Herbal formulation, DIA-2 and Rosiglitazone ameliorates hyperglycemia and hepatic steatosis in type 2 diabetic rats

DIA-2 is a herbal mixture containing standardized extract of Allium sativum and Lagerstroemia speciosa. Recently we have reported the anti-diabetic effect of DIA-2 in high fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetic (T2D) rats. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of DIA-2 with Rosiglitazone (RG) on plasma biomarkers of hepatocellular injury, liver carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes, glycogen content, oxidant/antioxidant status and histopathological changes in T2D rats. ALT and ALP levels were significantly decreased after DIA-2 and RG treatment compared to T2D rats. Total protein and albumin remained unaltered in all the groups. Significant decrease in AST levels were observed after DIA-2 (125 mg/kg) and RG treatment. Hepatic hexokinase activity was significantly increased after RG and DIA-2 treatment and fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase activity were inversely correlated with hexokinase activity. Hepatic gucose-6-phosphatase activity was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced after DIA-2 (62.5 mg/kg) and RG treatment. Lipid peroxides levels was significantly decreased in the liver of DIA-2 (62.5; p < 0.01 & 125 mg/kg; p < 0.05) treated animals. Hepatic glycogen content (p < 0.05) and antioxidant enzymes [SOD (p < 0.01; 62.5 mg/kg); GPx and GSH (125 mg/kg; p < 0.01)] were significantly increased after DIA-2 treatment. RG treatment on hepatic glycogen, GPx (p < 0.01) and SOD, GSH (p < 0.05) levels were significant when compared to T2D rats. These biochemical parameters were also correlated with histopathological evaluation. The above findings revealed that administration of DIA-2 could ameliorate the biochemical and histopathological changes in liver of T2D rats indicating the protective role of DIA-2 against HFD/STZ induced diabetes. In addition, DIA-2 and RG treatment resulted in amelioration of hepatic steatosis in T2D rats.