RESUMO
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition with a rapidly increasing prevalence. It comes with a rise in the generation of free radicals, potentially leading to additional health issues. Further studies and creative approaches are required to address this. Natural products are potential new antidiabetic drugs that are worth exploring. The aim of the present study is to assess the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects of ethanolic extracts of Brickellia eupatorioides, Citrus limettioides and Gochnatia hypoleuca. The antihyperglycemic activity of the extracts was tested on Wistar rats (diabetes induced by alloxan, 150mg/kg), as well as the inhibitory effect on a-glucosidase and a-amylase (in vitro assay). The antioxidant potential was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS assays. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also determined. The results indicated that ethanolic extracts of B. eupatorioides induced a powerful hypoglycemic in vivo effect with a significant decrease at 6h after administration, similar to that produced by glibenclamide; the decrease could be related to a-glucosidase inhibition. Moreover, the extract exhibited a potent scavenging activity (IC50 values 33±6mg/mL and 15±2mg/mL in the DPPH and ABTS methods, respectively). The results demonstrated antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts of B. eupatorioides.
