ANTIDIABETIC EFFECT OF THYMUS SATUREIOIDES AQUEOUS EXTRACT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Objective: The aerial parts of Thymus satureioides have been traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus and its complications in Morocco. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of the aqueous extract of Thymus satureioides aerial parts in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.Methods: Experimental diabetes was induced in overnight fasted rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were orally administered with aqueous extract of Thymus satureioides (500 mg/kg b.w.) for 28 d. Glibenclamide (2 mg/kg), a standard antidiabetic drug, was used as a positive control drug. Body weight and fasting blood glucose (FGB) were measured every week. Oral glucose tolerance, change in lipid parameters, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) levels of diabetic rats were evaluated at the end of the treatment.Results: Administration of Thymus satureioides aqueous extract to diabetic rats for 28 d reduced their fasting blood glucose levels significantly compared to the diabetic control rats. The extract improved body weight and glucose tolerance in diabetic rats. The antihyperlipidemic assessment of the extract revealed a decrease in plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL levels and an increase in HDL level in the plasma of treated diabetic rats. Furthermore, the biochemical liver and kidney functional tests have shown that serum biomarkers of liver and renal dysfunction were significantly reduced in treated diabetic rats.Conclusion: The present findings suggest that Thymus satureioides extract has both antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects in experimental diabetic rats which can be beneficial in the management of diabetes and its complications.Â

Effect of heating and enzymatic hydrolysis on casein cow milk sensitivity in Moroccan population

The objectives of the present work were first to evaluate the sensitivity to cow raw milk of the population of Fez, and then to study the effect of heating and pepsin hydrolysis on the allergenicity of casein. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Fez Hospitals, in which 1000 patients were recruited to establish a sera bank used to evaluate specific IgE to cow milk and to casein. Then, we evaluated the reaction of human IgE to heated and pepsin-hydrolysed casein. The results showed that 11.5% of the population studied self-reported reactions to foods. From them, 3.6% reported allergy to milk. Evaluation of specific IgE to cow raw milk showed that 11.9% of patients presented higher specific IgE levels. The treatments of casein indicated that both heating and pepsin hydrolysis totally decreased its binding on the human IgE

Investigation on the gastrointestinal properties of ethanolic extract of Cannabis sativa through in vivo and in vitro approaches

Introduction: For thousands of years, Cannabis sativa has been used for its medical and recreational benefits. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in the use of C. sativa and its non-psychoactive products/effects to treat certain diseases. This study was conducted to examine the gastrointestinal effects of a sequential ethanolic fraction of C. sativa threshing residues (EFCS). Methods: In vivo and in vitro approaches were used to investigate the gastrointestinal properties of EFCS. Antidiarrheal, antibacterial, spasmodic, laxative, and antiulcer effects were tested respectively against castor oil induced diarrhea, disc diffusion method, isolated tissue preparations, charcoal transit time, and ethanol induced ulcer model. Results: EFCS induced a spasmodic effect on an isolated rabbit jejunum, which was inhibited by atropine and verapamil. Moreover, under free calcium conditions, the effect of EFCS was significantly reduced. The acute toxicity assay in female and male mice showed that EFCS was a safe product. Additionally, EFCS like loperamide presented antidiarrheal effect in mice and inhibited intestinal fluid secretions. Unlike the standard drug (loperamide), EFCS increased the motility of the intestinal transit. Furthermore, EFCS showed a protective effect against gastric ulcers induced by ethanol in mice and exhibited antimicrobial properties against Bacillus cereus strains. Conclusion: The results of this study reveal that EFCS possesses anti-diarrheal, antibacterial, spasmodic, laxative, and anti-ulcer activities. EFCS has potential therapeutic use against gastrointestinal diseases. Also, our work values the non-psychoactive products of C. sativa