Background: Cynara Cornigera (CC), family Asteraceae, is locally known as Gaamool. It is widely
distributed in the northeastern part of Libya. CC heads and leaves are used in folk medicine for various
illnesses such as diabetes, hepatic dysfunction, hyperlipidemia, and dyspeptic disorders. Aim: This study
aims to investigate the hypoglycemic and hyperlipidemia effects of CC-heads alcoholic extract in normal
and Alloxan-induced diabetes in rats.
Methods: The acute hypoglycemic effect of 30% W/V CC was tested against the glucose tolerance test (GTT).

In addition, the sub-acute (once a day for a week) effect of 15% W/V CC extract was studied in
normoglycemic rats. In the Alloxan model, hyperglycemia was induced by a single 120 mg/kg
intraperitoneal injection (IP), and then the acute and sub-acute effects of CC were tested. Blood glucose levels
have been determined by diabetes test strips (on-call plus glucometer). Glucose and ketones in urine were
also measured by using deep sticks. Blood has been collected by cardiac puncture for further study to
determine triglycerides, cholesterol, and liver enzymes (AST and ALT).
Result: The administration of 30% W/V CC showed a significant decrease in glucose levels in the GTT.
Furthermore, in Alloxan-induced rats, CC extract resulted in a significant decrease (P 0.001) in glucose levels
after a single dose (30% W/V); furthermore, it reduced blood glucose levels (P 0.05) after a week of daily
administration of a single dose of (15% W/V). Moreover, the CC decreased the concentrations of glucose and
ketones in urine that had been produced as a result of Alloxan hyperglycemia. Blood cholesterol,
triglyceride, and liver enzyme (AST-ALT) levels that had been raised by Alloxan were reversed by CC
extract.
Conclusion: The study revealed that the CC-head extract may contain compounds that possess
hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties.Abstrict