Hypoglycemic and Hematinic Effect of Eclipta Alba in Experimentally Induced Type 2 Diabetes in Albino Rats

Abstract

A metabolic disease and worldwide health issue, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by abnormal glucose regulation resulting from impaired insulin secretion or action. Anemia is the most prevalent disorder in T2DM patients and it is an important factor for the progression of microvascular complications. The Pathophysiological mechanism of anemia in diabetes is the decrease in erythropoietin secretion, renal impairment, alteration in iron metabolism, degradation of ferroprotein that blocks the iron transport in the duodenum, and the release of inflammatory cytokines and free radicals in the disease. Despite newly evolving treatment strategies, in most of the diabetic patients anemia remains unrecognized and untreated. Anemia is 2 to 3 times higher in diabetic patients compared to the general population. 80% of people would receive their primary medical care from medicinal plants. Extensive literature studies tell about the usage of the medicinal plant Eclipta alba as a dietary supplement or treating diseases. It has been used to treat blood problems and liver ailments as a single medication or in combination with other herbs in traditional medicine. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence regarding its usage. Thus, the purpose of this study is to demonstrate in albino rats the antihyperglycemic and antianemic properties of the medicinal herb Eclipta alba. Effects of ethanolic extract of the plant were studied in albino rats in which diabetes is induced with streptozotocin and anemia induced by phenylhydrazine. An acute toxicity investigation and a preliminary phytochemical analysis were conducted. Rats were separated into five groups, each containing six rats. Group 1 received standard saline treatment. Group ll, Diabetes induced, group lll, lV, V, treated with the standard drug, E.E.Ec.alba at the dose of 250mg /kg body weight and 500mg/kg b.w respectively for 28 days. To study the hematinic effect animals are grouped 5 and 6 in each and anemia is induced and the animals are treated with the