Abstract
We have investigated the possible antidiabetic properties of fruit extracts of Emblica officinalis Gaertn., Terminalia chebula Retz. and T. bellirica Roxb., individually and in combination (Triphala) in a high fructose diet induced rat model of insulin resistance. In the first part of the study, normal animals were studied for hypoglycemic activity. In the second part, animals were given a high fructose diet (HFD) for 40 days, for the last 20 days of which fruit extracts were also given. Body weight, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and area under the curve (AUC) of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were assessed at the baseline, and at days 20 and 40. Fasting plasma insulin levels and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) resistance index were also assessed at baseline, 20 and 40 days. Fasting lipid levels were measured at the end of the study. During the first part of the investigation, in which extracts were given to normal animals, T. chebula showed significant hypoglycemic activity. During the second part of the study, in which the extracts were given to HFD fed rats, T. chebula caused a significant decrease in FPG and AUC. Emblica officinalis and Triphala caused a normalization of FPG. T. bellirica caused a reduction in AUC levels, but had no effect on FPG levels. T. bellirica caused a reduction in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein levels. In conclusion, all three components of Triphala showed significant antidiabetic properties. T. bellirica, in addition, showed hypolipidemic activity.