sathiya
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Kalaivani
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Ranju
authors: A G
authors: AG
authors: Sunil
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Saravana Babu
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Kavimani
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Prathiba
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D005737:Garlic / Q000737:chemistry; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031563:Lagerstroemia / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005947:Glucose