Antidiabetic Potential and Chronic Toxicity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Echeveria subrigida Leaves

Abstract

Pharmacognosy Research,2023,15,2,315-327.DOI:10.5530/pres.15.2.034Published:February 2023Type:Original Article Authors:Belinda Heredia-Mercado, Francisco Delgado-Vargas, Lorenzo Ulises Osuna-Martínez, Elvic Noguera-Corona, José Ángel López-Valenzuela, Rosalio Ramos-Payán, and Gabriela López-Angulo Author(s) affiliations:Belinda Heredia-Mercado1,#, Francisco Delgado-Vargas1, 2,#, Lorenzo Ulises Osuna-Martínez2, Elvic Noguera-Corona3, José Ángel López-Valenzuela1, Rosalio Ramos-Payán2, Gabriela López-Angulo1,* 1Food Science and Technology Program, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, Culiacan, Sinaloa, MEXICO. 2Biomedical Sciences Program of the School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, Culiacan, Sinaloa, MEXICO. 3School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, Culiacan, Sinaloa, MEXICO. #Authors with equal contribution. Abstract:Background: Echeveria subrigida extracts have biological activities of human health importance. However, the in vivo effects on glucose levels and chronic toxicity are unknown. Objectives: To analyse the in vivo hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg b.w.) and chronic toxicity (1000 mg/kg b.w. for 270 days) of the hydroalcoholic extract of E. subrigida (HE–Es) in BALB/c mice. Materials and Methods: The HE–Es was analysed by HPLC. Glucose levels were measured to establish the effects on glycemia. Different parameters were registered in the toxicity assay: e.g., feed consumption, appearance/behaviour, biochemical and haematological parameters and liver and kidney histologies. Results: Quercetin–3-O-β-glucoside and isorhamnetin–3-O-β-glucoside were the main flavonoids in the HE–Es. Glycemia was reduced by the HE–Es (200 mg/kg b.w., 49.1%) and glibenclamide (10 mg/kg b.w., 52%) treatments. Comparing the antihyperglycemic activities, similar reductions were found between HE–Es (100 mg/kg b.w., 29.32%; 200 mg/kg, 28.99%) and acarbose (10 mg/kg b.w., 19.87%) treatments. On the other hand, the HE–Es was innocuous in mice (LD50 > 1000 mg/kg b.w.), and the results suggested that HE–Es had adaptogenic, and immunostimulant activities. The hepatic and renal histologies were normal; however, male mice showed level zero steatosis that disappeared in the HE–Es satellite after treatment withdrawal. Conclusion: This study reports for the first time the in vivo effects on blood glucose levels of HE–Es and chronic toxicity of a Crassulaceae plant, supporting the antidiabetic potential and safety of HE–Es. Future studies must corroborate the effects of HE–Es in humans, allowing its use in high-value formulations. Keywords:Antihyperglycemia, Crassulaceae family, Hypoglycemia, Plant natural extract, SafetyView:PDF (677.27 KB)