SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF METFORMIN AND GRADED DOSES OF ZINC ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC MALE WISTAR RATS.

Diabetes depletes zinc, a trace element vital for managing diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity, function, and antioxidant protection. This study investigated the synergistic effect of metformin and graded zinc doses on alloxan-induced diabetic male Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced with alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg). Rats were divided into six groups (n=10): Group A (normal control), B (diabetic, untreated), C (diabetic, treated with 100mg/kg metformin), and Groups D, E, & F (diabetic, treated with 100mg/kg metformin plus 100, 200, and 400mg/kg zinc, respectively). Groups D-F were pretreated for 14 days before diabetes induction, with treatments continuing for 14 days post-induction. A significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood glucose levels was observed across groups A-F (87.63, 325.73, 257.80, 213.18, 204.42, and 170.70 mg/dl, respectively). Treatment also reduced key liver and kidney serum biomarkers. Liver markers (direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine transaminase) and kidney markers (urea and creatinine) were significantly lowered in the metformin-zinc groups (D-F) compared to the diabetic controls. The study reveals that co-administration of metformin (100 mg/kg) and zinc (100-400 mg/kg) reduces blood glucose and protects the liver and kidney in alloxan-induced diabetes. The results demonstrate a dosage-dependent ameliorative effect of zinc in synergy with metformin.