Assessment of the effects of an aqueous extract of the leaves, flowers, and seeds of Crotalaria retusa L (Fabaceae) on the glycemia in rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an aqueous extract of Crotalaria retusa L (Fabaceae) (EACr) on glycemia in Wistar rats, to contribute to the valorization of plants used in traditional medicine for the improvement of people’s health. A phytochemical screening and pharmacological study of the aqueous extract of Crotalaria retusa L (Fabaceae) on glycemia in rats, were carried out. The administration of the substances in animals was made orally. The qualitative phytochemical study carried out with the aqueous extract of the leaves, the flowers, and the pods of Crotalaria retusa L (Fabaceae) made to highlight the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, catechic, and gallic tannins, quinonic compounds, alkaloids, sterols, and polyterpenes. This extract showed hypoglycemic activity in the normoglycemic animals, treated with the dose of 1000 mg/kg BW with a percentage of reduction of the glycemia of 21.04%. After an overload of glucose, EACr (1000 mg/kg BW) and the glibenclamide (10-2g/kg BW) showed better antihyperglycemic activity in the rats post-treated, with respective percentages of reduction of 41.90 and 50.39%. EACr has hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic properties which would be probably related to the presence of alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids. These compounds, generally recognized for their hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects, confer to this extract similar properties to those of certain insulin-secretors. These results support the use of this plant for the treatment of diabetes in traditional medicine and bring a scientific base.