Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a multidimensional, multisystemic, metabolic disorder arises due to the deficiency (Type 1) or efficiency (Type 2) of insulin, a hormone synthesized by the pancreatic β cells. DM is recognized by persistent elevation in fasting as well as post prandial blood glucose levels. Though, drugs are plenty for the treatment of diabetes, none is found to be an ideal due to undesirable side effects and diminution associated with prolonged treatment. Further, excessive generations of free radicals have also been implicated in the onset and progression of diabetes and its secondary complications. Hence, search for novel drugs without side effects preferably from the plant origin continues. In the present study, an attempt has been made to scientifically evaluate the antidiabetic properties of GTF – 231, an ayurvedic formulation in high fat diet-low dose streptozotocin induced experimental type 2 diabetes in rats. GTF 231 contains plant secondary metabolites such as Gymnemic acid, Trigonelline and Ferulic acid in the ratio of 2: 3: 1. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to study the effect of the GTF-231on glucose homeostasis. Insulin tolerance test (ITT) was performed to evaluate the effect of GTF-231 on insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance was also measured by HOMA-IR.Oral administration of GTF- 231(300mg/kg.b.w./rat/day) for a period of 30 days significantly improved the glucose homeostasis in diabetic rats which is evidenced from the results of OGTT, ITT and HOMA-IR. Further, the treatment significantly improved the altered levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), protein, urea, uric acid and creatinine. The altered activities of liver enzyme markers such as AST, ALT and ALP observed in the diabetic rats were reverted back to near normal after treatment with GTF- 231. The altered activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes such as glucokinase, pyruvate kinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase in hepatic tissues of diabetic rats were significantly reverted to near normalcy upon treatment with GTF-231.The efficacy of the drug was comparable with metformin, a standard drug widely used for the treatment of diabetes. In conclusion, the data obtained clearly established that the ayurvedic formulation has significant antidiabetic activity which in turn may be due to the synergetic effect of the individual phytochemicals present in the formulation.
