Evidence-Based Anti-Diabetic Properties of Plant from the Occitan Valleys of the Piedmont Alps

Integrating Metabolomic Analysis, Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking to Underlying Pharmacological Mechanism and Ethnobotanical Rationalization for Diabetes Mellitus: Study on Medicinal Plant Fibraurea tinctoria Lour

INTRODUCTION

Fibraurea tinctoria Lour. has long been used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus (DM). However, a comprehensive scientific understanding of its potential active compounds and underlying pharmacological mechanisms still needs to be unveiled.

OBJECTIVE

This study, therefore, presents a novel approach by integrating metabolomic profiling, pharmacological network, and molecular docking analysis to investigate the potential of F. tinctoria as antidiabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Active compounds were obtained through analysis using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbital ion trap-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) and screening of active compounds using Lipinski rule of five and ADMET parameters. Potential targets of F. tinctoria compounds and DM-related targets were retrieved from public databases, such as DisGeNET, GeneCards, OMIM, PharmaGKB, and TTD. The targets' gene ontology (GO) was created using DAVID and protein-protein interactions using STRING. The plant-organ-compound-target-disease network was constructed using Cytoscape. Then, molecular docking analysis predicted and verified the interactions of essential bioactive compounds of F. tinctoria and DM core targets.

RESULTS

The network pharmacology approach identified 35 active compounds, 565 compound-related targets, and 17,289 DM-related targets. EGFR, HSP90AA1, ESR1, HSP90AB1, and GSK3B were the core targets, whereas isolariciresinol, cubebin, corypalmine, (-)-8-oxocanadine, and (+)-N-methylcoclaurine were the most active compounds of F. tinctoria with DM potential. GO functional enrichment analysis revealed 483 biological processes, 485 cellular components, and 463 molecular functions. REACTOME pathway enrichment analysis yielded 463 significantly enriched signaling pathways. Of these pathways, the cytokine signaling in the immune system pathway may play a key role in treating DM. The results of molecular docking analysis showed that the core targets of DM, such as 5gnk, 3o0i, 6psj, 5ucj, and 1q5k, bind stably to the analyzed bioactive compounds of F. tinctoria.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides significant insights into the potential mechanism of F. tinctoria in treating DM. The main active compounds of F. tinctoria were found to interact with the core targets (EGFR, HSP90AA1, ESR1, HSP90AB1, and GSK3B) through the cytokine signaling pathway in the immune system, suggesting a potential therapeutic pathway for DM. However, it is essential to note that these findings are preliminary, and further research is necessary to validate them. Those research studies could involve in vitro and in vivo studies to confirm the bioactivity of the identified compounds and their interactions with the core targets. When the findings are confirmed, they could have significant clinical implications, potentially leading to developing new therapeutic strategies for DM.

Bioactive Compounds Formulated in Phytosomes Administered as Complementary Therapy for Metabolic Disorders

Metabolic disorders (MDs), including dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity and cardiovascular diseases are a significant threat to human health, despite the many therapies developed for their treatment. Different classes of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and triterpenes have shown therapeutic potential in ameliorating various disorders. Most of these compounds present low bioavailability when administered orally, being rapidly metabolized in the digestive tract and liver which makes their metabolites less effective. Moreover, some of the bioactive compounds cannot fully exert their beneficial properties due to the low solubility and complex chemical structure which impede the passive diffusion through the intestinal cell membranes. To overcome these limitations, an innovative delivery system of phytosomes was developed. This review aims to highlight the scientific evidence proving the enhanced therapeutic benefits of the bioactive compounds formulated in phytosomes compared to the free compounds. The existing knowledge concerning the phytosomes' preparation, their characterization and bioavailability as well as the commercially available phytosomes with therapeutic potential to alleviate MDs are concisely depicted. This review brings arguments to encourage the use of phytosome formulation to diminish risk factors inducing MDs, or to treat the already installed diseases as complementary therapy to allopathic medication.

Untapped potential of non-conventional rubus species: bioactivity, nutrition, and livelihood opportunities

Rubus species holds promise as a valuable source of polyphenols and bioactive compounds, offering significant potential as functional food ingredients with both nutraceutical and pharmaceutical benefits. However, many edible species within this genus remain under-explored and their importance is largely unrecognized. This review aims to provide an overview of the nutritional and bioactive components of both explored and under-explored Rubus species, highlighting their potential health advantages, value addition, and recent advancements. The economic exploitation of Rubus is currently limited to a few cultivated species, while numerous non-conventional and wild edible species are overlooked. Recognizing the economic and nutritional significance of exploited Rubus species, it is imperative to explore the untapped potential of these underutilized plants. By doing so, these species can be preserved from endangerment and contribute to nutritional and livelihood security for communities having access to them. This review emphasizes the importance of understanding the exceptional characteristics of Rubus species as "superfoods" and encourages the promotion and cultivation of these unexplored species. By expanding the cultivation and utilization of under-explored Rubus species, we can unlock their full potential and support sustainable nutritional and economic benefits.

Formulation of Phytosomes with Extracts of Ginger Rhizomes and Rosehips with Improved Bioavailability, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects In Vivo

The poor water solubility of natural antioxidants restricts their bioavailability and therapeutic use. We aimed to develop a new phytosome formulation with active compounds from extracts of ginger (GINex) and rosehips (ROSAex) designed to increase their bioavailability, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The phytosomes (PHYTOGINROSA-PGR) were prepared from freeze-dried GINex, ROSAex and phosphatidylcholine (PC) in different mass ratios using the thin-layer hydration method. PGR was characterized for structure, size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency. Results showed that PGR comprises several different populations of particles, their size increasing with ROSAex concentration, having a zeta potential of ~-21mV. The encapsulation efficiency of 6-gingerol and β-carotene was >80%. 31P NMR spectra showed that the shielding effect of the phosphorus atom in PC is proportional to the amount of ROSAex in PGR. PGR with a mass ratio GINex:ROSAex:PC-0.5:0.5:1 had the most effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in cultured human enterocytes. PGR-0.5:0.5:1 bioavailability and biodistribution were assessed in C57Bl/6J mice, and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated after administration by gavage to C57Bl/6J mice prior to LPS-induced systemic inflammation. Compared to extracts, PGR induced a 2.6-fold increase in 6-gingerol levels in plasma and over 40% in the liver and kidneys, in parallel with a 65% decrease in the stomach. PGR treatment of mice with systemic inflammation increased the sera antioxidant enzymes paraoxonase-1 and superoxide dismutase-2 and decreased the proinflammatory TNFα and IL-1β levels in the liver and small intestine. No toxicity was induced by PGR either in vitro or in vivo. In conclusion, the phytosome formulation of GINex and ROSAex we developed resulted in stable complexes for oral administration with increased bioavailability, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of their active compounds.