LAUSR

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Equisetum giganteum has been traditionally used as an anti-diabetic herbal remedy to treat diabetes in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. AIM OF THE STUDY Considering the ethonopharmacology and historical importance of E. giganteum, its potential antidiabetic effect was evaluated in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. METHODS Samples of Equisetum giganteum were collected in the city of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Butanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared and subsequently evaluated for anti-diabetic properties in vivo using albino male rabbits. At the end of the 21 day treatment period, the animals were sacrificed and analysis of the microscopic anatomy were carried out. The following biochemical parameters were studied: glucose, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, albumin, creatinine, glycosylated hemoglobin and lipase. The phytochemical profile of the extracts were studied by liquid chromatography techniques coupled to a UV/VIS detector and high-resolution mass spectrometry. RESULTS Both aqueous and butanolic extracts were capable of reducing significantly the levels of glucose, cholesterol and triacylglycerol and demonstrating their hypolipidemic and hypoglicemiant effects. Furthermore, the extracts prevented the occurrence of hepatic complications during treatment. The phytochemical profile of the extracts was investigated and the natural products detected were in agreement with those that had been previously described in the literature. CONCLUSION On the basis of the significant reductions in biochemical parameters and the histologic evidence for the absence of complications in the liver, pancreas and thin intestine of the treated animals, Equisetum giganteum can be a therapeutical resource in the treatment of diabetes and hyperlipidemia.