Development of a Polyherbal Formulation in the Management of Hyperlipidaemia associated Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

The present study was carried out with the aim of developing a polyherbal formulation to manage hyperlipidaemia-associated diabetes mellitus. The crude drugs, leaves of Aegle marmelos, aerial parts of Medicago sativa, deseeded ripe fruits of Momordica charantia and seeds of Trigonella foenum graecum were selected for the study. Aqueous, 50% ethanolic and methanolic extracts of the crude drugs were prepared by cold maceration. Qualitative analysis showed the presence of tannins and saponins in all the extracts. Methanolic and 50% ethanolic extracts of the four drugs had flavonoids. The phenolic content of the extracts were estimated by Folin-Ciocalteaue method. Methanolic extracts of the crude drugs possessed maximum phenolic content. The phenolic content was higher in Aegle marmelos and Trigonella foenum-graecum extracts. Flavonoids content in 50 % ethanolic extracts was determined by Aluminium chloride method. Trigonella foenum graecum extract was found to have greater flavonoids content. In vitro antioxidant assays of the extracts involving DPPH scavenging and nitric oxide scavenging demonstrated the antioxidant nature of all the four drugs. Aegle marmelos among the four drugs exhibited relatively the maximum antioxidant activity. 50% ethanolic extracts of the crude drugs, which displayed better in vitro DPPH scavenging in comparison to aqueous, and methanolic extracts were selected for further studies in developing the herbal formulations. Thin layer chromatograms of 50% ethanolic extracts developed on silica gel GF 254 precoated plates resulted in the separation of flavonoids and saponins. The Conclusions could be drawn from the findings of the present research. The developed herbal formulation-1 constituted of standardized 50% ethanolic extracts of leave of Aegle marmelos, aerial parts of Medicago sativa, unseeded ripe fruits of Momordica charantia, and seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum, in the ratio, 1:1:1:1 was effective in reducing glucose levels and weight loss in alloxan induced diabetic rats after one-week treatment.