Synergistic effect of endurance training and nettle leaf extract on the IDO1-KYN-AHR pathway homeostasis and inhibiting of liver toxicity in rats with STZ-induced diabetes

Introduction

Diabetes adversely affects a number of hepatic molecular pathways, including the kynurenine (KYN) pathway. KYN is produced by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). This study evaluated the effect of endurance training (EndTr) and nettle leaf extract (NLE) on the IDO1-KYN-AHR pathway in the livers of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Methods

We divided 48 rats into six groups: controls (Ct), treated with EndTr (EndTr), diabetes-induced (D), D treated with NLE (D + NLE), D treated with EndTr (D + EnTr), and D treated with EndTr and NLE (D + EndTr + NLE). EndTr, D + EnTr, and D + EndTr + NLE groups were subjected to training with running on treadmill for 8 weeks, 5 days per week, 25 min in first session to 59 min at last session with intensity of 55% to 65% VO2max. Using real-time PCR gene (Ahr, Cyp1a1, and Ido1) expressions and ELISA, malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein (IDO1, AHR, and CYP1A1) levels were determined in the liver samples.

Results

A significant three-way interaction of exercise, nettle, and diabetes was observed on the all variables (P< 0.001). In particular, significant increases in blood glucose level (BGL), in gene and protein expression, and in MDA and KYN levels were observed in the liver samples of the D group versus the Ct group (P< 0.05). BGL and liver MDA levels were significantly lower in the D + EndTr and D + NLE groups than that in the D group. However, the D + EndTr + NLE group showed a more significant decrease in these factors (P< 0.05). In addition, liver KYN levels were significantly lower in the EndTr group compared with that in the Ct group as well as in the D + EndTr + NLE and D + EndTr groups compared with that in the D groups (P< 0.05). Whereas both the EndTr and D + NLE groups showed lower Ahr expression and AHR level compared with the Ct and D groups, respectively (P< 0.05), the D + EndTr + NLE group showed a higher significant reduction in the AHR level than the D group (P< 0.05). The Cyp1a1 expression and IDO1 level significantly decreased only in the D + EndTr + NLE group compared to that in the D group (P< 0.05).

Conclusion

Overall, this study showed that the combination of EndTr and NLE may synergistically restore the imbalanced IDO1-KYN-AHR pathway in diabetic liver.

Potential anti-inflammatory effect of Lamium album extract through caspase-3 and cyclooxygenase-2 genes expression in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion

Introduction: Stroke is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Inflammation and apoptosis play an important role in the cascade of ischemic stroke.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pretreatment effects of Lamium album (L. album) extract on caspase-3 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, infarct volume, and neurological deficit score in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Materials and methods: Wistar male rats were randomly divided into three groups: 1) MCAO group (1 h after MCAO, reperfusion was allowed for 24 h by retracting the thread); 2) L. album + MCAO group [receiving L. album extract (100 mg/kg via intraperitoneal) for a week before MCAO]; 3) sham group. The expression level of caspase-3 and COX-2 in the core, penumbra, and subcortex regions was measured by real time-PCR technique. Infarct volume and neurological deficit score were also assessed.

Results: The mRNA expression of caspase-3 in the core, penumbra, and subcortex regions in L. album group was significantly reduced compared to MCAO group (p&lt;0.05). Expression level of COX-2 in the subcortex of the rats exposed to L. album was statistically decreased relative to MCAO group (p&lt;0.05). Infarct volume in the core, penumbra, and subcortex was significantly reduced in the L. album group compared with MCAO group (p&lt;0.001, p&lt;0.001, p&lt;0.05, respectively). Neurological deficit score was remarkably decreased in the L. album group in comparison with the MCAO group (p&lt;0.05).

Conclusions: It appears that pretreatment with L. album extract may attenuate brain tissue damage after ischemic stroke. The potential protective effects of this plant extract against this condition might be in part attributed to its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities.

Effects of Urtica dioica on Metabolic Profiles in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

BACKGROUND

Several studies have investigated the effect of Urtica dioica (UD) consumption on metabolic profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, the findings are inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials was performed to summarize the evidence of the effects of UD consumption on metabolic profiles in patients with T2DM.

METHODS

Eligible studies were retrieved from searches of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar databases until December 2019. Cochran (Q) and I-square statistics were used to examine heterogeneity across included clinical trials. Data were pooled by using fixed-effect or random-effects model and expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Among 1485 citations, thirteen clinical trials were found to be eligible for the current meta-analysis. UD consumption significantly decreased levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) (WMD= -17.17 mg/dl, 95% CI: -26.60, -7.73, I2= 93.2%), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (WMD= -0.93, 95% CI: -1.66, -0.17, I2= 75.0%), C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD= -1.09 mg/dl, 95% CI: -1.64, -0.53, I2= 0.0%), triglycerides (WMD = -26.94 mg/dl, 95 % CI = [-52.07, -1.82], P = 0.03, I2 = 90.0%), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD= -5.03 mmHg, 95% CI = -8.15, -1.91, I2= 0.0%) in comparison to the control groups. UD consumption did not significantly change serum levels of insulin (WMD= 1.07 μU/ml, 95% CI: -1.59, 3.73, I2= 63.5%), total-cholesterol (WMD= -6.39 mg/dl, 95% CI: -13.84, 1.05, I2= 0.0%), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD= -1.30 mg/dl, 95% CI: -9.95, 7.35, I2= 66.1%), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) (WMD= 6.95 mg/dl, 95% CI: -0.14, 14.03, I2= 95.4%), body max index (BMI) (WMD= -0.16 kg/m2, 95% CI: -1.77, 1.44, I2= 0.0%), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD= -1.35 mmHg, 95% CI: -2.86, 0.17, I2= 0.0%) among patients with T2DM.

CONCLUSION

UD consumption may result in an improvement in levels of FBS, HbA1c, CRP, triglycerides and SBP, but did not affect on levels of insulin, total-, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol, BMI, and DBP in patients with T2DM.

Inventory of Medicinal Plants Used Traditionally to Manage Kidney Diseases in North-Eastern Morocco: Ethnobotanical Fieldwork and Pharmacological Evidence

Kidney disease is one of the most common health problems and kidney failure can be fatal. It is one of the health disorders associated with extreme pain and discomfort in patients. In developing countries, such as Morocco where socioeconomic and sanitary conditions are precarious, medicinal plants are considered the primary source of medication. In the present work an ethnobotanical survey was conducted in a remote area of North-Eastern Morocco and we focused on (1) establishing a record of medicinal plants used traditionally by local people to treat kidney diseases and (2) correlate the obtained ethnomedical use with well-studied pharmacological evidence. From February 2018 to January2020, information was gathered from 488 informants using semi-structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using three quantitative indices: The use value (UV), family use value (FUV), and informant consensus factor (ICF). A total of 121 plant species belonging to 57 botanical families were identified to treat kidney diseases. The families most represented were Asteraceae (14 species), followed by Lamiaceae (12 species) and Apiaceae (10 species). The most commonly used plant parts were leaves, followed by the whole plant and they were most commonly prepared by decoction and infusion. The highest value of the (UV) index was attributed to Herniaria hirsuta L. (UV = 0.16), and the highest family use value (FUV) was assigned to Caryophyllaceae with (FUV = 0.163). Regarding the informant consensus factor (ICF), this index's highest values were recorded for kidney stones (ICF = 0.72). The use of 45% of the selected plants were validated based on literature review. This study helped document and preserve crucial traditional plant knowledge of 121 plant species used to treat kidney problems that can be used in the search for new biologically active compounds through more upcoming pharmacological studies.

Lamalbid, Chlorogenic Acid, and Verbascoside as Tools for Standardization of Lamium album Flowers-Development and Validation of HPLC-DAD Method

Preparations from the flowers or herb of the white dead nettle (Lamium album L.) are recommended for the treatment of upper respiratory tract disorders or as a topical medication for mild inflammation of the throat, mouth, and skin. Taking into consideration the significance of L. album in traditional medicines across Europe, as well as the lack of studies describing the quantities of their most abundant constituents, we aimed to design a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection (HPLC–DAD) method for potential standardization procedures of extracts from flowers of L. album. The HPLC–DAD method was developed and validated for quantification of iridoids (lamalbid), phenolic acids/depsides (chlorogenic acid), phenylpropanoids (verbascoside), and flavonoids (rutin; quercetin malonylhexoside; tiliroside) in aqueous and ethanolic-aqueous extracts of Lamii albi flos. The method was specific, accurate, and precise. Lamalbid was the most abundant compound both in aqueous (39.09 ± 1.02 m/g dry weight) and ethanolic-aqueous (26.66 ± 0.64 m/g dry weight) extracts. The quantities of selected compounds, except for chlorogenic acid and tiliroside, were higher in the aqueous extract than in the ethanolic-aqueous one. In conclusion, the method developed allowed for quantitation of compounds from different classes. In particular, chlorogenic acid and verbascoside have been proposed as reference compounds for routine quantitative control of Lamii albiflos.

Urtica Dioica and Lamium Album Decrease Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 beta and Increase K-Ras in Diabetic Rats

Objectives

The aim of the present work is evaluating the special effects of Urtica Dioica and Lamium Album on the serum level of K-Ras and GSK-3 beta in diabetic rats.

Methods

In the present experimental study, 32 male Wistar rats randomly divided into 4 groups (Group I: normal control rats; receiving daily PBS, Group 2: diabetic control rats; receiving single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) and daily PBS, Group 3: Diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of the U. dioica, Group 4: Diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of L. Album. Diabetes-induced by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/ kg). On the 14 th day of treatment, the weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and on 28 th day blood glucose, K-Ras and GSK3 beta was measured.

Results

In diabetic group blood GSK-3 beta increase in comparison to control group (P < 0.05), also blood K-Ras decrease in the diabetic group (P < 0.05). Both extracts reduced GSK-3 beta level, however, this reduction was only statistically significant by U. dioica (P < 0.05). Compared to diabetic group, blood K-Ras level increased by both extract (P < 0.05). Also diabetes induction increase blood glucose levels and both extracts decrease its level significantly (P < 0.05). there is no significant differences among both extract effects on blood glucose, and K-Ras.

Conclusion

For the first time shown that both extracts by regulating GSK-3 beta and K-Ras improve blood glucose level. More studies are needed to determine all the effects of these herbs.