The effects of chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla) extract on the kidney tissue, serum urea and creatinine levels of diabetic rats

Chemical Evaluation, In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Activity of Lavandula angustifolia Grown in Jordan

Lavandula angustifolia is the most widely cultivated Lavandula species for medicinal use. In this study, chemical and biological evaluation of L. angustifolia aqueous, methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and chloroform (CHCl₃) extracts were conducted. Phytochemically, the extracts’ total phenol and flavonoid contents and their antioxidant potential were evaluated. Ethanol extract was analyzed by LC-MS. All extracts were screened in vitro for their antitumor potential using human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-23. For the first time, the antiproliferative potential of the EtOH extract was tested in vivo using mice with induced breast cancer. Ethanol extract exhibited the best cytotoxicity and safety profile of the tested extracts, with IC₅₀ values of 104.1 µg/mL on MCF-7 and 214.5 µg/mL on MDA-MB-231 cell lines, respectively. In vivo, this extract revealed a reduction in tumor size by 43.29% in the treated group, compared to an increase in the tumor growth by 58.9% in the control group. Moreover, undetected tumor was found in 12.5% of the sample size. In conclusion, this study provides novel insight and evidence on the antiproliferative efficacy of L. angustifolia ethanol extract against breast cancer with potent anti-oxidant potential.

Hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic activities of Alhagi camelorum in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Wistar rats

This study investigates the alcoholic extract effect of Alhagi camelorum on blood glucose and lipid profiles in diabetic rats made by streptozotocin (STZ). Male rats were divided into four groups. The control group received a normal diet. The diabetic group was induced by STZ and two diabetic experimental groups received alcoholic extracts of A. camelorum at a dose of 200 and 300 mg/kg by means of gavage, respectively. Blood samples were collected on 21st from all the groups. Findings show that there is a significant increase in the level of fasting blood sugar and lipid profiles in diabetic group when the results compared to the control group (p < .05). The same factors showed a drop in groups receiving extract. The levels of insulin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were increased in groups that received alcoholic extract. Results indicate that alcoholic extract of A. camelorum decreases the rate of hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia associated with diabetes.

Periodontitis exacerbates the renal degenerative effects of obesity in rats

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Obesity and periodontitis are systemic subclinical inflammatory diseases with established negative renal effects. The aim of this animal study was to thoroughly investigate the possible effects of these two diseases on renal structure and function.

METHODS

Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control (C), obesity (Ob), experimental periodontitis (Ep), and Ob + Ep. The first 16 weeks of the experiment were aimed for the induction of obesity and the last 5 weeks for the induction of periodontitis. Throughout the experimental period, the C and Ep groups were fed standard rat chow, while the Ob groups (Ob and Ob + Ep) were fed high-fat rat chow. Right after the establishment of obesity, periodontal tissue destruction was achieved by placing 3.0 silk sutures in sub-paramarginal position around the cervices of mandibular right-left first molar teeth and preserving them for 5 weeks. On the last day of the 22^nd week, following blood collection, all rats were euthanized, and kidneys and mandibles were collected. Alveolar bone loss was measured on microcomputed tomographic slices. Histopathological evaluations (light microscopy, semi-quantitative analysis of renal corpuscle area, and immunohistochemical analysis of caspase-3 activity) were done on right kidneys and biochemical evaluations (malonyl-aldehyde [MDA], glutathione [GSH], total oxidant status [TOS], total antioxidant status [TAS], oxidative stress [OSI], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin-1β [IL-1β], matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-8, MMP-9, and cathepsin D [CtD] levels) were done on left kidneys. Renal functional status was evaluated with levels of serum creatinine, urea, and cystatin C.

RESULTS

Periodontal bone loss was significantly higher in the Ep and Ob + Ep groups, compared with the C and Ob groups (p < .05). All parameters except TAS and GSH were highest in the Ob + Ep group, and the differences were statistically significant compared with the control group (p < .05). Although the mean TAS and GSH levels were lower in the Ob + Ep group than the other groups, the differences were not statistically significant (p > .05). While the atypical glomeruli score was significantly higher in the Ob + Ep group than in all other groups (p < .05), the acute tubular necrosis and histopathological scores were significantly different only compared with the control group (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

This experimental study showed that the negative effects of the co-existence of periodontitis and obesity on inflammatory stress and apoptotic changes in the kidneys together with the functional parameters were significantly more severe, compared with the presence of one of these diseases alone. TNF-α could have a central role in the periodontitis and obesity-related structural and functional renal changes.

Olive Leaf Powder Modulate Insulin Production and Circulating Adipokines in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Olives (Olea europaea) have natural phytochemical compounds that are of great importance for their potential beneficially health effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of olive leaf powder (OLP) on insulin production and circulating adipokines in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty Wistar-albino male rats, weighing 200-225 g were divided into four groups (n = 10); group I: Normal healthy rats received balanced diet; group II: Diabetic control rats receiving balanced diet; group III: Diabetic rats receiving balanced diet + standard antidiabetic drugs (metformin, 600 mg/bw) and group four: Diabetic rats received diet supplemented with 2.0% OLP. The experiment was conducted for four weeks. Our results showed that the consumption of 2.0% OLP decreased serum glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, whereas serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) level was increased. OLP supplementation also inhibited the atherogenic index [AI; log (TG/HDL-C) and atherogenic coefficient (AC)] levels relative to those of the untreated diabetic group. Moreover, OLP increased serum adiponectin concentration, and decreased serum leptin concentration. Liver and kidney functions were also attenuated by OLP. This finding also implies that OLP can play an important role in the treatment and delay of diabetic complications.

Antidiabetic Potency, Antioxidant Effects, and Mode of Actions of Citrus reticulata Fruit Peel Hydroethanolic Extract, Hesperidin, and Quercetin in Nicotinamide/Streptozotocin-Induced Wistar Diabetic Rats

This study is aimed at assessing the antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant effects of Citrus reticulata (C. reticulata) fruit peel hydroethanolic extract and two flavonoids, hesperidin and quercetin, in nicotinamide (NA)/streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced type 2 diabetic rats. In addition, GC-MS and HPLC-MS analyses of the extract were performed and the results indicated the presence of multiple flavonoids including hesperidin, quercetin, naringin, and polymethoxylated flavones (nobiletin and tangeretin). To achieve the aim of the study, diabetic rats with NA/STZ-induced T2DM were orally treated with C. reticulata fruit peel hydroethanolic extract, hesperidin, and quercetin at a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w./day for four weeks. The treatments with C. reticulata fruit peel extract, hesperidin, and quercetin significantly ameliorated the impaired oral glucose tolerance; the elevated serum fructosamine level; the diminished serum insulin and C-peptide levels; the altered HOMA-IR, HOMA-IS, and HOMA-β cell function; the decreased liver glycogen content; the increased liver glucose-6-phosphatase and glycogen phosphorylase activities; the deleteriously affected serum lipid profile; the elevated serum AST and ALT activities; and the raised serum creatinine and urea levels in the diabetic rats. The treatments also produced remarkable improvement in the antioxidant defense system manifested by a decrease in the elevated liver lipid peroxidation and an increase in the lowered glutathione content and GPx, GST, and SOD activities. Furthermore, the three treatments enhanced the mRNA expression of GLUT-4 and the insulin receptor β-subunit, but only quercetin produced a significant increase in the expression of adiponectin in adipose tissue of diabetic rats. In conclusion, C. reticulata fruit peel hydroethanolic extract, hesperidin, and quercetin have potent antidiabetic effects which may be mediated through their insulinotropic effects and insulin-sensitizing actions. In addition, the alleviation of the antioxidant defense system by the extract, hesperidin, and naringin may have an important action to enhance the antidiabetic actions and to improve liver and kidney functions in NA/STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Antibacterial and Potential Antidiabetic Activities of Flavone C-glycosides Isolated from Beta vulgaris Subspecies cicla L. var. Flavescens (Amaranthaceae) Cultivated in Egypt

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is the most common disease in Egypt. In this context, Beta vulgaris subspecies cicla L. var. flavescens is an edible plant that has been used in traditional medicine as a therapy for treating some diseases.

OBJECTIVES

The current study was performed to evaluate the antibacterial and potential anti-diabetic activities of different extracts and isolated flavone C-glycoside compounds isolated from Beta vulgaris subspecies cicla L. var. flavescens leaves.

METHODS

Phytochemical investigation of n-butanol extract led to the isolation of five phytoconstituents. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic tools, including 1D-NMR (1H- & 13C-NMR) and 2D-NMR (HMQC & HMBC) besides the comparison of the data with the literature. The extracts and phytoconstituents were evaluated in vitro for their activity against some bacterial pathogens, which represent prominent human pathogens, particularly in hospital settings. The antibacterial activity was examined against three Gram-positive bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis & Enterococcus faecalis) and five Gram-negative ones (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis & Salmonella typhimurium) relative to Ciprofloxacin as a reference drug. Furthermore, the in vitro antidiabetic activity (Type II) was evaluated using the alpha-glucosidase inhibitory assay.

RESULTS

Five flavone C-glycosides namely; Apigenin 8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside (vitexin) (1), 2''-Oxylopyranosylvitexin (2), acacetin 8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), acacetin 8-C-α-L-rhamnoside (4), and 6,8-di-C-β-D-glucopyranosylapigenin (vecinin-II) (5) were isolated from n-butanol extract of B. vulgaris subspecies cicla L. var. flavescens. Compound 1 showed a promising antibacterial activity against most of the test bacterial strains with respect to the minimum inhibitory concentration values (MIC) ranged from 1.95 to 15.63 µg ml-1. On the other hand, compounds 1 and 3 demonstrated superior antidiabetic activities with IC50 values of 35.7 and 42.64 µg ml-1, respectively, while an inferior potential antidiabetic activity was recorded for compound 4 (IC50 = 145.5 µg ml-1) in comparison with Acarbose as a reference drug.

CONCLUSION

B. vulgaris L. is an edible plant, which could be used as a natural source of antibiotic and hypoglycemic drugs.

Sporidiobolus pararoseuswall-broken powder ameliorates oxidative stress in diabetic nephropathy in type-2 diabetic mice by activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway

STZ-induced diabetic mice are given a high-fat diet and SPP, which is a rich source of β-carotene, γ-carotene, torulene and torularhodin. The result indicated SPP can ameliorate diabetic nephropathyviaactivating Nrf2/ARE pathway.

Research on the Relationships between Endogenous Biomarkers and Exogenous Toxic Substances of Acute Toxicity in Radix Aconiti

Radix Aconiti, a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been widely used throughout China for disease treatment due to its various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, cardiotonic, and analgesic effects. However, improper use of Radix Aconiti often generated severe acute toxicity. Currently, research on the toxic substances of Radix Aconiti is not rare. In our previous study, acute toxic biomarkers of Radix Aconiti have been found. However, few studies were available to find the relationships between these endogenous biomarkers and exogenous toxic substances. Therefore, in this study, toxic substances of Radix Aconiti have been found using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology. Then, we used biochemical indicators as a bridge to find the relationships between biomarkers and toxic substances of Radix Aconiti through Pearson correlation analysis and canonical correlation analysis (CCA). Finally, the CCA results showed that LysoPC(22:5) is related to 14-acetyl-talatisamine, mesaconitine, talatisamine and deoxyaconitine in varying degrees; l-acetylcarnitine is negatively correlated with deoxyaconitine and demethyl-14-acetylkaracoline; shikimic acid has a good correlation with karacoline, demethyl-14-acetylkaracoline and deoxyaconitine; and valine is correlated with talatisamine and deoxyaconitine. Research on these relationships provides an innovative way to interpret the toxic mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine, and plays a positive role in the overall study of TCM toxicity.

Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) extract improved hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and surfactant-associated protein alterations in rat lungs

CONTEXT

Chard is used as an antidiabetic agent by the diabetic patients in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE

The effect of chard extract [Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla (Chenopodiaceae)] on the antioxidant system and the expression of surfactant-associated proteins (SP) in the lungs of hyperglycemic rats were examined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hyperglycemia was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) provided intraperitoneally. Fourteen days after the rats were rendered hyperglycemic, the chard (2 g/kg/d), insulin (6 U/kg/d), and chard plus insulin (as mentioned above) were administered to rats for 45 d. On day 60, rats' lungs were removed. Oxidative stress parameters and SP expression were assayed.

RESULTS

The lungs of hyperglycemic rats were characterized by the induced lipid and protein oxidation, elevated myeloperoxidase and xanthine oxidase activities, decreased glutathione levels, and reduced tissue factor and antioxidant enzymes activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase). Chard treatment alone and chard treatment combined with insulin were capable of achieving a regression of pulmonary oxidative stress, by inhibiting lipid and protein oxidation, and restoring the antioxidant system of hyperglycemic rats. SP-A expressions were significantly unchanged in all groups, whereas pro-SP-C and SP-D expressions were reduced in hyperglycemic rats. Pro-SP-C and SP-D levels were increased by chard and insulin administrations alone and combined in hyperglycemic rats.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

All treatments have a positive effect on the surfactant and antioxidant systems of the lungs of hyperglycemic rats. The best therapeutic effect was provided by treatment with chard extract alone in the compensation of hyperglycemic symptoms.

Aqueous fraction of Beta vulgaris ameliorates hyperglycemia in diabetic mice due to enhanced glucose stimulated insulin secretion, mediated by acetylcholine and GLP-1, and elevated glucose uptake via increased membrane bound GLUT4 transporters

Background

The study was designed to investigate the probable mechanisms of anti-hyperglycemic activity of B. Vulgaris.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Aqueous fraction of B. Vulgaris extract was the only active fraction (50mg/kg). Plasma insulin level was found to be the highest at 30 mins after B. Vulgaris administration at a dose of 200mg/kg. B. Vulgaris treated mice were also assayed for plasma Acetylcholine, Glucagon Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP), Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Peptide (PACAP), Insulin Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), Pancreatic Polypeptides (PP), and Somatostatin, along with the corresponding insulin levels. Plasma Acetylcholine and GLP-1 significantly increased in B. Vulgaris treated animals and were further studied. Pharmacological enhancers, inhibitors, and antagonists of Acetylcholine and GLP-1 were also administered to the test animals, and corresponding insulin levels were measured. These studies confirmed the role of acetylcholine and GLP-1 in enhanced insulin secretion (p<0.05). Principal signaling molecules were quantified in isolated mice islets for the respective pathways to elucidate their activities. Elevated concentrations of Acetylcholine and GLP-1 in B. Vulgaris treated mice were found to be sufficient to activate the respective pathways for insulin secretion (p<0.05). The amount of membrane bound GLUT1 and GLUT4 transporters were quantified and the subsequent glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis were assayed. We showed that levels of membrane bound GLUT4 transporters, glucose-6-phosphate in skeletal myocytes, activity of glycogen synthase, and level of glycogen deposited in the skeletal muscles all increased (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Findings of the present study clearly prove the role of Acetylcholine and GLP-1 in the Insulin secreting activity of B. Vulgaris. Increased glucose uptake in the skeletal muscles and subsequent glycogen synthesis may also play a part in the anti-hyperglycemic activity of B. Vulgaris.

Effect of Salvia officinalis on diabetic patients

INTRODUCTION

Herbs are rich sources of natural antioxidants, and are used in traditional medicine for the control and treatment of many diseases. The reducing effect of a large number of these plants on blood glucose has been approved in animal models and clinical studies.

OBJECTIVES

This study was therefore, performed to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of Salvia officinalis on blood glucose, Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, liver and kidney function tests.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A double-blind clinical trial was carried out on 80 type II diabetic patients who had not reached the ideal control of the disease. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups of case and control. The case group received Salvia officinalis and the control group received placebo tablets three times a day for three months. The fasting blood sugar (FBS) and 2 hours postprandial (2hpp) glucose were checked at the beginning and every 2 weeks, for three months Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, liver and kidney function tests were also measured at the beginning and at the end of trial and compared in two mentioned groups.

RESULTS

The 2hpp blood sugar and cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in Salvia officinalis treated patients compared to control group (p<0.05). There were no significant changes in glycosylated hemoglobin and FBS between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

RESULTS showed that Salvia officinalis might be beneficial in diabetic patients to reduce 2hpp and cholesterol. However higher doses might be needed to decrease fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin.

Characterization and biological activity of the main flavonoids from Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subspecies cycla)

The molecular components of a phenolic fraction (P2), obtained from liquid chromatography of a Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cycla) extract, were identified using HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The primary P2 components were: vitexin-2''O-rhamnoside, its demethylated form 2''-xylosylvitexin, isorhamnetin 3-gentiobioside, and rutin. P2 "in toto" and the single components were characterized for antioxidant capacity, antimitotic activity on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and for toxicity to human lymphocytes and macrophages. P2 inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation (IC(50) value = 9 microg/ml) without inducing apoptosis, showed no toxicity to human lymphocytes and slight toxicity to macrophages. Vitexin-2''O-rhamnoside strongly inhibited DNA synthesis in MCF-7 cells, whereas 2''-xylosylvitexin and isorhamnetin 3-gentiobioside were activators; combinations of activators and inhibitors maintained the over-all inhibitory effect.