Effect of Pulicaria mauritanica on Glucose Metabolism and Glycogen Content in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

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.

[Mercury exposure and dentists' health status in two regions of centrall Morocco: descriptive cross-sectional survey]. / Exposition au mercure et état de santé des médecins dentistes de deux régions du centre du Maroc: enquête transversale descriptive.

INTRODUCTION: mercury exposure is recognized as a worldwide public health concern. However, the effect of long-term exposure to low-doses of this heavy metal is still subject to debate. Due to the use of mercury in dental amalgam, dental health care professionals are chronically exposed to low-doses of this metal. In this context, we have conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey among liberal dentists in two regions of the center of Morocco. In parallel, the global health status of participants was investigated to assess the relevance of a subsequent etiological survey. METHODS: data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire. Occupational exposure of dentists to mercury was evaluated based on their use of dental amalgam. Moreover, the other common factors increasing the background pollution or inducing exposure peaks were also investigated. On the other hand, smoking, vaccination, fish consumption, and the number of dental amalgam in mouth were considered as non-occupational exposure sources. Finally, the self-reported global health problems of participants were collected. RESULTS: 192 dentists were included in the present study. Seventy-six percent (76.04%) of them declared using dental amalgam in their practice. Moreover, the presence of dental amalgam in mouth was identified as the main non-occupational source of exposure to mercury (63.45% of participants). Finally, most of participants (46.35%) have expressed neuropsychological complaints. CONCLUSION: altogether, our results revealed a real mercury exposure in the studied population. Thus, effective preventive measures should be promoted to minimize the mercury exposure in dental offices. Moreover, an etiological study will be of great interest to reveal the impact of mercury exposure in this population.

Antidiabetic Effect of Spearmint in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mentha spicata is a medicinal plant with several beneficial effects on health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of this plant in the experimental diabetic state. METHODS: In this work, the effect of Mentha spicata (L.) (M. spicata) aerial part aqueous extract (A.P.A.E) at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight on blood glucose levels has been demonstrated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Additionally, a preliminary phytochemical screening for various bioactive constituents was realized and a dosage of polyphenols and flavonoid has been done. Moreover, the histopathological changes in liver and pancreas have been evaluated both in normal and STZ diabetic rats. The effect of M. spicata aqueous extract to improve glucose tolerance in normal rats was also evaluated. RESULTS: In normal rats, both a single and repeated administration of the A.P.A.E (20 mg/kg) had not shown a significant reduction in blood glucose levels. However, repeated oral administration of M. spicata aqueous extract showed a significant blood glucose lowering effect (p<0.0001) in STZ diabetic rats. The blood glucose lowering activity of A.P.A.E was comparable to glibenclamide treatment at the dose used. Also, a histopathological study has showed the better act of M. spicata in pancreas and liver. Moreover, the oral glucose tolerance test demonstrated the ability of the aqueous extract (20 mg/kg) to improve the increase in blood glucose levels in normal treated rats. In the current study, no significant changes in body weight in normal and STZ rats have been shown. In addition, the preliminary phytochemical screening of M. spicata A.P.A.E. showed the presence of several beneficial compounds including polyphenols, flavonoids, anthraquinones, tannins, saponins, sterol, glucides, glycosides, terpenoids and reducing sugars. Furthermore, the result of dosage of some bioactive compounds present in this plant showed an important value of polyphenol (424.37±43.93 mg EAG) and showed also a non-negligible content of flavonoid. (9.74 ±0.39 mg EQ/g of extract). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, aqueous M. spicata extract exhibits an interesting antidiabetic effect in streptozotocin rats.