Potent Antihyperglycemic Effect of an Endemic Plant from Morocco (Matthiola Maroccana Coss.) on Normal and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Matthiola maroccana (Coss.) belongs to the Brassicaceae family and it is an endemic plant from Morocco. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Matthiola maroccana (Coss.) on blood glucose levels in normal and diabetic rats. Methods: The effect of single dose (6 hours) and daily oral administration for seven days of the Aerial Part Aqueous Extract (A.P.A.E) of Matthiola maroccana (Coss.) (M. maroccana) at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight on blood glucose levels in normal and streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats was observed. Furthermore, body weight, oral glucose tolerance test, liver histopathological examination, phytochemical screening, and in vitro antioxidant activity of A.P.A.E were evaluated in this study. Results: The results showed that M. maroccana A.P.A.E exerts potent hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects on normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats (p<0.0001). Also, it was able to restore body weight in diabetic rats (p<0.05). Furthermore, the aqueous extract has been shown to regenerate hepatic tissues in diabetic rats. Besides, A.P.A.E revealed the presence of several phytochemical constituents (polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, sterols and terpenoids), and possessed antioxidant activity. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings showed that A.P.A.E of M. maroccana (A.P.A.E MM) possesses significant antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic activities.