Polyherbal formular 5 normalises blood glucose level and reverses complications in diabetes via the upregulation of AMPKinase, GLUT 1 and GLUT 4 activities in albino rats

• PHF5 lowered blood glucose and restored insulin in diabetic rats. • Treatment enhanced AMPKinase, GLUT1, and GLUT4 activities. • PHF5 acts via upregulation of the AMPKinase/GLUT4 pathway. • Study shows synergistic antidiabetic potential of ethnomedicinal plants. Diabetes mellitus remains a major global health challenge, and the search for safer, plant-based therapeutic options continues to gain momentum. This study investigated the molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying the antidiabetic activity of a novel poly-herbal formula (PHF5), prepared in a defined ratio from the leaves of Ocimum gratissimum, Vernonia amygdalina, Gongronema latifolium, Gnetum africanum, and Aloe barbadensis . Alloxan-induced diabetic male Wistar rats were assigned to six groups: normal control, diabetic untreated, diabetic rats treated with PHF5 (75, 150, or 300 mg/kg body weight), and diabetic rats treated with Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). Treatment lasted for five weeks with periodic monitoring of fasting blood glucose. PHF5 significantly reduced hyperglycemia, restored insulin levels, and enhanced AMPKinase, GLUT1, and GLUT4 activities in diabetic rats. These results demonstrate that PHF5 exerts potent antidiabetic effects, likely through the upregulation of the AMPKinase/GLUT4 signaling pathway. The study provides novel mechanistic insight into the synergistic potential of combined ethnomedicinal plants and supports PHF5 as a promising candidate for diabetes management.