Effects of Astragalus membranaceus, Peumus boldus and Curcuma longa extracts in diabetic rats

Objectives: the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the association of dry extracts of Astragalus membranaceus, Peumus boldus and Curcuma longa in rats with induced diabetes. Methods: After the induction of type 2 diabetes by intraperitoneal streptozotocin, male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to groups (n=6) and treated for 20 days. The extracts were suspended in water and administered through orogastric gavage once daily as described: Group I: healthy control (saline); group II: received Astragalus membranaceus, Peumus boldus and Curcuma longa (400 mg/kg/day of each dry extract); group III: received Astragalus membranaceus, Peumus boldus, Curcuma longa (400 mg/kg/day of each dry extract) and glibenclamide (15 mg/kg/day). Fasting glucose, glucose tolerance, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and fructosamine were evaluated. Results: Fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance for groups II and III were influenced by treatments (p<0.05). The extracts did not significantly influence the efficacy of glibenclamide. Conclusion: The results found in this study allow us to consider that it is not possible to conclude that the compounds evaluated are not effective in DM in rats, due to variables such as total treatment period, doses, size of pancreatic injury caused by streptozotocin, and diet profile may have influenced the results. The studied compounds have potential for application in diabetes and further studies should be carried out to adjust the treatment.