Effect of 'antidiabetis' herbal preparation on serum glucose and fructosamine in NOD mice

The antihyperglycemic effect of the Antidiabetis herbal preparation ((Myrti lli folium (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), Taraxaci radix (Taraxacum officinale W eb.), Cichorii radix (Cichorium intybus L.), Juniperi fructus (Juniperus co mmunis L.), Centaurii herba (Centaurium umbellatum Gilib.), Phaseoli perica rpium (Phaseolus vulgaris), Millefollii herba (Achillea millefolium L.), Mo rii folium (Morus nigra L.), Valeriane radix (Valleriana officinalis L.), U rticae herba et radix (Urtica dioica L.)), patent No. P-9801091 Zagreb, Cro atia was investigated. Two extracts were prepared: ethanol extract (extract 1), and ethanol extract from which ethanol was evaporated on a rotatory ev aporator at a temperature of 45 degreesC (extract 2). Extract 1 and extract 2 were administered tin experiment 1) to alloxan-induced non-obese diabeti c (NOD) mice in the same dose of 20 mg/kg. Blood glucose was determined bef ore, and 10, 30, 60 and 120 min after the preparation administration. Extra ct 1 and extract 2 decreased the level of blood glucose by 10 and 20%, resp ectively, of the initial value (at 0 min, mean = 22.6 +/- 8.3 mmol/l). Seru m levels of glucose and fructosamine were determined in NOD mice, NOD mice administered extract 2 in a dose of 20 mg/kg of extract 2, and NOD mice adm inistered acarbose in a dose of 25 mg/100 g chow, in order to verify the hy poglycemic action of extract 2 (in experiment 2). Extract 2 and acarbose we re admired to the chow. The duration of treatment was 7 days. Significantly lower glucose (P < 0.05) and fructosamine (P < 0.001) levels were recorded in extract 2 treated NOD mice as compared with NOD mice. Study results sho wed extract 2 to significantly decrease the level of glucose and fructosami ne in alloxan induced NOD mice. Our future studies will be focused on the s earch of active principles of the extracts. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Irela nd Ltd. All rights reserved.