Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with high blood glucose levels due to insulin shortcoming (insulinopenia) or defective insulin action. The objective of the study was to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of Foeniculum vulgare in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Methods: The effects of the leaves aqueous extract (LAE) of Foeniculum vulgare (F. vulgare) at a dose of 10 mg/kg on blood glucose levels were evaluated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)- induced diabetic rats. Histopathological changes were also evaluated in liver in STZ-induced rats. Results: Single oral administration of F. vulgare LAE reduced blood glucose levels 6 h after administration in STZ diabetic rats (p<0.0001). Furthermore, blood glucose levels were decreased in both normal (p<0.05) and STZ diabetic rats (p<0.0001) after the fifteenth day of treatment. During this test, both groups did not show any significant change in their body weight. Moreover, this aqueous extract improved oral glucose tolerance in diabetic rats and revealed a positive effect on liver histology. On the other hand, the extract used in this experiment showed an inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 50% of free radicals with a concentration of 43±1.19 µg/ml. While the synthetic antioxidant (BHT) had an IC50 equal to 22.67±2.17µg /ml. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the antihyperglycemic, hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of the leaves of F. vulgare in normal and diabetic rats.

Background: Ammodaucus leucotrichus (Apiaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used by the Moroccan population to treat various diseases including diabetes. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of the aqueous extract prepared from the fruits of this medicinal plant. Normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated orally by the extract of Ammodaucus leucotrichus (A. leucotrichus) at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Methods: The blood glucose levels were determined during 6 hours and 15 days during this treatment. In addition the oral glucose tolerance test as well as the analysis of histopathological changes of liver was performed. The antioxidant activity of aqueous A. Leucotrichus extract was also valuated by the method of trapping of free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Results: A. Leucotrichus fruit aqueous extract (ALFAE) reduced the blood glucose levels in both normal and diabetic rats. In addition, a remarkable influence on glucose tolerance was also noticed after ALFAE treatment. Moreover, ALFAE was able to exhibit a beneficial effect on histologlogical structure of liver. Finally a potential antioxidant effect has been shown in vitro. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrates the antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effects of A. Leucotrichus in rats supporting then its traditional use for the management of diabetes.

Aims: The aim of the study was to investigate experimentally the antihypertensive effect of Ruta Montana. Background: Ruta montana L. is traditionally used in Moroccan herbal medicine to treat hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate experimentally the hypotensive and vasoactive properties of this plant. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Ruta Montana on blood pressure parameters in LNAME-induced hypertensive rats and to determine the vasorelaxant activity of this aqueous extract. Methods: The antihypertensive effect of the aqueous extract obtained from Ruta montana aerial parts (RMAPAE) (200 mg/kg) was evaluated in normal and anesthetized hypertensive rats. Blood pressure parameters (systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean blood pressure (MBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)) and heart rate were measured using a tail-cuff and a computer-assisted monitoring device. The acute and chronic effect of RMAPAE was recorded during 6 hours for the acute experiment and during 7 days for the sub-chronic test. In the other set, the vasorelaxant effect of RMAPAE on the contractile response was undertaken in isolated thoracic aorta. Results: The results indicated that RMAPAE extract significantly decreased SBP, MBP, DBP and heart rate in L-NAMEinduced hypertensive rats. Furthermore, RMAPAE was demonstrated to induce a dose dependent relaxation in the aorta precontracted with Epinephrine or KCl. More interestingly, this vasorelaxant activity of RMAPAE seems to be probably mediated through the prostaglandins pathway. Conclusion: The present study illustrates the beneficial action of Ruta montana on hypertension and supports then its use as an antihypertensive agent.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Asteriscus graveolens. Background: Asteriscus graveolens (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant widely used by the Moroccan population to treat various diseases including diabetes. Objective: This work aimed to assess the capacity of flavonoids extracted from Asteriscus graveolens (FEE) to improve diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia in normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Flavonoids were extracted from A. graveolens using the Soxhlet apparatus and using different organic solvents. Normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated orally by the extract of A. graveolens at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The oral treatment during 15 days was used to evaluate the effect of the flavonoids extracted from A. graveolens on blood glucose level and lipid profile in normal and diabetic rats. The oral glucose tolerance test as well as the analysis of histopathological examination of liver was performed. The antioxidant activity of FEE was also assessed by the method of trapping of free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), in order to estimate the mechanisms of action involved by FEE to improve hyperglycemia and lipid profile in normal and diabetic rats. Results: FEE reduced serum glucose concentrations in both normal and diabetic rats and exhibited in the last group lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides effects as well as improvement of the HDL-cholesterol serum level. In addition, a remarkable influence on glucose tolerance was also noticed after FEE treatment. Moreover, FEE was able to improve histopathological status of liver and possess a potential antioxidant effect in vitro. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrates the hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of FEE in rats supporting then its traditional use for the management of diabetes.

Aims: The study targeted to evaluate the antihyperglycemic activity of Salvia hispanica. Background: Salvia hispanica L. (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant with many beneficial properties on human health. Objective: This objective of the study was to investigate the antihyperglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of Salvia hispanica (S. hispanica) seeds and its capacity to improve lipid profile in normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Material and Methods: The seed aqueous extract of S. hispanica (SHSAE) at a dose of 100 mg/kg was administered orally in normal and diabetic rats. The effect of oral SHSAE treatment on blood glucose and lipid levels during 15 days was assessed in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out. The antioxidant activity of SHSAE was also examined. Results: The decrease of glycemia in rats following the administration of the plant extract suggested that the studied extract possesses antidiabetic effect. The extract of S. hispanica produced hypolipidemic effect with a significant lowering effect on plasma total cholesterol levels and increase on HDL-cholesterol levels. SHSAE was also able to enhance glucose tolerance using OGTT. Moreover, SHSAE possess a potential antioxidant effect in vitro. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrates the antihyperglycemic and antilipidemic effects of SHSAE in rats.