Antioxidant and antidiabetic potential of two Lebanese Inula species on alloxan-induced diabetic mice

Inula species (spp.) grown in Lebanon are known to have beneficial effects on improving human health. Several Inula spp. are used in traditional medicine as expectorants, antitussives, diaphoretics, antiemetics, and bactericides. In this study, two Lebanease Inula spp., I. viscosa and I. vulgaris aerial parts, were investigated for their in vivo and in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic potential. The antioxidant effect was studied due to the increased rate of oxidative damage during diabetes. Antioxidant activities of various extracts of the plant parts were measured using in vitro quenching of diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH radical scavenging assay) and in vivo assessment of catalase level in serumof alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Male Swiss albino mice were divided into six groups three mice each. These tests were designed to determine the effect of various Inula spp. under investigation for their acute (for 6h) and subacute (for 8 days) potential on blood sugar level on alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Measurements of the antioxidant activities of I. viscosa and I. vulgaris aerial parts extracts showed some variations, which could be correlated with their flavonoid and total phenolic contents. I. viscosa and I. vulgaris showed very promising antioxidant, especially in vivo, and antidiabetic potential. This study is important because it is from the first reports that record the antioxidant and the antidiabetic potential of Lebanease I. vulgaris.

Keywords: Inula viscosa vulgaris antidiabetic antioxidant DPPH Catalse