Pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and antidiabetic evaluation of a novel polyherbal formulation.

Abstract

Objectives: The current study aimed to formulate and analyze a novel polyherbal formulation (NPF) comprising of Terminalia arjuna, Centella asiatica and Embelia ribes.

Methods: NPF was prepared and subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and FTIR to characterize its bioactive compounds and functional groups. To assess the safety, oral toxicity studies were carried out in Wistar rats. The antidiabetic efficacy was evaluated using the OGTT. Additionally, computational ADME analysis was carried out for the major active molecules - arjunolic acid, embelin, and asiaticoside - to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties and drug-likeness.

Results: Presence of various secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and carbohydrates were confirmed by the phytochemical screening. Key prominent functional groups such as hydroxyl, amine, carbonyl, and alkyne stretching vibrations were detected upon FTIR analysis. Toxicity evaluations indicated no adverse effects, confirming the safety of NPF. Among diabetic rats, groups treated with 200 mg/kg body weight of NPF indicated a significant improvement in glucose tolerance as demonstrated by the OGTT results. ADME profiling showed favorable drug-likeness properties for arjunolic acid and embelin compared to asiaticoside.

Conclusions: NPF exhibited significant antidiabetic potential and demonstrated safety in animal models.