Synergistic improved efficacy of Gymnadenia orchidis root Salep and pumpkin seed on induced diabetic complications.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus occurs due to either deficiency of insulin or resistance to insulin. Synthetic drugs and insulin therapy against diabetes possess numerous drawbacks. Diabetic people are advised to choose low-glycemic food and herbal products to control diabetes. This study aims to examine the synergistic effects of aqueous root Salep ofGymnadenia orchidis Lindl and pumpkin seed powder on Streptozotocin induced diabetic mice.

METHODS: Out of 6 groups, animals in 2 groups were kept as control and rest 4 groups were made diabetic by Streptozotocin. Animals in one diabetic group were supplemented with effective dose (200 mg/kg of body weight) of root Salep, one with pumpkin seed powder (5%) mixed food, and another with Salep and pumpkin seed food. Changes in various biochemical parameters, DNA damage and liver and kidney structures were noted after 21 days treatment.

RESULTS: Salep with pumpkin seed supplementation significantly normalized the alterations of different biochemical parameters of diabetic mice. The DNA damage in blood cells of diabetic mice was recovered by this supplementation. Terpenoids of root Salep and anti-oxidants of pumpkin seed may play the active role against diabetes.

CONCLUSION: The root Salep and pumpkin seed synergistically prevent diabetic complications and could be better supplementation against type-2 diabetes.