Perfil químico do extrato metanólico de Cecropia pachystachya e seu potencial hipoglicemiante em ratos diabéticos induzidos por aloxano

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome that affects more than 180 million of people around the world and the number is likely to more than double by 2030. The prime clinical characteristic of diabetes is the hyperglycemia. Several works show that hyperglycemia is critical on diabetic complication development and that these effects are associated to oxidative stress. In this regard, this study investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the methanolic extract of leaves of C. pachystachya (400 mg/ml) in normal, glucose loading and alloxan-induced diabetic rats during a period of 42 days. The extract presented a pronounced decrease on the blood glucose levels of diabetic rats in 12 hours after extract administration. This effect was not observed for normal rats. Biochemical parameters were determined after 42 days treatment and no significant changes were observed. The histological study of the liver and kidney was also performed and no alterations were observed in these organs. This extract also presented relevant antioxidant activity (DPPH and reduction power). A preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, steroids, anthraquinones and alkaloids. Chlorogenic acid was also identified in the extract. The findings show that C. pachystachya possesses a powerful hypoglycemic and antioxidant activity. No adverse effects were observed during the studied period indicating that is promising plant species for handling of diabetes.