Effect Of Concomitant Administration of Aqueous Extract of Leaves of Trichosanthes Dioica and Metformin in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: In Ayurevdic practice T.dioica has been used to treat diabetes mellitus, alopecia and skin disorders. Hypoglycemic activity of leaf extract in normal and diabetic rats has been reported. But there is no report on its interaction with known drugs that are used in diabetes mellitus. Aim: To study the effect of concomitant administration of aqueous extract of leaves of T.dioica and metformin on blood glucose in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: The aqueous extract of T.dioica (800mg/kg/p.o) alone and with metformin (250 and 500 mg/kg/p.o) were studied for their effect on fasting blood sugar in streptozotocin induced (45mg/kg/ip) diabetic rats. Results: The administration of combination of T.dioica and metformin was significantly (p<0.05) more effective compared to either T.dioica or metformin alone. Conclusion: T.dioica has enhanced the antihyperglycemic effect of metformin which may exploited for better management of diabetic patients.