Anti-Diabetic Potential of Common Saudi Medicinal Herbs Commiphora molmol and Astragalus membranaceus Extracts in Diabetic Rats

Mohd Masih Uzzaman Khan, Habibullah Khalilullah, Gamal Osman Elhasan, Tarique Mahmood, Farogh Ahsan, Shahid Karim, Nasir Ali Siddiqui, Syed Rizwan Ahamad, Masood Alam Khan, Arif Khan, Wasi Uzzaman Khan, Mahfoudh A.M. Abdulghani and Ghada Ben Salah

Background and Objective: Commiphora and Astragalus are traditional Mediterranean and Chinese medicine, respectively. In the traditional system of medicine, both are extensively used in the treatment of diabetes. This study examined the antidiabetic potential of different extracts of Commiphora molmol and Astragalus membranaceus to provide novel information to improve the clinical use of these plants. Materials and Methods: Swiss albino mice were used for dose-ranging study utilizing OECD 425 guidelines. The male sprague dawley rats were injected with streptozotocin to induce diabetes. Later, the animals were treated by the alcoholic, hydroalcoholic and aqueous extract of Commiphora molmol and Astragalus membranaceus. Results: A dose-ranging study revealed that at the dose of 2000 mg kg^–1, no mortality or any abnormal behaviours were found in tested animals of any treated extract. Significant antidiabetic activity of different extracts was observed by the gain of body weight, reduction of blood glucose level and decrease in serum and tissue biomarkers. This study showed that different extract of Commiphora and Astragalus contributes in preventing diabetes in rats. The hydroalcoholic extract of Astragalus membranaceus showed maximum anti-diabetic potential among all other extracts examined. Conclusion: Commiphora and Astragalus may be useful as an adjuvant remedy in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, as a result of the limited number of existing studies, further high-quality research is necessary before decisive conclusions can be made.

View Fulltext Back