Formulated antidiabetic preparation Syndrex® has a strong antioxidant activity

Syndrex® is a formulated herbal antidiabetic preparation containing powder of germinated fenugreek seeds. We have assessed the antioxidant potential of this drug. Syndrex® was fractionated by Soxhlet apparatus and fractions were used to determine their antioxidant potential at different levels. In vitro activity was assessed by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, radical scavenging by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferrylmyoglobin/2,2'-azobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and pulse radiolysis. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation by Syndrex® in mitochondrial preparations from rat liver was checked. Methanolic fraction of Syndrex® exhibited the highest antioxidant activity as compared to other fractions. This fraction showed maximum phenolic and flavonoid contents. Isolated mouse pancreatic islets also employed to assess antioxidant activity of Syndrex®. Islets were treated with streptozotocin, a diabetogen known to damage islet cells by inducing generation of free radicals. Syndrex® treated islets were protected from streptozotocin insult as these islets survived better and remained functional as compared to streptozotocin treated islets.