Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic properties of Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Diabetes is known to involve oxidative stress and changes in lipid metabolism. The present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects of an ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus emblica fruits on antidiabetic, antioxidant and lipid profile in plasma and tissues (liver and kidney) of experimental diabetes. Thirty rats were allocated randomly into 5 groups, each of 6 rats. Group I was acted as control group, group II rats were rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg bw), group III rats received Phyllanthus emblica fruit ethanolic extract (PFEet) (200 mg/kg bw) by using an intragastric tube for 45 days, group IV rats received glibenclamide (600 μg/kg bw), group V rats given PFEet (200 mg/kg bw) alone. Ethanol extracts of Phyllanthus emblica fruits was administered orally at doses of 200 mg/kg body weight for 45 days resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose and a significant increase in plasma insulin in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats had elevated levels of Total Cholesterol (TC), Very Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (VLDL-C), LDL-cholesterol, Free Fatty Acids (FFA), Phospholipids (PL), Triglycerides (TG) and decreased HDL-cholesterol. Diabetic rats fed PFEet showed a significant reduction in TC, VLDL-C, LDL-C, FFA, PL, TG and an elevation in HDL-C. In conclusion, the observations from this study show that Phyllanthus emblica has antidiabetic and its beneficial effects on lipid profile, thus it can be recommended for use as a natural supplementary herbal remedy in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus.