Evaluation of Antidiabetic Activity of Polyherbal Formulations on Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Single Blinded Randomized Study

Background: The antidiabetic activity of the individual plant parts is well known, but the synergistic or combined effects are unclear. The concept of polyherbalism has been highlighted in Sharangdhar Samhita, an Ayurvedic literature dating back to 1300 AD. Polyherbal formulations enhance the therapeutic action and reduce the concentrations of single herbs, thereby reducing adverse events. The study focuses on polyherbal formulations of five different medicinal plants used for the treatment of Type II diabetic patients. Methods: In the present study five medicinal plants (Mango, Guava, Amla, Garlic and Onion) with proven antidiabetic and related beneficial effects were selected for the preparation. The efficacy of prepared formulations were tested on Type II diabetic patients and compared with placebo diabetic control patients. Results: The polyherbal formulations produced a significant decrease in blood glucose level after 8 weeks of treatment. Diabetic patients exhibited increase levels of lipid profiles such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol), and a decrease in the level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) during the first week of treatment. The elevated lipid profiles were restored to near normal by the treatment of polyherbal formulations for all the estimated parameters at 8th week. In addition the polyherbal formulations also restored the BMI, blood pressure, haemoglobin, glycosylated haemoglobin and urinary parameters levelswhich indicates that they reduce the other complicacies of diabetes. The results of the formulations on Type II diabetic group were strong evidence that not only it restored the glycemic level but also reduced the lipid profile to the near normal. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the polyherbal formulations have significant antidiabetic potential for Type II diabetic patients KEY WORDS: Polyherbal formulations, Biochemical and hematological parameters, type 2 diabetic patients, Antidiabetic potential