Kaempferitrin (a flavonoid) and galegin (an alkaloid) have been indicated as hypoglycemic agents. Leaves of Pterogyne nitens, which contain both compounds, might be antidiabetic. We therefore treated diabetic rats with these leaves to observe the effects on their glycemia and physiological variables. Streptozotocin-diabetic rats were given ethanolic extract of the leaves (76 mg in 0.5 mL 10% glycerol) (DTPn), twice a day by gavage for 32 days. Diabetic controls were given 0.5 mL 10% glycerol (DTG), insulin (2.5 U in 0.3 mL) (DTI) or 0.5 mL water (DTA). During this treatment, we measured level of glycemia, the body weight, daily food and water intake and urine volume, once each week. The results for the DTPn, DTG and DTA groups all differed significantly from these for the DTI group. The latter exhibited greater body weights and lower physiological variables and glycemia than the groups DTPn, DTG and DTA, all of which gave similar results. From the data for DTI rats, we conclude that the study model was appropriate. Therefore, the plant extract (plus glycerol) neither improved nor worsened the diabetic state of the rats. It is possible that this plant might ameliorate diabetes experimental if the dose of extract, treatment route or severity of induced diabetes were altered.
Antidiabetic plant; diabetic rats; liquid and food intake; urinary volume; plasma glucose
