Title:Effect of Pulicaria mauritanica on Glucose Metabolism and Glycogen
Content in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Volume: 20
Issue: 3
Author(s): Amine Azzane, Ayoub Amssayef, Ahmed El-Haidani and Mohamed Eddouks*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, BP 509,
Boutalamine, 52000, Errachidia, Morocco
Keywords:
Antihyperglycemic, streptozotocin, Pulicaria mauritanica, glycogen content, medicinal plant, aqueous extract.
Abstract:
Aims: The study aimed to assess the antihyperglycemic activity of Pulicaria mauritanica.
Background: Pulicaria mauritanica is a medicinal and aromatic plant used for the treatment of
many diseases such as inflammation, diabetes, and intestinal disorders.
Objective: The main goals of this present paper were to confirm the antihyperglycemic capacity of
aqueous extract from Pulicaria mauritanica in normoglycemic and diabetic rats over a period of
time (7 days of treatment).
Methods: The effect of the aqueous extract of Pulicaria mauritanica from aerial parts (AEPM) on
glucose and lipid metabolism was tested using an acute test (single dose during 6 hours) and subchronic
assay (repeated oral administration for seven days) at a dose of 60 mg/kg and the serum
glucose levels were measured in normoglycemic and streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In
addition, the glycogen content in the liver, extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and soleus was evaluated.
The antioxidant activity, phytochemical screening, and quantification of some secondary
metabolites of this extract were also performed.
Results: AEPM at a dose of 60 mg/kg reduced the plasma glucose concentrations significantly in
STZ-induced diabetic rats after a single oral administration (p<0.05). This lowering effect became
more significant during the repeated oral administration in hyperglycemic rats (p<0.0001). Also,
the findings showed that this plant exhibited a significant increase in liver and skeletal soleus muscle
glycogen content in diabetic rats. AEPM revealed a remarkable antioxidant activity in addition
to the presence of polyphenol compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, sterols, glucides,
terpenoids, quinones, anthraquinones, and mucilage.
Conclusion: The study shows that AEPM exhibits antihyperglycemic activity in diabetic rats, and
it increases liver and muscle glycogen content.
