Artemisia herba-alba aqueous extract improves insulin sensitivity and hepatic steatosis in rodent model of fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Context

Fructose consumption is associated with the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in human and animal models.

Objective

This study investigates the ability of an aqueous extract of Artemisia herba-alba Asso (AH) to ameliorate fructose-induced MetS in Male Wistar rats.

Methods

AH extract at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w./day was administered for six weeks to MetS animals.

Results

Liquid fructose (10% w/v) intake did not vary total animal body weight, whereas, it produced moderate hyperglycemia associated with metabolic and histological alterations. Treating MetS rats with AH extract improved insulin sensitivity, alleviated atherogenic dyslipidaemia and decreased lipid deposition in their hepatic tissues. Additionally, AH extract was found to raise GSH level and antioxidant enzymes (GPx, GST and CAT) activities in rat livers homogenates.

Conclusion

The results here reported demonstrated, for the first time, that A. herba-alba have therapeutic proprieties against fructose-induced MetS in rodent model.

Keywords:

• Artemisia herba-alba
• Fructose
• Metabolic syndrome
• Rats

Acknowledgements

The authors express their thanks to Dr. Djamel Sarri (M'Sila University, Algeria) for his kind help in the plant identification.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, via Mohamed Boudiaf-M’sila University (M’sila, Algeria) [grant number: CNEPRU/F 05620110004]; and the Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ICB-CNR– Rome, Italy).