Co-administration of Hibiscus sabdariffa linn and Daflon-500® mitigates weight loss, hyperglycemia, hematological and oxidative changes in male rats with type-2 diabetes

• The synergistic/comparative effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn and Daflon-500® versus the conventional type-2 diabetes agent, metformin were evaluated in this study. • Co-Administration of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn and Daflon-500® potentiated the effect of metformin by improving body weight and blood glucose from day 21-28. • Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn and Daflon-500® possess potent antioxidant and hemato-protective effects in type-2 diabetes patients. • The use of plant phenolics should be incorporated as an adjunct to treatment in type-2 diabetes patients. Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder associated with persistent hyperglycemia and metabolic imbalance. Flavonoid compounds possess notable qualities in mitigating diabetes and its complications. Hibiscus sabdariffa linn and daflon-500® were assessed for their effects on body weight, blood glucose/indices, and oxidative changes in type-2 diabetes rats over 28 days. 35 male rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n=5). Diabetes mellitus was induced in groups 2-7 via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 55mg/kg). Group 1(DW) received distilled water (2mL/kg) only. Group 2 (STZ; untreated), group 3 {MET; metformin (200mg/kg)}, group 4 {HS; Hibiscus sabdariffa (400mg/kg)}, group 5 {DAF; daflon-500® (1000mg/kg)}, group 6 {DAF+HS; daflon-500® (1000mg/kg) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (400mg/kg)}, group 7 {DAF+MET+HS; daflon-500® (1000mg/kg), metformin (200mg/kg), and Hibiscus sabdariffa (400mg/kg)}. Body weight and blood glucose were assessed fortnightly. Blood and hepatic/pancreatic tissues were collected for hematological and antioxidant testing. Groups 2-7 revealed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in body weight on day 14 compared to the increased growth rate observed on day 28 (Group 7). Blood glucose levels significantly increased on days 1 and 14 in groups 2-7 but declined on day 28 in groups 4-7. Significantly higher packed cell volume, hemoglobin levels, red blood cell counts, lymphocytes, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were observed in groups 5-7. Platelet counts were higher in Groups 2 and 5. Untreated group 2 exhibited considerably reduced catalase activity, glutathione, and malondialdehyde concentrations compared to the treated groups. Hibiscus sabdariffa linn and Daflon-500® expressed substantial hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and hemato-protective effects.