Influence of Aqueous Extract of Carum Carvi Fruits on Tolbutamide-Induced Hypoglycemia/Antihyperglycemia in Normal/alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats.
Eswar Kumar¹, Sk. Mastan2*, N. Sreekanth and G. Chaitanya¹Pharmacology Division, University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam (India).
2Department of Pharmacology, Roland Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ambapua, Berhampur (GM)(India).
Corresponding Author E-mail:shkmastan@gmail.com
Abstract: 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, an aromatic herb/spice that influences blood glucose was studied for its effect on tolbutamide response in normal and diabetic rats. In the present study the safety of the aromatic herb/spice–drug combination with respect to blood glucose in animal models was studied. Albino rats of either sex were divided into three groups of six each and were fasted for 18 h prior to the experiment with water ad libitum. Three groups received aqueous extract of Carum carvi fruits (CAE), tolbutamide 40 mg/kg body weight and CAE prior to the administration of tolbutamide 40 mg/kg body weight respectively in normal and diabetic rats. All the groups were administered orally. Blood samples were collected from the retro-orbital plexus at 0 (pre dose), 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h after drug administration and were analyzed for blood glucose by glucose oxidase/peroxidase (GOD-POD) method. Diabetes was induced by alloxan monohydrate 100 mg/kg body weight administered by i.p route. Tolbutamide/CAE produced hypoglycemic activity in a dose dependent manner in normal and diabetic condition with peak activity at 6 h. In the presence of CAE, tolbutamide produced early on set of action and maintained for longer period compared to tolbutamide group. The study indicated that the combination can be used safely to obtain prolonged and sustained antidiabetic effect.
Keywords: Diabetes; Caraway; Alloxan monohydrate; Hypoglycemia; Antihyperglycemia Back to TOC