In vitro and in vivo antidiabetic effect of extracts of Melia azedarach, Zanthoxylum alatum, and Tanacetum nubigenum

Ethnobotanical assessment of antidiabetic medicinal plants in District Karak, Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is a leading health disorder and is responsible for high mortality rates across the globe. Multiple treatment protocols are being applied to overcome this morbidity and mortality including plant-based traditional medicines. This study was designed to investigate the ethnomedicinal status of plant species used to treat diabetes in District Karak, Pakistan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A semi-structured survey was created to collect data about traditionally used medicinal plants for diabetes and other ailments. The convenience sampling method was applied for the selection of informants. The collected data was evaluated through quantitative tools like frequency of citation (FC), relative frequency of citation (RFC), informant consensus factor (FIC), fidelity level (FL), and use value (UV).

RESULTS

A total of 346 local informants were selected for this research. Out of them, 135 participants were men and 211 participants were women. Overall 38 plant species belonging to 29 plant families were used to treat diabetes. The most dominant plant family was Oleaceae having 11 species. Powder form (19%) was the most recommended mode of preparation for plant-based ethnomedicines. Leaves (68%) were the most frequently used parts followed by fruit (47%). The highest RFC was recorded for Apteranthes tuberculata (0.147). The maximum FL was reported for Apteranthes tuberculata (94.4) and Zygophyllum indicum (94.11) for diabetes, skin, and wounds. Similarly, the highest UV of (1) each was found for Brassica rapa, Melia azedarach, and Calotropis procera. Based on documented data, the reported ailments were grouped into 7 categories. The ICF values range between 0.89 (diabetes) to 0.33 (Cardiovascular disorders).

CONCLUSION

The study includes a variety of antidiabetic medicinal plants, which are used by the locals in various herbal preparations. The species Apteranthes tuberculata has been reported to be the most frequently used medicinal plant against diabetes. Therefore, it is recommended that such plants be further investigated in-vitro and in-vivo to determine their anti-diabetic effects.

Can Polyherbal Medicine be used for the Treatment of Diabetes? - A Review of Historical Classics, Research Evidence and Current Prevention Programs

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic medical condition, has attained a global pandemic status over the last few decades affecting millions of people. Despite a variety of synthetic drugs available in the market, the use of herbal medicines for managing diabetes is gaining importance because of being comparatively safer. This article reviews the result of a substantial literature search on polyherbal formulations (PHFs) developed and evaluated with potential for DM. The accumulated data in the literature allowed us to enlist 76PHFs consisting of different parts of 147 plant species belonging to 58 botanical families. The documented plant species are laden with bioactive components with anti-diabetic properties and thus draw attention. The most favoured ingredient for PHFs was leaves of Gymnema sylvestre and seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum used in 27 and 22 formulations, respectively. Apart from herbs, shilajit (exudates from high mountain rocks) formed an important component of 9 PHFs, whereas calcined Mytilus margaritiferus and goat pancreas were used in Dolabi, the most commonly used tablet form of PHF in Indian markets. The healing properties of PHFs against diabetes have been examined in both pre-clinical studies and clinical trials. However, the mechanism(s) of action of PHFs are still unclear and considered the pitfalls inherent in understanding the benefits of PHFs. From the information available based on experimental systems, it could be concluded that plant-derived medicines will have a considerable role to play in the control of diabetes provided the challenges related to their bioavailability, bioefficacy, optimal dose, lack of characterization, ambiguous mechanism of action, and clinical efficiency are addressed.

Unveiling the antiviral potential of Plant compounds from the Meliaceae family against the Zika virus through QSAR modeling and MD simulation analysis

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes, causing neurological disorders and congenital malformations. RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is one of its essential enzymes and a promising drug target for antiviral therapy due to its involvement in the growth and multiplication of the virus. In this study, we conducted a QSAR-based chemical library screening from the Meliaceae family to identify potential RdRp inhibitors. The QSAR model was built using the known inhibitors of RdRp NS5 of ZIKV and their biological activity (EC50), along with the structural and chemical characteristics of the compounds. The top two hit compounds were selected from QSAR screening for further analysis using molecular docking to evaluate their binding energies and intermolecular interactions with RdRp, including the critical residue Trp485. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to evaluate their binding stability and flexibility upon binding to RdRp. The MD results showed that the selected compounds formed stable complexes with RdRp, and their binding interactions were similar to those observed for the native ligand. The binding energies of the top two hits (-8.6 and -7.7 kcal/mole) were comparable to those of previously reported ZIKV RdRp inhibitors (-8.9 kcal/mole). The compound IMPHY009135 showed the strongest binding affinity with RdRp, forming multiple hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with key residues. However, compound IMPHY009276 showed the most stable and consistent RMSD, which was similar to the native ligand. Our findings suggest that IMPHY009135 and IMPHY009276 are potential lead compounds for developing novel antiviral agents against ZIKV.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Modulation of Insulin Resistance by Silybum marianum Leaves, and its Synergistic Efficacy with Gymnema sylvestre, Momordica charantia, Trigonella-foenum graecum Against Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B

Prolonged insulin resistance is considered one of the reasons for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Upregulation of Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a negative regulator of insulin signalling, has been well studied as a key regulator in prognosis to insulin resistance. It has been widely studied as a desirable molecular therapeutic target. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of leaf extract of the medicinal plants Silybum marianum on the inhibition of PTP1B activity. It also explored the synergistic effect with extracts of Gymnema sylvestre (leaves), Momordica charantia (seeds), and Trigonella foenum graecum (seeds). The S. marianum leaves showed dose-dependent inhibition of PTP1B ranging from 9.48-47.95% (25-1000 μg mL-1). Assay with individual plant extracts showed comparatively lesser inhibition of PTP1B as compared to metformin as a control (38% inhibition). However, a synergistic effect showed nearly 45% PTP1B inhibition (higher than metformin) after the assay was done with selected four plant extracts in combination. The effect of leaf extracts of S. marianum was studied for glucose uptake efficiency in yeast cell lines which was found to be increased by 23% as compared to the control (without extract). Metformin improves glucose upake by yeast cells by ~15-31%. GC-MS analysis revealed 23 phytochemicals, some of which possessed anti-diabetic properties. A dose-dependent increase in antioxidant activity of S. marianum leaves extracts was observed (40-53%). The findings of the study highlighted the presence of various phytochemicals in leaves extracts that are effective against PTP1B inhibition and may help in reinvigorating drug development.

Tanacetum species: Bridging empirical knowledge, phytochemistry, nutritional value, health benefits and clinical evidence

Introduction: The Tanacetum genus consists of 160 accepted flowering species thriving throughout temperate regions, mainly in the Mediterranean Basin, Northern America, and southwestern and eastern Asia. Tanacetum species bear a long-standing record of use in the folk medicine of indigenous tribes and communities worldwide, along with multitudinous applications in traditional cuisines, cosmeceuticals, and agricultural fields. Methods: Up-to-date data related to traditional uses, phytochemistry, biological activities, toxicity and clinical trials of the genus Tanacetum were systematically reviewed from several online scientific engines, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SciFinder, Wiley Online, Science Direct, and Cochrane library. Results and discussion: Over the past three decades, 241 metabolites have been isolated from nearly twenty species, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, coumarins, fatty acids and alkanes, aldehydes, volatile compounds, and naphthoquinones. Some unique metabolites have also been identified, such as the ceramides tanacetamide (A-D) from T. artemisioides, pyrethrins from T. cinerariifolium, and sesquiterpene lactones from several species. However, these secondary metabolites are still poorly studied despite in vitro clues highlighting their colossal pharmacological properties, especially as hypotensive, neuroprotective, anticancer, and antimicrobial agents. Scientific studies have validated some traditional claims of the plant, such as antidiabetic, anticancer, anthelmintic, insecticide, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective activities, as well as against festering wounds, skin ulcers, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted diseases. Other ethnomedicinal uses for arthritis, gout, rheumatism, anemia, and as a litholytic, antivenom and diaphoretic have not yet been supported and would constitute the subject of further research.

Plant bioactive compounds and their mechanistic approaches in the treatment of diabetes: a review

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing disease across the world; diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder in which blood glucose concentration level increases and continue for a prolonged period due to a decrease secretion of insulin or action, resulting in the disorder of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. The plant-related bioactive compounds have proven their efficacy with least toxicities and can be utilized for the disease treatment. Our objective is to elucidate the mechanism of action of plant bioactive compounds which can give future direction in diabetes treatment.

Main body

In this review paper, we briefly study more than 200 research papers related to disease and bioactive compounds that have therapeutic applicability in treatment. The plant contains many bio-active compounds which possess in vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic effect which may be responsible for the hypoglycaemic property by inhibiting the digestive enzyme i.e. alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, by producing mimetic action of insulin, by reducing the oxidative stress, by showing antihyperglycemic activity and hypolipidemic activity, by inhibition of aldose reductase, and by increasing or enhancing glucose uptake and insulin secretion.

Conclusion

Our study revealed that terpenes, tannin, flavonoids, saponin, and alkaloids are important bioactive constituents for anti-diabetic activity. The mechanistic approach on alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase, hypolipidemic activity, and AR inhibitory action clear-cut explain the therapeutic applicability of these bioactive compounds in disease. Plants that contain these bioactive compounds can be good drug candidates for future research on diabetes treatment.

Exploring the plant-derived bioactive substances as antidiabetic agent: An extensive review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic syndrome. Diabetes has become more common in recent years. Chemically generated drugs are used to lessen the effects of DM and its following repercussions due to unpleasant side effects such as weight gain, gastrointestinal issues, and heart failure. On the other hand, medicinal plants could be a good source of anti-diabetic medications. This article aims to determine any plant matrix's positive potential. Food restriction, physical activity, and the use of antidiabetic plant-derived chemicals are all being promoted as effective ways to manage diabetes because they are less expensive and have fewer or no side effects. This review focuses on antidiabetic plants, along with their bioactive constituent, chemically characterization, and plant-based diets for diabetes management. There is minimal scientific data about the mechanism of action of the plant-based product has been found. The purpose of this article is to highlight anti-diabetic plants and plant-derived bioactive compounds that have anti-diabetic properties. It also provides researchers with data that may be used to build future strategies, such as identifying promising bioactive molecules to make diabetes management easier.

Cytotoxicity, Anti-Obesity and Anti-Diabetic Activities of Heteromorpha arborescens (Spreng.) Cham Leaves

This study investigated the cytotoxicity, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic potentials of blanched, aqueous and ethanol extracts of Heteromorpha arborescens (Spreng.) Cham leaves. The results revealed that both ethanol and aqueous extracts exhibited considerable inhibition against α-glucosidase (IC50 of 627.29 ± 4.62 µg/mL and 576.46 ± 3.21 µg/mL respectively), while the blanched extract showed weak α-glucosidase inhibition (IC50; 855.38 ± 4.29 µg/mL) and the aqueous extract showed the best α-amylase inhibition (IC50; 583.74 ± 5.87 µg/mL). However, weak α-amylase inhibition was observed in the ethanol (IC50; 724.60 ± 4.33 µg/mL) and blanched extracts (IC50; 791.63 ± 3.76 µg/mL). The toxicity of the extracts is indicated by LC50 values as 154.75 µg/mL, 125 µg/mL and 90.58 µg/mL for ethanol, aqueous and blanched extracts respectively, indicating the blanched extract to be the most toxic. Moderate glucose utilization in both C3A and L6 cells was also observed for the aqueous and ethanol extracts which may be attributed to the relatively lower toxicity levels present. However, glucose utilization was very weak for the blanched extract, which may be due to higher level of cytotoxicity it possessed. Relatively weaker lipase inhibition was observed for the ethanol (IC50; 699.3 ± 1.33 µg/mL), aqueous (IC50; 811.52 ± 3.52 µg/mL) and blanched extracts (IC50; 1152.7 ± 4.61 µg/mL) compared to orlistat (IC50; 56.88 ± 0.11 µg/mL). However, there was no reasonable reduction in lipid accumulation observed in all the extract treated cells. These observations suggest that ethanol and aqueous extracts of H. arborescens leaf are promising as new agents for the treatment of diabetes and its acclaimed anti-obesity potentials are likely due to its lipase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition.

Acaricidal activity of Artemisia herba-alba and Melia azedarach oil nanoemulsion against Hyalomma dromedarii and their toxicity on Swiss albino mice

Biopesticides such as essential oils (EOs) are considered an improvement for integrated pest control as they appear to be less toxic to the environment than chemical acaricides. The current study aimed to evaluate the acaricidal activity of Artemisia herba-alba and Melia azedarach oil loaded nano-emulsion as alternatives for chemical acaricides against the camel tick Hyalomma dromedarii, besides evaluating their toxic effect on Swiss albino mice. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used for the characterization of loaded nano-emulsions.The immersion test was used for the bioassay of both loaded nanoemulsions on tick stages (egg, nymph, larva, and adult). Mortality percentages and LC₅₀ values of each tick stage were calculated. Reproductive performance for the survived engorged females after treatment was monitored. The toxicity of both loaded nano-emulsions was evaluated on Swiss albino mice by an oral dose of 1500 mg/kg/day for five successive days. The hematological, biochemical, and histopathological changes were evaluated. TEM characterization revealed spherical droplets for A. herba-alba and M. azedarach oil loaded nano-emulsion with droplet size ranging from 62 to 69 nm and 52-91 nm, respectively. FTIR revealed the absence of extra peaks in the loaded nano-emulsions that confirmed no chemical changes existed by ultrasonication. The LC₅₀ values of A. herba-alba and M. azedarach oil loaded nano-emulsion on embryonated eggs, larvae, engorged nymphs, and unfed adults were 0.3 and 1.1%, 0.7 and 1.7%, 0.3 and 0.4%, 4.4 and 22.2%, respectively. The egg productive index (EPI), egg number, and hatchability percentage were lower in the treated females compared with Butox 5% (deltamethrin) and control. The hematological picture and biochemical analysis revealed insignificant changes in the treatment group compared with the negative control group. The liver of the A. herba-alba and M. azedarach oil loaded nano-emulsion treated group exhibited vacuolar degeneration and infiltration of lymphocytic cells. The kidney of mice treated with A. herba-alba and M. azedarach oil loaded nano-emulsion showed hemolysis and slight degeneration of epithelial cells of tubules. It is concluded that A. herba-alba and M. azedarach oil loaded nano-emulsion have good acaricidal activity against camel tick H. dromedarii.

Reduction of blood glucose by plant extracts and their use in the treatment of diabetes mellitus; discrepancies in effectiveness between animal and human studies

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The global problem of diabetes, together with the limited access of large numbers of patients to conventional antidiabetic medicines, continues to drive the search for new agents. Ancient Asian systems such as traditional Chinese medicine, Japanese Kampo medicine, and Indian Ayurvedic medicine, as well as African traditional medicine and many others have identified numerous plants reported anecdotally to treat diabetes; there are probably more than 800 such plants for which there is scientific evidence for their activity, mostly from studies using various models of diabetes in experimental animals.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

Rather than a comprehensive coverage of the literature, this article aims to identify discrepancies between findings in animal and human studies, and to highlight some of the problems in developing plant extract-based medicines that lower blood glucose in patients with diabetes, as well as to suggest potential ways forward.

METHODS

In addition to searching the 2018 PubMed literature using the terms 'extract AND blood glucose, a search of the whole literature was conducted using the terms 'plant extracts' AND 'blood glucose' AND 'diabetes' AND 'double blind' with 'clinical trials' as a filter. A third search using PubMed and Medline was undertaken for systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating the effects of plant extracts on blood glucose/glycosylated haemoglobin in patients with relevant metabolic pathologies.

FINDINGS

Despite numerous animal studies demonstrating the effects of plant extracts on blood glucose, few randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have been conducted to confirm efficacy in treating humans with diabetes; there have been only a small number of systematic reviews with meta-analyses of clinical studies. Qualitative and quantitative discrepancies between animal and human clinical studies in some cases were marked; the factors contributing to this included variations in the products among different studies, the doses used, differences between animal models and the human disease, and the impact of concomitant therapy in patients, as well as differences in the duration of treatment, and the fact that treatment in animals may begin before or very soon after the induction of diabetes.

CONCLUSION

The potential afforded by natural products has not yet been realised in the context of treating diabetes mellitus. A systematic, coordinated, international effort is required to achieve the goal of providing anti-diabetic treatments derived from medicinal plants.

Dezhou donkey (Equus asinus) milk a potential treatment strategy for type 2 diabetes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Donkey (Equus asinus) milk has become a medical and nutrient product since ancient times. In addition, donkey milk was regarded as a medicinal food and substitute product for infant formula in some ancient western countries. Chinese ancient medical books documented the medicinal value of donkey milk, using donkey milk to treat diabetes, cough and jaundice.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the donkey milk's components and anti-diabetic effect of donkey milk in vitro and in vivo and to study the molecular mechanism of donkey milk was an anti-diabetic medication.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the gastrointestinal digested donkey milk was simulated in vitro and its products of protein digestion were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. We then performed cell viability assay, insulin secretion assay, animal experiments and ELISA assays to study the anti-diabetic effect of donkey milk in vitro and in vivo. Donkey milk's anti-diabetic molecular mechanism and specific targets were detected by using quantitative real time PCR.

RESULTS

Lysozyme (LZ) and α-lactalbumin (α-La) exhibited significantly lower digestibility and higher retention than the other components of donkey milk. In vitro, 500 μg/mL of donkey milk could improve damaged β-cells viability significantly (P < 0.0001). In vivo, the blood glucose and HOMA-IR of diabetic rats treated with donkey milk were 14.23 ± 5.18 mM and 74.94 ± 23.62, respectively, whereas the diabetic group were 22.18 ± 2.23 mM and 112.16 ± 18.44, respectively (P < 0.01). The SOD value of donkey milk group was 265.87 ± 21.29 U/L, while the SOD value of diabetic group was 193.20 ± 52.07 U/L (P < 0.05). These results indicated that the blood glucose was reduced, the ability of the body to eliminate free radicals was enhanced, antioxidant levels in the body was increased, insulin resistance was improved in type 2 diabetic rats after donkey milk powder fed for 4 weeks. Furthermore, donkey milk could treat diabetes through down-regulating phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (Pck1) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC).

CONCLUSIONS

Donkey milk has played an important role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and contributed to the development of the donkey milk products.

Ethnomedicinal Investigation of Medicinal Plants of Chakrata Region (Uttarakhand) Used in the Traditional Medicine for Diabetes by Jaunsari Tribe

The Himalayan region is the treasure house of natural wealth, particularly of medicinal and aromatic plants. These plants are used by the Indian traditional healers for the past many centuries to treat various ailments such as skin disorders, asthma, diabetes, snake bite, fever, pain, eye diseases, diarrhoea, indigestion, jaundice, burn, wound, liver disorder, CNS disorders and urinary tract infection. The indigenous traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and therapies of various local communities has been lost due to changes in traditional culture and the introduction of modern technologies. Therefore, it is essential to explore the traditional knowledge of the indigenous medicinal plants mainly in such areas where there is a severe threat to natural vegetation owing to human inhabitation. The present study aimed to explore the medicinal plants of Chakrata region (Jaunsar-Bawar Hills), Uttarakhand, India used in the folk medicine for the management of diabetes by Jaunsari Tribe. In a comprehensive field survey, the information about the medicinal plants have been mainly collected from the traditional healers and other elderly people belong to the tribal community. All the information about the medicinal plants of the study area was documented in a field book. Various tools have been used to collect the samples for identification purpose and the authentication of the plants was done with the help of taxonomists. The literature on these plants was also searched from online (PubMed and Scopus) as well as from some textbooks and Ayurvedic classical texts. The present survey-based work described a total of 54 plants belonging to 47 genera and 30 families used in the traditional medicine for the management of diabetes in Chakrata region. The information gathered from the local community revealed that the plants are effective in diabetes and one can use most of them without consulting a practitioner or traditional healer. The literature revealed that most of the surveyed plants are already used in the preparation of various antidiabetic formulations such as Chandraprabha vati, Nishamalaki chunra, Amritamehari churna and Nisakathakadi kashayam along with various patent drugs which are frequently prescribed by the Ayurvedic practitioners in India. The present study explored the traditional as well as scientific knowledge on the antidiabetic plants used by the tribal community. The documented information on these plants can be further used by the scientific community to develop new drugs/formulations with the help of modern techniques.