Curative effect of Cynodon dactylon against STZ induced hepatic injury in diabetic rats

Bioengineered gold nanoparticles using Cynodon dactylon extract and its cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities

In this study, simple and green route approach was applied for the synthesis gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) containing an aqueous extract of Cynodon dactylon L. Pers., (C. dactylon). The synthesized AuNPs were characterized using spectral and microscopic analysis. The changes in the color pattern were observed upon synthesis by UV-vis spectrophotometer with a peak of 530 nm. The FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and TEM were used to analyze the crystal nature and morphology of the green synthesized AuNPs. The C. dactylon-loaded AuNPs in different concentrations (0.625-100 μg/ml) were used to assess cytotoxicity activity against MCF-7 cell line and where the IC₅₀ was found to be 31.34 μg/ml by MTT assay. The C. dactylon-AuNPs were significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA fragmentation, and mitochondrial membrane changes observed by dichlorodihydroflurescenin diacetate (DCFH-DA), 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), Rhodamine-123, and acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EtBr) staining assay. Besides the microbial study revealed that C. dactylon-AuNPs exhibited significant antibacterial activity against clinically isolated pathogenic bacteria such as Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococus Haemolytics, Staphylococcus petrasii subsp. Pragensis and Bacillus cereus with a zone of inhibition 13, 12, 13 and 12 mm, respectively. It could be concluded that C. dactylon has the ability to be involved in the biosynthesis of AuNPs, and the pharmacological studies proved the promising cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cell line and pathogenic bacterial species.

Effect of simulated microgravity on the antidiabetic properties of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Microgravity affects plant growth and content. A three-dimensional clinostat was used at 4 rotations/min to rotate the seeds of Triticum aestivum cultivar (Ammon) in three dimensions for 7 days, following which the antioxidant activities of ethanolic extracts were evaluated using both nitric oxide- and hydrogen peroxide-scavenging activities. The antidiabetic activities of ethanolic extracts were evaluated by measuring the concentration of plasma glucose, insulin, C peptide, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c); determining the number of β cells in the pancreatic islets; and performing the glucose tolerance test. Furthermore, the effects of the ethanolic extracts on the lipid profile and liver function were estimated. After rats were sacrificed, their pancreases were isolated and used for histopathological processing. The results indicated that the antioxidant potential and antioxidant metabolite content were significantly increased under microgravity conditions in comparison to those under normal gravity conditions. Rats treated with an extract of wheatgrass (T. aestivum) germinated over a period of 6-10 days under microgravity (WGM) showed a significant reduction in the levels of serum glucose, HbA1C, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and insulin resistance compared to rats treated with an extract of wheatgrass germinated under gravity. Additionally, the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly decreased. In contrast, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-peptide, and insulin levels rose significantly after treatment with T. aestivum germinated under microgravity. WGM is a promising potential diabetic treatment without side effects with a low manufacturing cost.

Antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa root's hydro-alcoholic extract on nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced type 2 model of diabetes in male mice

OBJECTIVE

Arctium lappa (burdock), (A. lappa) root has hypoglycemic and antioxidative effects, and has been used for treatment of diabetes in tradition medicine. This study was conducted to evaluate the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic properties of A. lappa root extract on nicotinamide-streptozotocin (NA-STZ)-induced type2 diabetes in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this investigation, 70 adult male NMRI mice (30-35g) randomly divided into 7 groups (n=10) as follow: 1-control, 2-type 2 diabetic mice, 3-diabetic mice that received glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg) as an anti-diabetic drug, 4, 5, 6 and 7- diabetic and normal animals that were pre-treated with 200 and 300 mg/kg A. lappa root extract, respectively, for 28 days. Diabetes has been induced by intraperitoneal injection of NA and STZ. Finally, the blood sample was taken and insulin, glucose, SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, leptin and lipid levels was evaluated.

RESULTS

Induction of diabetes decreased the level of insulin, leptin and high density lipoprotein (HDL) and increased the level of other lipids, glucose, and hepatic enzymes significantly (p<0.05). Administration of both doses of the extract significantly decreased the level of triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein, glucose and alkaline phosphatase in diabetic mice (p<0.05). Insulin levels increased in animals treated with 200 mg/kg (p<0.05) and HDL and leptin levels increased in animals treated with 300 mg/kg of the extract (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The results showed that A. lappa root extract, at specific doses, has an anti-diabetic effect through its hypolipidemic and insulinotropic properties. Hence, this plant extract may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes.

Anticancer activity of Cynodon dactylon L. root extract against diethyl nitrosamine induced hepatic carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common cancers and a lethal disease. In view of the limited treatment and a grave prognosis of liver cancer, preventive control has been emphasized.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The methanolic extract of roots of Cynodon dactylon was screened for its hepato-protective activity in diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) induced liver cancer in Swiss albino mice. The plant extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg was administered orally once a week, up to 30 days after DEN administration. The animals were sacrificed; blood sample and liver tissue were collected and used for enzyme assay such as, asparatate amino transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The liver marker enzymes AST and ALT produced significant results in the protective action.

RESULTS

The antioxidant enzyme assay results concerning the improved activity of GPx, GST and CAT. These results concluded that enhanced levels of antioxidant enzyme and reduced amount of serum amino transaminase, which are suggested to be the major mechanisms of C. dactylon root extract in protecting the mice from hepatocarcinoma induced by DEN. These biochemical observations were supplemented by histopathological examination of liver sections.

CONCLUSION

The methanolic extract of C. dactylon possesses significant anticancer properties.

Identification and determination of flavonoids, carotenoids and chlorophyll concentration in Cynodon dactylon (L.) by HPLC analysis

Cynodon dactylon (L.) is a potent medicinal plant in the traditional and current Indian medicinal systems. The objective of this research was to find out the levels of flavonoids, carotenoids and chlorophyll b in C. dactylon leaves by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a diode array detector. HPLC analysis revealed that total carotenoid and total flavonoid concentration were 62 mg/100 g and 249.1 μg/g, respectively. The mean chlorophyll b was 85.1 mg/100 g in C. dactylon. Among the flavonoids, quercetin (164.7 μg/g) was the major flavonoid followed by kaempferol (48.2 μg/g), rutin (18.4 μg/g), catechin (12.1 μg/g) and myricetin (5.7 μg/g). Of the carotenoids, β-carotene (35.2 mg/100 g) was predominant followed by lutein (17.0 mg/100 g), violaxanthin (5.8 mg/100 g) and zeaxanthin (4.2 mg/100 g). Chlorophyll b concentration was 85.1 mg/100 g in C. dactylon. The results of this investigation should be useful information for further pharmacological studies.

Antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective and antioxidative effects of dietary clove (Szyzgium aromaticum) bud powder in a high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetes rat model

BACKGROUND

Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry (clove) bud is an important spice used in the preparation of several delicacies and in folklore for diabetes management. The present study was convened to assess the effects of dietary clove bud powder (CBP) on biochemical parameters in a type 2 diabetes rat model, induced by a combination of high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin (35 mg kg⁻¹) for 30 days.

RESULTS

Diabetic rats were placed on dietary regimen containing 20-40 g kg⁻¹ clove bud powder. The results revealed that there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the average feed intake and weight changes between the rat groups. Furthermore, supplementation with CBP gradually reduced blood glucose level in diabetic rat compared to control diabetic rats without CBP supplementation (DBC). Moreover, reduced activity of α-glucosidase was observed in CBP and metformin-treated rat groups when compared to that of the DBC rat group. In addition, the DBC group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher lipid concentrations (except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) when compared to all other groups. Furthermore, CBP had significantly (P < 0.05) reduced activity of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) and showed elevated levels of antioxidant status (glutathione, ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase and catalase).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the clove bud diet may attenuate hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in the type 2 diabetic condition.