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Effect of shilajit on blood glucose and lipid profile in alloxan-induced diabetic rats
Trivedi NA, Mazumdar B, Bhatt JD, Hemavathi KG
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To study the effect of shilajit (a herbomineral preparation) on blood glucose and lipid profile in euglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats and its effects on the above parameters in combination with conventional antidiabetic drugs.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Diabetes was induced in albino rats by administration of a single dose of alloxan monohydrate 5% (125 mg/kg, i.p.). Effects of three different doses of shilajit (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day, orally), alone for 4 weeks and a combination of shilajit (100 mg/kg/day, orally) with either glibenclamide (5 mg/kg/day, orally) or metformin (0.5 g/kg/day, orally) for 4 weeks were studied on blood glucose and lipid profile.
RESULTS:
In the diabetic rats, all the three doses of shilajit produced a significant reduction in blood glucose levels and also produced beneficial effects on the lipid profile. The maximum effect was observed with the 100 mg/kg/day dose of shilajit. Combination of shilajit (100 mg/kg) with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg/day) or metformin (0.5 gm/kg/day) significantly enhanced the glucose-lowering ability and improvement in lipid profile than any of these drugs given alone.
CONCLUSION:
Shilajit is effective in controlling blood glucose levels and improves the lipid profile.
Keywords
Biguanide, diabetes mellitus, herbomineral antidiabetic, sulfonylurea
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