Prokinetic Effect of Herbomineral Unani Formulation (dolabi) in Diabetic Rats

This study was undertaken to investigate the prokinetic activity of Unani herbomineral formulation (Dolabi) in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and its in vitro antioxidant activity. Rat model of diabetes was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg, i.p). Rats were divided into three groups: Normal control, diabetic control and treatment groups. After two weeks of treatment, rats were administered with phenol red meal followed by last dose of Dolabi and they were screened for gastric emptying (GE), intestinal transit (IT) and in vitro study of distal colonic smooth muscle. In vitro antioxidant activity of Dolabi was assessed on the basis of radical scavenging activity of the stable Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. Percentage of GE and IT was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in diabetic rat as compared to normal control groups. In streptozotocin induced diabetic rats, Dolabi significantly (P < 0.05) accelerated both GE and IT as compared to diabetic control rats. Significant (P<0.01) increase in EC50 of ACh in rat distal colon was observed in diabetic rats as compared to normal rats. Where as diabetic rats treated with Dolabi showed significant (P<0.01) decrease in EC50 of ACh in distal colon as compared to diabetic control group. In in vitro study, Dolabi showed potent radical scavenging activity to stable DPPH-free radical with IC50 value of 231.09. Dolabi may exert its prokinetic effect by reducing oxidative stress and therefore can be used as drug for treating diabetic patients with gastrointestinal impairments.