دراسة اثر الخلاصة الكحولية لنبات الآس في خفض سكر الدم عند الجرذان السكرية

Background& Objective: to investigate the effect of Myrtus communis L ethanolic extract in streptozotocine-induced diabetic rats. Materials & Methods: first, the diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by injection of streptozotocine (40 mg/ kg). Afterwards, the diabetic rats were divided into groups in which they were injected by four doses of ethanolic extract (200, 400, 600, 800 mg/kg). there was a group given the standard oral hypoglycemic agent: Gliclazide as references to evaluate the effect of the extract. In another set of experiments, the effect of the previous extract was detected on oral glucose tolerance test with comparison to Gliclazide. Results: The extract, especially with doses 600 and 800 mg/ dl, significantly reduced the glucose level from the 2nd hours towards the 3rd and 4th hours following the injection, and this effect was dose- dependent. The effect of Gliclazide was generally more potent than that of extract. In oral glucose tolerance test, the extract (800 mg/ dl) obviously enhanced the glucose tolerance in rats. Conclusion: The Myrtus communis has clear hypoglycemic effect but it should be further investigated and the active ingredients must be identified.