Chemical characterization, antihyperlipidaemic and antihyperglycemic effects of Brazilian bitter quina species in mice consuming a high-refined carbohydrate diet

•Many bitter species are known in Brazil as quina and they are used to treat digestive disorders.•Brazilian quinas have organic acids, flavonoids and alkaloids.•Baccharis trimera is active as antihyperglicemic and antihyperlipidemic agent but has toxicity.•Strychnos pseudoquina is active as antihyperglicemic and antihyperlipidemic agent.•The antihyperglicemic and antihyperlipidemic effects are correlated with the presence of flavonoids.