Antihypertensive activity of the aqueous extract of Retama raetam Forssk. leaves in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The antihypertensive and diuretic effects of the aqueous extract of Retama raetam Forssk. (RR) leaves were studied in both normotensive (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In SHR rats, daily oral administration of RR (20 mg/kg) for three weeks exhibited a significant reduction in blood pressure. The systolic blood pressure decreased significantly from the seventh day (P < 0.01) and persisted through the end of treatment (P < 0.001) in SHR rats. The RR significantly enhanced the diuresis in WKY rats (P < 0.001). Furthermore, oral administration of RR at a dose of 20 mg/kg produced a significant increase on urinary excretion of sodium (P < 0.05), potassium (P < 0.01) and chlorides (P < 0.01) in SHR rats. In WKY rats, RR treatment induced a significant increase on urinary potassium elimination (P < 0.05) without affecting sodium and chloride excretion. Irbesartan (Avapro) 20 mg/kg (body weight), an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, was used as reference drug. No significant changes were noted in heart rate after RR treatment in SHR as well as in WKY rats. Glomerular filtration rate showed a significant increase after RR administration in WKY rats (P < 0.01) and a no significant increase in SHR rats. These results suggest that oral administration of aqueous RR extract exhibited antihypertensive and diuretic effects in SHR rats and diuretic action in WKY rats.

Hypoglycaemic effect of Triticum repens P. Beauv. in normal and diabetic rats.

The hypoglycaemic effect of an aqueous extract of Triticum repens (TR) rhizomes was investigated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. After a single oral administration of the aqueous extract (20mg/kg) a significant decrease on blood glucose levels in STZ diabetic rats (p<0.001) was observed; the blood glucose levels were normalized after 2 weeks of daily oral administration of TR aqueous extract (20mg/kg) (p<0.001). Significant reduction on blood glucose levels were noticed in normal rats after both acute (p<0.001) and chronic treatment (p<0.001). In addition, no changes were observed in basal plasma insulin concentrations after treatment in either normal or STZ diabetic rats indicating that the underlying mechanism of this pharmacological activity seems to be independent of insulin secretion. We conclude that the aqueous extract of TR exhibits a potent hypoglycaemic activity in STZ rats without affecting basal plasma insulin concentrations.

Acute diuretic effect of aqueous extract of Retama raetam in normal rats.

The purpose of this study was to examine the acute diuretic effect of the water extract of the aerial parts of Retama raetam (RR) at a dose of 5 mg/kg/h in normal rats. The aqueous extract was administered intravenously and the diuresis was followed within 4 h after starting the treatment. Intravenous administration of the aqueous RR extract produced a significant increment on diuresis from the second hour (p<0.01) to the fourth hour (p<0.001). Furosemide at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg/h had a similar effect when compared to RR administration. Parallel, the noticed increase of diuresis was associated with an elevation of glomerular filtration rate (p<0.05) and a significant decrease of urinary osmolarity (p<0.001). However, RR extract did not affect plasma urea levels, urine pH, plasma osmolarity and hematocrite. It is then concluded that the water extract of the aerial parts of RR exhibited a significant diuretic effect in normal rat.

Fraxinus excelsior L. evokes a hypotensive action in normal and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The hypotensive effect of an aqueous extract of Fraxinus excelsior L. was investigated in both normotensive (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Daily oral administration of Fraxinus excelsior (20 mg/kg) aqueous extract for 3 weeks produced a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) with variation coefficient (Delta%) of 13.5% in SHR (p<0.01) and 9% in WKY rats (p<0.05). The aqueous extract of Fraxinus excelsior significantly enhanced the urination in both SHR (p<0.05 compared to control) and WKY (p<0.05 compared to control). Irbesartan (Avapro), an angiotensin II antagonist, was used as reference drug. Furthermore, oral administration of aqueous Fraxinus excelsior extract at a dose of 20 mg/kg produced a significant increase in urinary excretion of sodium (p<0.01 compared to control), potassium (p<0.001 compared to control) and chlorides (p<0.01) in SHR rats. In normal rats, the aqueous Fraxinus excelsior extract administration induced a significant increase of the urinary elimination of sodium (p<0.05 compared to control), chlorides (p<0.01 compared to control) and potassium (p<0.01 versus control). While there were no significant changes in heart rate (HR) after Fraxinus excelsior treatment in both SHR and WKY rats, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) showed a significant increase in SH rats (p<0.001) after Fraxinus excelsior treatment. These results suggest that oral administration of aqueous extract of Fraxinus excelsior exhibited hypotensive and diuretic actions.

Study of the hypoglycaemic activity of Lepidium sativum L. aqueous extract in normal and diabetic rats.

The hypoglycaemic effect of an aqueous extract of Lepidium sativum L. (LS) seeds was investigated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. After a acute (single dose) or chronic (15 daily repeated administration) oral treatments, the aqueous LS extract (20 mg/kg) produced a significant decrease on blood glucose levels in STZ diabetic rats (p < 0.001); the blood glucose levels were normalised 2 weeks after daily repeated oral administration of aqueous LS extract (20 mg/kg) (p < 0.001). Significant reduction on blood glucose levels were noticed in normal rats after both acute (p < 0.01) and chronic treatment (p < 0.001). In addition, no changes were observed in basal plasma insulin concentrations after treatment either in normal or STZ diabetic rats indicating that the underlying mechanism of this pharmacological activity seems to be independent of insulin secretion. We conclude that the aqueous extract of LS exhibits a potent hypoglycaemic activity in rats without affecting basal plasma insulin concentrations.

Hypoglycaemic effect of Calamintha officinalis Moench. in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a water extract from the aerial parts of Calamintha officinalis Moench., after either a single dose or daily oral administration for 15 days, on plasma blood glucose concentrations and basal insulin levels in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (STZ diabetic rats). The results clearly demonstrated the hypoglycaemic effect of this plant extract in both normal and STZ diabetic rats. In addition, no changes were observed in basal plasma insulin concentrations after treatment with this plant in normal or STZ diabetic rats, indicating that the underlying mechanism of the plant's pharmacological action seems to be independent of insulin secretion. We conclude that the aqueous C. officinalis extract exhibits a significant hypoglycaemic effect in normal and STZ diabetic rats without affecting basal plasma insulin concentrations, and supports, therefore, its traditional use by the Moroccan population.

Phlorizin-like effect of Fraxinus excelsior in normal and diabetic rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine the underlying mechanism of the hypoglycaemic activity of the aqueous extract perfusion of Fraxinus excelsior L. (FE) in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous extract was administered intravenously and the blood glucose changes were determined within four hours after starting the treatment. Plasma insulin concentrations and glycosuria were determined. The aqueous extract at a dose of 10 mg/kg/h produced a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in normal rats (P < 0.001) and even more in diabetic rats (P < 0.001). This hypoglycaemic effect might be due to an extra-pancreatic action of the aqueous extract of FE, since the basal plasma insulin concentrations were unchanged after FE treatment. A potent increase of glycosuria was observed both in normal and diabetic rats (P < 0.001). We conclude that aqueous extract perfusion of FE caused a potent inhibition of renal glucose reabsorption. This renal effect might be at least one mechanism explaining the observed hypoglycaemic activity of this plant in normal and diabetic rats.

Anti-hyperglycaemic activity of the aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare growing wild in Tafilalet region.

The effect of an aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare (OV) leaves on blood glucose levels was investigated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. In normal rats, the blood glucose levels were slightly decreased 6 h after a single oral administration (P<0.05) as well as 15 days after once daily repeated oral administration of aqueous OV extract (P<0.05) (20 mg/kg). After a single dose or 15 daily doses, oral administration of the aqueous extract (20 mg/kg) produced a significant decrease on blood glucose levels in STZ diabetic rats (P<0.001). In STZ rats, the blood glucose levels were normalised from the fourth day after daily repeated oral administration of aqueous OV extract (20 mg/kg) (P<0.001). However, this effect was less pronounced 2 weeks after daily repeated oral administration of OV extract. In addition, no changes were observed in basal plasma insulin concentrations after treatment in either normal or STZ diabetic rats indicating that the aqueous OV extract acted without changing insulin secretion. We conclude that an aqueous extract of OV exhibits an anti-hyperglycaemic activity in STZ rats without affecting basal plasma insulin concentrations.

Study of the hypoglycaemic activity of Fraxinus excelsior and Silybum marianum in an animal model of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

The hypoglycaemic effect of the aqueous extracts of Fraxinus excelsior (FE) seed and Silybum marianum (SM) aerial part was investigated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. After a single dose or 15 daily doses, oral administration of the aqueous extracts (20 mg/kg) produced a significant decrease of blood glucose levels in both normal and STZ diabetic rats (P < 0.001). From the first week, the body weight was increased in normal rats (P < 0.05) and decreased in STZ rats (P < 0.01) after FE administration. In addition, no changes were observed in basal plasma insulin concentrations after both FE and SM treatments in either normal and STZ diabetic rats indicating that these plants exert their pharmacological activity without affecting insulin secretion. We conclude that the aqueous extracts of FE and SM exhibit potent hypoglycaemic and anti-hyperglycaemic activities in normal and STZ rats, respectively, without affecting basal plasma insulin concentrations.

Effect of Retama raetam on lipid metabolism in normal and recent-onset diabetic rats.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of single and repeated oral administration of the aqueous extract of Retama raetam (Forssk) Webb (RR) (20 mg/kg) on lipid metabolism in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In normal rats, the aqueous extract of RR induced a significant decrease of the plasma triglycerides concentrations one week after repeated oral administration (P<0.05). This reduction was maintained two weeks after once daily repeated oral administration (P<0.05). A significant decrease of plasma cholesterol levels was also observed one week (P<0.05) and two weeks (0.05) after repeated oral administration. In diabetic rats, RR treatment caused a significant decrease of plasma triglycerides levels after a single (P<0.05) and repeated (P<0.001) oral administration. A significant decrease of cholesterol levels was observed four hours after a single oral administration of the RR aqueous extract (P<0.05). One week after repeated oral administration of RR aqueous extract, the plasma cholesterol levels were significantly decreased (P<0.05) and still dropped after two weeks (P<0.005). On the other hand, the repeated oral administration of RR aqueous extract caused a significant decrease of body weight one week after repeated oral treatment in diabetic rats (P<0.05). We conclude that the aqueous extract of RR exhibits lipid and body weight lowering activities in both normal and severe hyperglycemic rats after repeated oral administration of RR aqueous extract at a dose of 20 mg/kg.

Effects of an aqueous extract of Triticum repens on lipid metabolism in normal and recent-onset diabetic rats.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects of single and repeated oral administration of the aqueous rhizomes extract of Triticum repens (TR) (20 mg/kg) on lipid metabolism in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In normal rats, the aqueous extract of TR induced a significant decrease in the plasma triglycerides concentrations 4 days (P<0.05) and 1 week after repeated oral administration (P<0.05). This reduction was abolished 2 weeks after once daily repeated oral administration. A significant decrease of plasma cholesterol levels was observed only 1 week (P<0.05) after repeated oral administration. In diabetic rats, TR treatment caused a significant decrease in plasma triglycerides levels after a single (P<0.01) and repeated (P<0.001) oral administration. A strong decrease in cholesterol level was observed 6 h after a single oral administration of the aqueous extract TR (P<0.001). Four days after repeated oral administration of TR aqueous extract, the plasma cholesterol level was significantly decreased (P<0.05) and still dropped after 2 weeks (P<0.001). On other hand, the repeated oral administration of aqueous TR extract caused a significant decrease in body weight 2 weeks after repeated oral treatment in diabetic rats (P<0.05). We conclude that the aqueous extract of TR exhibits lipid and body weight lowering activities in severe hyperglycaemic rats after repeated oral administration of aqueous TR extract at a dose of 20 mg/kg.

Inhibition of endogenous glucose production accounts for hypoglycemic effect of Spergularia purpurea in streptozotocin mice.

The purpose of this study was to determine the underlying mechanism of the hypoglycemic activity of the aqueous extract perfusion of Spergularia purpurea (SP) in diabetic mice and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous extract was administered intravenously and the blood glucose levels were determined within 4 hours after starting the treatment. Plasma insulin concentrations and endogenous glucose production were also determined. The aqueous extract at a dose of 10 mg/kg produced a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in normal rats (P < 0.05), and even more in diabetic rats (P < 0.001). This hypoglycemic effect might be due to an extra-pancreatic action of the aqueous extract of SP, since the basal plasma insulin concentrations were unchanged after SP treatment. In diabetic mice, a similar effect was observed and the results showed that aqueous extract of SP caused a potent inhibitor effect on basal endogenous glucose production (p < 0.001). We conclude that aqueous extract perfusion of SP inhibits endogenous glucose production in mice. This inhibition is at least one mechanism explaining the observed hypoglycemic activity of this plant in diabetic animals.

Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiac diseases in the south-east region of Morocco (Tafilalet).

In this study, the medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiac diseases were inventoried based on the ethnopharmacological survey in south-eastern Morocco: Tafilalet region. Seven hundred persons including 320 diabetic patients and 380 patients with hypertension and cardiac disorders and 20 traditional herbal healers were interviewed in different areas of Tafilalet. The results indicated that 80% of patients interviewed used medicinal plants to treat diabetes, hypertension and cardiac diseases because they state that phytotherapy is cheaper (58%), more efficient (40%) and better (65%) than modern medicine. In this ethnobotanic enquiry, about 92 medicinal plants were cited. A lot of them are cited for the first time in Morocco. Many parameters have been evaluated such as knowledge of the toxic plants, doses, parts used, etc. Also, we have reported that 75% of type 2 diabetic patients used medicinal plants in association with modern drugs, while 10% of type 1 diabetic patients regularly used medicinal plants combined with insulin treatment. Some toxic plants have also been reported. In conclusion Tafilalet region disposes of a large phytotherapy knowledge which must be scientifically investigated especially in treating diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiac diseases.