Antidiabetic Effects of Aqueous Infusions of Artemisia herba-alba and Ajuga iva in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The aqueous infusions of the aerial parts of Artemisia herba-alba Asso and Ajuga iva Schreber, prepared in accordance with the traditional procedure used in the local folk medicine, have been analysed for their composition and content of phytochemical constituents and examined for their antidiabetic effectiveness in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of A. herba-alba and A. iva infusions was studied in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats, which were randomly divided into nine groups, each group consisting of six animals. The drug preparations (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg b. w.) of each plant were given orally to the rats of each group twice daily for 15 days. Compositional analysis of the aqueous infusions revealed the presence of several polyphenols as main components. A. herba-alba infusion was characterised by mono- and di-cinnamoylquinic acids, with 5-caffeoylquinic (chlorogenic) acid being the main compound, followed by 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid. Vicenin-2 (apigenin 6,8-di-C-glucoside) appeared to be the most abundant among flavonoids. On the other hand, A. iva showed the exclusive presence of flavonoids, with the flavanone naringin present in relatively high levels together with several apigenin (flavone) derivatives. Oral administration of 300 mg/kg b. w. of the aqueous infusions of A. herba-alba and A. iva exhibited a significant reduction in blood glucose content, showing a much more efficient antidiabetic activity compared to glibenclamide, the oral hypoglycaemic agent used as a positive control in this study. These results suggest that A. herba-alba and A. iva possess significant antidiabetic activity, as they were able to improve the biochemical damage in alloxan-induced diabetes in rats.

Pharmacological investigation ofAjuga ivaessential oils collected at three phenological stages

“…Furthermore, our findings are in line with previous studies that have proven that some medicinal plants have more potent inhibitory activities than the reference compound such as acarbose 37,38 . Moreover, our results are in agreement with other studies that found that the aqueous extract of A iva decreased blood glucose levels in diabetic rats compared to the control group 39,40 . Furthermore, our study showed similar results with a recent work 21 that evaluated the antidiabetic effect of A iva extracts on the same enzymes.…”

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“…It was well confirmed after oral administration of A. herba-alba and A. iva infusions in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. [7] Similar antidiabetic activity was reported in Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC., Cinnamomum burmanni Nees ex Bl., and Piper betle L. [8] Although there are so many possibilities to control increasing glucose level, improvement of β-cell function and insulin secretion in pancreatic cells can induce utilization of external glucose.…”

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“…Luisa, et al & Cazarolli, et al [16] have shown that the apigenin-6-C-β-fucopyranoside from Averrhoa carambola possess an antihyperglycemic activity. Similarly, Boudjelal, et al [17] have reported that apigenin reduced the glucose level in alloxan induced rats. Many reports have shown that chrysin possesses antihyperglycemic activity [16][17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

“…Similarly, Boudjelal, et al [17] have reported that apigenin reduced the glucose level in alloxan induced rats. Many reports have shown that chrysin possesses antihyperglycemic activity [16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. These finding provide convincing evidence that the effect of the PB aqueous extract in reducing the glucose level is due to the presence of apigenin 6c-glucoside and chrysin.…”