Antidiabetic and protective effects of the aqueous extract of Arbutus unedo L. in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic mice

Abstract

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is currently a major health problem and the most common chronic disease worldwide. Traditional medicinal plants remedies remain a potential adjunct therapy to maintain better glycemic control while also imparting few side-effects. Arbutus unedo L. has been traditionally used to manage several diseases including diabetes. This study was undertaken to contribute the validation of the traditional use of Arbutus unedoL. (Ericaceae) in the treatment of diabetes. Methods In-vitro antidiabetic effect of the A. unedo roots aqueous extract was conducted using α-glucosidase and α-amylase assays. While in-vivo antidiabetic activity was conducted using streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic mice. Diabetic animals were orally administered the aqueous extract in 500 mg/kg of body weight to assess the antidiabetic effect. The blood glucose level and body weight of the experimental animals were monitored for 4 weeks. In addition, the histopathological examination of the treated mice pancreas was also conducted to observe the changes of β-cells during the treatment process. Results The extract produced a significant decrease in blood glucose level in diabetic mice. This decrease was equivalent to that which observed in mice treated with a standard after 2–4 weeks. In addition, the plant extract exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity with IC50 values of 730.15±0.25 μg/mL and 94.81±5.99 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the histopathologic examination of the pancreas showed a restoration of normal pancreatic islet cell architecture which observed in the diabetic mice treated with plant extract. Conclusions The aqueous A. unedo roots extract has a significant in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic effects and improves metabolic alterations. The revealed results justify its traditional medicinal use.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers to Treat Diabetes in the Taza Region of Morocco

“…The antidiabetic activity of certain plants has also been experimentally proven by in vivo or in vitro studies. These species include A. herba-alba [ 21 , 33 , 34 ] , S. officinalis [ 27 ] , O. europaea [ 29 ] , A. iva [ 35 ] , A. unedo [ 63 ], and M. vulgare [ 24 ]. Actually, certain mentioned plants open up interesting perspectives in the search for new therapeutic means, which can thus provide credible solutions by the production of low-cost and effective drugs for the treatment of diabetes.…”

Contribution of Flavonoids and Iridoids to the Hypoglycaemic, Antioxidant, and Nitric Oxide (NO) Inhibitory Activities of Arbutus unedo L.

“…The same trend was observed with oral administration of glibenclamide. More recently, Mrabti et al [66] studied the hypoglycaemic properties of A. unedo roots finding an interesting inhibitory capacity of α-glucosidase (IC 50 of 94.81 µg/mL) more efficient than the positive control (IC 50 of 199.53 µg/mL).…”

Antidiabetic Medicinal Plants: A Review

“…It is used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, dermatological problems, diabetes, inflammation, hypertension etc. Mrabti H et al reported that the aqueous extract of the plant showed significant in-vitro and in-vivo antidiabetic effect in the streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic mice at the dose of 500 mg/kg and also it improves metabolic alternations 32 .…”