Abstract:
Eucalyptus globulus is commonly used in folk medicine in the management of diabetes mellitus in South America, Africa and Iran. The paper aims to give a comprehensive account of the effect of methanolic extract of Eucalyptus globules (EGE) on in vitro and in vivo antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. The in vitro antioxidant activity was investigated using different tests. In addition, HPLC TOF-MS analysis was carried out.  Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of a freshly prepared streptozotocin (STZ) solution (50 mg/kg) to experimental Albino male rats. Then, diabetic rats were categorized into five groups. The first group received distilled water (control one). The second and the third groups were treated with EGE at doses of 150 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The fourth group received Glibil (3mg/kg) and the last one was not treated (untreated group). After 18 days of treatment, the level of plasma glucose, catalase (CAT) activity, protein levels were assayed in liver homogenates. The EGE enriched on flavonoids where quercetin-3-β-D-glucosidewas detected as a major compound. Moreover, it was found that EGE increased significantly the in vitro antioxidant activity and decreased the glucose levels and increased plasma antioxidant capacity, CAT activity levels. Also, it reduced the histological changes in the tissues of pancreas. These results suggest a scientific basis for the use of Eucalyptus globules probably as antioxidant power and antidiabetic treatment in traditional medicine.

Keywords: Antidiabetic Activity, Antioxidant Activity, Eucalyptus Globulus, Phenolic Composition, Streptozotocin.