Elucidation of Antidiabetic Mechanism of Centella asiatica and Zingiber officinale-An In-vitro and In-vivo approach.

Zingiber officinale rhizome and Centella asiatica leaves are extensively consumed as dietary supplements, and they are also reported for their antidiabetic activity. However, no proper scientific evidence exists to support its antidiabetic property at a mechanistic level. The present study was designed to assess the in-vitro and in-vivo antidiabetic activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of Zingiber officinale rhizome and Centella asiatica leaves. In-vitro assays like alpha amylase as well as alpha glucosidase inhibition assay and glucose uptake by yeast cell assay have been performed. Invivo activity was also evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino rats. Acarbose and metformin are taken as standard drugs for comparison. Both the extracts elicited significant antidiabetic activity both in-vitro and in-vivo. The suppression of alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase enzymes is connected with their anti-diabetic action. It also demonstrated its impact by increasing glucose absorption by peripheral tissue and may have insulin memetic action. Although Centella asiatica was slightly more active than Ginger. It is very likely that regular ingestion of these two herbs in conjunction with conventional hypoglycemic medicines will aid in the maintenance of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]