The Hypoglycemic Effect of Different Extracts of Ambrosia Maritima, L. Compositae

The effect of the different successive extracts of the herb of Ambrosia maritima, L. family compositae wildly grown in Egypt on post-prandial and fasting blood glucose were tested in rats. The results showed that 1.5 hours post-prandial blood glucose was reduced significantly after administration of the total water, 50% alcoholic or petroleum ether extracts. The two hours post-prandial blood glucose was reduced significantly after the administration of either the petroleum ether or the ether extract. The fasting blood glucose was reduced only on giving either the total water or the alcoholic extract. Methylene chloride extract produced no significant change on post-prandial blood glucose. The effect of petroleum ether extract and 50% alcoholic extract on plasma insulin levels 2 hours and 1.5 hours respectively after glucose ingestion was determined. The results showed no significant change of insulin level in both cases. Phytochemical and chromatographic study of the extracts revealed the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids and coumarins.