摘要
Objective:To explore the traditional use of Juniperus phoenicea L.(J.phoenicea)growing in Egypt as antidiabetic herb.Methods:The antihyperglycemic activities of the crude 80%ethanol and successive extracts of leaves and fruits of the plant were investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats after collecting blood samples through retro-orbital puncture technique.As a consequence of the biological results,phytochemical investigation of the chloroform fraction of fruits was carried out by column chromatography and thin layer chromatography.Results:Results revealed the reduction in blood glucose levels in rats,which were significantly different from control at 4 and 8 weeks(P<0.01).The highest antihyperglycemic activity was exhibited by the crude extracts of fruits and leaves of which the potency was 83.6%and 81.9%,respectively,after 8 weeks,comparing to metformin drug(100%potency).Chloroform fractions of leaves and fruits were the most potent fractions(potencies were 70.3%,71.4%),respectively,along with ethyl acetate fraction of fruits(71.4%).Phytochemical investigating of the chloroform fraction of fruits resulted in the isolation and identification of 5 abietane diterpenoids.Ferruginol,7-dehydroabietanone,sugiol,6-α-hydroxy-7-oxoferruginol,totarolone and a labdane diterpenoid,varodiol were isolated for the first time from the fruits of J.phoenicea growing in Egypt.The identification of these compounds was based on spectroscopic analysis:1hydrogen-nuclear magnetic resonance and electron impact mass spectrometry,comparing the results with the literature.Conclusions:It has become clear that leaves and fruits of the Egyptian J.phoenicea provide effective antihyperglycemic action in diabetic rats as was reported in folk medicine.The high contents of terpenoids in the non-polar fractions may attribute to the antidiabetic effect of the plant.
