Globularia Alypum Research Articles

Anti-Inflammatory and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Activities of Globularia Alypum

 Abstract—The Globularia alypum methanolic extract (GAME) was evaluated for the anticholinesterase, anti 5lipoxygenase, NO production inhibitory activities and the transcriptional regulation pathway. Interestingly, GAME showed an important anti-inflammatory activity in a dose dependant manner, and inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production via transcriptional regulation of iNOS gene by (66%) at 150mg/L in IFN-γ/LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, both Globularia alypum showed a 5-Lipoxygenase inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 79±0.8mg/L. Acetyl-cholinesterase inhibition was assessed by modification of the Ellman’s method. Globularia alypum exhibited a strong activity against cholinesterase with IC50 value 9.33±0.47mg/L. The data suggest that Globularia alypum extract could be used as a natural inhibitor of oxidation and alzheimer disease, and since GAME induced a potent anti-inflammatory suggest its potent use for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Index Terms—Globularia alypum, anti-inflammatory activity, anti- cholinesterase.

Trace metal and metalloid contamination levels in soils and in two native plant species of a former industrial site: Evaluation of the phytostabilization potential

This study aimed at identifying the extent and type of contamination of a former lead smelting site in the area of Marseille, France, dating from the industrial revolution, and to evaluate environmental hazards and opportunities for phytoremediation, a promising sustainable technology. Amongst the native plants growing in this semiarid shrub ecosystem, two perennials Globularia alypum L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. were selected. Twenty-one soil/plant couples were collected and seventeen additional soil samples were added to better characterize the soil pollution of the area. A multi-contamination by Pb, As, Sb, Zn, Cu was demonstrated, with huge variations within the contamination levels. The soils highest concentrations were encountered along the horizontal chimney and on the slag heaps area. However, both sites differed from each other. The former was characterized by the highest Pb, As and Sb concentrations that could reach 130, 7.0 and 9.0gkg−1 respectively, the latter, by high Cu, Fe, Mn, S concentrations, even if it was also heavily contaminated by Pb and Zn. G. alypum and R. officinalis were shown to be metal-tolerant and to accumulate trace metals and As. Due to the low bioconcentration and translocation factors determined, both species may not be used for phytoextraction, but seem to be good candidates for phytostabilization.

Polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidant activity in leaves and flowers of Tunisian Globularia alypum L. (Globulariaceae)

AbstractLeaves and flowers from Tunisian Globularia alypum were assessed for their phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity. Phenolic (15.5–22.30 mg GAE g−1 DW) and flavonoid (3.63–4.72 mg RE g−1 DW) contents varied according to plant part. Globularia alypum leaves exhibited the highest phenol and flavonoid contents, and displayed the highest antioxidant activity, based on radical‐scavenging activity (295 μmol TEAC g−1 DW) and ferric reducing power (24.27 mmol Fe2+/l). The obtained results demonstrated that some of the isolated compounds play an important role for the antioxidant activity of G. alypum and give a scientific basis to the use of this plant in traditional medicine. The methanolic extract of G. alypum could be considered as a source of potential antioxidants and will promote the reasonable usage of this plant in food technology and processing as well as for medical use.

Endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation induced by Globularia alypum extract is mediated by EDHF in perfused rat mesenteric arterial bed

The vasodilatory effect of Globularia alypum L. (GA) extract was evaluated in rat mesenteric arterial bed pre-contracted by continuous infusion of phenylephrine (2-4 ng/mL). Bolus injections of GA elicited dose-response vasodilation, which was abolished after endothelium removal. Addition of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (100 µmol/L), alone or in the presence of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (10 µmol/L), did not significantly affect the vasodilation of the mesenteric arterial bed in response to GA extract. These results suggest that GA-induced vasodilation is endothelium dependent but nitric oxide and prostacyclin independent. In the presence of high K(+) (60 mmol/L), the GA vasodilatory effect was completely abolished, suggesting that the vasodilation effect is mediated by hyperpolarization of the vascular cells. Also, pre-treatment with atropine (a muscarinic receptors antagonist) antagonized the GA-induced vasodilation, suggesting that the vasodilatory effect is mainly mediated by the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor through activation of endothelial muscarinic receptors.

Iridoid and bisiridoid glycosides from Globularia meridionalis (Podp.) O. Schwarz aerial and underground parts

1. Subject and sourceThegenusGlobularia,recentlyincludedinPlantaginaceaeonmolecularsystematicsgrounds(APG,1998;APGII,2003;APGIII, 2009), has its centre of distribution in the Mediterranean region and southern Europe with a considerable number oflocallyendemic species in theCape Verde andCanaryIslands, Atlas, Baleares,Italy, Greece andTurkey(Elbetieha et al., 2000).Some members of this genus are well known for their biological properties. Globularia alypum L. is used for a variety ofpurposes such as hypoglycaemic agent, laxative, cholagogue, stomachic, purgative, sudorific and also in the treatment ofcardio-vascular and renal diseases (Bellakhdar et al., 1991). G. arabica Jaub. & Spach is used in Jordan traditional medicine(Oran and Al-Eisawi, 1998). Both Globularia species are also known for their antimicrobial and antitumorigenic activities(Elbetieha et al., 2000). Globularia trichosantha Fisch. & C.A. Mey. is utilized for the treatment of haemorrhoids (Sezik et al.,1991).TheBalkan-ApennineGlobulariameridionalis(Podp.)O.SchwarzisoneoftheeightspeciesgrowinginItaly,togetherwith:G. alypum, Globularia bisnagarica L., Globularia cordifolia L., Globularia incanescens Viv., Globularia neapolitana O. Schwarz,Globularia nudicaulis L. and Globularia repens Lam. (Pignatti, 1982; Conti et al., 2005). Aerial and underground parts of G.meridionalis were collected in Pollino Massif, Calabria (Italy). Voucher specimen has been retained at the Herbarium ofUniversity of Calabria (CLU) under the reference no 12492.

To resprout or not to resprout: factors driving intraspecific variability in resprouting

Resprouting is a mechanism that allows individual plants to persist in disturbance‐prone ecosystems. It is often considered a binary trait, defining species as resprouters or non‐resprouters. Although this dichotomous classification accounts for a high proportion of the interspecific variability in resprouting, it does not account for the intraspecific variability, as not all individuals of resprouting species successfully resprout, even if they are subject to a similar disturbance. To ascertain the causes of the intraspecific variability in resprouting we propose a conceptual model that disaggregates the process of resprouting into three sequential steps: initial ability to resprout, resprouting vigour and post‐resprouting survival. To test this model, we clipped 151 plants of three resprouting species (Anthyllis cytisoides, Globularia alypum and Linum suffruticosum) and, for each individual, we analysed the carbohydrate (starch and soluble sugars) and nutrient (N and P) concentrations in the roots at the moment of the disturbance (clipping all aboveground biomass). We then monitored initial ability to resprout, resprouting vigour and post‐resprouting survival in each individual during a one‐year period. Anthyllis showed high initial ability to resprout and high post‐resprouting survival. Globularia and Linum had low final resprouting success, mainly due to their low post‐resprouting survival, but also to the low initial ability to resprout in Linum. All three species showed variable resprouting vigour. Our results suggest that resprouting success is limited by different phases of the process of resprouting, depending on the species. Intraspecific variability in resprouting supported the importance of: a) the pre‐disturbance state of the plant (i.e. plant size and stored resources) on the initial ability to resprout and on the resprouting vigour, and b) the initial post‐disturbance capacity to acquire resources (i.e. resprouting vigour) on the post‐resprouting survival. The proposed three‐step model of resprouting provides a mechanistic description of the factors driving intraspecific variability in resprouting.

Active spermatogenesis induced by a reiterated administration of Globularia alypum L. aqueous leaf extract

Background:Globularia alypum L. (Globulariaceae) is a shrub growing in the Mediterranean basin and known to be used as a popular medicine for its several pharmacological properties against rheumatism, gout, typhoid, intermittent fever, and diabetes.Materials and Methods:The acute and chronic toxicities of a G. alypum L. aqueous leaf extract were studied in animals. Acute toxicity was performed in male and female mice whereas chronic toxicity was realized in male and female rats that orally received the drug at the doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg/24 h for 30 days.Results:Acute toxicity showed that the extract, administered by the oral route, does not induce any mortality even for a dose of 10,000 mg/kg. Administered by the intra-peritoneal route to female and male mice, the LD50 of the extract was found to be of 2750 and 2550 mg/kg, respectively. A chronic toxicity study showed that, compared to the control groups that only received the vehicle (water), the drugs affects weight growth (effects more pronounced in female than in male rats), some organs weight after autopsy, hematological and biochemical parameters and histology of some principal organs (lungs: histological grades I to II pulmonary hypertension (PHT), respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and lymphoid hyperplasia; esophagus: thinning down of esophageal wall, atrophic muscular coat). The most important finding of the study was the recorded active spermatogenesis induced by the reiterated administrations of the drug that was confirmed by reducing the administered dose and the period of treatment (100 mg/kg/24 h for 15 days).Conclusion:It is suggested that the G. alypum L. leaf extract contains active substances with androgenic properties that could be used in human therapy.

Antimicrobial Activity of 22 Plants Used in Urolithiasis Medicine in Western Algeria

ObjectiveOur investigation is about the determination of the antibacterial efficiency of 22 medicinal plants on the four most frequent bacteria in urinary infections. These infections are responsible for more than 15% of urinary stones formation. MethodsWe have initiated an extraction liquid/solid. In this respect, we have used water extractions according to the standard methods utilized by the local population, i.e: (i) the décoction, (ii) the infusion, (iii) the macération and (iiii) the percolation. The microorganisms used are Staphylooccus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The strains were isolated from patients having urinary infections. The antibiotic disks Kanamicin, Colistin, Amoxicillin, Gentamicin, Ampicillin were applied to the reference bacteria at concentrations of 30 μg, 50μg, 25μg, 10μg et 10μg respectively. ResultsThese studies showed that decoction (d) had the higher effect with 43.3 % followed by percolation (p) (28.3%) and maceration (m) (16.7%). Infusion (i) had a limited effect (11.7%). Escherichia coli (E. coli), Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus showed an average sensitivity of 28% in each case. However, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a highly pathogenic and resistant bacteria showed up to 17.5% of sensitivity. 16.3% of the plant extracts showed a high antimicrobial activity. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was highly resistant to Kanamycin, Amoxicillin and Ampicillin and at a lower extent to Colistin and Gentamicin. However, it was sensitive to some plant extracts such as Allium sativum, Artemesia compestris(pm), Citrus aurantium(p), Cotula cinerea(p), Lavandula officinalis (d), Globularia alypum (d), Juniperus phoeniceae (m), Olea europaea (p), Pistacia lentiscus (m), Trachyspermum ammi (m), Zygophyllum album (p) and Zingiber officinalis (d). ConclusionThe present work shows that most of the studied plants are potentially a good source of antimicrobial agents and it proves the importance of such plants in urolithiasis medicine and alternative healthcare.

Global Chemical Composition and Antioxidant and Anti-Tuberculosis Activities of Various Extracts of Globularia alypum L. (Globulariaceae) Leaves

In this work, an evaluation of the biological activities of Globularia alypum L. extracts and their global chemical composition was realized. Extracts from G. alypum were obtained by two extraction methods. The composition of polyphenols (8.5–139.95 g gallic acid equivalent/Kg of dry mass), tannins (1.39–18.65 g catechin equivalent/Kg of dry mass), anthocyanins (8.17–70.69 mg cyanidin equivalent/Kg of dry mass) and flavonoids (0.31–19.28 g quercetin equivalent/Kg of dry mass) was evaluated. The samples were subjected to a screening for their antioxidant activities using the DPPH● and ABTS●+ assays. For the first time, the anti-tuberculosis activity (H37Rv) for G. alypum was tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The strongest antioxidant activity was obtained for the methanol extract (IC50 = 15.58 ± 0.168 mg/L) and the best anti-tuberculosis activity was obtained for the petroleum ether extract (IC50 = 77 mg/L). We have found a positive correlation between the total phenolics content and the antioxidant activity R2 = 0.88 (DPPH●) and R2 = 0.97 (ABTS●+). We have found also a positive correlation between the flavonoid content and the antioxidant activity R2 = 0.91 (DPPH●) and R2 = 0.91 (ABTS●+).

Cardioprotective effect of Algerian medicinal plant Globularia alypum extract against cardiotoxicity of Adriamycin in rats

Cardioprotective effect of Algerian medicinal plant Globularia alypum extract against cardiotoxicity of Adriamycin in rats

Investigation of antioxidant activity of alcoholic extract of Globularia alypum L.

Hydroethanolic extract from leaves of Globularia alypum L. (HEGA), Globulariaceae, was screened for its content on total polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Its antioxidant activity was also assessed in chemical and biological systems. Analysis of the antioxidant compounds reveals that the HEGA contains high amounts of polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Besides, it shows a significant antioxidant activity. When tested in HeLa cells, the extract exerts an antiproliferative effect. The concentration leading to a 50% inhibition was estimated at 1.53 mg/ml. The pretreatment of HeLa cells with non cytotoxic concentration of the leaf extract protects them from Fe2+ and hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress. A good protection against lipid peroxidation was obtained and evidenced by a decrease in the level of two lipid peroxidation (LPO) products, Malodialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes (CD). Besides, a decrease in catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities was obtained. This suggests a recovery of the oxidative balance in the treated cells. Key words: Globularia alypum, oxidative stress, cell culture, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase.

Globularia alypum aqueous extract decreases hypertriglyceridemia and ameliorates oxidative status of the muscle, kidney, and heart in rats fed a high-fructose diet

Fructose is widely used as a food ingredient and has potential to increase oxidative stress. Moreover, the beneficial health effects of plant polyphenols are frequently attributed to their potent antioxidant effects. We hypothesized that administration of Globularia alypum (Ga) aqueous extract would reduce metabolic disorders and oxidative stress induced in rats fed a high-fructose diet. Male Wistar rats (n = 24) weighing 242 ± 13 g were divided into 4 groups and fed, during 14 week, diets containing 20% casein and 61% cornstarch (control diet, or C) or fructose (F), and Ga supplementation (0.5%; CGa and FGa). Compared with control group, rats fed a high-fructose diet increased plasma triglycerides (TG; +48%) and very low-density lipoprotein-TG (+45%) levels. In addition, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were increased in the liver (+31%), heart (+55%), and muscle (+58%). Moreover, activities of superoxide dismutase in the liver and heart, catalase in liver and glutathione peroxidase in the heart were diminished. In the FGa group, a hypertriglyceridemic effect was observed concomitantly with a low level of TG in very low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein 2, compared with the F group. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance concentrations were reduced in the kidney (-42%)and muscle (-76%), and antioxidant enzymes activity was increased for superoxide dismutase in the muscle (+81%) and heart (+28%), and for glutathione peroxidase, in the kidney (+70%) and heart (+30%). In conclusion, the Ga extract has a beneficial effect on plasma TG and gives a promising perspective for hypertriglyceridemia treatment. Moreover, in the muscle and kidney, Ga is effective by lowering lipid peroxidation and improves antioxidant enzymes.

Large delay in flowering in continental versus coastal populations of a Mediterranean shrub, Globularia alypum

Globularia alypum is a perennial shrub typical of western Mediterranean thermophilous shrublands. Nine populations of G. alypum located in different localities of Catalonia (NE Spain) were surveyed for flowering phenology. Flower-head buds were present in all the populations in July. Flowering time in the area spans from the late summer-early autumn to the next spring depending on the populations; there are two groups of populations, early and late flowering. Early populations grow mostly in coastal localities and flower from September to November, whereas late flowering populations grow in inland localities and flower from February to April. The flowering order of the populations correlated with minimum temperature of most months except the warmest ones, and correlated with maximum and mean temperatures of the coldest months. Correlations were similar when tested with annual climate. The flowering order also correlated with the thermic interval for most months except the coldest and with the index of continentality. Early populations alone did not present correlations with any variable, whereas late populations alone correlated similarly to all populations together. Flowering order did not correlate with precipitation. Late populations are proposed to be regulated by temperature according to our results whereas early populations could be regulated by timing in precipitation after summer drought, according to published results. We discuss the possibilities of the two flowering patterns, early and late, being due to phenotypic plasticity or to genetic adaptation to local climates. We also discuss the consequences at the plant and ecosystem level of climate warming causing shifts from late to early patterns, a possibility that is likely in the warmest of the late populations if flowering is modulated phenotypically.

Drought advances spring growth phenology of the Mediterranean shrub Erica multiflora

Current climate projections predict drier and warmer conditions in the Mediterranean basin over the next century. While advanced spring growth due to warming has been described in the literature, few data are available on the effects of drought on phenology. Hence, the phenology and growth of two Mediterranean shrubs, Erica multiflora and Globularia alypum, was studied in a rainfall exclusion field experiment to simulate spring drought in a natural shrubland. We estimated the onset of growth in spring by monitoring the appearance of new stems, and the end of growth in summer by following the elongation of stems. Drought treatment caused earlier onset of the spring growing season in E.multiflora, whereas no advance was observed in G.alypum. However, growth cessation was not affected in E.multiflora. Drought reduced the growth of both shrubs, as reflected in less stem elongation. The results show that a drier climate might affect not only growth but also spring phenology of some Mediterranean species. We suggest that a reduction in the cooling effect of transpiration may have analogous effects to warming and might advance the start of growth in E.multiflora, a species whose phenology has been described as warming-sensitive. The lengthening of the growing season resulting from advanced growth did not imply higher productivity, as growth was restricted by drought.

English

Since ancient times, traditional medicine has used plant extracts for the treatment of diseases and there has been recent interest in the chemopreventive properties of compounds derived from plants. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant potentials of extracts of Globularia alypum leaves with the Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and Reducing Power (RP) assays and we evaluated their effects on the genotoxic of nifuroxazide (NF) in the SOS Chromotest. Aqueous, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were prepared from powdered G. alypum leaves, and characterized qualitatively for the presence of tannins, flavonoids, coumarins and sterols. Our results showed significant antioxidant capacity by the FRAP and RP methods. Aqueous extract showed the highest antioxidant capacity with a value of 8.9 mM TE 4.5 mM TE by FRAP and the reducing power method respectively. All the extracts significantly decreased the genotoxicity induced by10 µg of NF (_S9).The maximum inhibitory effect towards NF induced genotoxicity by the tested G. alypum extracts was obtained in the presence of Escherichia coli PQ37 strain at a dose of 250 µg/assay of the aqueous extract (99.95%). Our results show that extracts of G. alypum leaves are a significant source of compounds with antigenotoxic and antioxidant activity and thus may be useful for chemoprevention.   Key words: Globularia alypum, SOS chromotest; antigenotoxic effect, antioxidative activity.

Genome size unaffected by moderate changes in climate and phosphorus availability in mediterranean plants

Nuclear DNA amount has been assessed in a set of 6 Mediterranean plant species including subshrubs, shrubs and trees ( Dorycnium pentaphyllum Scop., Erica multiflora L., Fumana ericoides (L.) Webb, Globularia alypum L., Pinus halepensis Mill and Rosmarinus officinalis L. ). Genome size values have been assessed by flow cytometry from plants growing in their natural habitats, in plots with a particular experimental design to measure the effects of drought and warming and also with different phosphorus (P) concentration in soil. 2C values have been fairly constant in all the species studied under all conditions. These results, which provide first records of DNA content in all the studied species except for P. halepensis , suggest that moderate changes in climate such as a 0.73°C warming or a drought consisting of 19% decrease in soil moisture on an average of 7 years and the consequent changes in the soil availability of such an essential element as P (ranging from 80 to 160 g/g) do not affect genome size stability, at least not by producing rapid and significant variations. Key words : C-value, drought, Mediterranean plants, nuclear DNA amount, phosphorus, warming.

Experimental drought and warming decrease diversity and slow down post‐fire succession in a Mediterranean shrubland

Plant community recovery (species richness, diversity and composition) of a post‐fire Mediterranean shrubland was monitored over a seven year period (1998–2005) under experimental drought and warming that simulated the environmental conditions forecast for this area in the coming decades. Species richness and Shannon's index were positively correlated with accumulated precipitation in the growing season and both variables were negatively affected by reduced water availability in drought plots. The relative abundance of the different species in both treatments was linearly correlated with their relative abundance in control plots. Moreover, we found species‐specific responses to treatments. Drought and warming treatment reduced the competitive ability of the obligate seeder tree Pinus halepensis against native resprouter shrubs and consequently, the transformation from shrub to pine tree dominated vegetation was slowed down. Conversely, the water use strategy of Globularia alypum may allow this species to maintain a dominant position in drought plots. Therefore, future drier and warmer conditions in Mediterranean areas may severely affect plant community recovery after a disturbance, due to the existence of both abundance‐dependent and species‐specific responses that may change inter‐specific competitive relationships.

Effects of experimental warming and drought on biomass accumulation in a Mediterranean shrubland

We studied the effects of experimental warming and drought on the plant biomass of a Mediterranean shrubland. We monitored growth at plant level and biomass accumulation at stand level. The experimentation period stretched over 7 years (1999–2005) and we focused on the two dominant shrub species, Erica multiflora L. and Globularia alypum L. and the tree species Pinus halepensis L. The warming treatment increased shoot elongation in E. multiflora, and the drought treatment reduced shoot elongation in G. alypum. The elongation of P. halepensis remained unaffected under both treatments. The balance between the patterns observed in biomass accumulation for the three studied species in the drought plots (reduction in E. multiflora and P. halepensis and increase in G. alypum) resulted in a trend to reduce 33% the biomass of the drought treatment plots with respect to the untreated plots, which almost doubled their biomass from 1998 to 2005. The results also suggest that under drier conditions larger accumulation of dead biomass may occur at stand level, which combined with higher temperatures, may thus increase fire risk in the Mediterranean area.

Effects of long-term experimental night-time warming and drought on photosynthesis, Fv/Fm and stomatal conductance in the dominant species of a Mediterranean shrubland

We conducted a night-time warming and drought field experiment for 7 years (1999–2005) in a Mediterranean shrubland. We focused on the two dominant shrub species, Erica multiflora L. and Globularia alypum L. and the tree Pinus halepensis L. and the final years to study the effects of the experimental night-time warming and drought on Fv/Fm, photosynthesis, and stomatal conductance. Warming treatment increased mean air temperature and mean soil temperature through the years by an average of 0.7 and 0.9°C respectively, and drought treatment reduced soil moisture through the years by an average of 19%. Warming tended to increase photosynthetic rates in E. multiflora, G. alypum and P. halepensis mostly in the cold seasons, when plants were more limited by temperature, as shown by the lowest values of Fv/Fm being detected in winter in the three studied species. A negative effect of warming was only detected for E. multiflora in summer 2003. Drought treatment generated different responses of net photosynthetic rates depending on the species, season and year. Stomatal conductance showed the same pattern as photosynthesis for the three studied species, displaying seasonal and inter-annual variability, although with an overall negative effect of drought for P. halepensis. Photosynthetic rates decreased significantly in the dry winter 2005 and spring 2005 in comparison to the same seasons of 2003 and 2004. There were positive correlations between the photosynthetic rates in different seasons for E. multiflora, G. alypum and P. halepensis and the soil moisture of the week prior to measurements. The great variation in the photosynthetic rates was thus explained in a significant part by soil moisture levels. The lowest Fv/Fm values usually corresponded with lowest stomatal conductances suggesting that drought stress could be associated to stress by low temperatures in winter.

Globularia alypum L. Lyophilized Methanolic Extract Decreases Hyperglycemia and Improves Antioxidant Status in Various Tissues of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects of Globularia alypum (Ga) methanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (50 mg/kg, i.p.). Twenty diabetic rats were divided into two groups; one group was fed a casein diet supplemented with Ga extract (1 g/kg body weight), for 4 weeks, and the other group went untreated. In Ga-treated compared to untreated rats, glycemia and HbA1c values were respectively 5.2- and 3.6-fold lower. Plasma total cholesterol, triacyglycerols levels and transaminases activities were decreased significantly (P<0.05). TBARS concentrations were diminished by -39% in plasma, -42% in liver, -51% in heart, -32% in brain and -36% in kidney. Increased GSH concentrations were noted in liver (+40%), brain (+25%) and kidney (+36%). In addition, a higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was noted in liver (+27%), muscle (+22%) and kidney (+24%), while glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was increased by +25% in liver, +29% in heart and +20% in kidney. Liver and kidney glutathione reductase (GSSG-Red) and catalase (CAT) activities were increased significantly (p<0.05). Globularia alypum extract reduces remarkably glycemia, plasma lipids and has beneficial effects on the redox status. This extract gives a promising perspective for the treatment of diabetes.