Antihyperglycemic activity of polyphenolic components of black/bitter cumin Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Kuntze seeds

Baccharoides anthelmintica (L.) Moench: A Review on Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Toxicological Profile

Baccharoides anthelmintica (L.) Moench is a popular medicinal plant with a long history of use in several traditional remedies to cure a variety of diseases including; its effect on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, metabolism, kidneys, gynecology, skin diseases, and general health. The present review aims to provide the latest, organized information on toxicological, pharmacological, phytochemical, and ethnomedicinal applications of Baccharoides anthelmintica. For this; several well-known searchable websites (search engines) like; Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus-Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, Springer, and DOAJ, were used to empirically investigate the knowledge of this useful medicinal plant. Based on previous studies, the pharmacological action of B. anthelmintica is due to various secondary metabolites including alkaloids, terpenoids, lignans, steroids, and other phytoconstituents. Hence, the present study recorded 225 phytochemicals obtained from different parts of the plant, where the steroids and derivatives (48), terpenes and sesquiterpenes (46), flavonoids and derivatives (41), fatty acids and derivatives (40), phenolic acids (12), triterpenes (11), chalcones (06), diterpenes (01) and miscellaneous (20) were reported. The present review also covered the pharmacological importance, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic action, liver disease, anticancer potential, anti-HIV, antiosteoporotic action, antitoxic action, skin disorder, wound healing and immunomodulatory activity, systemic infection, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases etc. The review concluded that B. anthelmintica has several pharmacological activities, which were due to the presence of secondary metabolites present in it, and thus indicates the importance of medicinal value of this plant. Hence, B. anthelmintica may be a good source for developing a lead molecule in the process of new drug discovery and development. More study is required to determine the pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, long-term toxicology testing, safe dosage, and possible interactions with other herbs/drugs.

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.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Kuntze seed oil in diabetic nephropathy via modulation of Nrf-2/HO-1 and NF-κB pathway

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) approximately constitutes 90% of the reported cases. 30-40% of diabetics eventually develop diabetic nephropathy (DN); accounting for one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Increased glucose autoxidation and non-enzymatic glycation of proteins in diabetic kidneys lead to the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that results in lipid peroxidation and activation of inflammatory mediators which overwhelms the scavenging capacity of the antioxidant defense system (Nrf2/Keap1/HO-1). Centratherum anthelminticum commonly called as kali zeeri (bitter cumin) and its seeds are well known for culinary purposes in Asia (Pakistan). It has reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic activities. The present study has attempted to explore the in-vivo anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antihyperglycemic potential of the C. anthelminticum seed’s fixed oil (FO) and its fractions in high fat-high fructose-streptozotocin (HF-HFr-STZ) induced T2DM rat model.

Methods

The T2DM rat model was developed by giving a high-fat and high-fructose diet followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ 60 mg/kg) on 28th day of the trial. After 72 hours of this injection, rats showing fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels≥230 mg/dL were recruited into six groups. These groups were orally administered distilled water (1 mL/kg), Gliclazide (200 mg/kg), Centratherum anthelminticum seed (FO) and its hexane (HF), chloroform (CF) and ethanol (EF) soluble fractions (200 mg/kg each), respectively for 4 weeks (i.e. 28 days). Blood, serum, and kidney tissue samples of euthanized animals were used for biochemical, pro-inflammatory, and antioxidant markers (ELISA, qRT-PCR, and spectrophotometric assays) and histology, respectively.

Results

C. anthelminticum FO and its fractions reduced the lipid peroxidation, and improved the antioxidant parameters: enzymatic (SOD, CAT, and GPx), non-enzymatic (GSH), and mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory markers (Nrf-2, keap1, and HO-1). mRNA expression of inflammatory and apoptotic markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-1, NF-κB, Bax, and Bcl-2) were attenuated along with improved kidney architecture.

Conclusion

C. anthelminticum can mitigate inflammation and oxidative stress in early DN. The anti-nephropathic effect can be attributed to its ability to down-regulate NF-κB and by bringing the Nrf-2 expression levels to near normal.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-022-03776-x.

Phenolic Acids - Versatile Natural Moiety With Numerous Biological Applications

BACKGROUND

Medicinal uses of natural phenolic acids and its synthetic derivatives have been augmented in recent years. Phenolic acids are chemically defined secondary plant metabolitesand being moieties or leads are much versatile in nature with a widescope of biological activities which seek the attention of researchers across the worldto synthesize different derivatives of phenolic acids and screen them for their various biological properties.These compounds are of meticulous interest due to the properties they possess and their occurrence.Based on the convincing evidences reported in the literature, it is suggested that phenolic acids andtheir derivatives are promising molecules as a drug.

OBJECTIVE

The present review article aims to bring together the information on the biosynthesis, metabolism, and sources of phenolic acids and emphasize on the therapeutic potential of phenolic acid and its synthetic derivatives to comprehensively portray the current scenery for researchers interested in designing drugs for furthering this study.

CONCLUSION

Phenolic acids being moieties or lead are much versatile in nature as they possess a wide range of biological activities like antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticancer and many more which offers researchers to explore more about these or many untapped benefits in medicinal field. The information mentioned in this article will be helpful to the forthcoming researchers working in this area. Phenolic acids have massive potential to be investigated for novel medicinal possibilities and for the development of new chemical moieties to treat different diseases of clinical importance.

New Approaches and advancement in drug development from phenolic p-coumaric acid

P-coumaric acid occurs as a common dietary polyphenol distributed in fruits, vegetables, and cereals in associated and free form. The toxicity profile of the drug is very low and it exhibits many pharmacological actions (antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial activity, antidiabetic, anticancer, and antioxidant effect). P-coumaric acid also acts as a free radical scavenger and inhibits various enzymes which generate free radicals. It is also used as the raw material for the preparation of preservatives, vanillin, sports foods, skin defense agents, and as a cross-linker for the formation of edible films and food gels. The current study is based upon biological effectiveness, molecular docking, SAR, sources of p-coumaric acid, and related derivatives.

Inhibition of Digestive Enzyme and Stimulation of Human Liver Cells (HepG2) Glucose Uptake by Date Seeds Extract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide, and the United Arab Emirates is presenting one of the world's highest prevalence rates. Dietary polyphenols exert an antidiabetic effect by modulating carbohydrates digestion and cellular glucose uptake. Due to their particularly high content in polyphenols, date seeds represent a potential antidiabetic agent. This study aims to determine if date seed polyphenols inhibit the activity of the enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates and modulating the glucose uptake by human liver cells. In vitro activity of the intestinal α-glucosidase, pancreatic α-amylase, the glucose uptake by HepG2 cells, and the expression of GLUT4 and AMPK analyzed by western blotting (with and without date seeds extract). Our result showed that the maximum enzymes inhibition was obtained with 400 μg/mL and 900 μg/mL DSE for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively. The HepG2 cell viability significantly decreased up to 80% at 4000 μg/mL DSE. The expression of GLUT4 was higher at 100 μg/mL DSE (with insulin and without insulin). However, the expressions of P-AMPK and AMPK were increased by DSE, mainly in a non-insulin-dependent manner. Therefore, DSE, by inhibiting carbohydrate digestion and stimulating glucose uptake by HepG2, can potentially demonstrate the therapeutic potential for diabetes management.

Enhancement of rhamnetin production in Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. cell suspension cultures by eliciting with methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid

Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. belongs to the family Asteraceae and has anthelmintic, anti-diabetic, diuretic and anti-asthmatic properties. Present study describes the production of rhamnetin: an O-methylated flavonol with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; in cell suspension cultures of V. anthelmintica. Suspension cultures were established from cream coloured friable calli initiated from leaf explants and cultured in liquid MS medium supplemented with combinations of IAA (1.5 mg L-1) and BAP (1.5 mg L-1). After 20 days of cell suspension culture, the initial inoculum size of 0.5 g was increased to 1.05 g 100 mL-1 dry weight at exponential phase. When the culture was treated with 0.8 mM methyl jasmonate for 6 days; 2.2 fold accumulation of rhamnetin production was obtained on a dry weight basis compared to unelicited control. Likewise, the elicitation with salicylic acid 1 mM for 6 days brought about 2.7 fold rhamnetin production compared to unelicited control. The rhamnetin content in dried leaf tissue of field grown plants was found to be 0.143 mg g-1. Elicitation with methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid brought about 7.7 and 9.4 fold increments in rhamnetin production, compared to leaf tissue of field grown plants on a dry weight basis.

Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd.: An ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. (Asteraceae; Purple Fleabane) has a long history of traditional use for the management of several disorders related to skin, central nervous system, kidney, gynecology, gastrointestinal, metabolism, and general health. The review aims to provide updated systematic information on ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological uses, toxicity studies, and patented formulations of V. anthelmintica. This review will not only help to identify the research gaps but also provide information to the scientific community for future research requisites.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Empirical searches were conducted on the medicinal plant via significant search engines like Google Scholar, Scopus-Elsevier, Medline, SciFinder, Web of Science, Directory of Open Access Journal (DOAJ) from inception until June 2018. Besides, references from local literature, books, and non-English journals were also included.

RESULTS

Scientific reports revealed that V. anthelmintica is a popular medicinal plant used in local and traditional medicine to manage various disorders. Phytochemical studies have identified 193 chemical constituents amongst which steroids form the most abundant class, followed by terpenes. Crude extracts and isolated compounds exhibited various pharmacological activities such as anti-vitiligo, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antipsoriatic, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, immunomodulatory and also helped in managing pulmonary fibrosis and promoting the synthesis of estrogen. Approximately 45 chemical constituents were found to be biologically active. There are only three toxicity reports and 37 patents available on V. anthelmintica.

CONCLUSION

The review suggests that V. anthelmintica act as a promising source for drug development. The potential uses of V. anthelmintica are owing to the presence of phenolic acids, steroids, fatty acids, and terpenes in its composition. However, further studies are needed to explore the exact mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, chronic toxicological studies, safe dose consumption, and possible interactions with other herbs.

LC-ESI-QTOF-MS for the Profiling of the Metabolites and in Vitro Enzymes Inhibition Activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Oxalis corniculata Collected from Ramechhap District of Nepal

The objective of this study was to profile the chemical components and biological activity analysis of crude extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum and Oxalis corniculata. Results revealed that the analyzed plant materials encompass the high amount of total phenolic and flavonoids content and have significant antioxidant activities. Furthermore, methanol extracts are the potential source of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, tyrosinase and elastase inhibitors. High resolution mass spectrometry revealed the presence of diverse metabolites such as quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, myricetin 3-rhamnoside, bersaldegenin 1,3,5-orthoacetate, bryophyllin C, syringic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and quercetin in B. pinnatum and isoorientin, swertisin, apigenin 7,4'-diglucoside, vitexin, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, ethyl gallate, 3,3',4'-trihydroxy-5,7-dimethoxyflavone, and diosmetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside in O. corniculata. Our finding suggested that these two plant species have high medicinal importance and are potential source of inhibitors for modern pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmetics industries.

An assessment of phenolic profiles, fatty acid compositions, and biological activities of two Helichrysum species: H. plicatum and H. chionophilum

In the present study, we aimed to search and compare the biological activities of the ethanol (EtOH), methanol (MeOH), and ethylacetate (EtOAc) solvent extracts of the flower, stem, and root parts of two Helichrysum plants (H. chionophilum (Hc) and H. plicatum subsp. plicatum (Hp)). The antioxidant properties were determined by using (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) (DPPH) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. The enzyme inhibitory effects of the extracts were investigated on butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), α-glucosidase, and α-amylase. Palmitic acid (C 16:0) was also determined as major fatty acids in the tested oils (31.21%-67.68%). In both plants, it was found that the EtOAc extracts of the flowers had a strong antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory effect. In conclusion, the results obtained in the present study showed that H. chionophilum and H. plicatum can be seen as a promising source for the natural bioactive compounds that can be used in therapeutic applications. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The members of the genus Helichrysum have been widely taken for therapeutic purposes in traditional medicine as well as food. In this context, we investigated the chemical characterization and biological activities of two Helichrysum species extracts (H. chionophilum and H. plicatum subsp. plicatum). Antioxidant capacity, enzyme inhibition and anti-microbial effects were tested for biological activities. Chemical characterization was identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (for phenolic) and gas chromatography-flame ioanization detector (GC-FID) (for fatty acids). Based on our findings, the species may be valuable for designing novel food products.

Daily red wine vinegar ingestion for eight weeks improves glucose homeostasis and affects the metabolome but does not reduce adiposity in adults

This is the first study to investigate the effects of vinegar on adiposity and glycemia using both anthropometrics and metabolomics.

An Overview of Plant Phenolic Compounds and Their Importance in Human Nutrition and Management of Type 2 Diabetes

In this paper, the biosynthesis process of phenolic compounds in plants is summarized, which include the shikimate, pentose phosphate and phenylpropanoid pathways. Plant phenolic compounds can act as antioxidants, structural polymers (lignin), attractants (flavonoids and carotenoids), UV screens (flavonoids), signal compounds (salicylic acid, flavonoids) and defense response chemicals (tannins, phytoalexins). From a human physiological standpoint, phenolic compounds are vital in defense responses, such as anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities. Therefore, it is beneficial to eat such plant foods that have a high antioxidant compound content, which will cut down the incidence of certain chronic diseases, for instance diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular diseases, through the management of oxidative stress. Furthermore, berries and other fruits with low-amylase and high-glucosidase inhibitory activities could be thought of as candidate food items in the control of the early stages of hyperglycemia associated with type 2 diabetes.

Antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of Plebeian herba (Salvia plebeia R. Br.) under different cultivation conditions

An adaptation of cultural management to the specific cultural system, as well as crop demand, can further result in the improvement of the quality of horticultural products. Therefore, this study focused on the antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of Plebeian herba (Salvia plebeia R. Br.) grown in hydroponics in comparison with those of the plant grown in soil. The antioxidant activities of Plebeian herba extract were measured as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging abilities as well as the reducing power by decreasing nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) in vitro. Interestingly, by comparison with hydroponics and traditional cultivation, Plebeian herba cultivated in nutrition-based soil improved inhibitory effect on free radicals of DPPH, ABTS, and NO and increased the contents of phenolics such as caffeic acid (1), luteolin-7-glucoside (2), homoplantaginin (3), hispidulin (4), and eupatorin. Free radical scavenging and SOD activity, as well as α-glucosidase inhibitory effect, were higher in Plebeian herba grown in nutrition-based soil than in plants grown in hydroponics and traditional condition.

In vitro antioxidant and pancreatic α-amylase inhibitory activity of isolated fractions from water extract of Qingzhuan tea

In the present work, Qingzhuan tea, a unique dark tea produced by post-fermentation technology, was selected to investigate its antioxidant and pancreatic α-amylase inhibiting activities. Water extract of Qingzhuan tea was successively isolated by solvent partitioning procedures to obtain chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, sediment and residual aqua fractions. Of different fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction (QEF) had the highest total polyphenols and catechins contents, demonstrated the strongest DPPH radical scavenging activity and exhibited the greatest inhibitory effect on porcine pancreatic α-amylase activity in vitro. Further separation of QEF by a Sephadex LH-20 column generated eight subfractions (QEF1-QEF8), with QEF8 being the most active subfraction based on the assays above mentioned. The major active components in QEF8 were identified as catechins EGCG and ECG by LC-MS analysis, with contents of 22.29 % and 11.11 % respectively. Inhibitory effects of catechin standards EGCG and ECG on porcine pancreatic α-amylase activity were also observed. In conclusion, Qingzhuan tea or its water extract could be potentially used as complementary therapy ingredients for diabetes treatment through lowering postprandial blood glucose, and catechins EGCG and ECG may be the most efficient components in the water extract.

Anti-diabetic effects of Centratherum anthelminticum seeds methanolic fraction on pancreatic cells, β-TC6 and its alleviating role in type 2 diabetic rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Seeds of Centratherum anthelminticum (Asteraceae) have been popularly used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes and skin disorders. Folk medicine from Rayalaseema (Andhra Pradesh, India) reported wide spread usage in diabetes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the hypoglycemic properties and mechanism of the methanolic fraction of C. anthelminticum seeds (CAMFs) on mouse β-TC6 pancreatic cell line and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the crude methanolic fraction of C. anthelminticum seeds (CAMFs) on β-TC6 cell line and confirmed its effects on type 1 and type 2 diabetic rats to understand its mechanism in managing diabetes mellitus. CAMFs were initially tested on β-TC6 cells for cytotoxicity, 2-NBDG glucose uptake, insulin secretion and glucose transporter (GLUT-1, 2 and 4) protein expression. Furthermore, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic and STZ-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic rats were intraperitoneally (i.p) injected or administered orally with CAMFs daily for 28 days. The effect of CAMFs on blood glucose and insulin levels was subsequently evaluated.

RESULTS

In cell line studies, CAMFs showed non-cytotoxic effect on β-TC6 cell proliferation compared to untreated control cells at 50 μg/ml. CAMFs increased glucose uptake and insulin secretion dose-dependently by up-regulating GLUT-2 and GLUT-4 expression in these cells. Further in vivo studies on streptozotocin induced diabetic rat models revealed that CAMFs significantly reduced hyperglycemia by augmenting insulin secretion in type 2 diabetic rats. However, CAMFs displayed less significant effects on type 1 diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONS

CAMFs demonstrated anti-diabetic potential on β-TC6 cells and type 2 diabetic rat model, plausibly through enhancing glucose uptake and insulin secretion.

The methanolic fraction of Centratherum anthelminticum seed downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and hyperglycemia in STZ-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic rats

This study aimed to ascertain the potential of Centratherum anthelminticum seeds methanolic fraction (CAMFs) for the management of type 2 diabetes and its associated complications. CAMFs was initially tested on β-TC6 cells for H(2)O(2)-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) translocation effects. The result displayed that CAMFs significantly inhibited NF-κB translocation from cytoplasm into the nucleus, dose-dependently. Furthermore, a 12-week sub-chronic CAMFs study was carried out on streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic rat model to evaluate glycemia, essential biochemical parameters, lipid levels, oxidative stress markers, and pro-inflammatory cytokines level. Our study result showed that CAMFs reduced hyperglycemia by increasing serum insulin, C-peptide, total protein, and albumin levels, significantly. Whereas, elevated blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, lipids and enzyme activities were restored to near normal. CAMFs confirmed antioxidant potential by elevating glutathione (GSH) and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in diabetic rats. Interestingly, CAMFs down-regulated elevated tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the tissues and serum of the diabetic rats. We conclude that CAMFs exerted apparent antidiabetic effects and demonstrated as a valuable candidate nutraceutical for insulin-resistant type 2 diabetes and its associated complications such as dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Chloroform Fraction of Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Seed Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Exhibits Pleotropic Bioactivities: Inhibitory Role in Human Tumor Cells

We investigated the antioxidant potential, cytotoxic effect, and TNF-α inhibition activity with NF-κB activation response in a chloroform fraction of Centratherum anthelminticum seeds (CACF). The antioxidant property of CACF was evaluated with DPPH, ORAC, and FRAP assays, which demonstrated significant antioxidant activity. The cytotoxicity of CACF was tested using the MTT assay; CACF effective inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) for A549, PC-3, MCF-7, and WRL-68 cells were 31.42 ± 5.4, 22.61 ± 1.7, 8.1 ± 0.9, and 54.93 ± 8.3 μg/mL, respectively. CACF effectively and dose-dependently inhibited TNF-α release, in vitro and in vivo. CACF inhibited TNF-α secretion in stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage supernatants with an IC(50) of 0.012 μg/mL, without affecting their viability; the highest dose tested reduced serum TNF-α by 61%. Acute toxicity testing in rats revealed that CACF was non-toxic at all doses tested. Matching the cytotoxic activity towards a mechanistic approach, CACF dose-dependently exhibited in vitro inhibitory effects against the activation of NF-κB translocation in MCF-7 cells. Preliminary phytochemical screening with GC/MS analysis detected 22 compounds in CACF, of which morpholinoethyl isothiocyanate was the most abundant (29.04%). The study reveals the potential of CACF in the treatment of breast cancer and in oxidative stress conditions with associated inflammatory responses.

Antioxidant potential of bitter cumin (Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Kuntze) seeds in in vitro models

BACKGROUND

Bitter cumin (Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Kuntze), is a medicinally important plant. Earlier, we have reported phenolic compounds, antioxidant, and anti-hyperglycemic, antimicrobial activity of bitter cumin. In this study we have further characterized the antioxidative activity of bitter cumin extracts in various in vitro models.

METHODS

Bitter cumin seeds were extracted with a combination of acetone, methanol and water. The antioxidant activity of bitter cumin extracts were characterized in various in vitro model systems such as DPPH radical, ABTS radical scavenging, reducing power, oxidation of liposomes and oxidative damage to DNA.

RESULTS

The phenolic extracts of bitter cumin at microgram concentration showed significant scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radicals, reduced phosphomolybdenum (Mo(VI) to Mo(V)), ferricyanide Fe(III) to Fe(II), inhibited liposomes oxidation and hydroxyl radical induced damage to prokaryotic genomic DNA. The results showed a direct correlation between phenolic acid content and antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSION

Bitter cumin is a good source of natural antioxidants.

Antidiabetic potential of α-amylase inhibitor from the seeds of Macrotyloma uniflorum in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic mice

CONTEXT

Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. (Leguminosae) seeds, known as the poor man's pulse crop in India, have been used as a food and also used in the traditional method for treatment of kidney stones, diabetes, obesity, etc.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the antidiabetic effect of α-amylase inhibitor isolated from the seeds of Macrotyloma uniflorum seeds in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic mice.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

α-Amylase inhibitor was purified using a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) column. Kinetic studies were done using mouse pancreatic and human salivary α-amylase. Its antidiabetic effect was studied in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic mice. Biochemical parameters such as serum total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were determined. Histopathological investigation was performed on the pancreas, kidney, and liver tissue samples.

RESULTS

Macrotyloma uniflorum α-amylase inhibitor (MUAI) inhibited both the mouse pancreatic and human salivary α-amylase in a non-competitive manner with K(i) values of 11 and 8.8 µM and IC(50) value of 30 and 12.5 µg/mL, respectively. It decreased the serum glucose level in the treated diabetic mice. Histological findings suggested minimum pathological changes in the treated diabetic mice as compared to the diabetic control.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The results suggest that MUAI has an antihyperglycemic activity and therefore can be used in the dietary treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

Phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and in vitro inhibitory potential against key enzymes relevant for hyperglycemia and hypertension of commonly used medicinal plants, herbs and spices in Latin America

Traditionally used medicinal plants, herbs and spices in Latin America were investigated to determine their phenolic profiles, antioxidant activity and in vitro inhibitory potential against key enzymes relevant for hyperglycemia and hypertension. High phenolic and antioxidant activity-containing medicinal plants and spices such as Chancapiedra (Phyllantus niruri L.), Zarzaparrilla (Smilax officinalis), Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguayensis St-Hil), and Huacatay (Tagetes minuta) had the highest anti-hyperglycemia relevant in vitro alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities with no effect on alpha-amylase. Molle (Schinus molle), Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp), Caigua (Cyclanthera pedata) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) inhibited significantly the hypertension relevant angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE). All evaluated pepper (Capsicum) genus exhibited both anti-hyperglycemia and anti-hypertension potential. Major phenolic compounds in Matico (Piper angustifolium R.), Guascas (Galinsoga parviflora) and Huacatay were chlorogenic acid and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. Therefore, specific medicinal plants, herbs and spices from Latin America have potential for hyperglycemia and hypertension prevention associated with Type 2 diabetes.

Evaluation of different teas against starch digestibility by mammalian glycosidases

Current work investigated the ability of different tea (green, oolong and black teas) in inhibiting human salivary alpha-amylase (HSA) and mammalian alpha-glucosidase (AGH). The inhibitory profiles were correlated to their major polyphenol content (theaflavins and catechins). The fully fermented black tea was demonstrated to be most potent in inhibiting HSA and AGH (IC50 of 0.42 to 0.67 and 0.56 to 0.58 mg of tea leaves/mL respectively). Its capability in retarding the digestion of a real food system (rice noodle) was further elucidated with an in vitro digestion study. Results indicated that black tea was able to retard starch digestion moderately, thereby allowing a gradual reduction of sugar liberation. Polyphenolic profile analysis suggested that the oxidized catechins, theaflavins, may be responsible for its activity. We have found that refractive index (RI) measurement is a rapid, direct, and highly convenient method for quantifying the degree of enzymatic starch digestion and kinetics. The RI method has good linearity range, limit of detection (0.1596 mg/mL, maltose equivalent) and limit of quantitation (0.6312 mg/mL) and was successfully applied in our study.