Estimation of Anti-Diabetic Activity of Polyherbal Extracts on Zebrafish Model

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia and represents a major global health challenge. Currently, approximately 537 million individuals aged 20–79 years are affected worldwide, with projections indicating an increase to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. In this study, the zebrafish model was employed to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of a polyherbal extract. Extraction was performed using the Soxhlet method with methanol as the solvent. Diabetes was induced in zebrafish via an immersion method, wherein fish were alternately exposed to a 2% glucose solution and glucose-free water on successive days for 28 days. Following induction, diabetic zebrafish exhibited significantly elevated blood glucose levels (319 ± 10.16mg/ dL), confirming the successful establishment of hyperglycemia. The zebrafish were then randomly divided into five experimental groups. Group I served as the normal control, while Group II functioned as the diabetic control. Group III received a combination of polyherbal extracts comprising Clerodendrum infortunatum L., Paederia foetida L., and Euphorbia nerifolia at a dose of 0.1g per 100mL of water. Group IV was treated with Euphorbia nerifolia alone at the same dose, and Group V received the standard anti-diabetic drug metformin at 0.129g per 100mL of water. Treatment with the polyherbal extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels to 163 ± 9.55mg/ dL, while metformin treatment lowered glucose levels to 160 ± 6.75mg/ dL. These findings indicate that the polyherbal formulation exhibits substantial anti-diabetic activity in the zebrafish model, comparable to that of the standard drug.