Preclinical Study of the Antidiabetic Effect of Traganum nudatum in Diabetic Rats

Aims: The aim of the study was to study the antidiabetic effect of Traganum nudatum in an animal model of diabetes. Background: Traganum nudatum (T. nudatum) is a medicinal plant widely used in folk medicine by the Moroccan population to treat various diseases including diabetes. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic of the aqueous Traganum nudatum extract in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated orally by the extract of Traganum nudatum (T. nudatum) at a dose of 50 mg/kg. The blood glucose levels were determined for 6 hours and 15 days during this treatment. The oral glucose tolerance and phytochemical tests and the analysis of histopathological changes of the liver were performed. The antioxidant activity of aqueous T. nudatum extract was also assessed using the method of trapping of free radical 2,2- diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Results: T. nudatum Aerial Part Aqueous Extract (TNAPAE) reduced the blood glucose levels in both normal and diabetic rats. The results demonstrated that TNAPAE treatment exhibited a significant hypoglycemic effect without altering the body weight. In addition, a noticeable influence on glucose tolerance was also observed after TNAPAE treatment. Moreover, TNAPAE was able to exhibit a beneficial effect on the histological structure of the liver. Finally, a potential antioxidant effect has been shown in vitro. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrates the antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effects of T. nudatum in rats supporting its traditional use for the management of diabetes.