Rauter, A. P.Martins, A.Borges, C.Mota-Filipe, H.Pinto, R.Justino, Jorge2011-08-092011-08-092010-03-22Rauter, A.P.; Martins, A.; Borges, C.; Mota-Filipe, H.; Pinto R., Sepodes, B. Justino, J. (2010) - Antihyperglycaemic and protective effects of flavonoids on streptozotocin–induced diabetic rats. Phytotherapy Research, 24: S133-S138. Retrieved from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.3017/pdf DOI: 10.1002/ptr.30171099-1573http://hdl.handle.net/10400.15/487The antihyperglycaemic effect of eight standard flavonoids, previously identified in the ethanol extract of the claimed antidiabetic plant Genista tenera, was evaluated on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats. The aglycones apigenin, chrysoeriol and genistein, the monoglucosides apigenin 7-O-glucoside, luteolin 7-O-glucoside and genistein 7-O-glucoside and the diglycosides rutin and luteolin 7,3′-di-O-glucoside were administered i.p. for 7 days (4 mg/kg b.w./day). The protective effect of these compounds over liver and kidneys of STZ–diabetic models was also evaluated by the determination of seric AST, ALT and urea levels. After 7 days of treatment, apigenin, chrysoeriol and genistein significantly lowered the blood glucose levels of diabetic animals; this effect was more pronounced (P < 0.01) in the oral glucose tolerance test. Glucose tolerance was also significantly improved in the rutin (P < 0.01) and in the genistein 7–O–glucoside (P < 0.05) treated groups. In addition, almost all the tested compounds effectively protected the liver and kidneys against STZ-induced damage in ratsengflavonoidsantihyperglycaemic effectliver protectionkidney protectionGenista tenerapropriedade medicinalflavonoídeanimal de laboratórioDiabetesjournal article