Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the management of diabetes mellitus in the Urmia, Northwest Iran

Medicinal plants used by local communities in southern Fars Province, Iran

Medicinal plants hold immense potential for drug discovery, with indigenous knowledge being crucial for their identification and utilization. This study investigated medicinal plant use in rural communities of Lar, Gerash, and Lamerd counties, southern Iran. A total of 200 respondents from three ethnic groups in 27 local communities were interviewed over a two-year period (2020-2022) and the data was analyzed using the ethnobotanyR package in R software. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices including (FC), (FL), (RFC), (ICF), (UR), (UV), (CI), (CVs), (CV), (FUV), and (PPV) were calculated. The conservation status of the plants was assessed based on the IUCN Red List. A total of 171 plant species from 53 families were documented, with Lamiaceae and Fabaceae being the most common. Leaves were the most utilized plant part in the preparation of medicines. Decoction was the most prevalent method of preparation, and oral administration was the most common route of consumption. Gastrointestinal diseases have the highest ICF value. Notably, the study documented new medicinal applications for 70 plant species, expanding the region's ethnobotanical knowledge. The study highlights the need for documenting and disseminating traditional knowledge, as it provides fundamental data for further research and conservation efforts.

Genus Berberis: A Comprehensive and Updated Review on Ethnobotanical Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities

Genus Berberis is an excellent choice for research due to its history in traditional medicine, diverse pharmacological properties, and it has potential for drug discovery. This review presents information on the ethnobotany, pharmacological activities, and many phytochemicals identified from Berberis species. It examines the existing literature on the genus Berberis, drawn from online databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Elsevier, and Google Scholar, etc encompassing the data from 1960 to 2023. This review focuses on the structural details of reported phytochemicals of Berberis species and pharmacological actions. Different extraction techniques were evaluated for extracts preparation. According to literature review, phytochemical analysis exhibited the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. A major bioactive alkaloid, berberine exhibits its main role in treatment of many gastric, infectious, and chronic disorders. This literature indicates that Berberis genus exhibits a variety of biological activities, i.e anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, antidiabetic and antioxidant activities and utilization of these effects in the treatment and management of various diseases, like diabetes, microbial infections, inflammation, liver disorders, and cancer. However, conventional medicines, validation of traditional uses, and in-depth phytochemical analysis are areas of research in genus Berberis.

Ethnobotanical survey on herbal remedies for the management of type 2 diabetes in the Casablanca-Settat region, Morocco

BACKGROUND

Morocco faces a substantial public health challenge due to diabetes mellitus, affecting 12.4% of adults in 2023. The Moroccan population makes extensive use of phytotherapy and traditional medicine to address the difficulties this chronic condition poses. The aim of this study is to document the use of medicinal plants in traditional medicine for managing type 2 diabetes in the provinces of the Casablanca-Settat region.

METHODS

The study employed a semi-structured questionnaire for data collection. A study was conducted between August 1st and September 30th, 2023, and 244 individuals diagnosed with diabetes were invited to take part in the research, all of whom used at least one medicinal plant to manage type 2 diabetes, by visiting primary healthcare facilities in Morocco. The analysis included the use of Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) to scrutinize the data.

RESULTS

A total of 47 plant species belonging to 25 families were documented. Notably, the Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, and Fabaceae families were frequently mentioned in the context of treating type 2 diabetes in Morocco. Prominent among the cited plant species were Sesamum indicum L., Lepidium sativum L., followed by Foeniculum vulgare Mill., and Rosmarinus officinalis L. Seeds emerged as the plant part most commonly mentioned, with infusion being the prevailing preparation method and oral consumption being the most frequently depicted method of administration.

CONCLUSION

This research underscores the practicality of incorporating traditional medicine into the healthcare framework of the Casablanca-Settat region. The findings not only offer valuable documentation but also have a vital function in safeguarding knowledge regarding the utilization of medicinal plants in this locality. Moreover, they provide opportunities to delve deeper into the phytochemical and pharmacological potential of these plants.

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.: A Promising Pharmaceutical Resource for Multiple Diseases

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae) is widely distributed in the desert areas of the world. The fruit bodies of C. colocynthis are recognized for their wide range of nutraceutical potential, as well as medicinal and pharmaceutical uses. The plant has been reported for various uses, such as asthma, bronchitis, cancer, colic, common cold, cough, diabetes, dysentery, and jaundice. The fruit has been extensively studied for its biological activities, which include insecticide, antitumor, and antidiabetic effects. Numerous bioactive compounds have been reported in its fruit bodies, such as essential oils, fatty acids, glycosides, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Of these, flavonoids or caffeic acid derivatives are the constituents associated with the inhibition of fungal or bacterial growth, whereas eudesmane sesquiterpenes or sesquiterpene lactones are most active against insects, mites, and nematodes. In this review, the scientific evidence for the biological activity of C. colocynthis against insecticide, cytotoxic, and antidiabetic effects is summarized.

Genus Equisetum L: Taxonomy, toxicology, phytochemistry and pharmacology

INTRODUCTION

The genus Equisetum (Equisetaceae) is cosmopolitan in distribution, with 41 recognized species. Several species of Equisetum are widely used in treating genitourinary and related diseases, inflammatory and rheumatic problems, hypertension, and wound healing in traditional medicine practices worldwide. This review intends to present information on the traditional uses, phytochemical components, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of Equisetum spp. and to analyze the new insights for further study.

METHODS

Relevant literature has been scanned and collected via various electronic repositories, including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Springer Connect, and Science Online, from 1960 to 2022.

RESULTS

Sixteen Equisetum spp. were documented as widely used in traditional medicine practices by different ethnic groups throughout the world. A total of 229 chemical compounds were identified from Equisetum spp. with the major group of constituents being flavonol glycosides and flavonoids. The crude extracts and phytochemicals of Equisetum spp. exhibited significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and diuretic properties. A wide range of studies have also demonstrated the safety of Equisetum spp.

CONCLUSION

The reported pharmacological properties of Equisetum spp. support its use in traditional medicine, though there are gaps in understanding the traditional usage of these plants for clinical experiments. The documented information revealed that the genus is not only a great herbal remedy but also has several bioactives with the potential to be discovered as novel drugs. Detailed scientific investigation is still needed to fully understand the efficacy of this genus; hence, very few Equisetum spp. were studied in detail for phytochemical and pharmacological investigation. Moreover, its bioactives, structure-activity connection, in vivo activity, and associated mechanism of action ought to be explored further.

Cellular Compartmentalization, Glutathione Transport and Its Relevance in Some Pathologies

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant non-protein endogenous thiol. It is a ubiquitous molecule produced in most organs, but its synthesis is predominantly in the liver, the tissue in charge of storing and distributing it. GSH is involved in the detoxification of free radicals, peroxides and xenobiotics (drugs, pollutants, carcinogens, etc.), protects biological membranes from lipid peroxidation, and is an important regulator of cell homeostasis, since it participates in signaling redox, regulation of the synthesis and degradation of proteins (S-glutathionylation), signal transduction, various apoptotic processes, gene expression, cell proliferation, DNA and RNA synthesis, etc. GSH transport is a vital step in cellular homeostasis supported by the liver through providing extrahepatic organs (such as the kidney, lung, intestine, and brain, among others) with the said antioxidant. The wide range of functions within the cell in which glutathione is involved shows that glutathione’s role in cellular homeostasis goes beyond being a simple antioxidant agent; therefore, the importance of this tripeptide needs to be reassessed from a broader metabolic perspective.

Antidiabetic Potential of Commonly Available Fruit Plants in Bangladesh: Updates on Prospective Phytochemicals and Their Reported MoAs

Diabetes mellitus is a life-threatening disorder affecting people of all ages and adversely disrupts their daily functions. Despite the availability of numerous synthetic-antidiabetic medications and insulin, the demand for the development of novel antidiabetic medications is increasing due to the adverse effects and growth of resistance to commercial drugs in the long-term usage. Hence, antidiabetic phytochemicals isolated from fruit plants can be a very nifty option to develop life-saving novel antidiabetic therapeutics, employing several pathways and MoAs (mechanism of actions). This review focuses on the antidiabetic potential of commonly available Bangladeshi fruits and other plant parts, such as seeds, fruit peals, leaves, and roots, along with isolated phytochemicals from these phytosources based on lab findings and mechanism of actions. Several fruits, such as orange, lemon, amla, tamarind, and others, can produce remarkable antidiabetic actions and can be dietary alternatives to antidiabetic therapies. Besides, isolated phytochemicals from these plants, such as swertisin, quercetin, rutin, naringenin, and other prospective phytochemicals, also demonstrated their candidacy for further exploration to be established as antidiabetic leads. Thus, it can be considered that fruits are one of the most valuable gifts of plants packed with a wide spectrum of bioactive phytochemicals and are widely consumed as dietary items and medicinal therapies in different civilizations and cultures. This review will provide a better understanding of diabetes management by consuming fruits and other plant parts as well as deliver innovative hints for the researchers to develop novel drugs from these plant parts and/or their phytochemicals.

Phytochemical and biological activities of some Iranian medicinal plants

CONTEXT

Due to adverse effects of synthetic compounds, there is a growing interest in utilization of plant-derived natural products in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Iranian endemic medicinal plants widely used in traditional practice have attracted much attention as antibacterial and antioxidant agents.

OBJECTIVE

This review attempts to compile the accessible scientific research pertained to phytochemical compounds, antibacterial and antioxidant effects of essential oils obtained from some of the most widely used and distributed medicinal plants in Iran.

METHODS

This review has been compiled using references via reliable databases (Google Scholar, SID and Science Direct) from 2010 to 2020. This literature review was limited to references published in English and Persian languages.

RESULTS

Based on studies heretofore carried out, essential oils isolated from mentioned medicinal plants exhibited strong antioxidant activity which is attributed to their main phytochemical compounds; thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene and γ-terpinene. In addition, the antibacterial activities of essential oils of most plant species from Apiaceae and Asteraceae families were more susceptible against Gram-positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus than Gram-negative bacteria; however, essential oils of other studied plant species manifested similar behaviours against both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

As there is rich ethnobotanical knowledge behind Iranian endemic medicinal plants, further scientific research is required to prove their safety and efficacy. This review revealed that there are numerous valuable medicinal plants adoptable in food and pharmaceutical industries in the near future.

Non-conventional therapeutical approaches to acne vulgaris related to its association with metabolic disorders

The ever-increasing frequency of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is still a major challenge of the public health care system, worldwide. In recent years, researchers have been drawn to the uncommon (at first look) link between skin illnesses and MetS. Because of the pro-inflammatory mechanisms and insulin resistance (IR) that are upregulated in metabolic syndrome, many skin disorders are correlated to metabolic dysfunctions, including acne vulgaris. A comprehensive understanding of the link between MetS and acne vulgaris may contribute to the development of new treatment strategies. The current review focuses on dietary and therapeutic interventions and assesses the effect of various approaches such as improving diet by avoiding certain food products (i.e., milk and chocolate) or increasing the intake of others (i.e., food products rich in omega-3 fatty acids), metformin administration, therapy with plant extracts, plant essential oils, and probiotic supplementation on the improvement of certain acne vulgaris severity parameters. These therapeutic approaches, when combined with allopathic treatment, can improve the patients' quality of life.

A review of the effects of Urtica dioica (nettle) in metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a serious health condition, yet a common worldwide disorder. It includes several risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and high glucose levels which lead the patients to higher risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and stroke. Phytotherapy plays an important role in treating components of metabolic syndrome. Nettle (Urtica dioica) is considered a valuable plant due to bioactive compounds such as formic acid and rich sources of flavonoids. To acknowledge the role of nettle in metabolic syndrome, several mechanisms have been suggested such as alterations in potassium and calcium channels which improve hypertension. Antihyperlipidemic properties of nettle are mediated by inhibition of HMGCoA reductase and amelioration of lipid peroxidation via antioxidant effects. Also, one of the flavonoids in nettle, quercetin, is responsible for decreasing total cholesterol. Moreover, nettle is responsible for anti-diabetic effects through processes such as increasing insulin secretion and proliferation of pancreatic β-cells. This review aims to gather different studies to confirm the potential efficacy of nettle in metabolic syndrome.

Papaver Plants: Current Insights on Phytochemical and Nutritional Composition Along with Biotechnological Applications

The genus Papaver is highly esteemed in the pharmacy industry, in the culinary field, and as ornamental plants. These plants are also valued in traditional medicine. Among all Papaver species, Papaver somniferum L. (opium poppy) is the most important species in supplying phytochemicals for the formulation of drugs, mainly alkaloids like morphine, codeine, rhoeadine, thebaine, and papaverine. In addition, Papaver plants present other types of phytochemicals, which altogether are responsible for its biological activities. Therefore, this review covers the phytochemical composition of Papaver plants, including alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and essential oils. The traditional uses are reviewed along with their pharmacological activities. Moreover, safety aspects are reported to provide a deep overview of the pharmacology potential of this genus. An updated search was carried out in databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed to retrieve the information. Overall, this genus is a rich source of alkaloids of different types and also contains interesting phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins, flavonols, and the characteristic indole derivatives nudicaulins. Among other pharmacological properties, numerous preclinical studies have been published about the analgesic, anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities of Papaver plants. Although it highlights the significant impact of this genus for the treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions, as a future prospect, characterization works accompanying preclinical studies are required along with clinical and toxicology studies to establish a correlation between the scientific and traditional knowledge.

Bioactive Constituents and Toxicological Evaluation of Selected Antidiabetic Medicinal Plants of Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this review is to summarize the available antidiabetic medicinal plants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its phytoconstituents and toxicological findings supporting by the latest literature. Required data about medicinal plants having antidiabetic activities and growing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were searched/collected from the online databases including Wiley, Google, PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Keywords used in search are in vivo antidiabetic activities, flora of Saudi Arabia, active ingredients, toxicological evaluations, and medicinal plants. A total of 50 plant species belonging to 27 families were found in the flora of Saudi Arabia. Dominant family was found Lamiaceae with 5 species (highest) followed by Moraceae with 4 species. β-Amyrin, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rutin, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol are the very common bioactive constituents of these selected plant species. This paper has presented a list of antidiabetic plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Bioactive antidiabetic phytoconstituents which showed that these plants have hypoglycemic effects and highly recommended for further pharmacological purposes and to isolate/identify antidiabetes mellitus (anti-DM) active agents also need to investigate the side effects of active ingredients.

Anti-diabetic potential of Urtica Dioica: current knowledge and future direction

Aim

This review summarizes studies on the anti-diabetic effect of Urtica Dioica (UD) in Type-2-diabetes.

Materials and methods

We studied worldwide traditional medicines, old texts, and published literature for anti-diabetic effect of UD. Electronic databases comprising PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched to collect articles published between 1990 and 2021 years.

Results

Our literature investigation suggests UD as a glucose lowering, blood lipid regulating, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation plant.

Conclusions

UD's anti-diabetic properties make it potential traditional therapeutics for lowering the clinical manifestations of T2DM through affecting hyperglycemia and therefore suggest it as a proper medication with no or limited side effects.

Multifunctional Therapeutic Potential of Phytocomplexes and Natural Extracts for Antimicrobial Properties

Natural products have been known for their antimicrobial factors since time immemorial. Infectious diseases are a worldwide burden that have been deteriorating because of the improvement of species impervious to various anti-infection agents. Hence, the distinguishing proof of antimicrobial specialists with high-power dynamic against MDR microorganisms is central to conquer this issue. Successful treatment of infection involves the improvement of new drugs or some common source of novel medications. Numerous naturally occurring antimicrobial agents can be of plant origin, animal origin, microbial origin, etc. Many plant and animal products have antimicrobial activities due to various active principles, secondary metabolites, or phytochemicals like alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, essential oils, flavonoids, lectins, phagocytic cells, and many other organic constituents. Phytocomplexes' antimicrobial movement frequently results from a few particles acting in cooperative energy, and the clinical impacts might be because of the direct effects against microorganisms. The restorative plants that may furnish novel medication lead the antimicrobial movement. The purpose of this study is to investigate the antimicrobial properties of the phytocomplexes and natural extracts of the plants that are ordinarily being utilized as conventional medications and then recommended the chance of utilizing them in drugs for the treatment of multiple drug-resistant disease.

Antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic activities of the aqueous leaf extract of Rubus Erlangeri Engl (Rosacea) in mice

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is on the inexorable rise despite the promises of a wide range of conventional medications. Thus, there is a need to scientifically investigate plants for antidiabetic effect.

METHODS

After the Rubus Erlanrige Engl (Rosaceae) leaf has been decocted, the plant extract's antidiabetic activity was first investigated in vitro and then in vivo. The in vitro activity was assessed using 3, 5-Dinitrosalicylic acid, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine method for α-amylase inhibition and antioxidant effect respectively. On the other hand, the in vivo antidiabetic activity was carried out in normoglycemic, glucose loaded (2.5 g/kg) and single dose streptozotocin (200 mg/kg) induced diabetic mice.

RESULTS

Acute toxicity study showed the extract is safe with ≥2 g/kg. The in vitro results demonstrated the extract has an IC50 of 7.34 ± 0.02 and 10.38 ± 0.0.62 μg/ml for antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition activity respectively. On the other hand, the in vivo study revealed that the extract significantly reduced blood glucose level following glucose loading. The extract did not, however, produce a significant reduction of glucose level in normal mice indicating low risk of hypoglycemia. The extract also significantly decreased blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. In the single dose study, the extract lowered blood glucose level all except by lower dose at the 3rd and 4th h (p < 0.05). In repeated dose studies, the reduction in fasting blood glucose was significant with all doses of the extract from the 2nd week onwards. In addition, the extract produced less reduction in body weight after diabetic induction.

CONCLUSION

The findings collectively indicate that the extract has an antidiabetic activity, with low risk of hypoglycemia, probably mediated by various secondary metabolites that act in synergy.

UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS Metabolite Profiling of the Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of Red Cabbage and Broccoli Seeds and Sprouts

The antioxidant and antidiabetic properties and metabolite profiling of ethanol extracts of red cabbage (RC) and broccoli (BR) seeds and sprouts were investigated in this study. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and saponin contents were in the ranges of 385.4-480.4 mg FAE/100 g, 206.9-215.6 mg CE/100 g, and 17.8-27.0 mg soysaponin BE/100 g, respectively. BR seed had the highest total phenolic (480.4 mg FAE/100 g) and flavonoid (216.9 mg CE/100 g) contents, whereas BR sprout had the highest saponin content (27.0 soysaponin BE/100g). RC sprout demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity, with DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity levels of 71.5% and 88.5%, respectively. Furthermore, BR and RC sprouts showed the most potent inhibition against α-glucosidase (91.32% and 93.11%, respectively) and pancreatic lipase (60.19% and 61.66%, respectively). BR seed (60.37%) demonstrated the lowest AGE inhibition. A total of 24 metabolites, predominantly amino acids and phenolic compounds, were characterized using UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Germination not only improved the levels of metabolites but also resulted in the synthesis of new compounds. Therefore, these findings show that germination effectively enhanced the functional properties and metabolite profiles of broccoli and red cabbage seeds, making their sprouts more applicable as functional ingredients.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers to Treat Diabetes in the Taza Region of Morocco

Type 2 diabetes is one of the noncommunicable diseases that is becoming a pandemic in Africa. In Morocco, traditional healers have started to use herbal medicines for the treatment of diabetes either individually or in combination with food. The current study aimed to perform an ethnobiological survey of antidiabetic plants use in the Taza region of Morocco. A total of 193 traditional healers were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed utilizing the use value (UV), fidelity level (FL), and relative frequency citation (RFC) indices. Forty-six plant species belonging to 28 families were recorded for the treatment of diabetes in the Taza region of Morocco. The most frequently cited plant species are Salvia officinalis, Marrubium vulgare, and Ajuga iva. Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Fabaceae were the most reported families. Leaves are the most used part of plants to prepare drugs, the decoction is the preferred mode of preparation, and remedies are often administered orally. Interestingly, Cytisus battandieri, Urginea maritima, Plantago ovata, and Ziziphus jujuba were reported as new medicinal plants used to treat diabetes in the Taza region of Morocco. People in the Taza region still rely on indigenous plants for their basic healthcare needs. Further research should be carried out to validate the antidiabetic effect of the newly reported plant species. This validation can be investigated by the determination of bioactive compounds and evaluation of their in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic effects.

Tiliacora triandra (Colebr.) Diels Leaf Aqueous Extract Inhibits Hepatic Glucose Production in HepG2 Cells and Type 2 Diabetic Rats

This study investigated the effects of Tiliacora triandra (Colebr.) Diels aqueous extract (TTE) on hepatic glucose production in hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells and type 2 diabetic (T2DM) conditions. HepG2 cells were pretreated with TTE and its major constituents found in TTE, epicatechin (EC) and quercetin (QC). The hepatic glucose production was determined. The in vitro data were confirmed in T2DM rats, which were supplemented daily with 1000 mg/kg body weight (BW) TTE, 30 mg/kg BW metformin or TTE combined with metformin for 12 weeks. Results demonstrate that TTE induced copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase genes, similarly to EC and QC. TTE decreased hepatic glucose production by downregulating phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and increasing protein kinase B and AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in HepG2 cells. These results correlated with the antihyperglycemic, antitriglyceridemic, anti-insulin resistance, and antioxidant activities of TTE in T2DM rats, similar to the metformin and combination treatments. Consistently, impairment of hepatic gluconeogenesis in T2DM rats was restored after single and combined treatments by reducing PEPCK and G6Pase genes. Collectively, TTE could potentially be developed as a nutraceutical product to prevent glucose overproduction in patients with obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes who are being treated with antidiabetic drugs.

Middle East Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Diabetes: A Review

Diabetes is a global health problem, and the number of diabetic patients is in continuous rise. Conventional antidiabetic therapies are associated with high costs and limited efficiency. The use of traditional medicine and plant extracts to treat diabetes is gaining high popularity in many countries. Countries in the Middle East region have a long history of using herbal medicine to treat different diseases, including diabetes. In this review, we compiled and summarized all the in vivo and in vitro studies conducted for plants with potential antidiabetic activity in the Middle East region. Plants of the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families are the most investigated. It is hoped that this review will contribute scientifically to evidence the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants as antidiabetic agents. Work has to be done to define tagetes, mechanism of action and the compound responsible for activity. In addition, safety and pharmacokinetic parameters should be investigated.

Bioactive component analysis and investigation of antidiabetic effect of Jerusalem thorn (Paliurus spina-christi) fruits in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The extracts of Jerusalem thorn fruits (JT-FE) have been commonly used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Turkey.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the effects of the JT-FE, prepared by decoction, on blood glucose, insulin and glycated haemoglobin levels of diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ). Hypoglycemic activity of the extracts was examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this purpose, pre-prandial blood sugar, insulin and glycated hemoglobin levels were measured. To investigate active substances that were responsible for the antidiabetic activity, phytochemical analysis was carried out with optimized and validated LC-MS/MS method using 53 phytochemicals in JT-FE. In addition, ICP-OES analysis was performed to determine the mineral content.

RESULTS

The findings of the study demonstrate that when insulin and JT-FE applied groups were compared with the diabetic control group, their blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin levels were seen to statistically decrease (p < 0,001). Morewer, When JT-FE treated groups were compared with insulin-treated groups, a statistically decrease (p < 0,05) in their levels was observed. On the other hand, it was also found that the increase in extract concentration didn't contribute significantly to antidiabetic activity. As a result of the phytochemical analysis, total of 31 different phenolic compounds were defined in JT-FE. The major components of JT-FE (as analyte/g extract) were; rutin (98753.4 ± 24.39 μg), catechin (58695.3 ± 12.971 μg), hesperidin (47445.2 ± 15.894 μg), quinic acid (38279.5 ± 14.239 μg) and malic acid (17536.8 ± 2.279 μg). In the mineral analysis we made; Sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus elements were found at macro level, Zn and Cr³⁺ minerals were found at trace level.

CONCLUSION

Our findings show that JT-FE, prepared by decoction, is rich in phenolic and mineral content and strong in antihyperglycemic activity. That's why Jerusalem thorn fruits can be a useful antidiabetic phytotherapy agent.

In Vitro Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Effects of Different Extracts of Catharanthus roseus and Its Indole Alkaloid, Vindoline

The Catharanthus roseus plant has been used traditionally to treat diabetes mellitus. Scientific evidence supporting the antidiabetic effects of this plant's active ingredient-vindoline has not been fully evaluated. In this study, extracts of C. roseus and vindoline were tested for antioxidant activities, alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory activities and insulin secretory effects in pancreatic RIN-5F cell line cultured in the absence of glucose, at low and high glucose concentrations. The methanolic extract of the plant showed the highest antioxidant activities in addition to the high total polyphenolic content (p < 0.05). The HPLC results exhibited increased concentration of vindoline in the dichloromethane and the ethylacetate extracts. Vindoline showed noticeable antioxidant activity when compared to ascorbic acid at p < 0.05 and significantly improved the in vitro insulin secretion. The intracellular reactive oxygen species formation in glucotoxicity-induced cells was significantly reduced following treatment with vindoline, methanolic and the dichloromethane extracts when compared to the high glucose untreated control (p < 0.05). Plant extracts and vindoline showed weaker inhibitory effects on the activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes when compared to acarbose, which inhibited the activities of the enzymes by 80%. The plant extracts also exhibited weak alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory effects.

PPAR-Gamma as putative gene target involved in Butein mediated anti-diabetic effect

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder caused due to varied genetic and lifestyle factors. The search for a potential natural compound to enhance the treatment of diabetes is the need of the hour. Butein, a flavonoid, found sufficiently in Faba bean, is said to possess an anti-diabetic property. In-silico analysis, Butein is predicted as a potential anti-diabetic compound, due to its regulatory action on PPAR-Gamma. Based on this evidence, the Butein's anti-diabetic action is studied in diabetic induced rat models. The drug property of Butein is studied through in-silico analysis to determine the metabolic properties. In animal models, the biochemical analysis, histopathological and gene expression against PPAR-Gamma were studied comparatively. Butein being a hydrophobic compound, the bioavailability is said to be minimum. Hence, Butein formulation was made using biopolymer Chitosan for the synergistic anti-diabetic action. The Butein Chitosan formulation was optimized and characterized using analytical techniques. Further, the anti-diabetic activity of Butein and Butein Chitosan formulation was studied in diabetic induced rats. The obtained in-silico analysis results showed that Butein is the most favorable drug. Apparently, in the rat model, Butein and Butein Chitosan formulation effectively controlled the blood glucose levels without any side effects. The histopathological observations of the tissue samples showed nontoxic activity. Additionally, the gene expression analysis predicted the possible mechanism of anti-diabetic action exhibited through the down regulation of PPAR-Gamma. Whereas, the Butein Chitosan formulation failed, to show synergetic anti-diabetic activity as expected. This study is vital in introducing Butein as a safe anti-diabetic compound, which can be used in the treatment of T2DM.

The effect of aqueous extract of Lavandula officinalis to reduce cholesterol, triglyceride and other lipid metabolites on female BALB/c mice

BACKGROUND

Hyperlipidemia is a prevalent disorder and a main component of the metabolic syndrome resulting from various factors. The aerial parts and flowers of Lavandula officinalis possesses antioxidant activity, therefore, in this study; the effects of L. officinalis extract were investigated on serum lipid levels of mice.

METHODS

Experimental mature female BALB/c mice were treated with 100, 300 or 500mg/kg/day of lavender aqueous extract or distilled water for 15 days via intraperitoneally injections. At the end of 15th day, the serum biochemical parameters include cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL levels as well as the liver cell function test were determined.

RESULTS

The aqueous extract of lavender significantly decreased serum cholesterol and LDL levels. Serum cholesterol level was lower in the 300 and 500mg/kg/day experimental groups when compared with the control group. In liver histology evaluation, fat accumulation was not observed in the experimental group, which treated with high-fat foods and receiving high doses of extract.

CONCLUSION

L. officinalis extract exerts a hypolipidemic effect in studied groups, however, further phytochemical and biological tests are suggested to determine the active chemical constituent responsible for these activities.

Reversal of Diabetic Complications in Andrology Parameters of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Male Wistar Rats Treated with Cleome rutidosperma Leaves

Male infertility is one of the complications associated with diabetes mellitus. This study reported the effect of managing experimentally-induced diabetes in male Wistar rats with Cleome rutidosperma leaf extract at doses of 100 mg.kg−1, 200 mg.kg−1 or 400 mg.kg−1 for 14 days. Further deterioration or amelioration of reproductive derangement was assessed by changes in sperm morphology, sperm characteristics, and testicular histo-pathology. Andrology profile of diabetic untreated rats showed significant (P < 0.05) derangements compared to normoglycaemic rats. The profile of diabetic rats treated with the extract of C. rutidosperma, especially at the 200 mg.kg−1 dose showed a significant decrease in abnormal sperm cells, increases in sperm motility, live/ dead ratio and count compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Histopathology showed spermatogenic arrest and degeneration of Sertoli cells in the diabetic untreated rats, but was restored in the C. rutidosperma treated rats. This study showed evidence of infertility associated with diabetes and the ameliorative ability of C. rutidosperma on infertility demonstrated by improved andrological parameters. Traditional management of diabetes with C. rutidosperma leaves should therefore be encouraged in both humans and other animals, especially males with reproductive intentions.

Iranian Medicinal Plants: From Ethnomedicine to Actual Studies

Iran has a rich and diverse cultural heritage, consisting of a complex traditional medicine deeply rooted in the history of the territory that goes back to the Assyrian and Babylonian civilizations. The ethnomedical practices that can be identifiable nowadays derive from the experience of local people who have developed remedies against a wide range of diseases handing down the knowledge from generation to generation over the millennia. Traditional medicine practices represent an important source of inspiration in the process of the development of new drugs and therapeutic strategies. In this context, it is useful to determine the state of the art of ethnomedical studies, concerning the Iranian territory, and of scientific studies on plants used in traditional Iranian medicine. Data regarding 245 plants used in Iranian ethnomedical practices and scientific studies conducted on 89 plants collected in the Iranian territory have been reported. All of the scientific studies here reported draw inspiration from traditional medicine. The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly called for an intensification of the scientific validation processes of traditional medicines intended as an important contribution to public health in various parts of the world. The process of study and validation of Iranian ethnomedical practices appears to be at an early stage.

Phytopharmacology and Clinical Updates of Berberis Species Against Diabetes and Other Metabolic Diseases

The incidences of diabetic mellitus and other metabolic diseases such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia are increasing worldwide; however, the current treatment is not able to control the rapidly increasing trend in diabetes mortality and morbidity. Studies related to the effectiveness of extracts and pure compounds obtained from plants have shown promising responses in preclinical and clinical studies related to these metabolic diseases. Plants belonging to the genus Berberis (Family: Berberidaceae) are widely distributed with nearly 550 species worldwide. Extracts and compounds obtained from Berberis species, especially Berberine alkaloid, showed effectiveness in the management of diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Various pharmacological experiments have been performed to evaluate the effects of Berberis extracts, berberine, and its natural and chemically synthesized derivatives against various cell and animal disease models with promising results. Various clinical trials conducted so far also showed preventive effects of Berberis extracts and berberine against metabolic diseases. The present review focuses on i) research updates on traditional uses, ii) phytopharmacology and clinical studies on Berberis species, and iii) active metabolites in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases with a detailed mechanism of action. Furthermore, the review critically analyzes current research gaps in the therapeutic use of Berberis species and berberine and provides future recommendations.

Dietary Phytonutrients in the Prevention of Diabetes-related Complications

BACKGROUND

The increasing prevalence of reported cases of diabetes has evidently become a major global public health concern. Although diabetes management is possible by the administration of synthetic anti-diabetic agents, there are profound side-effects associated with their long-term usage. Hence there is a demand for safer alternatives which could be possibly formulated using specific yet common phytonutrients.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this review is to describe the cellular mechanisms of phytonutrients as an alternative to commercially available synthetic anti-diabetic agents in the management of diabetes and related complications. Furthermore, the clinical evidence that supports this view is also highlighted.

METHODOLOGY

An in-depth review of published literature was carried out to identify the most promising phytonutrients in the management of diabetes and related complications.

RESULTS

A number of phytonutrients are reported to be potential anti-diabetic agents. Few examples include biguanides, resveratrol, lycopene, thymoquinone and quercetin. However, suitable formulations using these phytonutrients and their clinical trials are still underway. Most of the reported findings focus on one aspect of several biochemical processes e.g. enhancement of glucose utilization, antioxidation, induction of insulin production, antiglycation, etc. An in-depth study of phytonutrients with respect to functional, immunological as well as biochemical factors suggesting their efficacy, as well as safety in the management of diabetes, is rarely reported.

CONCLUSION

Our study thus highlights the abundance of clinical evidence of the efficiency of phytonutrients, and at the same time, the scarcity of clinically approved and marketed phytonutrients, as drugs, for the management of diabetes and related complications.

Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects of Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and Its Main Compounds

Berberis vulgaris is a well-known herb in Iran that is widely used as a medicinal plant and a food additive. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Barberry and its main compounds. This narrative review was conducted by searching keywords such as B. vulgaris, Barberry, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, medicinal herbs, plants, and extract, separately or combined in various databases, such as Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Scopus. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, just English language articles, which reported effective whole plants or herbal compounds, were included. 21 articles were reviewed in this study. In the in vivo models (mice, rats, and human cells) and in the in vitro models (some organ cells such as the spleen, kidney, blood, and brain), B. vulgaris and its main components showed anti-inflammatory effects in both models. The main mechanisms were the shift of cell immune response to Th2, T reg induction, inhibition of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF, and IFN-γ), and stimulation of IL-4 and IL-10. The induction of apoptosis in APCs and other effector cells was another important mechanism.

The Haematological Effects of Oleanolic Acid in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats: Effects on Selected Markers

BACKGROUND

Sustained hyperglycaemia leads to the development of haematological alterations which, if left untreated, is associated with cardiovascular complications. Insulin is the mainstay drug in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D); however, the use of insulin is associated with haematological alterations that could further worsen cardiovascular complications. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the haematological effects of oleanolic acid (OA) in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

The animals were separated into five groups; the nondiabetic group (ND), the diabetic control group (DC), and the treatment groups of insulin (170 μg/kg, s.c), metformin (500 mg/kg, p.o), and OA (80 mg/kg, p.o). OA was administered orally twice a day. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed, and blood and tissues were collected for haematological, hormonal, and oxidative status analysis.

RESULTS

Untreated diabetic rats exhibited hyperglycaemia, elevated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), oxidative stress, and a reduced erythropoietin (EPO) concentration when compared to ND rats. However, administration of OA attenuated hyperglycaemia, HbA1c, and EPO concentrations compared to DC rats. The reduction of blood glucose concentration, HbA1c, and improved EPO concentrations was further associated with a notable increase in red blood cell (RBC) count and other RBC indices. We also observed an increase in the antioxidant status of the RBCs with a concomitant decrease in oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that OA improves diabetes-induced haematological changes caused by hyperglycaemia and attenuates the progression of cardiovascular complications in DM individuals.

Evaluation of the Anti-Diabetic Activity of Some Common Herbs and Spices: Providing New Insights with Inverse Virtual Screening

Culinary herbs and spices are widely used as a traditional medicine in the treatment of diabetes and its complications, and there are several scientific studies in the literature supporting the use of these medicinal plants. However, there is often a lack of knowledge on the bioactive compounds of these herbs and spices and their mechanisms of action. The aim of this study was to use inverse virtual screening to provide insights into the bioactive compounds of common herbs and spices, and their potential molecular mechanisms of action in the treatment of diabetes. In this study, a library of over 2300 compounds derived from 30 common herbs and spices were screened in silico with the DIA-DB web server against 18 known diabetes drug targets. Over 900 compounds from the herbs and spices library were observed to have potential anti-diabetic activity and liquorice, hops, fennel, rosemary, and fenugreek were observed to be particularly enriched with potential anti-diabetic compounds. A large percentage of the compounds were observed to be potential polypharmacological agents regulating three or more anti-diabetic drug targets and included compounds such as achillin B from yarrow, asparasaponin I from fenugreek, bisdemethoxycurcumin from turmeric, carlinoside from lemongrass, cinnamtannin B1 from cinnamon, crocin from saffron and glabridin from liquorice. The major targets identified for the herbs and spices compounds were dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4), intestinal maltase-glucoamylase (MGAM), liver receptor homolog-1 (NR5A2), pancreatic alpha-amylase (AM2A), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA), protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 9 (PTPN9), and retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4) with over 250 compounds observed to be potential inhibitors of these particular protein targets. Only bay leaves, liquorice and thyme were found to contain compounds that could potentially regulate all 18 protein targets followed by black pepper, cumin, dill, hops and marjoram with 17 protein targets. In most cases more than one compound within a given plant could potentially regulate a particular protein target. It was observed that through this multi-compound-multi target regulation of these specific protein targets that the major anti-diabetic effects of reduced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia of the herbs and spices could be explained. The results of this study, taken together with the known scientific literature, indicated that the anti-diabetic potential of common culinary herbs and spices was the result of the collective action of more than one bioactive compound regulating and restoring several dysregulated and interconnected diabetic biological processes.

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.

Ethnopharmacological Survey of Herbal Remedies Used for the Treatment of Cancer in the Greater Casablanca-Morocco

Medicinal plants played an important role in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases since antiquities. The aim of the study is to carry out an ethnobotanical survey on medicinal plants used traditionally in cancer treatment in the region of Greater Casablanca-Morocco, and to enhance the traditional herbal medicine knowledge. 110 traditional healers in the study area were interviewed face to face to response a survey questionnaire including the names of plants used in cancer treatment, used parts, methods of preparation, and route of administration. Indices of Fidelity Level (FL), Use Value (UV), and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were calculated to identify the most effective plants used for cancer treatment. Eight species were specified including Aristolochia baetica, Aristolochia paucinervis, Bryonia dioica, Aquilaria malaccensis, Marrubium vulgare, Lavandula maroccana, Ephedra alata, and Euphorbia resinifera belonging to 7 families. Aristolochiaceae, Aquilariaceae, and Cucurbitaceae were the most useful families in cancer treatment with high significant indices of UV, FL, and RFC with values of 1, 100%, and 1, respectively. Roots and leaves were the most commonly used plant parts. Decoction and powder mixed with honey were the frequently used method for remedies preparation. The present study showed that the people living in Morocco's economic capital are still highly dependent on traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of cancer. Therefore, it seems that herbal medicine still plays a crucial role in the primary healthcare system for the local population. During this survey, it was reported that even some plant families are highly toxic for humans like Aristolochiaceae that are frequently used in cancer treatment in the study area. As many people still rely on natural traditional medicine considering (it is safe with no side effects), so combined effort between all social categories including scientists and traditional healers should be established for involving the scientific validity of the used plants in the treatment of diseases.

Exploring African Medicinal Plants for Potential Anti-Diabetic Compounds with the DIA-DB Inverse Virtual Screening Web Server

Medicinal plants containing complex mixtures of several compounds with various potential beneficial biological effects are attractive treatment interventions for a complex multi-faceted disease like diabetes. In this study, compounds identified from African medicinal plants were evaluated for their potential anti-diabetic activity. A total of 867 compounds identified from over 300 medicinal plants were screened in silico with the DIA-DB web server (http://bio-hpc.eu/software/dia-db/) against 17 known anti-diabetic drug targets. Four hundred and thirty compounds were identified as potential inhibitors, with 184 plants being identified as the sources of these compounds. The plants Argemone ochroleuca, Clivia miniata, Crinum bulbispermum, Danais fragans, Dioscorea dregeana, Dodonaea angustifolia, Eucomis autumnalis, Gnidia kraussiana, Melianthus comosus, Mondia whitei, Pelargonium sidoides, Typha capensis, Vinca minor, Voacanga africana, and Xysmalobium undulatum were identified as new sources rich in compounds with a potential anti-diabetic activity. The major targets identified for the natural compounds were aldose reductase, hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenase 1, dipeptidyl peptidase 4, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta. More than 30% of the compounds had five or more potential targets. A hierarchical clustering analysis coupled with a maximum common substructure analysis revealed the importance of the flavonoid backbone for predicting potential activity against aldose reductase and hydroxysteroid 11-beta dehydrogenase 1. Filtering with physiochemical and the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) descriptors identified 28 compounds with favorable ADMET properties. The six compounds—crotofoline A, erythraline, henningsiine, nauclefidine, vinburnine, and voaphylline—were identified as novel potential multi-targeted anti-diabetic compounds, with favorable ADMET properties for further drug development.

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used for diabetes treatment in Rabat, Morocco

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem in Morocco. The value of ethnobotanical information is now increasingly acknowledged. To inventory and to provide ethnobotanical information on some of the medicinal plants used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes in Rabat (Morocco), a survey was undertaken from March 1^st to April 30^th 2018. This survey was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire targeting diabetic patients from the SOS Diabetes Center. 334 diabetic patients were interviewed. Of this group, 53.6% (34 men and 145 women) use medicinal plants to control their diabetes. 47.2% have type 2 diabetes and 52.5% have type 1diabetes. Thirty plant species belonging to 18 botanical families were recorded for the treatment of diabetes. The most represented families were Lamiaceae with 8 species followed by Fabaceae with 3 species. Based on the highest number of users, the most important species were Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (15.4%), Salvia officinalis L. (13.3%) and Olea europaea L. (10.8%). Leaves (47.5%), seeds (20.2%) and stem (17.6%) were the parts predominantly used to prepare the formulations, which were mainly infusions (50.9%), administrated by the oral route (98.9%). Some plants were used only by type 1 diabetics while others were used by type 2 diabetics. The observed adverse events related to the use of medicinal plants were represented by occasional heartburn in 2.2% of diabetic patients. This study is the first to collect and document information on medicinal plants and how they are used by diabetic patients. Calamintha alpina L. is reported for the first time at the international level as used in traditional treatment of diabetes and seven others were reported as new medicinal plants used to treat diabetes in Morocco. This will extend the list of plants already mentioned as used for diabetes. Further research should be carried out to validate the antidiabetic uses of most of these plant species.

Phytochemical screening and preliminary clinical trials of the aqueous extract mixture of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees and Syzygium polyanthum (Wight.) Walp leaves in metformin treated patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Our previous preclinical study showed that the extract mixture (EM) of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees (AP) and Syzygium polyanthum (Wight.) Walp (SP) leaves had antidiabetic effects and were beneficial on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

PURPOSE

The objectives of this study were to: 1) identify the phytochemical compounds present in aqueous extract of AP and SP and 2) examine the benefits of the EM of AP and SP leaves in lowering blood glucose in the presence of standard antidiabetic treatment using metformin in type 2 diabetic patients in Indonesian Traditional Medicine Polyclinic of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital in Surabaya.

METHODS

Phytochemical analysis of aqueous leaf extract of AP and SP was performed using standard chemical tests, TLC, and GC-MS. Furthermore, a total of 54 subjects with T2DM participated in this study and were randomly assigned to either the intervention group supplemented with the extract mixture of AP and SP at a dose 900  mg/day for 8 weeks, or the control group which received placebo tablets in a randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded parallel clinical trial. Both groups received metformin at dose 1000  mg/day. Body weight, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, postprandial glucose, haemoglobin A1c, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, and markers of liver and kidney damage were measured.

RESULTS

The results of phytochemical analysis showed that the glycosides, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins were found to be present in the extract mixture. GC-MS analyses of AP and SP showed the presence of 19 and 12 peaks, respectively. Methyl ester of 9-octadecenoic and eicosanoic acid were determined as the main constituents of both species. Moreover, the results of clinical study suggested that the extract mixture improved the decrease of fasting blood glucose and postprandial glucose, significantly lowered body mass index compared with the control group. The EM appeared beneficial for SGPT values and uric acid levels.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results of this study suggested the potential beneficial effects of the extract mixture for use as complementary medicine alongside conventional treatment of metformin. The extract mixture contained many highly potent compounds for treating T2DM and preventing short- and long-term risk complications of diabetes.

Integrative herbal treatments of diabetes in Beni Mellal region of Morocco

OBJECTIVES

Diabetes is one of the most life-threatening chronic metabolic disorders and is considered a global health problem due to its prevalence and incidence. In Morocco, several herbal preparations are utilized to treat this disease. For this reason, the current study aimed to identify and to collect data about the medicinal plants utilized in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes in the Beni Mellal region of Morocco.

METHODS

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among 400 herbalists, competent villagers and traditional healers from the Beni Mellal region through direct interviews using a semistructured questionnaire.

RESULTS

Forty-five medicinal plants belonging to 25 families were identified for their use in diabetes treatment. Interview results showed that the most frequently used plants were Olea europaea, Salvia officinalis, Allium sativum and Trigonella foenum-graecum, with a relative frequency of citation values of 24.3%, 23.0%, 22.5% and 20.5%, respectively. Moreover, in this study, the Fabaceae family was the most commonly reported plant family, and the leaves and roots were the most commonly used parts, for the treatment of diabetes.

CONCLUSION

The Beni Mellal region of Morocco has an important floristic biodiversity of plants used to treat diabetes in traditional medicinal practice. This result provides a good database for pharmacological screenings in the search for plant-based antidiabetic medications.

Identification of α-glucosidase inhibitors from Clinacanthus nutans leaf extract using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and protein-ligand interaction with molecular docking

The present study used in vitro and in silico techniques, as well as the metabolomics approach to characterise α-glucosidase inhibitors from different fractions of Clinacanthus nutans. C. nutans is a medicinal plant belonging to the Acanthaceae family, and is traditionally used to treat diabetes in Malaysia. n-Hexane, n-hexane: ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v), ethyl acetate, ethyl acetate: methanol (1:1, v/v), and methanol fractions were obtained via partitioning of the 80% methanolic crude extract. The in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was analyzed using all the fractions collected, followed by profiling of the metabolites using liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. The partial least square (PLS) statistical model was developed using the SIMCA P⁺14.0 software and the following four inhibitors were obtained: (1) 4,6,8-Megastigmatrien-3-one; (2) N-Isobutyl-2-nonen-6,8-diynamide; (3) 1′,2′-bis(acetyloxy)-3′,4′-didehydro-2′-hydro-β, ψ-carotene; and (4) 22-acetate-3-hydroxy-21-(6-methyl-2,4-octadienoate)-olean-12-en-28-oic acid. The in silico study performed via molecular docking with the crystal structure of yeast isomaltase (PDB code: 3A4A) involved a hydrogen bond and some hydrophobic interactions between the inhibitors and protein. The residues that interacted include ASN259, HID295, LYS156, ARG335, and GLY209 with a hydrogen bond, while TRP15, TYR158, VAL232, HIE280, ALA292, PRO312, LEU313, VAL313, PHE314, ARG315, TYR316, VAL319, and TRP343 with other forms of bonding.

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The antidiabetic potential of various extracts of C. nutans leaf has been evaluated.

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Multivariate data analysis identified 4 α-glucosidase inhibiting compounds.

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In silico study predicted the protein-inhibitors interaction.

Traditional medicinal plants of Ağrı Province, Turkey

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

This study serves as the first investigation of the knowledge of traditional medicinal plants used in Ağrı Province. The mountainous and strongly fragmented area, diversity of local flora, limited access to modern medicines because of the people's seminomadic lifestyle, and harsh climatic conditions have prompted the locals to benefit from natural resources, principally plants.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Although the use of medicinal plant is common in the area, documentation and inventory analysis are not available on the plant taxa used in traditional medicine in Ağrı Province. This study focused on the answer of the following question: What are the most medicinally valuable plant taxa in the province? Therefore, this study aimed to (i) document medicinal plant taxa used in Ağrı Province; (ii) determine the endemic plant species and their risk categories; (iii) determine the most widely used plant taxa for specific ailments to further contribute to drug discovery; (iv) determine the local names, plant part(s) used, preparation, and utilization methods of these local plant medicines to assist with pharmaceutical studies; and (v) reveal the origin(s) of traditional medicinal knowledge of Ağrı Province.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethnopharmacological field studies were conducted between 2014 and 2016 in 638 locations within Ağrı Province. Plant samples used in folk medicine were determined through face-to-face interviews with 120 local healers. Traditional medicinal plant samples were collected from wild areas with the help of the local healers and transported to Van Pharmaceutical Herbarium (Van, Turkey) for botanical identification. The statistical analyses of data were conducted using the informant consensus factor (ICF) method.

RESULTS

In this study, 118 medicinal taxa belonging to 35 families of plants were determined to be used in Ağrı Province. Ninety-three different local names were recorded, which mainly described the plant's morphological characteristics. Data analysis (ICF) revealed that the traditional medicinal plants used in Ağrı Province might offer promising information for new pharmaceuticals.

CONCLUSIONS

The local population in the study area has a preserved and comprehensive knowledge of traditional medicine because of its limited access to modern medicine, seminomadic lifestyle, isolated geographical position, traditional taste habits, climatic conditions, diversity of local flora, and mountainous and rugged geography. The medicinal plants presented in this study might provide valuable leads for the identification of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical use and represent a vast and underutilized resource for the development of newer and more efficient pharmacological treatments.

Characterization and Attenuation of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Organ Damage by Polysaccharides from Spent Mushroom Substrate (Pleurotus eryngii)

The aim of this work was to characterize spent mushroom substrate polysaccharides (MSP) from Pleurotus eryngii and their antioxidant and organ protective effects in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic mice. The enzymatic-, acidic-, and alkalic- (En-, Ac-, and Al-) MSP were extracted from P. eryngii with snailase (4%), hydrochloric acid (1 mol/l), and sodium hydroxide (1 mol/l), respectively. The characterizations were evaluated by spectral analysis. In animal experiments, the enzymatic activities, lipid peroxide contents, and serum lipid parameters were measured, and histological observations of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and heart were conducted. The results demonstrated that treatment with En-, Ac-, and Al-MSP increased the organ enzymatic activities, decreased the organ lipid peroxide contents, mitigated the serum biochemistry values, and ameliorated the histopathology of diabetic mice, indicating that En-, Ac-, and Al-MSP could potentially be used as functional foods for the prevention of diabetes.

Ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal studies in Baluchi tribes: A case study in Mt. Taftan, southeastern Iran

ETHNOBOTANICAL RELEVANCE

From ancient times, the applied use of herbs has been common among indigenous people throughout the world. The present survey is a regional ethnobotanical study of Baluchi tribes living in the Mt. Taftan area, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, southeastern Iran. The aim of this study was to document all traditional knowledge and analyze the medicinal plants used in area and also to identify significant plant species for future pharmacological study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Local knowledge was obtained through semi structured and open interviews, in which 51 informants were interviewed. Data were analyzed with Informant Agreement Relative (IAR) and Frequency of Citation (FC) indices.

RESULTS

A total number of 106 taxa of medicinal plants were collected from ten villages from the surrounding plains and highlands of Mt. Taftan, out of 446 plant taxa collected or reported as native in the area. Most plants belong to the Irano-Turanian phytogeographical region in which Asteraceae (15%), Lamiaceae (11%), Fabaceae (8%), Rosaceae (7%), Apiaceae (7%) and Brassicaceae (5%) are those predominantly used. The regression analysis shows that families Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Solanaceae and Rosaceae are more highly used as medicinal than species rich families such as Asteraceae and Fabaceae, which are the richest families in the Iranian flora. The highest FC was recorded for Artemisia spp. (41) and Berberis integerrima (40). The highest IAR Index was obtained for stings (0.86), followed by disorders in the circulatory system (0.7), dental problems (0.70) and injuries (0.69). Comparing our data with major ethnobotanical references in Iran revealed that medicinal applications of 34 taxa have not been cited, including Hyoscyamus malekianus, a local endemic plant using for ailments of toothache and worms. The toxicity of the endemic Semenovia suffruticosa is also reported.

CONCLUSION

As a result of this study we conclude that Taftan area harbours many plant species for which indigenous knowledge provides a background of medicinal importance. The high percentage of medicinal plants proportional to the native flora is 23.8%, compared to the world percentage of 17.1%, is an indication of the rich knowledge and relationship of isolated Baluchi tribes living in Mt. Taftan to the local flora growing in their surroundings. This rich knowledge should be highly regarded as a cultural and ethnobotanical heritage. Furthermore, ethnobotanical results show some weak interrelation between Baluchi tribes living in Iran and Pakistan, probably because of a different flora and/or unfavourable environmental conditions and perhaps local conflicts which might have reduced active cultural exchange.

Antioxidant and anti-glycation capacities of some medicinal plants and their potential inhibitory against digestive enzymes related to type 2 diabetes mellitus

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants preparations are used by traditional medicine in the treatment of various diseases, such as type-2 diabetes mellitus. Some medicinal plants are capable of controlling the complications of this metabolic disease at different levels, for example, providing antioxidant compounds that act against oxidative stress and protein glycation and others which are capable of inhibiting the catalysis of digestive enzymes and thus contribute to the reduction of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Our objective was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-glycation activities of some medicinal plants and their potential inhibitory against α-amylase, α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase activities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Based on the ethnobotanical researches carried out by academic studies conducted at the Federal University of Uberlandia, ten plants traditionally used in the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus were selected. Ethanol (EtOH) and hexane (Hex) extracts of specific parts of these plants were used in enzymatic assays to evaluate their inhibitory potential against α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase, as well as their antioxidant (DPPH, ORAC and FRAP) and anti-glycation (BSA/fructose model) capacities.

RESULTS

The results indicate that EtOH extract of four of the ten analyzed plants exhibited more than 70% of antioxidant and anti-glycation capacities, and α-amylase and lipase inhibitory activities; no extract was able to inhibit more than 40% the α-glucosidase activity. The EtOH extracts of Bauhinia forficata and Syzygium. cumini inhibited α-amylase (IC₅₀ 8.17 ± 2.24 and 401.8 ± 14.7 μg/mL, respectively), whereas EtOH extracts of B. forficata, Chamomilla recutita and Echinodorus grandiflorus inhibited lipase (IC₅₀ 59.6 ± 10.8, 264.2 ± 87.2 and 115.8 ± 57.1 μg/mL, respectively). In addition, EtOH extracts of B. forficata, S. cumini, C. recutita and E. grandiflorus showed, respectively, higher antioxidant capacity (DPPH IC₅₀ 0.7 ± 0.1, 2.5 ± 0.2, 1.3 ± 0.2 and 35.3 ± 9.0 μg/mL) and anti-glycation activity (IC₅₀ 22.7 ± 4.4, 246.2 ± 81.7, 18.5 ± 2.8 and 339.0 ± 91.0 μg/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

EtOH extracts of four of the ten species popularly cited for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus have shown promising antioxidant and anti-glycation properties, as well as the ability to inhibit the digestive enzymes α-amylase and lipase. Thus, our results open new possibilities for further studies in order to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of these medicinal plants.