Effect of herbal combination of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f) Ness and Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr ethanolic extracts in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats

Exploration of herbs combination could be an alternative way for developing traditional medicine in order to provide better result or benefits in the therapy of diseases. Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Ness and Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr are two medicinal plants that are already well known for traditional treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). Combination of potent hypoglycaemic effect of A. paniculata and poten antioxidant effect of G. procumbens is expected to produce an optimun antidiabetic effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of their combination in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats. Diabetic condition in rats was induced with a single dose of 150 mg/kg BW alloxan intraperitoneally. The diabetic rats were orally administrated with these combinations (300:37.5; 200:75; 100:112.5 mg/kg BW) for 15 consecutive days. Diabetic effect was evaluated by measurement of preprandial and postprandial blood glucose levels and other parameters such as morphology of pancreatic islet and pancreatic insulin expression. In the study, the combination of A. paniculata and G. procumbens significantly decreased the blood glucoce level up to 76%. Fifteen days administration of this combination could improve the condition of pancreatic islet due to alloxan. The combination also increased the pancreatic insulin expression. The highest antidiabetic effect of the combination was achieved at the dose of 100:112.5 mg/kg BW. In conclusion, the combination of A. paniculata and G. procumbens is potential to develop as an antidiabetic agent.