Title:Aqueous Extract of Argania spinosa L. Fruits Ameliorates Diabetes in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
Author(s): Morad Hebi, Farid Khallouki, EL Haidani A and Mohamed Eddouks*
Affiliation:
- Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University, BP 509, Boutalamine, 52000, Errachidia,Morocco
Keywords:
Argania spinosa, antioxidant activity, streptozotocin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, phytochemical screening.
Abstract: Introduction: The argan tree (Argania spinosa L.) is an endemic species from south-western Morocco.
Argan-based preparations have been widely used in Moroccan traditional medicine for their biological
properties including diabetes especially argan oil. However, the antihypergycemic effect of the pericarp of A.
spinosa fruit has never been evaluated.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a single dose and daily oral administration
for seven days of aqueous extract of pericarp of Argania spinosa fruit (A.E.P.F.A.S) in normal and streptozotocin
(STZ) diabetic rats.
Methods: The effect of A.E.P.F.A.S. (10 mg/kg) on blood glucose levels, plasma Total Cholesterol (TC) and
triglyceride concentrations were measured in both normal and diabetic rats. The antioxidant capacity of the
A.E.P.F.A.S was also demonstrated using test of DPPH (1-1-diphenyl 2-picryl hydrazyl). The histopathological
changes in liver and pancreas have been evaluated in both normal and STZ diabetic rats. A preliminary phytochemical
screening for various bioactive constituents and the antioxidant capacity were realized.
Results: Single oral administration of A.E.P.F.A.S reduced blood glucose levels p 6 h after administration in
STZ diabetic rats. Furthermore, blood glucose levels were decreased in STZ diabetic rats after seven days of
treatment. According to the oral glucose tolerance test, the A.E.P.F.A.S. was shown to prevent significantly the
increase in blood glucose levels in diabetic treated rats after glucose administration when compared to the control
group. Moreover, A.E.P.F.A.S showed antioxidant activity and revealed the inhibitory concentration of
50% of free radicals (IC50) of 279.16 µg/ml.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates antihyperglycemic, lowering plasma cholesterol levels and antioxidant
effects of A.E.P.F.A.S. in the severe diabetic state. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the mechanism(
s) of action of A.E.P.F.A.S. and the active constituent(s) of the extract.
