Comparative anti-hyperglycemic effects of the aqueous extracts of Combretum molle twigs in rats

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the antidiabetic properties of the aqueous extracts of Combretum molle twigs in rats. Methods: For the anti-hyperglycemic tests, the extracts at doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg were administered orally to the normal rats and their glycemia was evaluated every 30 minutes during 4 hours. Type 1 diabetes was induced by the intra-peritoneal injection of alloxane (150 mg/kg) in rats. Type 2 diabetes was induced by the sub-cutaneous injection of the dexamethasone (1 mg/kg). Afterwards, animals were treated at doses 250 and 500 mg/kg of the decoction for 14 days (type 1 diabetes) and 8 days (type 2 diabetes). Body weight, glycemia, lipid parameters, and atherogenic index were evaluated. Results: The decoction (250 mg/kg) produced a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the postprandial glycemia at 90 minutes. However, at 120 minutes, a significant regulation of the blood glucose was observed at the dose of 500 mg/kg of the decoction (p < 0.01), maceration (p < 0.05), and infusion (p < 0.05). In addition, the doses 250 and 500 mg/kg of the decoction of C. molle prevented a significant reduction in body weight, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia, and a significant increase in atherogenic index, which were observed in the type 1 and 2 diabetic subjects. Conclusion: The decoction was showed the greatest hypoglycemic and anti-hyperglycemic activities, thereby confirming his ethnopharmacological use of this extract in the management of diabetes mellitus.