Introduction:

Lippia alba (Mill) N.E. Brown (Verbenaceae) is an aromatic plant from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, it is traditionally used by the Colombian population to treat various diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the metabolic effects of Lippia alba essential oil (EO) oral administration on obesity and diabetes markers in Wistar rats.

Methods:

control and Streptozotocin (STZ) diabetes induced rats were used to evaluate the EO metabolic effects. Glucose and triglycerides were measured using commercial colorimetric kits, the animals' weight was followed for 21 days treatment and TNF-α and adiponectin concentration was determined with ELISA technique.

Results:

The consumption of EO shows body weight gain regulation, lower glucose and cholesterol levels in normal rats and lower TNF- α in comparison with the Glibenclamide treated rats between the STZ diabetic groups. No toxic effects were founded.

Conclusions:

The EO exerts a benefical metabolic effect in rats, therefore it is interesting to be evaluate a future in human beings with T2DM or overweight.