Brazilian spice has anti-diabetic and cardiovascular risk-reducing effects in rats

Abstract Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia and whose prevalence has been increasing over the years. Diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis appear to be connected. Natural herbal remedies have proven to be safe and effective alternatives in the treatment of this disease. In Northern Brazil, the species Lippia origanoides Kunth (Verbenaceae), used as a spice, is associated with therapeutic activities, however, its antidiabetic potential lacks studies. This work aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and cardiovascular risk-reducing effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Lippia origanoides Kunth (ELo) in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes (120 mg/kg). The animals received ELo at doses of 75, 150, and 250 mg/kg p.o. for 28 days, and positive control was performed in comparison with Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). Treatment with ELo at all studied doses showed hypoglycemic and cardiovascular risk-reducing effects. Flavonoids that are directly related to these pharmacological activities were identified in ELo by LC-MS, coupled to a liquid chromatography system. The extract obtained from this spice has a promising action on diabetes with cardioprotection establishing a basis for the development of toxicological studies to validate the plant in traditional medicine and further investigations in humans.