Ethanolic extract obtained from Annona cherimola Miller (EEAc) and the flavonoid rutin (Rut) were evaluated in this study to determine their antihyperglycemic content, % HbA1c reduction, and antihyperlipidemic activities. Both treatments were evaluated separately and in combination with the oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) acarbose (Aca), metformin (Met), glibenclamide (Gli), and canagliflozin (Cana) in acute and subchronic assays. The evaluation of the acute assay showed that EEAc and Rut administered separately significantly reduce hyperglycemia in a manner similar to OADs and help to reduce % HbA1c and hyperlipidemia in the subchronic assay. The combination of EEAc + Met showed the best activity by reducing the hyperglycemia content, % HbA1c, Chol, HDL-c, and LDL-c. Rutin in combination with OADs used in all treatments significantly reduced the hyperglycemia content that is reflected in the reduction in % HbA1c. In relation to the lipid profiles, all combinate treatments helped to avoid an increase in the measured parameters. The results show the importance of evaluating the activity of herbal remedies in combination with drugs to determine their activities and possible side effects. Moreover, the combination of rutin with antidiabetic drugs presented considerable activity, and this is the first step for the development of novel DM treatments.
Keywords: Annona cherimolla Miller; diabetes mellitus; flavonoids; oral antidiabetic drugs; rutin.