alpha-Glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities of saponins from traditional Chinese medicines in the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Supplementation of complex natural feed additive containing (C. militaris, probiotics and red ginseng by-product) on rumen-fermentation, growth performance and carcass characteristics in Korean native steers

This study evaluated the effects of a complex natural feed additive on rumen fermentation, carcass characteristics and growth performance in Korean-native steers. In this study, in vitro and in vivo experiment were conducted. Seven different levels of complex natural feed additive (CA) were added to the buffered rumen fluid using AnkomRF gas production system for 12, 24 and 48 h. All experimental data were analyzed by mixed procedure of SAS. Total gas production increased in the CA groups, with the highest response observed in the 0.06% group at 48 h of incubation (linear, p = 0.02; quadratic, p < 0.01). Regarding rumen fermentation parameters, the total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) tended to increase in all the CA groups (p = 0.07). The concentrations of butyrate, iso-butyrate, and iso-valerate significantly increased in all treatment groups (p < 0.05). In the in vivo experiment, 23 Korean-native steers were allocated to two groups: (1) Control and (2) Treatment; control +0.07% CA (DM basis), in a randomized complete-block design and blocked by body weight (ave. body weight = 641.96 kg ± 62.51 kg, p = 0.80) and feed intake (ave. feed intake = 13.96 kg ± 0.74 kg, p = 0.08) lasted for 252 days. Average daily gain decreased in the treatment group (p < 0.01). Backfat thickness significantly decreased in the CA group (p = 0.03), whereas meat color tended to increase (p = 0.07). In conclusion, in the in vitro experiment, the inclusion of complex natural feed additive decreased methane proportion and tended to increase TVFA production, but supplementation to Korean native steers decreased average daily gain and backfat thickness.

Health benefits of saponins and its mechanisms: perspectives from absorption, metabolism, and interaction with gut

Saponins, consisting of sapogenins as their aglycones and carbohydrate chains, are widely found in plants and some marine organisms. Due to the complexity of the structure of saponins, involving different types of sapogenins and sugar moieties, investigation of their absorption and metabolism is limited, which further hinders the explanation of their bioactivities. Large molecular weight and complex structures limit the direct absorption of saponins rendering their low bioavailability. As such, their major modes of action may be due to interaction with the gastrointestinal environment, such as enzymes and nutrients, and interaction with the gut microbiota. Many studies have reported the interaction between saponins and gut microbiota, that is, the effects of saponins on changing the composition of gut microbiota, and gut microbiota playing an indispensable role in the biotransformation of saponins into sapogenins. However, the metabolic routes of saponins by gut microbiota and their mutual interactions are still sparse. Thus, this review summarizes the chemistry, absorption, and metabolic pathways of saponins, as well as their interactions with gut microbiota and impacts on gut health, to better understand how saponins exert their health-promoting functions.

Control of Obesity, Blood Glucose, and Blood Lipid with Olax imbricata Roxb. Root Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Mice were used in in vivo experiments to evaluate the effects of doses of n-hexane extract (from 100 to 1,300 mg/kg body weight/day) on the ability to control obesity, blood glucose, and blood lipid. In this study, body weight gain, caloric intake, glucose tolerance, blood lipid, histopathological study, and locomotion activity were examined. Furthermore, this study evaluated the lethality of the extract in extremely high doses in the tested mice. After 3 months of use with an extremely high dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight/day (equivalent to 350 g/day for a 70 kg person), no animals with abnormal conditions or death were observed. This initially demonstrated the safety of the extract. In addition, after 6 weeks of testing on high-fat diet-induced obese mice, n-hexane extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight/day (equivalent to 35 g/day for a 70 kg person) demonstrated a positive effect on the ability to control obesity, blood glucose, and blood lipid through the results of body weight, blood lipids, glucose tolerance, and histopathology (white fat, liver, and kidney tissues). In this study, n-hexane extract from the roots of Duong-dau tree has proven to be strongly biologically active in preventing and supporting the treatment of diseases related to overweight and obesity, helping to control blood glucose levels thereby reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Saponins from the roots of Chenopodium bonus-henricus L. with neuroprotective and anti-α-glucosidase activities

Six saponins of phytolaccagenin, bayogenin, medicagenic acid, 2β-hydroxygypsogenin, and 2β-hydroxyoleanoic acid from the roots of Chenopodium bonus-henricus L. were investigated for neuroprotective and anti-α-glucosidase activities. All tested saponins (10 µM) showed statistically significant neuroprotective activities on isolated rat brain synaptosomes using a 6-hydroxydopamine in vitro model. They preserved synaptosome viability as well as the reduced glutathione level. The bayogenin glycoside (Chbhs-05) possessed the most prominent neuroprotective effect. The anti-α-glucosidase activity of the tested saponins was established by measuring the levels of the released 4-nitrophenol using LC-MS. Bonushenricoside B (Chbhs-07) showed the highest inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase (44.1%) compared to the positive control acarbose (36.3%) at a concentration of 625 µM.

Caribbean “substitution culture” is a barrier to effective treatment of persons with diabetic foot infections

Diabetes-related amputation rates are high in the Caribbean. Many authorities have identified independent risk factors for diabetes-related amputations, but cultural factors remain underappreciated. We coined the term “Caribbean substitution culture” to describe the attitude of patients with diabetic foot infections in which they refuse to access medical care, instead voluntarily choosing to substitute “bush medicines” or other alternative therapies in the place of conventional treatment. Recognizing that the Caribbean substitution culture is a barrier to effective treatment of diabetic foot infections is the first step in curbing these practices. In this paper, we discuss the issues related to the Caribbean substitution culture, including the demographics of the population at risk, the alternative therapeutic practices and potential public health strategies to combat this practice.