Synergistic effects of Momordica charantia, Nigella sativa, and Anethum graveolens on metabolic syndrome targets: In vitro enzyme inhibition and in silico analyses

Momordica charantia, Nigella sativa, and Anethum graveolens are established medicinal plants possessing noted anti-diabetic and anti-obesity properties. However, the molecular mechanisms underscoring their inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase, α-glucosidase, and HMG-CoA reductase remain unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the efficacy of various NS, MC, and AG blends in modulating the enzymatic activity of pancreatic lipase, HMG-CoA reductase, and a-glucosidase, utilizing an integrative approach combining in vitro assessments and molecular modeling techniques. A factorial design matrix generated eight distinct concentration combinations of NS, MC, and AG, subsequently subjected to in vitro enzyme inhibition assays. Molecular docking analyses using AutoDock Vina, molecular dynamics simulations, MMPBSA calculations, and principal component analysis, were executed with Gromacs to discern the interaction dynamics between the compounds and target enzymes. A formulation comprising NS:MC:AG at a 215:50:35 μg/mL ratio yielded significant inhibition of pancreatic lipase (IC50: 74.26 ± 4.27 μg/mL). Moreover, a concentration combination of 215:80:35 μg/mL effectively inhibited both α-glucosidase (IC50: 66.09 ± 3.98 μg/mL) and HMGCR (IC50: 129.03 μg/mL). Notably, MC-derived compounds exhibited superior binding affinity towards all three enzymes, compared to their reference molecules, with diosgenin, Momordicoside I, and diosgenin displaying binding affinities of -11.0, -8.8, and -7.9 kcal/mol with active site residues of pancreatic lipase, α-glucosidase, and HMGCR, respectively. Further, 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations revealed the formation and stabilization of non-bonded interactions between the compounds and the enzymes' active site residues. Through a synergistic application of in vitro and molecular modeling methodologies, this study substantiated the potent inhibitory activity of the NS:MC:AG blend (at a ratio of 215:80:35 μg/mL) and specific MC compounds against pancreatic lipase, α-glucosidase, and HMGCR. These findings provide invaluable insights into the molecular underpinnings of these medicinal plants' anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects and may guide future therapeutic development.

Evaluation of Ylang Ylang essential oil on alcohol induced hepatotoxicity in rats

The present study is aimed to evaluate the effect of ylang ylang essential oil in alcohol induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Alcohol was used as an inducing agent and Silymarin as a standard molecule. Body weight was measured at a 3 days interval till the twenty first day and at the end of the study, serum AST, ALT, TP, TC, TG, and TB biomarkers were estimated. Further, the liver tissue was evaluated for antioxidant enzymes namely CAT, LPO, SOD and GSH level. Liver weight and histopathology was accessed at the end. Phytocompounds were shortlisted from literature and curated databases. Probable targets of each compound were identified using the SwissTargetPrediction web server. Probable mechanisms of phytocompounds against Alcohol induced hepatotoxicity were analyzed by the STRING and KEGG pathway database. The network between compounds, targets, and pathways was generated via Cytoscape ver. 3.6.1. Docking was performed by AutoDock vina using PyRx0.8v. YYEO group showed increased BW compared to alcohol group and also reversed the increased serum AST, ALT, TP, TC, TG, and TB biomarkers and also increased the level of antioxidant enzymes compared to alcohol induced group. YYEO 400 mg/kg exhibited normal liver weight and histology compared to alcohol. Enrichment and network analysis identified YYEO 63 compounds as beneficial modulators of protein molecules associated with hepatotoxicity via modulating Toll-like receptor, Adipocytokine, TNF, Sphingolipid, FoxO, AMPK, Relaxin, MAPK, NF-kappa B, HIF-1, Fc epsilon RI, IL-17, VEGF, T cell receptor, NOD-like receptor, mTOR, PI3K- Akt signaling pathway, etc. Canangaterpene 1 was identified as a potent inhibitor of aldose reductase.

Graphical abstract

Ventoluft Polyherbal formulation modulates Freund’s Complete Adjuvant induced arthritis in experimental rats

Background: Ventoluft Polyherbal formulation composes multiple traditional medicinal plants composed of various anti-inflammatory agents. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of Ventoluft Polyherbal formulation on Freund’s complete adjuvant-induced arthritic male Wistar rats. Materials and methods: The study included thirty-six rats, containing six in each. Arthritis was induced by injecting FCA (0.1ml) in joints of the right sub-plantar region of rats in negative control and all test groups i.e. (20, 40, and 80mg/kg p.o) for 28 days except normal group. A positive control, indomethacin (10mg/kg, i.p.) was also tested for 28 days. During the treatment, paw volume was measured weekly once. At the end of the experiment, physical, hematological, and biochemical effects were evaluated. Results:Administration of Ventoluft at the doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg b.w. p.o exhibited statistically significant (p < 0.001) inhibition of the paw edema and joint swelling, along with an increase in body weight, decrease in rheumatoid and spleen index factors. Conclusion: The results from hematological and biochemical parameters have shown that Ventoluft possesses potent anti-arthritic activity, Results obtained in the present study indicate that Ventoluft formulation has exhibited, dose-dependent improvement in FCA induced rheumatoid arthritis. 

Triterpene saponins from Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn as a potent inhibitor of 11β-HSD1 for type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome

Background

Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn, Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy, and Feronia limonia (L.) Swingle is widely utilized in traditional folk medicine against diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome but lacks the evidence of compound-protein interaction for the treatment.

Methods

Phytocompounds were retrieved from herbs databases and public repositories. Probable protein targets were predicted using BindingDB (p ≥ 0.7). The pathways modulated by compounds were analyzed using the STRING and KEGG pathways. The compound-protein-pathway network was constructed using Cytoscape v3.6.1. Druglikeness was predicted by Molsoft. Docking was performed by AutoDock vina by PyRx 0.8v.

Results

Among three plants, eleven triterpene saponins from B. acutangula showed druggable characteristics and identified to inhibit the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1/HSD11B1) as a key protein target and also inhibit/modulate other 27 protein molecules involved in the 3 major pathways i.e. Metabolic syndrome, cGMP-PKG signaling, and insulin resistance pathways and also these compounds showed interactions with the active site amino acid residues of 11β-HSD1. Among eleven compounds Barringtogenol B scored the highest binding affinity by forming a hydrogen bond with Ile218 active site residue of 11β-HSD1.

Conclusion

Triterpene saponins contained in B. acutangula bark and seed inhibits 11Β-HSD1 and this multi-compound contained enriched fraction could be the potent treatment regimen for T2DM, obesity, and MetS.