The comparison of curcumin's effect with or without metformin on blood glucose levels in diabetic rats

Reduction of blood glucose level in diabetic patients by herbal agents is an interesting topic. Curcumin, the main agent of turmeric is a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, has blood glucose reducing effect. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of curcumin in diabetic rats, its preventive effect, and when co-administered with metformin on blood glucose levels. Male wistar rat (200-250 g, n= 6) were divided into 5 different groups: 1- Control (aloxan-treated), 2- Curcumin (aloxan-treated), 3- Metformin (aloxan-treated), 4- Preventive curcumin (aloxan-treated, curcumin), 5- Preventive curcumin (aloxan-treated, curcumin+metformin). Aloxan (110 mg/kg subcutaneous) for induction of diabetes, curcumin (300 mg/kg) and metformin (60 mg/kg) were used orally. After induction of diabetes, on days 3, 7, 14, and 21, blood sampling of the inner corner of eye was obtained using capillary tubes and blood glucose was estimated using glucose meter. In the control group, an increase in blood glucose level was produced at day 3 and continued until day 21. In the metformin group, a decreasing effect was started at day 7 and continued until day 21. The same effect was seen in curcumin group. However, at day 21, a significant decrease in blood glucose level was observed in curcumin compared to metformin group. In group 5, a significant decrease in blood glucose level was observed from day 7 compared to other groups. Despite the anti-diabetic effect of metformin, it seems that curcumin could be probably an appropriate adjunctive drug to control diabetic patients with less adverse effects, long lasting blood glucose lowering effect compared to metformin.