Effect of a compound recipe (medicinal plants) on serum insulin levels of alloxan induced diabetic rabbits.

BACKGROUND The present study was planned to observe the hypoglycaemic effect of the 'Compound recipe' a combination of traditional medicinal plants in normal and alloxan induced diabetes mellitus. This study was performed to study the possible role of indigenous medicinal plants in the regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells and in treatment of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. METHODS The 'Compound recipe' was administered daily in doses of 400-mg/kg body weight to normal and alloxan induced diabetic rabbits for a period of 4 months. The blood glucose and serum insulin levels were estimated before and 1, 2, 3 and 4 months after the administration of the extract. RESULTS The extract exerted a significant (p<0.05) hypoglycemic effect in alloxan diabetic rabbits. The hypoglycemic effect was not significant (p>0.05) in normal rabbits. The extract exerted a significant (p<0.05) increase in insulin levels in alloxan diabetic rabbits. The effect on the insulin levels was not significant (p>0.05) in normal rabbits. The doses used did not show acute toxicity or result in behavioral changes. CONCLUSION From this study it may be concluded that the Compound recipe causes an increase in serum insulin levels in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits possibly due to regeneration of pancreatic beta cells.