Gymnadenia orchidis Lindl

Diabetes, the world largest metabolic disorder has become a serious threat to public health. The management of diabetes by synthetic drugs causes many unwanted complications. Hence this study was designed to explore the root Salep of Gymnadenia orchidis Lindl against type-2 diabetes to achieve a complications free herbal treatment for the disease. The Streptozotocin (STZ) induced-diabetic rats were supplemented with root Salep orally daily at an effective dose (200 mg/ g of body weight). The body weights and fasting blood glucose levels were measured periodically for 32 days.  After treatment period, the animals were sacrificed and glycosylated haemoglobin, lipid profiles, antioxidant enzymes levels, liver function enzymes etc. were determined. Phytochemically determined terpenoids was extracted from the root and orally supplemented (4 mg/g body weight) to the induced-diabetic animals. Normalization of fasting blood glucose levels, significant (P<0.001) decrement of glycosylated haemoglobin percentage, liver enzymes activities and increase body weights and anti-oxidants levels were noted for the Salep supplemented diabetic rats. Terpenoids played the key role in such observations. The root Salep of Gymnadenia orchidis Lindl or its terpenoids may be used as potentially herbal therapeutic agent for long term and effective solution against type-2 diabetes mellitus.