Abstract

The current study was carried out in order to assess the antihyperglycemic effect of Scorzonera undulata (S. undulata). Backgroud: Scorzonera undulata subsp. deliciosa (DC.) Maire is used in the Moroccan pharmacopeia for managing diabetes. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the anithyperglycemic activity in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)- induced diabetic rats as well as the acute toxicity of the aqueous extract of the roots of Scorzonera undulata (S. undulata). Methods: This study investigated the effects of the root aqueous extract of Scorzonera undulata (AERSU) at a dose of 20 mg/kg on blood glucose levels in normal and streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats and the acute toxicity of AERSU was examined. Histopathological examination, preliminary phytochemical investigation, determination of glycogen content and evaluation of α-amylase were also performed. Results: Both single and repeated oral doses of AERSU (20 mg/kg) produced a significant reduction of blood glucose levels in normal and diabetic rats. This pharmacological effect may be due at least to protection of surviving pancreatic β cells, to the protection of hepatocytes, to α-amylase inhibitory effect and to the improvement of glycogen storage in the liver. The dose used in this study seems to be free of any toxicity.