Hypoglycemic Effect of Vitex agnus castus Extract in Diabetic Rats Induced by Streptozotocin

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of the methanolic extract of the aerial parts (leaf + stem) of Vitex on an animal model. Rats of theWistar strain of both sexes, N = 20 females for the short-term test and N = 28 males for the medium-term test, weighing between 125 g and 240 g are rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body weight) and divided into four groups. Triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were determined by the enzymatic method using spectrophotometry, then for the blood glucose is measured by the Accu Chek sensor meter. The oral administration of methanolic extract of Vitex agnus castus at a dose of 300 mg/kg decreased blood glucose after 2 h for the short-term test; with regard to the medium-term test, there was a decrease in the glycemia and an improvement in the lipid profile for 21 days. These results confirm the antidiabetic effects of this plant.