Aims:
Arganimide A (4,4-dihydroxy-3,3-imino-di-benzoic acid) is a compound belonging
to a family of aminophenolics found in fruit of Argania spinosa. The purpose of this study was to investigate
the glucose and lipid lowering activity of Arganimide A (ARG A).
Methods:
The effect of a single dose and daily oral administration of Arganimide A (ARG A) on blood
glucose levels and plasma lipid profile was tested in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats at a
dose of 2 mg/kg body weight.
Results:
Single oral administration of ARG A reduced blood glucose levels from 26.50±0.61 mmol/L
to 14.27±0.73 mmol/L (p<0.0001) six hours after administration in STZ diabetic rats. Furthermore,
blood glucose levels were decreased from 5.35±0.30 mmol/L to 3.57±0.17 mmol/L (p<0.0001) and
from 26.50±0.61 mmol/L to 3.67±0.29 mmol/L (p<0.0001) in normal and STZ diabetic rats, respectively,
after seven days of treatment. Moreover, no significant changes in body weight in normal and
STZ rats were shown. According to the lipid profile, the plasma triglycerides levels were decreased
significantly in diabetic rats after seven days of ARG treatment (p<0.05). Moreover, seven days of
ARG A treatment decreased significantly the plasma cholesterol concentrations (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
ARG A possesses glucose and lipid-lowering activity in diabetic rats and this natural
compound may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes.
Antidiabetic Potential of Alcoholic and Aqueous Extracts of Ficus racemosa Linn. Bark In Normal and Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats