title: Hypoglycaemic activity of Retama raetam in rats.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the underlying mechanism of the hypoglycaemic activity of an aqueous extract perfusion of Retama raetam (RR) in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous extract was administered intravenously and the blood glucose changes were determined within 4 h after starting the treatment. Plasma insulin concentrations and glycosuria were determined. The aqueous RR extract at a dose of 10 mg[sol ]kg[sol ]h produced a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in normal rats (p < 0.001) and an even more marked decrease in diabetic rats (p < 0.001). This hypoglycaemic effect might be due to an extra-pancreatic action of the aqueous extract of RR, since the basal plasma insulin concentrations were unchanged after RR treatment. A potent increase of glycosuria was observed both in normal and diabetic rats (p < 0.001). It is concluded that an aqueous extract perfusion of RR caused a potent inhibition of renal glucose reabsorption. This renal effect is at least one mechanism to explain the observed hypoglycaemic activity of this plant in normal and diabetic rats.
authors.affiliation: UFR PNPE, P.B. 21 Errachidia, Morocco.
authors.forename: Mhamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maghrani
authors.forename: Jean-Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eddouks
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000652:urine; D007887:Fabaceae; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013311:Streptozocin
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013311:Streptozocin