Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and chondroprotective activities of Cryptolepis buchanani extract: in vitro and in vivo studies

Cytotoxic leuconoxine-type diazaspiroindole alkaloids isolated from Cryptolepis dubia

Two leuconoxine-type diazaspiroindole alkaloids, the known compound, (+)-melodinine E (1), and its new analogue, (+)-11-chloromelodinine E (2), were isolated from the stems of Cryptolepis dubia (Burm.f.) M.R. Almeida (Apocynaceae), collected in Laos. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of their spectroscopic data and by comparison of these data with literature values, of which the molecular structure of 1 has been determined previously by analysis of its single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 have been defined by their experimental and simulated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopic data and supported by 1H and 13C NMR-based DP4+ probability analysis and specific rotation calculations. When tested against a small panel of human cancer cell lines, these two compounds exhibited selective cytotoxicity toward OVCAR3 human ovarian cancer cells.

New Emerging Aspect of Herbal Extracts for the Treatment of Osteoporosis: Overview

As the global population ages, osteoporosis is becoming a more common silent disease. Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone quality and strength, which increases the risk of fragility fractures in the elderly. According to estimates, 50% of women eventually suffer from an osteoporotic fracture. Due to increasing disability, more frequent hospital hospitalizations, and most critically, fragility fractures have been linked to a reduced quality of life. Osteoporotic fractures have been linked to an increased mortality risk; and must be considered in awareness as a serious health concern. There are anti-osteoporotic medications available that improve bone quality. Considering the availability of various treatment options, still there are a lot of underserved needs in the treatment of fractures and osteoporosis. For example, the application of natural products and herbal resources for fracture healing, because of the androgen-like and antioxidant characteristics of the plants, they can play a crucial for accelerating the repair of bone fractures. In this article, we'll discuss the herbal remedies that are essential for treating osteoporosis (bone disease).

The Use of Natural Bioactive Nutraceuticals in the Management of Tick-Borne Illnesses

The primary objective of this paper is to provide an evidence-based update of the literature on the use of bioactive phytochemicals, nutraceuticals, and micronutrients (dietary supplements that provide health benefits beyond their nutritional value) in the management of persistent cases of Borrelia burgdorferi infection (Lyme disease) and two other tick-borne pathogens, Babesia and Bartonella species. Recent studies have advanced our understanding of the pathophysiology and mechanisms of persistent infections. These advances have increasingly enabled clinicians and patients to utilize a wider set of options to manage these frequently disabling conditions. This broader toolkit holds the promise of simultaneously improving treatment outcomes and helping to decrease our reliance on the long-term use of pharmaceutical antimicrobials and antibiotics in the treatment of tick-borne pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia, and Bartonella.

The Cytotoxic Cardiac Glycoside (-)-Cryptanoside A from the Stems of Cryptolepis dubia and Its Molecular Targets

A cardiac glycoside epoxide, (-)-cryptanoside A (1), was isolated from the stems of Cryptolepis dubia collected in Laos, for which the complete structure was confirmed by analysis of its spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, using copper radiation at a low temperature. This cardiac glycoside epoxide exhibited potent cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines tested, including HT-29 colon, MDA-MB-231 breast, OVCAR3 and OVCAR5 ovarian cancer, and MDA-MB-435 melanoma cells, with the IC50 values found to be in the range 0.1-0.5 μM, which is comparable with that observed for digoxin. However, it exhibited less potent activity (IC50 1.1 μM) against FT194 benign/nonmalignant human fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells when compared with digoxin (IC50 0.16 μM), indicating its more selective activity toward human cancer versus benign/nonmalignant cells. (-)-Cryptanoside A (1) also inhibited Na+/K+-ATPase activity and increased the expression of Akt and the p65 subunit of NF-κB but did not show any effects on the expression of PI3K. A molecular docking profile showed that (-)-cryptanoside A (1) binds to Na+/K+-ATPase, and thus 1 may directly target Na+/K+-ATPase to mediate its cancer cell cytotoxicity.

A Comprehensive Review of Herbal Supplements Used for Persistent Symptoms Attributed to Lyme Disease

Context

Lyme disease is the most common, tick-borne disease in the USA. While most patients successfully recover with antibiotics, some patients experience persistent symptoms for months to years. Patients who attribute chronic symptoms to Lyme disease commonly use herbal supplements. The complexity, variability in dose and formulation, and lack of data for these herbal compounds make it difficult to assess their efficacy and safety.

Objective

This review examines the evidence for the antimicrobial activity, safety, and drug-drug interactions of 18 herbal supplements that patients commonly use for treatment of persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease.

Design

The research team performed a narrative review by searching the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Natural Medicines databases, and NCCIH website. The search used the keywords for 18 herbal compounds: (1) andrographis (Andrographis paniculate), (2) astragalus (Astragalus propinquus), (3) berberine, (4) cat's claw bark (Uncaria tomentosa), (5) cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis), (6) cryptolepis (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta), (7) Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis), (8) garlic (Allium sativum), (9) Japanese knotwood (Polygonum cuspidatum), (10) reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum), (11) sarsaparilla (Smilax medica), (12) Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), (13) sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), (14) teasle root (Dipsacus fullonum), (15) lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), (16) oil of oregano (Origanum vulgare), (17) peppermint (Mentha x piperita), and (18) thyme (Thymus vulgaris). The team also searched for terms related to protocols, including Dr. Rawls' protocol and the Buhner protocol.

Setting

University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore MD.

Results

Seven of the 18 herbs reviewed had evidence for in-vitro activity against B. burgdorferi. These compounds included: (1) cat's claw (2) cryptolepis, (3) Chinese skullcap, (4) Japanese knotweed, (5) sweet wormwood, (6) thyme, and (7) oil of oregano. With the exception of oil of oregano these compounds also have anti-inflammatory activity. In vivo data and clinical trials are lacking. Clinicians should be cautious as many of the identified compounds have drug interactions and additive effects that could lead to increased risks for bleeding, hypotension, and hypoglycemia.

Conclusions

Many of the herbs that alternative and integrative practitioners use to treat Lyme disease have anti-inflammatory effects that may contribute to patients' perceptions of symptomatic improvement. Some herbs have limited demonstrated anti-borrelial activity in vitro, but in-vivo data and clinical trial data is lacking. Further research is required to determine the efficacy, safety and appropriate use of these herbs for this patient population.

Unraveling the role of natural functional oils in modulating osteoarthritis related complications

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease and has been studied extensively in recent years as no promising therapy available so far for its treatment and remains a great challenge for health care specialists. Although the identification of some major mechanisms that contribute to this disease suggests a plethora of bioactive agents in tackling the associated complications yet OA's pathophysiology is still poorly understood owing to complex mechanistic changes observed. Experimental research is now exploring a wide range of therapeutically effective agents in an effort to find a way to repair OA-related joint degeneration and halt it from getting worse. Data was acquired and reviewed from most relevant and recent studies. This review summarizes the studies that are currently available and focuses on how various unconventional functional oils affect osteoarthritis and the affected joint tissues. An analysis of the recent scientific literature allowed us to highlight the potential anti-arthritic properties of edible oils and their main constituents, which seems to suggest an interesting new potential therapeutic application. Due to eccentric nature of OA, it is necessary to concentrate initially on the management of symptoms. The evidence supporting functional oils chondroprotective potential is still accumulating, underpinning a global need for more sustainable natural sources of treatment. More clinical research that focuses on the consequences of long-term treatment, possible negative effects, and epigenetic implications is necessary to get optimistic results. However, different animal or clinical studies suggest that linolenic and linoleic fatty acids decreased chondrocyte oxidative stress, cartilage breakdown, and expression of inflammatory markers. Distinct fatty acids along with minor components of oils also reduced the generation of prostaglandins and decreased oxidative stress. Furthermore, the potential roles of the main components of edible oils and possible negative results (if any) are also reported. While no severe side effects have been reported for any edible oils. Overall, these studies identify and support the use of functional oils as an adjuvant therapy for the management of OA and as a means of symptomatic alleviation for OA patients. However, to prove the effectiveness or to draw precise conclusions, high-quality clinical trials are required.

Natural Compounds Affecting Inflammatory Pathways of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis and chronic joint disease, affecting more than 240 million people worldwide. Although there are numerous advances in using drugs in treating OA, the use of natural compounds has aroused much interest among researchers due to their safety margin. Recent discovery shows that natural compounds play an extensive role in the oxidative stress signaling pathway in treating OA. Thus, this review summarizes the commonly used natural compounds for treating OA focusing on the oxidative stress signaling pathway and its downstream mediators. Selected databases—such as Scopus, Web of Science, Nature, and PubMed—were used to search for potentially relevant articles. The search is limited to the last 15 years and the search was completed using the Boolean operator’s guideline using the keywords of natural product AND oxidative stress AND osteoarthritis OR natural extract AND ROS AND degenerative arthritis OR natural plant AND free radicals AND degenerative joint disease. In total, 37 articles were selected for further review. Different downstream mechanisms of oxidative stress involved in the usage of natural compounds for OA treatment and anabolic and catabolic effects of natural compounds that exhibit chondroprotective effects have been discussed with the evidence of in vitro and in vivo trials in this review.

Evaluation of bone healing activity of Cissus quadrangularis (Linn), Cryptolepis buchanani, and Sardinella longiceps in Wistar rats

Background

The object of the present study is to evaluate the effect of alcoholic extracts of Cissus quadrangularis (CQ), Cryptolepis buchanani (CB), and Sardinella longiceps (SL) either alone or in the combination (100 mg/kg) in the management of femur bone healing of Wistar albino rats for 8 weeks. After the period of treatment, femur bones were examined by using biochemical, radiographical, and histopathological studies.

Result

Biochemical evaluation results reveal that there is a steep increase of serum calcium level in the experimental animals during the entire period of treatment which led to an adequate supply of serum calcium to the fractured bone for healing and increases the thickness of the femur bones soon compared to control group. It had been estimated by a calibrated ocular micrometer. Radiographical images of the bones also disclose that the complete bridging of fractured bone occurred in the experimental animals after the treatment of natural compound extracts. In addition to that, all the organs of animals were safe in the experimental animals during the entire study.

Conclusion

The present study strongly recommended that these ethanolic extracts (CQCBSL) either alone or in the combination restoring the strength of the bone and reduced bone repairing period due to the rich content of calcium and other natural phytochemicals presents with them.

Graphical abstract

Kaempferia parviflora Extract Alleviated Rat Arthritis, Exerted Chondroprotective Properties In Vitro, and Reduced Expression of Genes Associated with Inflammatory Arthritis

Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker (KP) has been reported to attenuate cartilage destruction in rat model of osteoarthritis. Previously, we demonstrated that KP rhizome extract and its active components effectively suppressed mechanisms associated with RA in SW982 cells. Here, we further evaluated the anti-arthritis potential of KP extract by using multi-level models, including a complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis and a cartilage explant culture model, and to investigate the effects of KP extract and its major components on related gene expressions and underlying mechanisms within cells. In arthritis rats, the KP extract reduced arthritis indexes, with no significant changes in biological parameters. In the cartilage explant model, the KP extract exerted chondroprotective potential by suppressing sulfated glycosaminoglycans release while preserving high accumulation of proteoglycans. In human chondrocyte cell line, a mixture of the major components equal to their amounts in KP extract showed strong suppression the expression of genes-associated inflammatory joint disease similar to that of the extract. Additionally, KP extract significantly suppressed NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. The suppressing expression of necroptosis genes and promoted anti-apoptosis were also found. Collectively, these results provided supportive evidence of the anti-arthritis properties of KP extract, which are associated with its three major components.

Botanical Medicines Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Artemisia annua, Scutellaria baicalensis, Polygonum cuspidatum, and Alchornea cordifolia Demonstrate Inhibitory Activity Against Babesia duncani

Human babesiosis is a CDC reportable disease in the United States and is recognized as an emerging health risk in multiple parts of the world. The current treatment for human babesiosis is suboptimal due to treatment failures and unwanted side effects. Although Babesia duncani was first described almost 30 years ago, further research is needed to elucidate its pathogenesis and clarify optimal treatment regimens. Here, we screened a panel of herbal medicines and identified Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Artemisia annua, Scutellaria baicalensis, Alchornea cordifolia, and Polygonum cuspidatum to have good in vitro inhibitory activity against B. duncani in the hamster erythrocyte model. Furthermore, we found their potential bioactive compounds, cryptolepine, artemisinin, artesunate, artemether, and baicalein, to have good activity against B. duncani, with IC₅₀ values of 3.4 μM, 14 μM, 7.4 μM, 7.8 μM, and 12 μM, respectively, which are comparable or lower than that of the currently used drugs quinine (10 μM) and clindamycin (37 μM). B. duncani treated with cryptolepine and quinine at their respective 1×, 2×, 4× and 8× IC₅₀ values, and by artemether at 8× IC₅₀ for three days could not regrow in subculture. Additionally, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta 90% ethanol extract also exhibited no regrowth after 6 days of subculture at doses of 2×, 4×, and 8× IC₅₀ values. Our results indicate that some botanical medicines and their active constituents have potent activity against B. duncani in vitro and may be further explored for more effective treatment of babesiosis.

Evaluation of Natural and Botanical Medicines for Activity Against Growing and Non-growing Forms of B. burgdorferi

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the US and Europe. Although the current recommended Lyme antibiotic treatment is effective for the majority of Lyme disease patients, about 10-20% of patients continue to suffer from persisting symptoms. There have been various anecdotal reports on the use of herbal extracts for treating patients with persisting symptoms with varying degree of improvements. However, it is unclear whether the effect of the herb products is due to their direct antimicrobial activity or their effect on host immune system. In the present study, we investigated the antimicrobial effects of 12 commonly used botanical medicines and three other natural antimicrobial agents for potential anti-Borrelia burgdorferi activity in vitro. Among them, 7 natural product extracts at 1% were found to have good activity against the stationary phase B. burgdorferi culture compared to the control antibiotics doxycycline and cefuroxime. These active botanicals include Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Juglans nigra (Black walnut), Polygonum cuspidatum (Japanese knotweed), Artemisia annua (Sweet wormwood), Uncaria tomentosa (Cat's claw), Cistus incanus, and Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap). In contrast, Stevia rebaudiana, Andrographis paniculata, Grapefruit seed extract, colloidal silver, monolaurin, and antimicrobial peptide LL37 had little or no activity against stationary phase B. burgdorferi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of Artemisia annua, Juglans nigra, and Uncaria tomentosa were quite high for growing B. burgdorferi, despite their strong activity against the non-growing stationary phase B. burgdorferi. On the other hand, the top two active herbs, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta and Polygonum cuspidatum, showed strong activity against both growing B. burgdorferi (MIC = 0.03-0.06% and 0.25-0.5%, respectively) and non-growing stationary phase B. burgdorferi. In subculture studies, only 1% Cryptolepis sanguinolenta extract caused complete eradication, while doxycycline and cefuroxime and other active herbs could not eradicate B. burgdorferi stationary phase cells as many spirochetes were visible after 21-day subculture. Further studies are needed to identify the active constituents of the effective botanicals and evaluate their combinations for more effective eradication of B. burgdorferi in vitro and in vivo. The implications of these findings for improving treatment of persistent Lyme disease are discussed.

In vitro chondroprotective potential of Senna alata and Senna tora in porcine cartilage explants and their species differentiation by DNA barcoding-high resolution melting (Bar-HRM) analysis

Senna species and anthraquinone derivatives generated by these organisms, rhein and aloe-emodin, exert anti-inflammatory effects. These species present a similar morphology but produce different ingredients when they are used as medicinal products. In this study, a DNA barcoding- (Bar-) high-resolution melting (HRM) technique was developed using internal transcribed sequence 2 (ITS2) to differentiate between Senna alata and Senna tora as a result of significant differences in their melting profiles. We used this approach for confirmation of S. alata and S. tora raw materials, and we examined the chondroprotective properties of the ethanolic extracts of S. alata and S. tora using a porcine model of cartilage degradation induced by a combination of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and IL-1β. We found that both Senna ethanolic extracts, at a concentration of 25 μg/mL, effectively prevented cartilage degradation. Rhein and aloe-emodin were present in the extract of S. alata but not in that of S. tora. We observed a reduction in the release of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (S-GAGs) and hyaluronic acid (HA) into media in both treatments of Senna extracts, which indicated proteoglycan preservation in explant tissues. These results suggest that neither rhein nor aloe-emodin are the main factors responsible for cartilage-protecting properties. Taken together, results show that both S. alata and S. tora are promising for further development as anti-osteoarthritic agents and that Bar-HRM using ITS2 could be applied for species confirmation with Senna products.

TGF-β1 upregulates the expression of hyaluronan synthase 2 and hyaluronan synthesis in culture models of equine articular chondrocytes

We investigated the effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) on equine hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) gene expression and hyaluronan (HA) synthesis in culture models of articular chondrocytes. Equine chondrocytes were treated with TGF-β1 at different concentrations and times in monolayer cultures. In three-dimensional cultures, chondrocyte-seeded gelatin scaffolds were cultured in chondrogenic media containing 10 ng/mL of TGF-β1. The amounts of HA in conditioned media and in scaffolds were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. HAS2 mRNA expression was analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The uronic acid content and DNA content of the scaffolds were measured by using colorimetric and Hoechst 33258 assays, respectively. Cell proliferation was evaluated by using the alamarBlue assay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), histology, and immunohistochemistry were used for microscopic analysis of the samples. The upregulation of HAS2 mRNA levels by TGF-β1 stimulation was dose and time dependent. TGF-β1 was shown to enhance HA and uronic acid content in the scaffolds. Cell proliferation and DNA content were significantly lower in TGF-β1 treatments. SEM and histological results revealed the formation of a cartilaginous-like extracellular matrix in the TGF-β1-treated scaffolds. Together, our results suggest that TGF-β1 has a stimulatory effect on equine chondrocytes, enhancing HA synthesis and promoting cartilage matrix generation.

Medicinal plants and bone healing

Fracture is defined as complete or incomplete separation in the continuity of bone Fracture healing is a complex physiological process that involves the coordinated participation of hematopoietic and immune cells within bone marrow. It conjunction with vascular and skeletal cell precursors it also includes mesenchymal stem cells which are recruited from the circulation and the surrounding tissues. It is estimated that 80% of the population in developing countries still rely on the traditional herbal medicines. Healing is practiced by people from all levels of society, who live and work in intimate relation with their environment. They range from bone setting, treatment of snake bite and mental disorders. Knowledge of Medicinal plants and their identification should be gain with the help of cowherds, hermits, hunters, forest dwellers and those who gather plants of forest for food. Sushruta Samita Sutrasthanam 36 V.10. Herbs can effective in reducing swelling pain and soreness of the fracture and al so speedy recovery of function. In last few decades there has been growing In alternative forms of therapy globally. Herbal medicines are currently in demand and their popularity is increasing.

Effects of the Ayurved Siriraj Wattana recipe on functional and phenotypic characterization of cytokine-induced killer cells and dendritic cells in vitro

Background

Ayurved Siriraj Wattana recipe (AVS073), has been prescribed as tonic, to increase appetite, and for pain relief. It also exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and anti-cancer activities. However, the immunomodulatory effects on antigen-presenting cells and effector T cells remained elusive. We thus aimed to study the effects of AVS073 on differentiation, maturation, functions and proportions of CIK cells and monocyte-derived DCs.

Methods

CIK cells and monocyte-derived DCs were treated with AVS073, followed by the assessment of T-helper (Th) phenotypes using real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometry.

Results

AVS073 promoted Th1 phenotype in CD3⁺CD56⁺ subset of CIK cells through increasing STAT4, T-bet, and interferon-γ. AVS073 inhibited Th2 phenotype through decreasing STAT6. AVS073 inhibited Treg phenotype through decreasing STAT5A, STAT5B and IDO. AVS073 promoted Th17 phenotype through increasing STAT3, RORC and IL-17. AVS073 treatment of mDCs resulted in increasing Th1-prone cytokine (IL-12) and Th17-prone cytokines (IL-6 and IL-23).

Conclusions

AVS073 upregulated Th1 and Th17, but downregulated Th2 and Treg phenotypes within CD3⁺CD56⁺ cells. The treatment of mDCs drove Th1 and Th17-polarizations.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1480-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The inhibitory activity of herbal medicines on the keys enzymes and steps related to carbohydrate and lipid digestion

BACKGROUND

Obesity and overweight are consistently associated with metabolic disorders including hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Herbal medicines have been currently suggested as an alternative source of potentially useful antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant activities. The objective of this study was to assess the in vitro inhibitory effects of eleven herbal medicines on carbohydrate and lipid digestive enzymes and the key steps of lipid digestion including the inhibition of micelle formation and the ability to bind bile acid. In addition, antioxidant activity of herbal medicines was also investigated.

METHODS

α-Glucosidase, pancreatic α-amylase, pancreatic lipase, and pancreatic cholesterol esterase inhibitory activities of aqueous extract of herbal medicines were measured using the enzymatic colorimetric assay. The formation of cholesterol micelles was determined using the cholesterol assay kit. The bile acid binding was measured using the colorimetric assay. Antioxidant activities were assessed by using four methods including Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), oxygen radical absorbance capacity ORAC), superoxide radical scavenging activity (SRSA), and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HRSA).

RESULTS

The extracts (1 mg/mL) markedly inhibited intestinal maltase (5.16 - 44.33 %), sucrase (1.25-45.86 %), pancreatic α-amylase (1.75-12.53 %), pancreatic lipase (21.42-85.93 %), and pancreatic cholesterol esterase (2.92-53.35 %). The results showed that all extracts exhibited the inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase with the IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.015 to 4.259 mg/mL. In addition, the incorporation of cholesterol into micelles was inhibited by the extracts (6.64-33.74 %). The extracts also bound glycodeoxycholic acid (9.9-15.08 %), taurodeoxycholic acid (12.55-18.18 %), and taurocholic acid (11.91 - 18.4 %). Furthermore, the extracts possessed various antioxidant activities including the TEAC values (0.50 - 4.70 μmol trolox/mg dried extract), the ORAC values (9.14-44.41 μmol trolox/mg dried extract), the SRSA (0.31 - 18.82 mg trolox/mg dried extract), and the HRSA (0.05-2.29 mg trolox/mg dried extract). The findings indicated that Syzygium aromaticum, Phyllanthus amarus, Thunbergia laurifolia were the effective promising antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic agents. Statistical analysis demonstrated strong positive significant correlations between the contents of phenolic compounds and % inhibition of pancreatic lipase (r = 0.885, p < 0.001), % inhibition of pancreatic cholesterol esterase (r = 0.761, p < 0.001), and the TEAC value (r = 0.840, p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a strongly positive correlation between the TEAC value and % inhibition of pancreatic cholesterol esterase (r = 0.851, p < 0.001) and % inhibition of pancreatic lipase (r = 0.755, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Three herbal medicines including Syzygium aromaticum, Thunbergia laurifolia, and Phyllanthus amarus markedly inhibited the intestinal α-glucosidase, pancreatic α-amylase, pancreatic lipase, and pancreatic cholesterol esterase. They also reduced formation of cholesterol micelle and bound bile acid. The findings indicate that these herbal medicines might be a promising agent for antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant activities.