Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Activity of a Traditional Herbal Mixture in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rabbits

Abstract

Diabetes is a leading health problem worldwide, so researchers continue to seek out plant-based therapies that potentially are more acceptable than pharmaceuticals in society. The current case study was conducted to gauge the effectiveness of four multiherbal compositions, including three or two of the following ingredients: cardamom pods (Elettaria cardamomum), lime fruit (Citrus aurantifolia), and frankincense resin (Boswellia sacra). The mixtures were tested on rabbits induced experimentally with diabetes using alloxan. Thirty New Zealand rabbits were collected then broken into ten groups of three. One group was used for the negative control, and the other nine were induced to diabetes using alloxan (100 mg/kg) following weekly injections. Diabetes was confirmed by hyperglycemia, which was measured before and after the injections. The four multiherbal compositions were as follows: Citrus Elettaria Boswellia Extract (CEBE), all three species; Citrus Boswellia Extract (CBE), just lime and frankincense; Citrus Elettaria Extract (CEE), lime and cardamom; and Elettaria Boswellia Extract (EBE), cardamom, and frankincense. Each composition was administered intravenously, once daily, at two concentrations (500 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg). As expected, diabetic rabbits lost significant body weight in proportion to their blood glucose levels. The lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein) also significantly increased across all parameters with diabetes. The utilization of plant extracts dramatically improved blood biomarkers of cholesterol and triglycerides, weight, and blood glucose levels. Interestingly, the lower concentration of plant extract was more effective at normalizing blood parameters, which may be related to processes in the liver, i.e., xenobiotic metabolism.