SCREENING OF ANTI-DIABETIC EFFECT OF POLYHERBAL AYURVEDIC FORMULATION – BILWADI CHURNA IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Herbal drugs obtained from numerous plants/herbs were extensively utilized in the prevention or treatment of various human ailments since ancient era. Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of medicine means “science of life and longevity.” The unbeaten heritage of this system is a treasure house of knowledge for both preventive and curative health care available to humankind. It has provided treatment of many diseases using herbs, metals, minerals and formulating them into potent dosage forms. It deals with both prevention and cures the disease of a human being most systematically. Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest alternative systems of medicines. Herbal products are of interest to many patients and health care practitioners because 70% of the world populations rely on herbal medicines for part of their primary health care system. This research work was designed to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of Bilwadi Churna (a polyherbal formulation) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and compare with standard drug glibenclamide. In conclusion, it demonstrated that polyherbal formulations have a significant and potent anti-diabetic potential. It is suggested to evaluate the mechanism of the anti-diabetic effect regarding polyherbal formulations by further research.