Intestinal alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity and toxicological evaluation of Nymphaea stellata flowers extract

Hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic activities of total flavonoids from Nymphaea candida flowers on diabetic mice

This study aimed to investigate the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic activities of total flavonoids from Nymphaea candida (NCTF). The result showed that NCTF could significantly ameliorate various indicators such as FBG, OGTT, TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C in ALX-induced diabetic mice compared with the model group. Meanwhile, in the therapeutical effect study of NCTF on high-fat and high-sugar diets combined with STZ-induced T2DM mice, all parameters including RBG, INS, and INSR related to diabetes were significantly improved by NCTF as well as the serum ALT, AST, ALP, CR, MDA, and IL-6 activities. NCTF could significantly increase the expression levels of SOD and PPAR-γ in T2DM. Pathological observation showed that NCTF could improve the damage to pancreatic and liver tissues in T2DM mice. In conclusion, NCTF has better hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects, and its mechanism may be related to its antioxidant, PPAR-γ regulation, and inhibiting inflammatory cytokine expression.

Antidiabetic activity of root tubers of Asparagus gonoclados Baker in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Asparagus gonoclados Baker is a traditional folk remedy used for diabetes, diuretic, galactogogue, gastric ulcer activities etc. AIM: The present investigation was intended to evaluate the beneficial effect of the A.gonoclados (Lilliaceae) root tubers against diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different solvent extracts of root tubers of A. gonoclados were used to study the antihyperglycemic activity in streptozotocin (45 mg/kg.wt) induced diabetic rats. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed in diabetic and normal rats treated with A.gonoclados. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavanoid content (TFC) and total steroidal saponins content (TSSC) were measured in different solvent extracts. Following bioassay guided fractionation method antihyperglycemic active fraction of A. gonoclados (AGAF) was isolated from the ethanol extract (AGEE) by silica gel column chromatography. We further tested relationship between insulin stimulation effect and the influence of active fraction on K⁺-ATP and Ca²⁺ channels opening in normal and diabetic rats. The characterization of AGAF was carried out by LC-ESI-MS/MS.

RESULTS

Among the different solvent extracts, the ethanol extract (AGEE) at a dose of 500 mg/kg b.wt has produced maximum (67%) reduction in fasting blood glucose levels (FBG) in diabetic treated rats after 6 h of oral administration when compared to the standard drug glibenclamide (40%). AGEE also showed dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the activities of α-glucosidase (74.73%) and α-amylase (76.47%), which is comparable to the activity of standard drug acarbose (88.42%). AGEE was found to have the richest quantity of TPCs (138.4 ± 0.39 μg/mg gallic acid equivalents), TFCs (64.8 ± 0.54 μg/mg quercetin equivalents) and TSSCs (12.9 ± 0.11μg/mg sarasapogenin equivalents). We identified 8 potential antihyperglycemic compounds in AGAF by LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis.

CONCLUSION

From our current study we confirm that A. gonoclados root tubers have potent antihyperglycemic activity and it can be a unique drug/formulation for the management of diabetes mellitus.

Antidiabetic Potential of Medicinal Plants and Their Active Components

Diabetes mellitus is one of the major health problems in the world, the incidence and associated mortality are increasing. Inadequate regulation of the blood sugar imposes serious consequences for health. Conventional antidiabetic drugs are effective, however, also with unavoidable side effects. On the other hand, medicinal plants may act as an alternative source of antidiabetic agents. Examples of medicinal plants with antidiabetic potential are described, with focuses on preclinical and clinical studies. The beneficial potential of each plant matrix is given by the combined and concerted action of their profile of biologically active compounds.

Corilagin in Cancer: A Critical Evaluation of Anticancer Activities and Molecular Mechanisms

Corilagin (β-1-O-galloyl-3,6-(R)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-d-glucose), an ellagitannin, is one of the major bioactive compounds present in various plants. Ellagitannins belong to the hydrolyzable tannins, a group of polyphenols. Corilagin shows broad-spectrum biological, and therapeutic activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antitumor actions. Natural compounds possessing antitumor activities have attracted significant attention for treatment of cancer. Corilagin has shown inhibitory activity against the growth of numerous cancer cells by prompting cell cycle arrest at the G₂/M phase and augmented apoptosis. Corilagin-induced apoptosis and autophagic cell death depends on production of intracellular reactive oxygen species in breast cancer cell line. It blocks the activation of both the canonical Smad and non-canonical extracellular-signal-regulated kinase/Akt (protein kinase B) pathways. The potential apoptotic action of corilagin is mediated by altered expression of procaspase-3, procaspase-8, procaspase-9, poly (ADP ribose) polymerase, and Bcl-2 Bax. In nude mice, corilagin suppressed cholangiocarcinoma growth and downregulated the expression of Notch1 and mammalian target of rapamycin. The aim of this review is to summarize the anticancer efficacy of corilagin with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms involving various signaling pathways in tumor cells.

Antidiabetic Activity of an Ayurvedic Formulation Chaturmukha Rasa: A Mechanism Based Study

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate antidiabetic activity of Chaturmukha rasa based on streptozotocin induced diabetes model, alpha amylase inhibitory activity, alpha Glucosidase inhibitory activity and inhibition of sucrase.

Methods

Chaturmukha rasa was prepared as per Ayurvedic formulary. Antidiabetic activity was measured in experimentally streptozotocin induced rats. The dose was taken as 45 mg/kg, i.p. The antidiabetic activity of Chaturmukha rasa was compared Triphala Kwatha, a marketed formulation. Further In vitro ά-Amylase Inhibitory Assay, In vitro salivary amylase Inhibitory Assay, In vitro α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Assay and In vitro Sucrase Inhibitory Assay was performed with respect to Chaturmukha rasa. The IC50 value was calculated for all the above activity.

Results

Streptozotocin with Acarbose showed significant decrease in blood glucose level whereas streptozotocin with Triphala kwatha showed more decrease in blood glucose level than Streptozotocin with Acarbose. The combination of Streptozotocin + Triphala kwatha + Chaturmukha rasa showed a significant decrease in blood glucose level on 21st day. In vitro ά-Amylase Inhibitory Assay the Chaturmukha rasa showed IC50 value 495.94 μl when compared with Acarbose 427.33 μl, respectively. In the α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Assay Chaturmukha rasa showed IC50 value 70.93 μl when compared with Acarbose 102.28 μl, respectively. In vitro Sucrase Inhibitory Assay Chaturmukha rasa showed IC50 value 415.4 μl when compared with Acarbose 371.43 μl, respectively.

Conclusion

This study supports that Chaturmukha rasa may inhibit diabetes by inhibition of salivary amylase or alpha Glucosidase or sucrase. This may be the mechanism by which Chaturmukha rasa inhibits diabetes. Further this study supports the usage of Chaturmukha rasa for the management of diabetes.

Diabetes pharmacotherapy and effects on the musculoskeletal system

Persons with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have a significantly higher fracture risk than age-matched persons without diabetes, attributed to disease-specific deficits in the microarchitecture and material properties of bone tissue. Therefore, independent effects of diabetes drugs on skeletal integrity are vitally important. Studies of incretin-based therapies have shown divergent effects of different agents on fracture risk, including detrimental, beneficial, and neutral effects. The sulfonylurea class of drugs, owing to its hypoglycemic potential, is thought to amplify the risk of fall-related fractures, particularly in the elderly. Other agents such as the biguanides may, in fact, be osteo-anabolic. In contrast, despite similarly expected anabolic properties of insulin, data suggests that insulin pharmacotherapy itself, particularly in type 2 diabetes, may be a risk factor for fracture, negatively associated with determinants of bone quality and bone strength. Finally, sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors have been associated with an increased risk of atypical fractures in select populations, and possibly with an increase in lower extremity amputation with specific SGLT2I drugs. The role of skeletal muscle, as a potential mediator and determinant of bone quality, is also a relevant area of exploration. Currently, data regarding the impact of glucose lowering medications on diabetes-related muscle atrophy is more limited, although preclinical studies suggest that various hypoglycemic agents may have either aggravating (sulfonylureas, glinides) or repairing (thiazolidinediones, biguanides, incretins) effects on skeletal muscle atrophy, thereby influencing bone quality. Hence, the therapeutic efficacy of each hypoglycemic agent must also be evaluated in light of its impact, alone or in combination, on musculoskeletal health, when determining an individualized treatment approach. Moreover, the effect of newer medications (potentially seeking expanded clinical indication into the pediatric age range) on the growing skeleton is largely unknown. Herein, we review the available literature regarding effects of diabetes pharmacotherapy, by drug class and/or by clinical indication, on the musculoskeletal health of persons with diabetes.

Antilisterial Effect of Rosa damascena and Nymphaea alba in Mus musculus

The present study was proposed to investigate the toxicological and prophylactic potential of ethanolic extracts of Rosa damascena and Nymphaea alba and their mixture in albino mice. For toxicity study, three different doses of plant extracts were orally administrated to three groups of mice for 14 successive days. Blood biochemistry and histological examinations of liver and kidney revealed that these extracts had no harmful effects up to 1000 mg/kg. To determine the prophylactic effects of Rosa damascena, Nymphaea alba, and their mixture, an infection model of Listeria monocytogenes was established in a pilot study. Establishment of infection was confirmed by changes in haematological parameters and reisolation of Listeria monocytogenes from different tissues. Results showed that these extracts alone or in combination could restrict the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in different organs. Neutrophils were high in positive control group but remained in normal range in all treated groups. Listeria monocytogenes was recovered in low numbers from animals treated with extract of single plant but was negligible in group treated with mixture of extract of plants. Platelets count was increased in treated groups as compared to control. Results confirmed that these extracts are potent source of antimicrobial compounds and that they have synergistic effect in combined form.

Corilagin, a promising medicinal herbal agent

Corilagin, a gallotannin, is one of the major active components of many ethnopharmacological plants. It was isolated from Caesalpinia coriaria (Jacq.) Willd. (dividivi) by Schmidt in 1951 for the first time. In the past few decades, corilagin was reported to exhibit anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities, etc. However, little attention was paid to its pharmacological properties due to the complicated and inefficient extract method. In recent years, with the development of extraction technology corilagin was much easier to obtain than before. Thus, people return to pay attention to its anti-tumor, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities, particularly as an anti-tumor agent candidate. Our research team had focused on the distribution, preparation and anti-tumor activity of corilagin since 2005. We found corilagin showed good anti-tumor activity on hepatocellular carcinoma and ovarian cancer. What's more, corilagin showed a low level of toxicity toward normal cells and tissues. Due to the extensive attention that corilagin has received, we present a systematic review of the pharmacological effects of corilagin. In this review, we summarized all the pharmacological effects of corilagin with a focus on the molecular mechanism of anti-tumor activity and show you how corilagin affected the signaling pathways of tumor cells as well as its physicochemical properties, distribution and preparation methods.

Nodding syndrome in Mundri county, South Sudan: environmental, nutritional and infectious factors

BACKGROUND

Nodding Syndrome is a seizure disorder of children in Mundri County, Western Equatoria, South Sudan. The disorder is reported to be spreading in South Sudan and northern Uganda.

OBJECTIVE

To describe environmental, nutritional, infectious, and other factors that existed before and during the de novo 1991 appearance and subsequent increase in cases through 2001.

METHODS

Household surveys, informant interviews, and case-control studies conducted in Lui town and Amadi village in 2001-2002 were supplemented in 2012 by informant interviews in Lui and Juba, South Sudan.

RESULTS

Nodding Syndrome was associated with Onchocerca volvulus and Mansonella perstans infections, with food use of a variety of sorghum (serena) introduced as part of an emergency relief program, and was inversely associated with a history of measles infection. There was no evidence to suggest exposure to a manmade neurotoxic pollutant or chemical agent, other than chemically dressed seed intended for planting but used for food. Food use of cyanogenic plants was documented, and exposure to fungal contaminants could not be excluded.

CONCLUSION

Nodding Syndrome in South Sudan has an unknown etiology. Further research is recommended on the association of Nodding Syndrome with onchocerciasis/mansonelliasis and neurotoxins in plant materials used for food.

Absence of Genotoxic and Mutagenic Effects of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith (Zingiberaceae) Extract

The present study evaluated the potential genotoxicity of the ethanol extracts from the rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith (EEZZR) using a standard battery of tests. Chemical analysis with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry revealed that EEZZR contained Zerumbone (200.3 ± 0.37 μg/g) and 6-gingerol (102.5 ± 0.28 μg/g). There were no increases in the number of revertant colonies with EEZZR at concentrations of 150–5000 μg per plate, regardless of the metabolic activation system (S-9 mix) used in the histidine-dependent auxotrophic mutants of Salmonella typhimurium (strains TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102, and TA1535) compared to the vehicle control. Furthermore, EEZZR at doses of 150–5000 μg mL⁻¹ did not increase the number of structural aberrations in Chinese hamster lung cells in the presence or absence of S-9 mix. An oral administration of EEZZR to ICR mice, with doses of up to 2000 mg/kg, caused no significant increases in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) and mean ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes to total erythrocytes. Lastly, RZZEE did not increase the incidence of MNPCEs in bone marrow. Based on these findings, it may be concluded that the use of EEZZR in traditional medicine poses no risk of genotoxicity.

Anti-hyperglycemic effect of chebulagic acid from the fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz

In the present study, we firstly compared rat intestinal α-glucosidase inhibitory activity by different ethanol-aqueous extractions from the dried fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. The enzymatic assay showed that the 80% ethanol extract was more potent against maltase activity than both 50% and 100% ethanol extracts. By HPLC analysis, it was determined that the 80% ethanol extract had a higher content of chebulagic acid than each of 50% or 100% ethanol extract. Next, we investigated how efficiently chebulagic acid could inhibit sugar digestion by determining the glucose level on the apical side of the Caco-2 cell monolayer. The result showed that the maltose-hydrolysis activity was down-regulated by chebulagic acid, which proved to be a reversible inhibitor of maltase in Caco-2 cells. On the other hand, chebulagic acid showed a weak inhibition of sucrose-hydrolysis activity. Meanwhile, chebulagic acid did not have an obvious influence on intestinal glucose uptake and was not effective on glucose transporters. Further animal studies revealed that the oral administration of chebulagic acid (100 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced postprandial blood glucose levels by 11.1% in maltose-loaded Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats compared with the control group, whereas the oral administration of chebulagic acid did not show a suppressive effect on postprandial hyperglycemia in sucrose- or glucose-loaded SD-rats. The results presented here suggest that chebulagic acid from T. chebula can be used to control blood glucose and manage type 2 diabetes, although clinical trials are needed.

Hepatoprotective activity of Cichorium endivia L. extract and its chemical constituents

The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective properties of Cichorium endivia L. extract (CEE), and to identify its chemical constituents. CEE significantly blocked the oxidative stress and cytotoxicity induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) in HepG2 cells. Meanwhile, oral administration of CEE to mice before the treatment of t-BHP exhibited a markedly protective effect by lowering serum levels of ALT and AST, inhibiting the changes in liver biochemistry including MDA, SOD, GSH and GST, as well as ameliorating the liver injuries according to the histopathological observations. According to the acute oral toxicity test, the LD(50) of CEE was greater than 5,000 mg/kg, which demonstrates that the CEE can be considered practically non-toxic. Phytochemical analysis of CEE showed the presence of five compounds identified as 2-furanmethanol-(5'→11)-1,3-cyclopentadiene-[5,4-c]-1H-cinnoline, which is a new cinnoline derivative derived from a natural source but not synthesis, 2-phenylethyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, kaempferol, and adenosine. In the ORAC assay, CEE and its constituents kaempferol and kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside had considerable antioxidant potency. Taken together, CEE protects hepatic tissue from oxidative damage in vitro and in vivo, potentially due to its phenolic substances, and does not cause acute oral toxicity, which suggests that CEE may be a valid and safe remedy to cure liver disease.