Phytochemical characterization of polyphenolic compounds with HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS and evaluation of lipid-lowering capacity of aqueous extracts from Saharan plant Anabasis aretioides (Coss & Moq.) in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Anabasis aretioides (Coss & Moq.), a Saharan plant belonging to Chenopodiaceae family, is widely distributed in semi-desert areas from the Tafilalet region of Morocco. This plant is extensively used by local population against diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of the aqueous A. aretioides extract on lipid metabolism in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and to identify the polyphenolic compounds present. In addition, the in vitro antioxidant activity of the aqueous A. aretioides extract was also evaluated.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effect of an aerial part aqueous extract (APAE) of A. aretioides (5 mg/kg of lyophilized A. aretioides APAE) on plasma lipid profile was investigated in normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats (n = 6) after once daily oral administration for 15 days. The aqueous extract was tested for its 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity. Polyphenolic compounds in the extracts were definitively characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In diabetic rats, oral administration of A. aretioides APAE provoked a significant decrease in both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels from the first to the second week (P < 0.01). A significant decrease on plasma triglyceride levels was also observed in normal rats (P < 0.01), where the reduction was 53%. In addition, the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of 12 polyphenolic compounds. Moreover, according to the DPPH radical-scavenging activity, the aqueous extract showed an in vitro antioxidant activity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Aqueous A. aretioides APAE exhibits lipid-lowering and in vitro antioxidant activities. Many polyphenols were present in this extract and these phytoconstituents may be involved in the pharmacological activity of this plant.</p>

Hypolipidemic activity of Tamarix articulata Vahl. in diabetic rats / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Tamarix articulata Vahl. (Tamaricaceae) is a medicinal plant commonly used in Morocco for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hypolipidemic activity of aqueous extract of T. articulata in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Phytochemical analysis as well as determination of polyphenol and flavonoid contents in the aqueous extract of T. articulata was performed.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effects of oral administration of aqueous extract of T. articulata (5 mg/kg) on the plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) concentrations were measured in both normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Total phenolic content of the aqueous extract was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. In addition, determination of flavonoid content was performed using colorimetric AlCl3 method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A single oral administration in diabetic rats induced a significant increase in the HDL-c concentration after 6 h of treatment with T. articulata (5 mg/kg). The results also demonstrated that the aqueous extract of T. articulata produced a significant decrease of serum total cholesterol after repeated oral administration in diabetic rats (P < 0.01). The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of T. articulata aqueous extract were equal to 102.50 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of extract and 54.83 mg of quercetin equivalent per gram of extract, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>According to preliminary phytochemical screening of the aerial part of T. articulata, several classes of chemicals have been found, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, cyanidins (flavones, catechols), mucilage, sesquiterpenes, terpenoids and carbohydrates. In conclusion, T. articulata exhibits a hypolipidemic effect in diabetic rats and its beneficial role as hypolipidemic agent should be evaluated in clinical studies.</p>