Diabetes Obes Metab. 2003 May; 5(3): 156-62.

Effect of Cogent db, a herbal drug, on serum and tissue lipid metabolism in experimental hyperglycaemic rats.

Saravanan G, Pari L.

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu-608 002, India.

AIMS: We have previously reported the antidiabetic effect of Cogent db. The present study with alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic rats is focused on the mechanism of action, specifically on the activity of hepatic lipogenic enzymes, serum and tissue lipids. METHODS: Male Wistar rats body weight of 180-200 g (six normal and 18 diabetic rats) were used in this study. The rats were divided into four groups after the induction of alloxan diabetes: normal rats; diabetic control; diabetic rats given Cogent db (0.45 g/kg body weight); diabetic rats given glibenclamide (600 micro g/kg body weight). After 40 days treatment, fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, activities of hepatic lipogenic enzymes, serum and tissue lipids were determined in normal and experimental animals. RESULTS: Oral administration of Cogent db for 40 days resulted in significant reduction in blood glucose, serum and tissue (liver and kidney) lipids, whereas the level of plasma insulin and the activity of hepatic lipogenic enzymes were significantly increased in alloxan diabetic rats. Similar studies using glibenclamide have been conducted to compare the mode of action of these two drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Thus our study shows that Cogent db exhibits a strong antihyperlipidaemic effect, which could exert a beneficial action against macrovascular complications (cardiovascular disease) associated with diabetes mellitus.