The protective effect of Matricaria pubescens extracts against alloxan-induced hyperglycemia in rats

This study aims to investigate the plausible inhibitory capacity of Matricaria pubescens methanolic extract (EMMP) on key diabetes-related enzymes in diabetic rats. A significant increase in the serum and pancreatic α-amylase activity in untreated diabetic rats (Diab) by 61% and 75% respectively produced a remarkable rise in blood glucose levels of 184% compared with the controls. However, the treatment of diabetic rats with the extract (Diab + EMMP) caused a significant decrease in pancreatic α-amylase activity in the pancreas (15%) and in serum (28%) compared to untreated diabetic rats. Therefore, a considerable reduction in blood sugar level has been observed reaching 28%. A significant decrease was observed in the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level (28%) in rats treated with EMMP compared to untreated diabetics. Furthermore a significant increase in the pancreatic serum lipase activity (59%) compared to the control group, led to a distinguished inhibition (21%) in diabetic rats treated with EMMP. A potent protective action of β-cells was observed in diabetic rats treated with EMMP. However, we observed recovery in body weight in the diabetic rats treated with EMMP.