Hypoglycaemic activity of Ibervillea sonorae roots in healthy and diabetic mice and rats

The acute effects of the freeze-dried decoction (traditional preparation) of Ibervillea sonorae Greene roots (Cucurbitaceae) on blood glucose levels were investigated in fasting mice. The plant orally administrated to healthy mice did not cause a significant decrease of the blood glucose level. However, I. sonorae reduced the blood glucose of normal mice in a dose-dependent manner after intraperitoneal injection (P < 0.05). Also, this extract significantly lowered the glycemia of mild alloxan-diabetic mice and rats, but did not in severe alloxan-diabetic rats, so it seems that this antidiabetic plant needs the presence of insulin to show its hypoglycaemic activity. Chemical, pharmacological, and toxicological investigations of I. sonorae must continue to establish its use as an alternative in the control of diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, it is important to start programs leading to the preservation of this interesting resource.