Herbs Extracts in the Treatment and Prevention of Experimental Metabolic Disorders: Synergistic Hypoglycemic Activity of Ethanol Extracts of <em>Hypericum alpestre</em> and <em>Rumex obtusifolius </em>

Abstract

Hyperglycemia is a metabolic condition characterized by high blood glucose level due to the disturbances of carbohydrate, lipids and protein metabolism. These disorders lead to impaired of insulin secretion and β-cell dysfunction. It is known that continuous and long-term use of synthetic anti-diabetic drugs can have side effects including hepatic impairment. Thus, the identifications of potent hypoglycemic agents from natural sources of both medicinal and edible plants with minimum side effects, is desirable. Synergetic hypoglycemic activity in experimental animals (rabbits) was shown with ethanol extracts of a mixture of the plant species Hypericum alpestre and Rumex obtusifolius. The chemical composition of these extracts was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. The plant extracts mixture and natural products extracted from medicinal plant sources have potential for treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus and metabolic disorders.

Keywords

• immobilization stress
• hyperglycemia
• plant extract
• Armenian folk medicine