Characterization and effect of Naga Bhasma on hypoglycemic, antihyperglycemic, and antidiabetic activities in Charles Foster diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes, typically characterized by hyperglycaemia, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Over 800 million adults were estimated to have diabetes in 2022. Ayurveda texts emphasized on the antidiabetic potential of Naga Bhasma (NB) (a lead based formulation). Naga Bhasma is used in many classical antidiabetic formulations such as Vasantkusumakara Rasa. OBJECTIVES: Present study was planned to evaluate hypoglycemic, antihyperglycemic, and antidiabetic activities of Naga Bhasma in euglycemic, sucrose loaded hyperglycemic and streptozotocin induced diabetic Charles Foster albino rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: NB was prepared following classical texts of Ayurveda. Charles Foster albino rats were used for antidiabetic study. The study was divided into: hypoglycaemic, antihyperglycemic, and antidiabetic parts. Hypoglycaemic study was aimed to assess glucose lowering activity in normal rats. Antihyperglycemic study was carried out to assess the effect of test drug on blood sugar elevation observed after administration of sucrose (40 g/kg orally). For antidiabetic study, streptozotocin was injected intraperitoneally (40 mg/kg) to induce diabetes. Vehicles were administered on 3rd day of streptozotocin injection, after confirmation of diabetes. Blood sugar was checked before and on 5th day after vehicle administration. The data was analysed by unpaired 't' test. RESULTS: Hypoglycaemic study did not show any significant effect on blood glucose in NB group. In Antihyperglycemic study, NB administered group showed only statistically non-significant increase in blood sugar level at 4th and 8th hour indicating presence of anti-hyperglycemic activity. In antidiabetic study, in control group, a statistically significant (48.90 %) elevation of blood sugar level was observed while in NB administered group highly significant (69.58 %) decrease was observed in comparison to initial values. CONCLUSION: The study shows that NB has moderate anti-hyperglycaemic and good anti-diabetic activity; and it does not lower the blood glucose below the normal levels.