Efeito do extrato aquoso de flores de Hibiscus rosa sinensis sobre a glicemia de ratas diabéticas e não-diabéticas prenhes

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemic and disorder in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins resulting from defects in the production or action of insulin. Due to the high cost of anti-diabetic medications and often inefficiency, there is a search for new alternatives, one of which is the use of medicinal plants. Among the plants used by the population possess hypoglycemic activity is the Hibiscus rosa sinensis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of flowers of Hibiscus rosa sinensis about the glycemic profile of diabetic and non-diabetic pregnant rats. For that diabetes was induced by Streptozotocin (40 mg/kg, iv). The animals were mated and divided into four groups (n minimum= 11 rats/group): Control Group - non-diabetic rats treated with water; Treaty Group - non-diabetic rats treated with the plant; Diabetic Group - diabetic rats treated with water; Diabetic Treaty Group - diabetic rats treated with the plant. The administration of aqueous extract of flowers of Hibiscus rosa sinensis was orally (gavage) in 3 escalating doses: 100 mg/kg (0 to 7th day of pregnancy), 200 mg/kg (8th to 14th day) and 400 mg/kg (15th to 21th day). The non-treated groups received water the same volume of treated animals. Measures of body weight, water intake, feed intake and blood glucose was carried out weekly. As a result, treatment with the plant does not change any parameter in the non-diabetic group. The diabetic group had lower body weight, higher feed intake and water intake and increased blood glucose levels at all time points analyzed. Treatment with the plant in the diabetic group increased body weight only on day 14 of pregnancy. Therefore, treatment with aqueous extract of flowers of Hibiscus rosa sinensis was not effective in reversing the state of diabetes in pregnancy. However, the plant caused no impairment when administered to control animals, and its use is considered safe during pregnancy.