Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Withania somnifera root in fructose fed male rats

Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Hematological and Biochemical Markers, Hormonal Behavior, and Oxidant Response in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ws) is a common herb plant that has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of conditions, particularly certain chronic diseases due to its antidiabetic, cardioprotective, antistress, and chondroprotective effects, among many others. No conclusive evidence, however, exists about the potential health effects of Ws in adults without chronic conditions. We aimed to evaluate the current evidence on the health benefits of Ws supplementation in healthy adults. RECENT FINDINGS: Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically reviewed studies indexed in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed to assess the effects of Ws on hematological and biochemical markers, hormonal behavior, and oxidant response in healthy adults. Original articles published up to March 5, 2022, with a controlled trial design or pre-post intervention design, in which supplementation of Ws was compared to a control group or data prior to intervention were included. Among 2,421 records identified in the search, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, most of the studies reported beneficial effects of the Ws supplementation, and no serious adverse events were reported. Participants supplemented with Ws displayed reduced levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, and counterbalanced hormone levels. No evidence of the beneficial effects of Ws supplementation on hematological markers was reported. Ws supplementation appears to be safe, may regulate hormone levels, and has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the relevance of its application.

Rodent models to study type 1 and type 2 diabetes induced human diabetic nephropathy

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), an outcome of prolonged diabetes, has affected millions of people worldwide and every year the incidence and prevalence increase substantially. The symptoms may start with mild manifestations of the disease such as increased albuminuria, serum creatinine levels, thickening of glomerular basement membrane, expansion of mesangial matrix to severe pathological symptoms such as glomerular lesions and tubulointerstitial fibrosis which may further proceed to cardiovascular dysfunction or end-stage renal disease.

PERSPECTIVE

Numerous therapeutic interventions are being explored for the management of DN, however, these interventions do not completely halt the progression of this disease and hence animal models are being explored to identify critical genetic and molecular parameters which could help in tackling the disease. Rodent models which mostly include mice and rats are commonly used experimental animals which provide a wide range of advantages in understanding the onset and progression of disease in humans and also their response to a wide range of interventions helps in the development of effective therapeutics. Rodent models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes induced DN have been developed utilizing different platforms and interventions during the last few decades some of which mimic various stages of diabetes ranging from early to later stages. However, a rodent model which replicates all the features of human DN is still lacking. This review tries to evaluate the rodent models that are currently available and understand their features and limitations which may help in further development of more robust models of human DN.

CONCLUSION

Using these rodent models can help to understand different aspects of human DN although further research is required to develop more robust models utilizing diverse genetic platforms which may, in turn, assist in developing effective interventions to target the disease at different levels.

Animal Models of Diabetes-Associated Renal Injury

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the main factor leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and subsequent morbidity and mortality. Importantly, the prevalence of DN is continuously increasing in developed countries. Many rodent models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes have been established to elucidate the pathogenesis of diabetes and examine novel therapies against DN. These models are developed by chemical, surgical, genetic, drug, and diet/nutrition interventions or combination of two or more methods. The main characteristics of DN including a decrease in renal function, albuminuria and mesangiolysis, mesangial expansion, and nodular glomerulosclerosis should be exhibited by an animal model of DN. However, a rodent model possessing all of the abovementioned features of human DN has not yet been developed. Furthermore, mice of different genetic backgrounds and strains show different levels of susceptibility to DN with respect to albuminuria and development of glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions. Therefore, the type of diabetes, development of nephropathy, duration of the study, cost of maintaining and breeding, and animals' mortality rate are important factors that might be affected by the type of DN model. In this review, we discuss the pros and cons of different rodent models of diabetes that are being used to study DN.