In vivo histopathologic and histomorphometric evaluation of the antidiabetic potential of Syzygium cumini and Ficus racemosa herb

Abstract

Seeds of Syzygium cumini and fruits of Ficus racemosa individually are reputed to have hypoglycemic properties, but their combined efficacy is yet to reveal which may produce improved therapeutic efficacy than the single herb treatment. Hence, the antidiabetic potency of a combined extract of S. cumini seeds and F. racemosa fruits was investigated using glibenclamide as a reference drug in terms of physiologic, hematologic, histopathologic, and histomorphometric restoration. For a 30-day experiment, seventy-two Swiss albino mice were grouped as normal control, diabetic control (alloxan @ 150 mg/kg b.wt), glibenclamide (@ 600 μg/kg b.wt) and combined herbal extract (ethanolic extracts of S. cumini seeds @ 500 mg/kg b.wt and F. racemosa fruits @ 200 mg/kg b.wt). Diabetic control mice presented hyperglycemia and significantly lower body and pancreas weights. When the combined herbal extract was administered, the diabetic animals body and organ weights increased and glycemic levels fell; the exhibited hypoglycemic effect was better than the reported individual treatment and statistically similar (p < 0.05) to the reference drug. Postprandial hypoglycemia found in the glucose tolerance test also indicates improved glucose usage ability of the combined extract by the cells and tissues. Diabetes-induced changes in the pancreas such as fibrosis, vascular congestion, decreased number and diameter of the islets were restored to near-normal after administration of combined herbal extract and glibenclamide. Collectively, the combined herbal extract derived from S. cumini seeds and F. racemosa fruits was better than their individual dose and was nearly as effective as a standard hypoglycemic drug.