Synergistic effect of Ocimum Sanctum and Andrographis Paniculata against Diabetic Complications

The present study explored the effect of Ocimum sanctum, Andrographis paniculata and their combination for the management of experimental diabetic vascular complications. Diabetes associated dyslipidemia and free radical generation have been connected to the pathogenesis of diabetes-induced vascular complications. Ocimum sanctum, Andrographis paniculata, possess hypolipidemic and antioxidant property, thus we evaluated their vaso-protective potential. Hydroalcoholic extract of Ocimum sanctum (200 mg/kg p.o) and hydroalcoholic extract of Andrographis paniculata (400 mg/kg p.o) were noted to possess vascular protective potential in experimental chronic diabetes. Experimental diabetes mellitus was induced by Streptozotocin (55 mg/kg i.p., once) to Wistar rats. The induction of diabetes and its associated vascular complications were assessed biochemically. Diabetes-associated dyslipidemia and tissue oxidative stress were also assessed. Treatment of combination of Ocimum sanctum + Andrographis paniculata (300mg/kg p.o) was noted to be more efficient against the diabetes-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction and renal impairment as compared to either treatment with Ocimum sanctum (400mg/kg p.o) or Andrographis paniculata (200mg/kg p.o) or Lisinopril (1 mg/kg/day p.o.) (a reference agent). To conclude, diabetes associate oxidative stress and dyslipidemia are majorly accountable for the induction of vascular and renal impairment. The combination of Ocimum sanctum + Andrographis paniculata (300mg/kg p.o) shown the synergistic effect and may have prevented the progression of diabetes-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction and nephropathy by preventing the alteration lipid profile, restoring the serum nitrate/nitrite concentration, and decreasing the renal oxidative stress.