Polyphenols-rich polyherbal mixture attenuates hepatorenal impairment, dyslipidaemia, oxidative stress and inflammation in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

ABSTRACT Effects of polyherbal mixture on hepatorenal injury and dyslipidaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. Alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected into Wistar rats to induce diabetes. Animals were allotted to six groups (n = 6) and treatments were administered for consecutive six weeks as normal and diabetic controls, glibenclamide and polyherbal mixture (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg), respectively. Ameliorative effects of the polyherbal mixture were investigated by assessing FBG levels, changes in body and organ (liver and kidney) weights, biochemical parameters, oxidative stress along with inflammatory parameters in addition to histopathological examination of the liver and kidney. The results showed that alloxan-injected rats had significant (P < 0.05) hyperglycaemia in addition to elevated serum levels of hepatorenal injury indices (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, total protein, albumin, creatinine, BUN and uric acid) and hyperlipidaemia evidenced by increased TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C and decreased HDL-C levels. Furthermore, diabetes induction caused an increase in lipid peroxidation (MDA) and a reduction in antioxidant markers (SOD and CAT activities) as well as inflammation (TNF-α) in hepatic and renal tissues. Polyherbal mixture remarkably improved the aforementioned parameters in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological findings supported the biochemical results. Conclusively, this study has provided novel insights into the efficacy of polyherbal mixtures in managing hyperglycaemia and its secondary complications in diabetes mellitus.