Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with deterioration of glycemic control and progressive
metabolic derangements. Despite of introducing various hypoglycemic agents, diabetes and its
complications continue to be major problem. Thus searching for a new class of compounds is essential
to overcome diabetic problems and side effects of its treatment.
Aim of the Work: This study investigated the effect of eugenol as an adjunct to glibenclamide on
glycemic control in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in rats by alloxan. The diabetic rats were randomized
into six groups and administered distilled water, sesame oil, eugenol (100 and 250 mg/kg),
glibenclamide (3 mg/kg), glibenclamide and eugenol. The animals were treated orally once daily for
two weeks. The diabetic control rats showed hyperglycemia (351.80 ± 57.27 mg /dl).
Results: The results clearly demonstrated that eugenol produced a dose dependent decline in blood
glucose level through significant reduction with low dose (100 mg/kg) and a highly significant reduction
with high dose (250 mg/kg). Treatment of diabetic rats with glibenclamide (3 mg/kg) produced a
highly significant reduction in blood glucose level. Combination of eugenol and glibenclamide
showed the best antihyperglycemic result. Other potential beneficial effects of eugenol such as serum
triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, total protein, ALT, AST, urea and creatinine were assessed
in alloxan induced diabetic rats. These effects compared to the effect of the standard anti-diabetic
drug; glibenclamide was evaluated.
Conclusion: The results indicate that combination of glibenclamide with eugenol improves glycemic
control. In conclusion, eugenol may provide a useful source of new oral hypoglycemic compounds for
the development of pharmaceutical entities or as dietary adjunct to existing therapies.