Turmeric improves glycemic control and exhibits insulin secretagogue activity in Alloxan induced diabetic rat model

Objective: To analyze effects of turmeric in glycemic control and insulin secretagogue activity in alloxan induced diabetic rat model. Study Design: Experimental Study. Setting: Department of Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro/Hyderabad. Period: February 2019 to January 2020. Material & Methods: A sample of 100 adult male rats was selected according to inclusion criteria. Rats were grouped as negative control (group A), positive control – diabetic rats (group B), and experimental groups C – E. Group C- was diabetic rat + 100 mg ethanol extract of turmeric, Group D- was diabetic rat + 300 mg ethanol extract of turmeric, and Group E- was diabetic rat + 500 mg ethanol extract of turmeric. Overnight fasting rats were administered Alloxan 120 mg/Kg body weight intraperitoneally (i.p) by pinching abdominal wall under skin for the induction of diabetes mellitus in the rats. Blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1 (A1C) and serum insulin were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS package (ver. 21.0, IBM, incorporation, USA) at p≤ 0.05 (Confidence interval 95%). Results: Blood glucose, A1C and serum Insulin levels were improved in turmeric treated experimental rats. Significant reduction in blood glucose and A1C were found in turmeric treated rats (P=0.0001). Serum insulin levels were found increased in turmeric treated experimental groups C – E compared to positive control B (P=0.0001). Conclusion: Administration of turmeric significantly reduced the blood glucose and A1C with increased serum insulin levels in alloxan induced diabetic rats.