Antidiabetic and Antidyslipidemic Effects of Artemisia mesatlantica, an Endemic Plant from Morocco.

AIMS: The study aimed to assess the antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemic activities of Artemisia mesatlantica. BACKGROUND: Artemisia mesatlantica is an endemic plant of Morocco used in traditional medicine as an alternative treatment for diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to examine the antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemicability of aqueous extract of Artemisia mesatlantica (AMAE) in experimental animal models. METHODS: The effect of the single and repeated oral administration (7 days of treatment) of AMAE (60 mg/kg) on blood glucose and lipid profile were assessed in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, to confirm the antidyslipidemic effect of Artemisia mesatlantica, a model of hyperlipidemia induced by tyloxapol (Triton WR-1339) in rats was used. RESULTS: The AMAE (60 mg/kg) was able to significantly reduce glycaemia, improve lipid profile and increase hepatic glycogen content in STZ-induced diabetic rats. In addition, pretreatment of rats for 7 consecutive days with an aqueous extract of Artemisia mesatlantica (600 mg/kg) prior to tyloxapol injection prevented increases in plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-c. CONCLUSION: From these observed results, it can be deduced that Artemisia mesatlantica possesses remarkable antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic properties.

Antihyperglycemic Effect of Rhamnus alaternus L. Aqueous Extract in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, the aerial parts of Rhamnus alaternus L. have been widely used in Mediterranean countries, including Morocco, to cure diabetes. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of Rhamnus alaternus aqueous extract in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to evaluate the antihyperglycemic effect of Rhamnus alaternus aqueous extract (RAAE) in normal and diabetic rats. Then the phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and potential toxicity of RAAE were also assessed. METHODS: The effects of acute (6 h) and subchronic (7 days) oral administration of RAAE (20 mg/kg) on blood glucose levels and lipid profiles were evaluated in normal and diabetic rats. Besides, a preliminary phytochemical screening, quantification of phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents as well as the antioxidant activity, using the DPPH method, were evaluated. Additionally, the toxicity of the aqueous extract (5 mg/kg) was also studied and the LD50 value was determined. RESULTS: RAAE (20 mg/kg) over 7 days of oral administration significantly decreased the blood glucose levels both in normal and diabetic rats. In diabetic rats, this extract also improved oral glucose tolerance. In addition, RAAE possessed significant antioxidant activity. According to preliminary phytochemical research, RAAE contains several chemical compounds, including alkaloids, polyphenols, flavonoids, cyanidins, anthraquinones, and sterols. On the other hand, the quantitative phytochemical study of the aqueous extract revealed a considerable amount of total phenolic compounds (497.93 ± 3.38 mg GAE/1g of RAAE), flavonoids (100.42 ± 0.32 mg RE/ g of RAAE), and tannins (14.32 ± 0.37 mg CE/1g of RAAE). CONCLUSION: We conclude that RAAE exerts a significant antihyperglycemic effect in STZ-induced diabetic rats at a low dose. Indeed, more research is still required to support the use of this plant in the Moroccan population's diabetes care.

Aqueous Extract of Brassica rapa Exerts Antihyperglycemic Activity in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the antihyperglycemic effect of Brassica rapa. BACKGROUND: Brassica rapa (turnip) is used as an antidiabetic plant. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Brassica rapa seeds (AEBRS) on glycemia in vivo. METHODS: The effect of AEBRS (60 mg/kg) on glycemia and lipid profiles was evaluated. Besides, preliminary phytochemical analysis and the in vitro antioxidant effect were evaluated. RESULTS: AEBRS caused a significant reduction in blood glucose levels in diabetic rats (p<0.0001). In contrast, no significant effect was observed on lipid profiles, whereas antioxidant potential of this extract has been shown. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of many important phytochemical families. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that AEBRS has a potent antihyperglycemic ability in diabetic rats.

Potent Antihyperglycemic Effect of an Endemic Plant from Morocco (Matthiola Maroccana Coss.) on Normal and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: Matthiola maroccana (Coss.) belongs to the Brassicaceae family and it is an endemic plant from Morocco. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Matthiola maroccana (Coss.) on blood glucose levels in normal and diabetic rats. METHODS: The effect of single dose (6 hours) and daily oral administration for seven days of the Aerial Part Aqueous Extract (A.P.A.E) of Matthiola maroccana (Coss.) (M. maroccana) at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight on blood glucose levels in normal and streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats was observed. Furthermore, body weight, oral glucose tolerance test, liver histopathological examination, phytochemical screening, and in vitro antioxidant activity of A.P.A.E were evaluated in this study. RESULTS: The results showed that M. maroccana A.P.A.E exerts potent hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects on normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats (p<0.0001). Also, it was able to restore body weight in diabetic rats (p<0.05). Furthermore, the aqueous extract has been shown to regenerate hepatic tissues in diabetic rats. Besides, A.P.A.E revealed the presence of several phytochemical constituents (polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, sterols and terpenoids), and possessed antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our findings showed that A.P.A.E of M. maroccana (A.P.A.E MM) possesses significant antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic activities.

[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.

[Prevalence of obesity and overweight within the school environment in Tafilalet oasis, south-east of Morocco]. / Prévalence de l'obésité et du surpoids en milieu scolaire, oasis de Tafilalet, sud-est du Maroc.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a serious public health problem having a direct impact on physical and psychological health of individuals. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight in a child population attending urban and rural schools in the oasis of Tafilalet. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study within the urban and rural public schools in of the oasis of Tafilalet. We recruited a representative sample of 3,684 children attending 39 public primary schools. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 9.81 ± 2.13 years. The total sample was divided into 1,794 boys (48.70%) and 1,890 girls (51.30%). Two thousand three hundred and nine lived in an urban area (62.70%) and 1,375 in a rural area (37.30%). According to the World Health Organization References, our study showed a rate of obesity of 1.9% and of 10.8% for overweight. Overweight and obesity were not significantly associated with children sex. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of obesity in the oasis of Tafilalet is less than the national and international values; lifestyle and dietary habits of this population appear to be a protective factor against overweight and obesity.

Antihyperglycemic Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Foeniculum vulgare in Normal and Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is associated with high blood glucose levels due to insulin shortcoming (insulinopenia) or defective insulin action. The objective of the study was to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of Foeniculum vulgare in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. METHODS: The effects of the leaves aqueous extract (LAE) of Foeniculum vulgare (F. vulgare) at a dose of 10 mg/kg on blood glucose levels were evaluated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)- induced diabetic rats. Histopathological changes were also evaluated in liver in STZ-induced rats. RESULTS: Single oral administration of F. vulgare LAE reduced blood glucose levels 6 h after administration in STZ diabetic rats (p<0.0001). Furthermore, blood glucose levels were decreased in both normal (p<0.05) and STZ diabetic rats (p<0.0001) after the fifteenth day of treatment. During this test, both groups did not show any significant change in their body weight. Moreover, this aqueous extract improved oral glucose tolerance in diabetic rats and revealed a positive effect on liver histology. On the other hand, the extract used in this experiment showed an inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 50% of free radicals with a concentration of 43±1.19 µg/ml. While the synthetic antioxidant (BHT) had an IC50 equal to 22.67±2.17µg /ml. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the antihyperglycemic, hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of the leaves of F. vulgare in normal and diabetic rats.