Abstract

In folk medicine, several plants, among which the small centaury, are recommended for the treatment of diabetes type 2 in humans. An experimental study to evaluate anti hyperglycemic effect of Erythraea centaurium (L.) Pers. was performed on wistar rats. Normoglycemic rats and rats subjected to oral glucose tolerance test overload “OGTT” were used. Administration to these animals by gavage of 20% aqueous extracts (at a dose of 0.66 ml/100 g body weight) and butanolic extract (at a dose of 0.015 ml/100 g body weight) of E. centaurium allowed to note, after the kinetic study of glucose between t0 and t180 min, a significant reduction in blood glucose levels. The anti hyperglycemic action of butanolic and aqueous extracts was compared to that obtained by the administration of Glibenclamide “Daonil® 5mg (ND)” at a dose of 0.25 mg/100 g weight body as a reference drug. This study showed the anti hyperglycemic property of the small centaury. But in the medium term, the administration of this plant in rats showed adverse effects on the liver and kidney.

Key words: Erythraea centaurium, aqueous extract, butanolic extract, anti-hyperglycemic effect, rats.