Effect of Sildenafil Citrate on Prediabetic and Diabetic Albino Rats Treated with Metformin

Diabetes Miletus (DM) is a global epidemic disease. It is estimated that there are already 415 million adults aged 20–79 years diabetics worldwide. Sildenafil citrate is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which increases cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and metformin (MET) is a biguanide used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes which increases peripheral insulin sensitivity. Aim: This study aims to assess the effect of sildenafil citrate and metformin on lipid profile and glycemic control in diabetic and prediabetic albino rats. Materials and methods: Adult male albino rats are used and divided into nine groups each group consists of 10 rats, diabetes is induced by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for an initial period of 2 weeks followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of (35 mg/kg) Streptozotocin. Prediabetes is induced by feeding (HFD) and glucose in water for a period of 2 weeks. Sildenafil was given in a dose of (5 &10 mg/kg/day orally for 4 weeks), metformin was given in a dose of (50 &100 mg/kg/day orally for 4 weeks) using oral gavages to normal healthy rats, diabetic and prediabetic rats. Blood samples were collected after 4 weeks of treatment in all experimental groups. Results: Combined administration of sildenafil and metformin on diabetic rats improving hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and hyperlipidemia induced by streptozotocin than the administration of metformin or sildenafil alone. Conclusion: Sildenafil has beneficial effects against some diabetic complications. The present study showed that sildenafil with metformin has beneficial effects against diabetic complications.