Antidiabetic Activity of Bauhinia forficata Extracts in Alloxan-Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The antidiabetic activity of aqueous, ethanolic and hexanic extracts of Bauhinia forficata was investigated in a model of alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. The biochemical parameters studied were: plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL). Extracts were administered daily for 7 d at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o., 48 h after alloxan injection (60 mg/kg, i.v.). The alloxan-diabetic rats showed significant reductions in plasma glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol after treatment with the extracts and glibenclamide (used as standard) as compared to the diabetic controls. Levels of LDL were not altered. In conclusion, our results showed that the plant extracts when administered by gavage may reduce glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels. These results suggest the validity of the clinical use of B. forficata in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type II.

Bioactivity and potential therapeutic benefits of some medicinal plants from the Caatinga (semi-arid) vegetation of Northeast Brazil: a review of the literature

“…Taken together, these studies corroborate the potential of glycosylated flavonoid kaempferitrin on the pharmacological properties of B. forficata. Thus, as a result of several scientific investigations, evidences have reinforced the hypoglycemic efficacy of B. forficata species and its use as ''natural insulin'' for the control of diabetes (Miyake et al, 1986;Jorge et al, 2004;Da Cunha et al, 2010), including a study conducted by collaborators from our laboratory (Lino et al, 2004).…”

Experimental Studies With Species of Bauhinia (Fabaceae) to Evaluate the Antidiabetic Activity

“…O restante, 31 artigos foram utilizados na pesquisa, e apresentados na Tabela 1, em que estão listadas as espécies de Bauhinia L. que possuem ensaios relacionados à atividade hipoglicemiante e respectivas fontes de referência. RUSSO et al, 1990;SILVA et al, 2002a;PEPATO et al, 2002, JORGE et al, 2004SOUZA et al, 2004;LINO et al, 2004;VASCONCELOS et al, 2004;MENEZES et al, 2007;CUNHA et al, 2010;CURCIO et al, 2012;CAZAROLLI et al, 2013;FARAG et MARTINEZ et al, 2009;MESHRAM et al, 2013B. thonningii OJEZELE, ABATAN, 2011B.…”

Utilização de fitoterápicos nas unidades básicas de atenção à saúde da família no município de Maracanaú (CE)

“…Estudos realizados em diversos lugares do mundo apontam as afecções respiratórias como uma das causas mais freqüentes para o uso dos medicamentos (Pepato, 2002;Lino et al, 2004;Barbosa-Filho et al, 2005). Apesar de utilizados no Brasil há décadas para controlar os níveis de glicose sanguínea em diabéticos (Wakac et al, 1993), ainda são escassos os estudos que comprovem a efi cácia e segurança do uso do Mororó em humanos, principalmente quando associado à outro agente hipoglicemiante alopático.…”