Effects of Berberis asiatica, Withania somnifera, and Their Combination on Body Weight in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide-Induced Type 2 Diabetes in Wistar Rats.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by insulin resistance, impaired insulin secretion, and beta cell dysfunction, often leading to chronic hyperglycemia and associated complications. Berberis asiatica (BA) and Withania somnifera (WS) are ancient medicinal plants with a reputation for having potential therapeutic effects in diabetes management. The purpose of this study was to look into how body weight (BW) was affected in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NIC) induced T2DM in Wistar rats by BA, WS, and their polyherbal combination (PHC). Materials and methods Seventy-eight Wistar rats of both sexes were divided into 13 groups, with six rats in each group, including normal and diabetic controls, and treated with varying doses of BA, WS, and PHC. The rats were under observation over the course of 35 days for any change in BW. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) rules and guidelines were followed in the conduct of acute toxicity tests. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey-Kramer post hoc tests, was used for statistical analysis. Results The findings indicated that the highest dose of BA (1000 mg/kg) significantly improved BW in diabetic rats, approaching that of the normal control group. The combination of BA and WS also demonstrated significant improvements in BW, suggesting a synergistic effect. The standard antidiabetic drugs, metformin and glimepiride, were effective in increasing BW in diabetic rats. Conclusion The study concludes that BA, WS, and their combination have a positive impact on BW management in T2DM rats, with the combination therapy showing enhanced effects. These findings support the potential utilization of these herbs in managing BW and other T2DM-associated metabolic disturbances and abnormalities.