Development and characterization of spheroidal antidiabetic polyherbal formulation from fresh vegetable juice: A novel approach.

Polyherbal Formulations (PHF) were developed by combining fruit juices of Momordica charantia, Cucumis sativus, and Solanum lycopersicum in different ratios and optimized through Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) model. PHF-C pretreated rats showed the highest reduction of Serum Glucose Levels (SGL) after 60 min of glucose administration. PHF-C was incorporated into spheroids using fresh juice (FJS) and lyophilized powder (LPS) of selected plants. In OGTT study, LPS showed a significant reduction of SGL. LPS was characterized as almost spherical, having disintegration time 8 min, adequate friability, and good flow properties. In STZ-induced diabetic rats on 7th, 14th, and 21st days, LPS was reduced SGL by 9.01%, 20.9%, 38.9% (250 mg/kg dose); 20.5%, 33.9%, and 50.7% (500 mg/kg dose), respectively. LPS showed a significant improvement in abnormal body weight, biochemical, and oxidative parameters in comparison to PHF-C and metformin. Novel formulation LPS (500 mg/kg) was found more effective (p < .05) in reversing STZ-induced hyperglycemia as compared to PHF-C (1,000 mg/kg) and at par with metformin (500 mg/kg). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Fresh vegetable juice contains large quantities of vitamins and minerals. Cooking and processing of fruits may destroy their nutritional value. However, FJS also has some limitations, including seasonal specificity, patient compliance, less stability, loss of vitamins and fibers, abnormal sugar level, weak immunity, and difficult to carry by patients. Lyophilization is a well-known method to improve the physical state, shelf life, and stability of phytoconstituents. Poor absorption and less bioavailability also impede the acceptance of PHF. To overcome these limitations, a suitable novel drug delivery system is required which has high therapeutic efficacy and enhanced bioavailability. The patented spheroids of herbal extracts which are in use for the treatment of the number of diseases encouraged the present work. Spheroid protects the constituents of herbal drugs from gastric destruction and gut bacteria. The outcome of present research supports the concept of enhanced stability and bioavailability of phytoconstituents present in FJS.