Combination therapy of Pistia stratiotes and Helixanthera parasitica in alloxan-induced diabetic rats: Reversal of abnormal lipid metabolism and hepatomegaly

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) remains a major global health threat with prevalence increasing rapidly across the world. Although several chemotherapeutic agents are available, the drugs are expensive, hence not affordable to patients, particularly in developing countries. Moreover, most of the drugs are faced with certain drawbacks necessitating the search for newer drug candidates.  In this study, combined extracts of Pistia stratiotes and Helixanthera parasitica at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg Body Weight (BW) were administered to alloxan induced-diabetic rats for 21 days followed by assessment of lipid profile, hepatic and renal damage as well as organs enlargement. All diabetic rats had initial Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) > 300 mg/dL following induction. The combined extracts at both doses significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the FBG of the diabetes animals to their normal glycemic level. The diabetes-induced alteration of the lipid metabolism was significantly (P< 0.05) ameliorated following treatment with the respective doses of P. stratiotes and H. parasitica. Similarly, liver damage and hepatomegaly were significantly (P < 0.05) reversed following treatment with the respective doses of Pistia stratiotes and Helixanthera parasitica. From our findings, it can be concluded that the combined extracts of Pistia stratiotes and Helixanthera parasitica could prevent hyperglycemia, reverse the compromised lipid metabolism and hepatomegaly caused by DM.