Cardioprotection of stevioside on stunned rat hearts: A mechano-energetical study.

Background: The sweetener and hypoglycemic properties of stevioside (STV) are well known, as the main component of the plant Stevia rebaudiana. Given its extensive use in diabetic patients, it was of interest to evaluate its effects on the most frequent cardiovascular disease, the coronary insufficiency.

Purpose: To study whether STV could be cardioprotective against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in a model of "stunning" in rat hearts.

Computer-Aided Identification of Anticonvulsant Effect of Natural Nonnutritive Sweeteners Stevioside and Rebaudioside A.

Steviol glycosides are natural constituents of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.) Bert. (Asteraceae) that have recently gained worldwide approval as nonnutritive sweeteners by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives.