Anti-diabetic potential of selected ethno-medicinal plants of north east India

"GC-MS profiling, sub-acute toxicity study and total phenolic and flavonoid content analysis of methanolic leaf extract of Schima wallichii (D.C.) Korth-a traditional antidiabetic medicinal plant"

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Schima wallichii (D.C.) Korth is traditionally used in Manipur, India for treatment of diabetes and hypertension. However, there is no data reported regarding safety profile of this medicinal plant upon repeated per oral administration over a period of time.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In the current study phytochemical profile, toxicological profile and total phenolic and flavonoid compound content of Schima wallichii leaves extract were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was performed for chemical profiling by using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), Shimadzu, TQ8040 system. A 28 days sub-acute toxicity study was carried out using albino Wistar rats by administering 3 different doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight per oral) of methanol leaves extract. Changes in body weights were recorded weekly. Serum biochemical parameters were estimated as well as blood-cell count was done to check the effect of extract on haematopoietic system. Histopathology of vital organs viz. kidney, heart, brain, liver was performed to find any pathological indications. Since, liver is main the site for xenobiotic metabolism, estimation of the level of glutathione, catalase and lipid peroxidation were done. Further, total phenolic and flavonoid compound content estimation was performed for the leaves extract.

RESULTS

GC-MS revealed 14 major compounds with area percentage >1% of which quinic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid, 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, (Z,Z,Z)-, Octatriacontyl trifluoroacetate, are three major compounds. No mortality was observed after the treatment with extract. Blood-cell count and biochemical parameters didn't show significant deviation as compared to control group. Histopathology study of vital organs viz. (liver, kidney, heart and brain) showed normal cellular construction comparing to control group. There was no sign of membrane lipid peroxidation, depletion of catalase level and glutathione level in liver. The result demonstrates that NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect levels) in the sub-acute toxicity was above 800 mg/kg. The leaves extract showed significant total phenol and flavonoid content.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed that Schima wallichii possessed important bioactive compounds with therapeutic values. The plant was safe for consumption after repeated high doses administration in rats and possesses significant amount of total phenol and flavonoid content.

Phytochemical Profiling and Assessment of Antidiabetic Activity of Curcuma Angustifolia Rhizome Methanolic Extract: An In Vitro and In Silico Analysis

Curcuma angustifolia Roxb. is a plant with medicinal potential, traditionally used to treat different diseases. The present study aimed to determine the antidiabetic activity of C. angustifolia rhizome in vitro and in silico. The methanolic extract of C. angustifolia rhizome was analyzed by FTIR and GC-MS to determine the phytochemicals present. The antidiabetic potential of the extract was evaluated by different assays in vitro. The extract inhibited both α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes and the glucose diffusion through the dialysis membrane in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 530.39±0.09, 293.75±0.11, and 551.74±0.3 μg/ml respectively. The methanolic extract also improved yeast cell's ability to take up glucose across plasma membranes and the adsorption of glucose. The findings were supported by molecular docking studies. The results showed that the methanol extract of C. angustifolia rhizome has significant antidiabetic activity and thus can be also studied to isolate the potential compound with antidiabetic activities.

Salt-Tolerant Plants as Sources of Antiparasitic Agents for Human Use: A Comprehensive Review

Parasitic diseases, especially those caused by protozoans and helminths, such as malaria, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis, are the cause of millions of morbidities and deaths every year, mainly in tropical regions. Nature has always provided valuable antiparasitic agents, and efforts targeting the identification of antiparasitic drugs from plants have mainly focused on glycophytes. However, salt-tolerant plants (halophytes) have lately attracted the interest of the scientific community due to their medicinal assets, which include antiparasitic properties. This review paper gathers the most relevant information on antiparasitic properties of halophyte plants, targeting human uses. It includes an introduction section containing a summary of some of the most pertinent characteristics of halophytes, followed by information regarding the ethnomedicinal uses of several species towards human parasitic diseases. Then, information is provided related to the antiprotozoal and anthelmintic properties of halophytes, determined by in vitro and in vivo methods, and with the bioactive metabolites that may be related to such properties. Finally, a conclusion section is presented, addressing perspectives for the sustainable exploitation of selected species.

Antidiabetes constituents, cycloartenol and 24-methylenecycloartanol, from Ficus krishnae

Ficus krishnae stem bark and leaves are used for diabetes treatment in traditional medicines. Stem bark of F. krishnae was sequentially extracted with hexane, methanol and water, and these extracts were tested for their antihyperglyceamic activity by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in overnight fasted glucose loaded normal rats. Hexane extract showed significant glucose lowering activity in OGTT, and the triterpene alcohols (cycloartenol+24-methylenecycloartanol) (CA+24-MCA) were isolated together from it by activity guided isolation and characterized by NMR and mass spectroscopy. The ratio of the chemical constituents CA and 24-MCA in (CA+24-MCA) was determined as 2.27:1.00 by chemical derivatization and gas chromatographic quantification. (CA+24-MCA) in high fat diet-streptozotocin induced type II diabetic rats showed significant antidiabetes activity at 1 mg/kg and ameliorated derailed blood glucose and other serum biochemical parameters. Cytoprotective activity of (CA+24-MCA) from glucose toxicity was evaluated in cultured RIN-5F cells by MTT assay and fluorescent microscopy. (CA+24-MCA) in in vitro studies showed enhanced cell viability in RIN-5F cells and significant protection of beta cells from glucose toxicity. Both in in vivo and in vitro studies (CA+24-MCA) showed enhancement in insulin release from the beta cells. In short term toxicity studies in mice (CA+24-MCA) did not show any conspicuous toxic symptoms. The combination of the phytosterols (CA+24-MCA) obtained through activity guided isolation of the stem bark of F. krishnae showed significant activity, and therefore is a promising candidate for new generation antidiabetes drug development.

Anil Kumar N, Sharopov F, Ramírez-Alarcón K, Ruiz-Ortega A, Abdulmajid Ayatollahi S, Valere Tsouh Fokou P, Kobarfard F, Amiruddin Zakaria Z, Iriti M, Taheri Y, Martorell M, Sureda A, N. Setzer W, Durazzo A, Lucarini M, Santini A, Capasso R, Adrian Ostrander E, -ur-Rahman A, Iqbal Choudhary M, C. Cho W, Sharifi-Rad J. 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.

The Glucosinolates: A Sulphur Glucoside Family of Mustard Anti-Tumour and Antimicrobial Phytochemicals of Potential Therapeutic Application

This study reviewed aspects of the biology of two members of the glucosinolate family, namely sinigrin and glucoraphanin and their anti-tumour and antimicrobial properties. Sinigrin and glucoraphanin are converted by the β-sulphoglucosidase myrosinase or the gut microbiota into their bioactive forms, allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and sulphoraphanin (SFN) which constitute part of a sophisticated defence system plants developed over several hundred million years of evolution to protect them from parasitic attack from aphids, ticks, bacteria or nematodes. Delivery of these components from consumption of cruciferous vegetables rich in the glucosinolates also delivers many other members of the glucosinolate family so the dietary AITCs and SFN do not act in isolation. In vitro experiments with purified AITC and SFN have demonstrated their therapeutic utility as antimicrobials against a range of clinically important bacteria and fungi. AITC and SFN are as potent as Vancomycin in the treatment of bacteria listed by the World Health Organisation as antibiotic-resistant “priority pathogens” and also act as anti-cancer agents through the induction of phase II antioxidant enzymes which inactivate potential carcinogens. Glucosinolates may be useful in the treatment of biofilms formed on medical implants and catheters by problematic pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and are potent antimicrobials against a range of clinically important bacteria and fungi. The glucosinolates have also been applied in the prevention of bacterial and fungal spoilage of food products in advanced atmospheric packaging technology which improves the shelf-life of these products.

Ficus cunia Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb. (leaves): An experimental evaluation of the cytotoxicity, thrombolytic, analgesic and neuropharmacological activities of its methanol extract

Background The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the cytotoxic, thrombolytic, analgesic, sedative-hypnotic and anxiolytic activities of the methanolic extract of Ficus cunia leaves. Methods Primary phytochemical screening was accomplished by using established methods. Cytotoxicity was studied by brine shrimp lethality test, and the thrombolytic assay was conducted through clot lysis method with human blood. The in vivo action was done using mice of both sexes. The analgesic activity was evaluated by acetic acid-induced writhing test and formalin-induced paw licking test. Open field, hole cross and thiopental Na-induced sleeping time test were used to examine the sedative-hypnotic activity, and elevated plus maze (EPM) and hole board test were used to identify the anxiolytic activity. Results The results elicited that the extract contained several phytochemicals such as alkaloid, flavonoid, and tannin. The extract was found to have a median lethal concentration (LC50) value of 55.48 μg/mL in the brine shrimp lethality bioassay. It was also assessed for antithrombotic activity when compared with streptokinase; it has significant (p < 0.001) thrombolytic effect (34.72 ± 1.74%) contrasted with standard streptokinase (67 ± 1.56%). The extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg produced inhibition of 32.58% and 46.63% in acetic acid-induced pain and 45.88 and 61.18% in formalin-induced pain. The sedative and hypnotic activities on the central nervous system of the methanol extract of F. cunia (MEFC) leaves were evaluated. The extract delivered critical sedative impact at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (by oral route) treated with reference to the substance diazepam, and the hypnotic impact was also observed in the case of mice. MEFC at its maximum dose (400 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.01) increased the time spent in the open arms of the EPM. In the hole board test, there was a dose-dependent (at 200 and 400 mg/kg) and a significant (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) increase in the number of head pokes in comparison to control. Conclusions The results of the present study gave a helpful baseline in progression for the possible use of MEFC as a cytotoxic, thrombolytic, analgesic, sedative-hypnotic and anxiolytic drug.

Procyanidin A2, an anti-diabetic condensed tannin extracted from Wendlandia glabrata, reduces elevated G-6-Pase and mRNA levels in diabetic mice and increases glucose uptake in CC1 hepatocytes and C1C12 myoblast cells

To reduce the global burden of diabetes in an affordable way great attention has been paid to the search for functional foods and herbal remedies. One of the most popularly used functional foods in the North Eastern region of India is tender shoots of Wendlandia glabrata DC. In the current study identification of active anti-diabetic constituent of the tender shoots of W. glabrata was guided through α-glucosidase inhibition and procyanidin A2 was identified with IC₅₀ 0.27 ± 0.01 μg mL⁻¹ making it potential source for postprandial management of DM type 2. The study has also demonstrated procyanidin A2 as a potent anti-diabetic agent that exhibits significant glucose-6-phosphatase inhibitory activities and downregulated mRNA level in diabetic mice as well as increases glucose uptake in hepatocytes and myoblast cells. This study revealed that easily available tender shoots of W. glabrata could be used to make specific dietary recommendations for consumption for affordable management of diabetes.

Wendlandia glabrata and procyanidin A2 isolated thereof are exhibited significant anti-diabetic effect.

A role of Ficus species in the management of diabetes mellitus: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common global health concerns, with a rapidly increasing incidence. A variety of medicinal plants, particularly those belonging to the genus Ficus (Moraceae), and their active compounds have been used to treat diabetes and related chronic disorders since ancient times.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this review is to provide information regarding traditional and scientific knowledge of Ficus species with antidiabetic activity to researchers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was conducted to obtain information about the antidiabetic properties of Ficus from the electronic databases. Common and scientific names of various Ficus species were used as keywords for the search, along with the terms antidiabetic, hypoglycemic and diabetes.

RESULTS

Among the assorted species of Ficus that were included in our search, F. benghalensis, F. carica, F. glomerata, F. glumosa, F. racemosa, and F. religiosa exhibited remarkable antidiabetic properties with various mechanisms of action. Moreover, Ficus species are versatile sources of bioactive metabolites such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, coumarins, triterpenoids, sterols and vitamin E. These extracts and isolated compounds significantly have enhanced insulin secretion and subsequently reduced blood glucose level in various in vivo studies.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes the antidiabetic potentials of the genus Ficus, including pharmacological studies with mechanisms of action as well as ethnobotanical uses. This review can help inform future scientific research towards the development of novel antidiabetic drugs.

Picrorhiza kurroa Enhances β-Cell Mass Proliferation and Insulin Secretion in Streptozotocin Evoked β-Cell Damage in Rats

Autoimmune destruction of insulin producing pancreatic β-cells leads to insulin insufficiency and hyperglycemia in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Regeneration of β-cells is one of the proposed treatment for type 1 diabetes and insulin insufficiency. Picrorhiza kurroa is a medicinal herb and is traditionally being used for the treatment of various diseases. Previous studies reported the hypoglycemic potential of P. kurroa. However, its potential role in β-cell induction in insulin secretion have not been fully investigated. Here, we characterized the hydro alcoholic extract of P. kurroa rhizome (PKRE) and further studied its β-cell regeneration and induction of insulin secretion potential in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats as well as in insulin producing Rin5f cells. ¹H-NMR revealed the presence of more than thirty metabolites including picroside I and II in PKRE. Further, we found that PKRE treatment (100 and 200 mg/kg dose for 30 days) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) protected the pancreatic β-cells against streptozotocin (STZ) evoked damage and inhibited the glucagon receptor expression (Gcgr) in hepatic and renal tissues. It significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced the insulin expression and aids in proliferation of insulin producing Rin5f cells with elevated insulin secretion. Furthermore it significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased insulin mediated glucose uptake in 3T3L1 and L6 cells. On the contrary, in diabetic rats, PKRE significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased high blood glucose and restored the normal levels of serum biochemicals. Altogether, our results showed that PKRE displayed β-cell regeneration with enhanced insulin production and antihyperglycemic effects. PKRE also improves hepatic and renal functions against oxidative damage.