BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by tissue resistance to the action of insulin combined with a relative deficiency in insulin secretion. In Mexico, medicinal plants have traditionally been used to control the disease; in this work, we investigate the hypoglycemic effect of Ageratina petiolaris, a plant used in Mexico for the treatment of diabetes.

METHODS

The hypoglycemic effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts prepared from aerial parts of Ageratina petiolaris in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic rats were assessed. An oral administration of the water extract at doses of 40 and 160mg/kg and of the methanol extract at doses of 67 and 268mg/kg were evaluated. Furthermore, the water extract at 160mg/kg was evaluated under an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.

RESULTS

The tested extracts were able to reduce the increase in blood glucose level at three hours after administration. l-chiro-inositol and chlorogenic acid were isolated as important constituents of the plant, they were identified in both extracts along with other constituents.

CONCLUSIONS

The results presented here demonstrate that the main components in the aqueous extract of Ageratina petiolaris are chlorogenic acid and l-chiro-inositol, the last one with significant hypoglycemic activity, these results support the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.