ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of hydroethanolic extract of yacon on the hyperglycemia induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in neonatal rats. METHODS: Wistar rats aged two days old received an intraperitoneal injection of STZ (160 mg/kg); after seven weeks, glycosuria was determined and animals with glucose levels above 250 mg/dL were included in the study. Groups of diabetic and non-diabetic rats were treated orally with yacon extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg/d for 14 d. Tests were made for phytochemical characterization, glucose tolerance and toxicity. RESULTS: The results showed that treatment with the extract reduced the glucose levels of fed diabetic rats and did not change the glucose levels of fasting diabetic and normal rats. Additionally, also it was observed that treatment with the extract reduced blood glucose levels of diabetic rats during the oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests. There was no change in body weight, liver enzymes or mortality with yacon extract treatment. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid and gallic acid. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that yacon extract reduces hyperglycemia, possibly by improving insulin sensibility through its phytochemicals constituents (phenolic compounds).
ABSTRACT
The present study evaluated the effect of the crude extract of the leaves of Nectandra falcifolia (NEES) Castiglioni and its fractions in different experimental models of inflammation (paw edema, pleurisy, and ear edema). Carrageenan-induced edema of the paw and pleurisy were evaluated in Wistar rats (180-220 g), which were treated with different doses of the total extract (250, 500 mg.kg-1). Edema of the ear, induced by croton oil, and determination of myeloperoxidase activity were evaluated in Swiss mice (25-35 g). In this experiment, the crude extract of Nectandra falcifolia (Nf) (1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 mg) and the hexane, chloroform, ethyl-acetate and hydromethanol fractions (5.0 mg) were applied topically, immediately after application of the oil. The crude extract of Nf (500 mg.kg-1) significantly reduced edema of the paw compared to the control group. Similarly, at doses of 250 and 500 mg.kg-1 it significantly reduced the volume of pleural inflammatory exudate compared to the control animals. However, it did not change the number of migrated cells. At doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mg, the crude extract significantly inhibited edema of the ear and the influx of neutrophils. The fractions from Nectandra falcifolia (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and hydromethanol) also inhibited edema of the ear. Taken together, the results demonstrated that the crude extract and its fractions administered to animals orally or topically showed an anti-inflammatory effect.
