Biochemical parameters in alloxan induced diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide, metformin and two polyherbal bitters

Emmanuel I Etim, Awanabasi E Udoh, Idara N Udodok, Nsikan M Udo

Abstract


Background: Manufacturers and promoters of various polyherbal bitters claim that, being of natural origin, they could be co-administered with therapeutic drugs with no adverse effects, and that it could be used to treat a wide array of ailments including diabetics. Most Nigerians use the bitters and their conventional drugs concurrently.

Objectives: To assess the effects(s) or otherwise of the co-administration of two popular bitters in Nigeria market S-bitter and Y-bitter with two therapeutic antidiabetic drugs glibenclamide and metformin on some liver and kidney  biochemicals and lipid profile.

Methodology: Therapeutic doses of glibenclamide, metformin and the bitters alone and a combination of the drugs and the bitters corresponding to the body weight of the rats were administered orally to different groups daily for fourteen days.  On the 15th day, the rats were sacrificed and plasma collected was analyzed for the hepatic biochemicals (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, total and direct bilirubin), lipid biochemical (high density lipid cholesterol, low density lipid cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides) and renal biochemicals (creatinine and urea).

Results: When metformin, glibenclamide and the bitters were administered alone, there was a marginal decrees in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, and a significant increase (p<0.05) in the plasma levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen.  A combination of the bitters with metformin and glibenclamide caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin, but there was an increase in the levels of total cholesterol, high density lipid cholesterol, low density lipid cholesterol, triglycerides and albumin.

Conclusion: From the results, we conclude that the co-administration of the bitters with therapeutic drugs is hepatoprotective by reducing the levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin, and by increasing levels of lipid biochemicals, it could lead to the development of   heart disease. We therefore advise users of the bitters to do so separately and not in combination with conventional drugs.

Key words: Polyherbal bitters, biochemicals, glibenclamide, metformin.


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