Pharmacodynamic interaction of fenugreek, insulin and glimepiride on sero-biochemical parameters in diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats

AIM: This study was undertaken to assess the pharmacodynamic interaction of fenugreek, insulin and glimepiride on sero-biochemical parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 56 male Sprague-Dawley rats, randomly divided into seven Groups. Group 1: Non-diabetic control; Group 2: Streptozotocin induced diabetic control; Groups 3, 4 and 5 were treated with insulin, glimepiride and fenugreek seed powder, respectively; Groups 6 and 7: Insulin + fenugreek seed powder treatment and glimepiride + fenugreek seed powder treatment respectively, in diabetic rats. Body weights, blood glucose, lipids total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and proteins (total protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratios) were studied at different time intervals. Rats were sacrified at the end of 8 weeks, pancreas and aorta collected for histopathological study. RESULTS: The results of Group 2 showed significantly (p<0.05) higher concentration of glucose, TC, TG, LDL, globulin, A/G ratios and significantly (p<0.05) lower concentration of albumin, total protein, HDL and body weights when compared to Group 1 at the end of 4(th) and 8(th) weeks intervals with marked alteration in histopathology of pancreas and aorta. All the treatment Groups 3-7 showed significantly (p<0.05) improvement in the all the parameters and the Groups 6 and 7 showed highest decrease in the concentration blood glucose, TC, TG, LDL and increase in the albumin, total protein and body weights during 6(th) and 8(th) week, respectively. CONCLUSION: The treatment with fenugreek, insulin and glimepiride countered the alteration in the sero biochemical parameters in diabetic rats, and their combination was found a positive interaction in improving the sero biochemical status of diabetic rats.