Hypoglycemic activity of Opuntia salagria cladodes in rats

Abstract

An important increase in the medicinal use of plant natural products has been observed in the last few years. Cactus Opuntia has been traditionally used as a valuable health supporting nutrient and its different parts are currently used in folkloric medicine. The number of people with Diabetes mellitus and its associated complications rise on a daily basis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the oral hypoglycemic activity of cladodes of Opuntia salagria, an Argentine autochthonous species, in transiently hyperglycemic and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. To this end, O. salagria cladodes were collected from the area surrounding Bahía Blanca city, Province of Buenos Aires. After removing the spines, cladodes were sliced and dried at 40ºC in a forced air circulation oven and milled. The flour thus obtained was stored at 4ºC until required. A slimy suspension of O. salagria powder cladode was prepared (2g/ 100ml of water). The animals used were male Wistar rats (250- 300g), which were made diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (35mg/kg body weight). The animals exhibiting blood glucose levels >350mg/dl were considered diabetic. The main effects of the oral administration of the suspension in doses of 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight are summarized as follows: in transiently hyperglycemic rats (Glucose Tolerance Test) cladode suspension decreased blood glucose levels at both doses, and in STZ-induced diabetic rats, the administration of the suspension for 30 days, produced a significant hypoglycemic effect. These results are indicative of the potential use of O. salagria cladodes to regulate the plasma glucose levels.