Blood Glucose Level Decrease Caused by Extracts and Fractions from Lepechinia caulescens in Healthy and Alloxan-diabetic Mice

Abstract

The traditional preparation, hexane, methylene chloride, methanol and water extracts obtained from the flowers of Lepechinia caulescens (Labiatae) were administered to fasting healthy mice. The investigation results showed that only the traditional preparation and the water extract significantly reduce blood glucose after intraperitoneal administration (P < 0.05). The water extract, whose effects were in a dose-dependent manner, was macerated with methanol obtaining a precipitate (F1 fraction) and a methanol soluble fraction (F2 fraction), and both were studied in healthy mice. Methanol fraction F2 did not significantly decrease blood glucose level in this experimental model. The water fraction F1 showed significant hypoglycemic activity in healthy and mild alloxan-diabetic mice, but not in severe alloxan-diabetic mice.