Possible anti-diabetic potentials of Annona muricata (soursop): inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities

Profiling and cheminformatics bioprospection of curcurbitacin I and momordin Ic from Momordica balsamina on α-amylase and α-glucosidase

Momordica spp. has been traditionally used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus, but the mechanisms and metabolites remain unclear. This study evaluated the inhibitory potential of Momordica balsamina extracts on α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro, identifying cucurbitacin I and momordin Ic via high-performance liquid chromatography-photo diode array, and their inhibitory potential in silico. Ethyl acetate seed extract (14.46 µg/ml) and hexane fruit flesh extract (16.79 µg/ml) exhibited lower IC50 values against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively, compared to acarbose (reference standard). Comparatively, momordin Ic concentrations (36.57-605.98 µg/ml) were higher than cucurbitacin I (17.08-44.34 µg/ml). A 140 ns simulation showed that cucurbitacin I (-63.06 kcal/mol) and momordin Ic (-66.53 kcal/mol) exhibited stronger binding to α-amylase than acarbose (-36.46 kcal/mol), whereas cucurbitacin I (-38.08 kcal/mol) and momordin Ic (-54.87 kcal/mol) displayed weaker binding to α-glucosidase, relative to acarbose (-63.73 kcal/mol). Generally, momordin Ic demonstrated better thermodynamic properties, hence further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to validate their antidiabetic potential.

Biological properties and application of chitosan and low molecular weight chitosan in food industry: A review

Low molecular weight chitosan (LMWCHT) is a natural, non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymer with a range of biological activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, hypocholesterolemic, anti-obesity, cytotoxic, anti-cancer, anti-tumour, and anti-diabetic properties. This review paper focuses on the biological properties and the applications of LMWCHT in the food industry. The applications of LMWCHT as a food additive, food coating, food packaging material, and food biosensor are discussed in detail. Additionally, the importance of LMWCHT in the manufacture of nutraceuticals and functional foods, as well as its role in extending the shelf-life of agri-food products is explored.

Antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidative properties of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) against streptozotocin-induced diabetes and oxidative stress in Wistar albino male rats

Background and Aim

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease characterized by insulin insufficiency and hyperglycemia, often leading to complications such as oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and organs damage. Sage (Salvia officinalis L.), a medicinal plant with rich antioxidant and bioactive compounds, has shown promise in managing diabetes and related complications. This study investigates the antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidative effects of aqueous (AE) and ethanolic (EE) extracts of S. officinalis leaves at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight in Wister albino male rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes and oxidative stress.

Materials and Methods

Wistar albino male rats (n = 49) were divided into seven groups: Normal control, diabetes-induced control (STZ), metformin-treated (50 mg/kg/day), and groups treated with AE (400 and 800 mg/kg/day) and EE (400 and 800 mg/kg/day). Parameters assessed included weight gain percentage, random blood glucose (RBG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profiles, liver and kidney function markers, oxidative stress biomarkers (glutathione [GSH], catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD], malonaldehyde [MDA]), and histopathological examination of the pancreas.

Results

AE and EE significantly reduced RBG and FBG and improved weight gain recovery. At 800 mg/kg, AE and EE effectively reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C), and very LDL-C (VLDL-C) while increasing high-density lipoproteins cholesterol more than 400 mg/kg doses or metformin. Liver and kidney functions were restored with high-dose AE and EE showing superior efficacy. Antioxidant biomarkers (GSH, CAT, and SOD) were significantly enhanced, while MDA levels were reduced. Histopathological analysis confirmed restoration of islets of Langerhans and acinar cells to near-normal conditions in treated groups.

Conclusion

The AE and EE of S. officinalis demonstrated potent antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidative properties, offering significant potential as a natural therapeutic option for managing diabetes and oxidative stress-related complications.

Annoglabrin A-C, three new ent-kaurane diterpenoids from the Annona glabra fruit pulp

Three new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, namely annoglabrin A-C (1-3), were isolated from the Annona glabra fruit pulp. Their structures were clarified by widespread spectroscopic analyses (1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS). The relative configuration of these new compounds was established through the NOESY spectrum. Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and were found with weak (1 and 3) or no effects (2), compared to those of positive control (acarbose, IC50 82.0 µM).

Synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using methanol propolis extract (Pro-ZnO NPs) as antidiabetic and antioxidant

In recent times, the overall health of individuals has been declining due to unhealthy lifestyles, leading to various diseases, including diabetes. To address this issue, antidiabetic and antioxidant agents are required to back-up human well-being. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is one such substance known for its antidiabetic and antioxidant effects. To enhance its capability and effectiveness, propolis was utilized to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (Pro-ZnO NPs). The objective of this study was to synthesize Pro-ZnO NPs and assess their performance by conducting inhibition assays against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, as well as a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The results showed that Pro-ZnO NPs were formed in a hexagonal wurtzite structure, with particle sizes ranging from 30 to 50 nm and an absorption band observed at 341 nm. The stability, chemical properties, and crystallography of Pro-ZnO NPs were also thoroughly examined using appropriate methods. The Pro-ZnO NPs demonstrated significant inhibitory effects against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, with inhibition rates reaching 69.52% and 73.78%, respectively, whereas the antioxidant activity was as high as 70.76%. Consequently, with their high inhibition rates, the Pro-ZnO NPs demonstrate the potential to be employed as a natural agent for combating diabetes and promoting antioxidant effects.

Nutritional and medicinal plants as potential sources of enzyme inhibitors toward the bioactive functional foods: an updated review

Enzymes are biologically active complex protein molecules that catalyze most chemical reactions in living organisms, and their inhibitors accelerate biological processes. This review emphasizes medicinal food plants and their isolated chemicals inhibiting clinically important enzymes in common diseases. A mechanistic overview was investigated to explain the mechanism of these food bases enzyme inhibitors. The enzyme inhibition potential of medicinal food plants and their isolated substances was searched in Ovid, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Cholinesterase, amylase, glucosidase, xanthine oxidase, tyrosinase, urease, lipoxygenase, and others were inhibited by crude extracts, solvent fractions, or isolated pure chemicals from medicinal food plants. Several natural compounds have shown tyrosinase inhibition potential, including quercetin, glabridin, phloretin-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, lupinalbin, and others. Some of these compounds' inhibitory kinetics and molecular mechanisms are also discussed. Phenolics and flavonoids inhibit enzyme activity best among the secondary metabolites investigated. Several studies showed flavonoids' significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, highlighting their medicinal potential. Overall, many medicinal food plants, their crude extracts/fractions, and isolated compounds have been studied, and some promising compounds depending on the enzyme have been found. Still, more studies are recommended to derive potential pharmacologically active functional foods.

Soursop (Annona muricata) Properties and Perspectives for Integral Valorization

The increased international interest in the properties of soursop (Annona muricata) alerts us to the sustainability of productive chain by-products, which are rich in phytochemicals and other properties justifying their industrial application in addition to reducing the environmental impact and generating income. Chemical characteristics of soursop by-products are widely known in the scientific community; this fruit has several therapeutic effects, especially its leaves, enabling it to be used by the pharmaceutical industry. Damaged and non-standard fruits (due to falling and crushing) (30-50%), seeds (3-8.5%), peels (7-20%), and leaves, although they constitute discarded waste, can be considered as by-products. There are other less cited parts of the plant that also have phytochemical components, such as the columella and the epidermis of the stem and root. Tropical countries are examples of producers where soursop is marketed as fresh fruit or frozen pulp, and the valorization of all parts of the fruit could represent important environmental and economic perspectives. Based on the chemical composition of the fruit as well as its by-products and leaves, this work discusses proposals for the valorization of these materials. Soursop powder, bioactive compounds, oil, biochar, biodiesel, bio-oil, and other products based on published studies are presented in this work, offering new ideas for opportunities for the regions and consumers that produce soursop.

Annona muricata: Comprehensive Review on the Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Aspects Focusing on Antidiabetic Properties

Plants have played an important role over the centuries in providing products that have been used to help combat ailments and diseases. Many products originating from fresh, dried-plant materials, or extracts are utilized as community remedies in traditional practices or even in modern medicine. The Annonaceae family contains different types of bioactive chemical properties, such as alkaloids, acetogenins, flavonoids, terpenes, and essential oil, meaning the plants in this family are potential therapeutic agents. Belonging to the Annonaceae family, Annona muricata Linn. has recently attracted the attention of scientists for its medicinal value. It has been utilized as a medicinal remedy since ancient times to treat and improve various diseases, for example, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer, and bacterial infections. This review, therefore, highlights the important characteristic and therapeutic effect of A. muricata along with future perspectives on its hypoglycemic effect. The most-common name is soursop, referring to its sour and sweet flavors, while in Malaysia, this tree is commonly called 'durian belanda'. Furthermore, A. muricata contains a high content of phenolic compounds in the roots and leaves. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that A. muricata has the pharmacological effects of anti-cancer, anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, and wound healing. With regard to its anti-diabetic effect, mechanisms of inhibiting glucose absorption via α-glucosidase and α-amylase activity inhibition, increasing glucose tolerance and glucose uptake by peripheral tissues, and stimulating insulin release or acting like insulin were deeply discussed. There is still a significant research gap, and future studies are required to conduct detailed investigations and gain a better molecular understanding of A. muricata's anti-diabetic potential, especially by using the metabolomics approach.

Nutritional and Therapeutic Potential of Soursop

Soursop (Annona muricata) has been one of the most studied fruits in recent years, owing to its potential medicinal benefits, as evidenced by many studies. Soursop is a tropical and subtropical fruit having great versatility and is quite sensitive to drastic temperature fluctuations. Since soursop contains various phytochemicals, it can be used medicinally to treat a wide range of conditions, including diabetes (by inhibiting the enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase), tumor, cancer, oxidative stress, blood pressure, the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells as well as hemorrhagic disease and cholesterol lowering. Due to its significant nutritional profile and therapeutic potential, it can be utilized in the development of nutraceuticals and medicines. Its pulp, seed, and leaf extract are used as functional ingredients in different foods as value-added foods. This review article is intended to characterize fruit development patterns and examines potential maturity indicators in soursop. In addition, it also elaborates on the potential nutritional and active phytochemicals present in this magnificent gift of nature and their possible uses in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Phytochemical Characterization, Functional Nutrition, and Anti-Diabetic Potentials of Leptadenia hastata (pers) Decne Leaves: In Silico and In Vitro Studies

The geometrical increase in diabetes mellitus (DM) and the undesirable side effects of synthetic drugs have intensified efforts to search for an effective and safe anti-diabetic therapy. This study aimed to identify the antioxidant and anti-diabetic agents in the ethanol extract of Leptadenia hastata (EELH). The phytochemicals, antioxidant vitamins, and minerals present in EELH were determined using standard procedures to achieve this aim. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy and flame ionization detector (GC-MS/GC-FID) was employed to identify bioactive compounds. An e-pharmacophore model was generated from the extra precision, and energy-minimized docked position of standard inhibitor, acarbose onto human pancreatic amylase (HPA, PDB-6OCN). It was used to screen the GC-MS/GC-FID library of compounds. The top-scoring compounds were subjected to glide XP-docking and prime MM-GBSA calculation with the Schrodinger suite-v12.4. The Adsorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) prediction of the best-fit compounds was made using SwissADME and PROTOX-II webservers. Further validation of the docking results was performed with the in vitro analysis of the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. EELH contains appreciable amounts of antioxidant and anti-diabetic phytoconstituents. The top-4 scoring compounds (rutin, epicatechin, kaempferol, and naringenin) from the EELH phytochemical library interacted with amino acid residues within and around the HPA active site. The ADMET prediction shows that epicatechin, kaempferol, and naringenin had favorable drug-likeness, pharmacokinetic properties, and a good safety profile. EELH demonstrated good inhibitory actions against α-amylase and α-glucosidase with 1C50 values of 14.14 and 4.22 µg/mL, respectively. Thus, L hastata phytoconstituents are promising novel candidates for developing an anti-diabetic drug.

Antidiabetic Phytochemicals From Medicinal Plants: Prospective Candidates for New Drug Discovery and Development

Diabetes, a chronic physiological dysfunction affecting people of different age groups and severely impairs the harmony of peoples' normal life worldwide. Despite the availability of insulin preparations and several synthetic oral antidiabetic drugs, there is a crucial need for the discovery and development of novel antidiabetic drugs because of the development of resistance and side effects of those drugs in long-term use. On the contrary, plants or herbal sources are getting popular day by day to the scientists, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies all over the world to search for potential bioactive compound(s) for the discovery and development of targeted novel antidiabetic drugs that may control diabetes with the least unwanted effects of conventional antidiabetic drugs. In this review, we have presented the prospective candidates comprised of either isolated phytochemical(s) and/or extract(s) containing bioactive phytoconstituents which have been reported in several in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies possessing noteworthy antidiabetic potential. The mode of actions, attributed to antidiabetic activities of the reported phytochemicals and/or plant extracts have also been described to focus on the prospective phytochemicals and phytosources for further studies in the discovery and development of novel antidiabetic therapeutics.

Pharmacological Activities of Soursop (Annona muricata Lin.)

Soursop (Annona muricata Lin.) is a plant belonging to the Annonaceae family that has been widely used globally as a traditional medicine for many diseases. In this review, we discuss the traditional use, chemical content, and pharmacological activities of A.muricata. From 49 research articles that were obtained from 1981 to 2021, A.muricata’s activities were shown to include anticancer (25%), antiulcer (17%), antidiabetic (14%), antiprotozoal (10%), antidiarrhea (8%), antibacterial (8%), antiviral (8%), antihypertensive (6%), and wound healing (4%). Several biological activities and the general mechanisms underlying the effects of A.muricata have been tested both in vitro and in vivo. A.muricata contains chemicals such as acetogenins (annomuricins and annonacin), alkaloids (coreximine and reticuline), flavonoids (quercetin), and vitamins, which are predicted to be responsible for the biological activity of A.muricata.

Annona muricata L. extract decreases intestinal glucose absorption and improves glucose tolerance in normal and diabetic rats

Introduction: Poorly controlled hyperglycemia causes numerous health complications. Postprandial hyperglycemia is an important indicator of diabetic status. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of Annona muricata L. extract on the in vitro intestinal glucose absorption in diabetic rats and in vivo antihyperglycemic activity in both normal and diabetic rats. Methods: Phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract from the leaves of A. muricata was carried out. Albino rats were randomly assigned into normal and diabetic groups. Each group was divided into three subgroups: control (vehicle), experimental (A. muricata), and standard (Metformin) groups, to determine antihyperglycemic activity at different times after glucose overload. The everted intestinal sac technique was used to study intestinal glucose absorption in diabetic rats. Results: Aqueous leaf extract of Peruvian A. muricata exhibited statistically significant (P < 0.05) in vivo antihyperglycemic activity in both normal and diabetic rats when compared to the control group. The magnitude of the effect was similar to metformin treatment. Moreover, the aqueous leaf extract of A. muricata significantly diminished in vitro intestinal glucose absorption, with a magnitude similar to metformin treatment. Phytochemical analysis of the aqueous extract revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and leucoanthocyanidins, among others. Conclusion: This study reveals that A. muricata aqueous extract is able to reduce in vitro intestinal glucose absorption and improve oral glucose tolerance in rats.

Benzimidazoles in Drug Discovery: A Patent Review

Benzimidazole is a heterocyclic ring system that has been widely studied in the pharmaceutical field. For the past decade, numerous benzimidazole derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated for their wide range of pharmacological activities, which are beneficial for drug development. This article presents the biological effects of benzimidazole derivatives in each invention from 2015 to 2020. Two patent databases, Google Patents and Lens, were used to locate relevant granted patent applications. Specifically, this review delineates the role of patented benzimidazoles from a disease-centric perspective and examines the mechanisms of action of these compounds in related diseases. Most of the benzimidazoles have shown good activities against various target proteins. Whilst several of them have progressed into clinical trials, most patents presented novel therapeutic approaches for respective target diseases. Hence, their potential in being developed into clinical drugs are also discussed.

Synthesis, antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of novel hydroxytriazenes based on sulpha drugs

The present study is aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of three series of hydroxytriazenes based on sulfa drugs viz; Sulphathiazole (ST), Sulfisoxazole (SF) and Sulphamethoxazole (SM). Antidiabetic activities of the synthesized hydroxytriazenes were investigated by α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition method and IC₅₀ values were recorded. The compounds presented significant α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition effect with IC₅₀ values ranging from 122 to 341 μg/mL. Anti-inflammatory activity was also investigated by carrageenan-induced paw edema (CPE) method, where % inhibition was up to 89% after 4 h of treatment and antioxidant properties of the similar compounds were assessed by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. Antioxidant capacity of all the hydroxytriazenes detected by ABTS assay, was significantly higher as compared to DPPH assay. The hydroxytriazenes having highest antioxidant capacity presented IC₅₀ values for compound ST-1 and ST-6 are 488 μg/mL for DPPH, 54.12 μg/mL for ABTS and 858.5 μg/mL for DPPH, 48.0 μg/mL for ABTS, respectively. These results suggested that ABTS assay may be more useful than DPPH assay for synthetic antioxidants. The findings from the molecular docking experiments may also expand the formation of new potent sulpha drugs based hydroxytriazenes targeting towards the subunit of C-terminal of human maltase-glucoamylase for the treatment of diabetes metabolic disorder. Overall, highlight the multifunctional role of hydroxytriazenes as antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

Functional and histological evaluation of bone marrow stem cell-derived exosomes therapy on the submandibular salivary gland of diabetic Albino rats through TGFβ/ Smad3 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

To prevail over diabetes mellitus and its numerous complications, researchers are seeking new therapies. Exosomes are natural cargo of functional proteins and can be used as a therapeutic delivery of these molecules.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) as a therapeutic intervention in salivary gland diabetic complications.

METHODS

Ten adult healthy male Albino rats, weighing about 150-200 g were grouped into 2 groups. Diabetic group I: consisted of 5 streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Exosomes treated group II: consisted of 5 STZ-induced diabetic rats, each animal received a single injection of exosomes (100 μg/kg/dose suspended in 0.2 ml PBS) through the tail vein. All animals were sacrificed after 5 weeks from the beginning of the experiment. Submandibular salivary gland samples were excised and processed for histological, ultrastructural examination and PCR for TGFβ, Smad2 and Smad3. Blood glucose level was monitored weekly, salivary IgA and serum amylase were evaluated before and after diabetes induction and at the end of the experiment.

RESULTS

Histological and ultrastructural results of the exosomes treated group were promising regarding the glandular and ductal elements with less fibrosis observed. Results of PCR supported the role of exosomes to inhibit the diabetic sequalae in salivary gland and its complications through inhibiting TGFβ and its related pathway via Smad2 and Smad3. Blood glucose levels were reduced. In addition, salivary glands' function was improved as evidenced by reduction in serum amylase and salivary IgA.

CONCLUSION

BM-MSC-derived exosomes could be a novel therapeutic strategy for diabetic complications involving salivary glands.