Nanoformulation of Leonotis leonurus to improve its bioavailability as a potential antidiabetic drug

Effect of Phenolics from Aeonium arboreum on Alpha Glucosidase, Pancreatic Lipase, and Oxidative Stress; a Bio-Guided Approach

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global issue affecting over a billion people, raising the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and other ailments. It is often characterized by hypertension, dyslipidemia and/or obesity, and hyperglycemia. Chemical investigation of Aeonium arboreum (L.) Webb & Berthel led to the isolation of six compounds, viz. β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol glucoside, myricetin galactoside, quercetin rhamnoside, kaempferol rhamnoside, and myricetin glucoside. Interestingly, A. arboreum's dichloromethane (DCM), 100 and 50% MeOH Diaion fractions and the isolated compound (quercetin-3-rhamnoside) revealed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, especially 50% Diaion fraction. In addition, they also showed very potent antioxidant potential, especially the polar fractions, using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, ORAC, and metal chelation assays. Notably, the 50% Diaion fraction had the highest antioxidant potential using DPPH and ORAC assays, while the 100% Diaion fraction and quercetin-3-rhamnoside showed the highest activity using ABTS, FRAP, and metal chelation assays. Also, quercetin-3-rhamnoside showed a good docking score of -5.82 kcal/mol in comparison to acarbose. In addition, molecular dynamic stimulation studies illustrated high stability of compound binding to pocket of protein. Such potent activities present A. arboreum as a complementary safe approach for the management of diabetes mellitus as well as MetS.

Nanotechnology Formulations Designed with Herbal Extracts and Their Therapeutic Applications - A Review

Because of the increasing demand for natural products, the development of nanoformulations containing natural active ingredients requires in-depth knowledge of the substances used, methods of obtaining, and stability profiles to ensure product quality, efficacy, and safety. Considering this, the bibliography of the last five years presented in databases (PubMed and Science Direct) was discussed in this work, discussing the study with medicinal plants to obtain active metabolites with therapeutic properties, as well as the different nano-systems responsible for carrying these molecules. Due to the wealth of biodiversity found in the world, many species are submitted to the extraction process for several purposes. However, identifying, classifying, and quantifying the constituents of herbal matrices are crucial steps to verify their therapeutic potential. In addition, knowing the techniques of production and elaboration of nanotechnology products allows the optimization of the incorporation of herbal extracts as an innovation target. For studies to be successful, it is necessary to exhaust experimental results that guarantee the efficacy, safety, and quality of natural nanosystems, with the objective of obtaining reliable answers in nanotechnology therapy.

Antidiabetic Medicinal Plants Used in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: An Updated Review

Oral antidiabetic drugs are usually costly and are associated with several adverse side effects. This has led to the use of medicinal plants that are considered to have multiple therapeutic targets and are readily accessible. In the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, the number of people using medicinal plants for the management of diabetes has been climbing steadily over the past two decades due to their cultural acceptability, accessibility, affordability, efficacy, and safety claims. In this study, a review of antidiabetic medicinal plants used in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa was conducted. A comprehensive literature survey was thoroughly reviewed using several scientific databases, ethnobotanical books, theses and dissertations. About forty-eight (48) plant species were identified as being used to treat diabetes by the people of Eastern Cape province. Among the plant species, only eight (8) species have not been scientifically evaluated for their antidiabetic activities and twenty antidiabetic compounds were isolated from these medicinal plants. This review has confirmed the use and potential of the antidiabetic medicinal plants in the Eastern Cape province and identified several promising species for further scientific investigation.

A review on phytochemical and pharmacological facets of tropical ethnomedicinal plants as reformed DPP-IV inhibitors to regulate incretin activity

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder resulting from impaired insulin secretion and resistance. Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-IV is an enzyme known to trigger the catalysis of insulinotropic hormones, further abating the endogenous insulin levels and elevating the glucose levels in blood plasma. In the field of drug development, DPP-IV inhibitors have opened up numerous opportunities for leveraging this target to generate compounds as hypoglycemic agents by regulating incretin activity and subsequently decreasing blood glucose levels. However, the practice of synthetic drugs is an apparent choice but poses a great pharmacovigilance issue due to their incessant undesirable effects. The ideology was set to inventively look upon different ethnomedicinal plants for their anti-diabetic properties to address these issues. To date, myriads of phytochemicals are characterized, eliciting an anti-diabetic response by targeting various enzymes and augmenting glucose homeostasis. Antioxidants have played a crucial role in alleviating the symptoms of diabetes by scavenging free radicals or treating the underlying causes of metabolic disorders and reducing free radical formation. Plant-based DPP-IV inhibitors, including alkaloids, phenolic acid, flavonoids, quercetin, and coumarin, also possess antioxidant capabilities, providing anti-diabetic and antioxidative protection. This review article provides a new gateway for exploring the ability of plant-based DPP-IV inhibitors to withstand oxidative stress under pathological conditions related to diabetes and for reforming the strategic role of ethnomedicinal plants as potent DPP-IV inhibitors through the development of polyherbal formulations and nanophytomedicines to regulate incretin activity.

Recent update on nano-phytopharmaceuticals in the management of diabetes

Due to changed lifestyle and other reasons, diabetes has become one of the common metabolic disorder of the globe. Numerous therapeutic options are available, which controls the plasma glucose levels. However, most of the drugs are associated with some undesired side effects. Owing to the side effects and enhanced understanding of the phytochemicals, an inclination toward herbal medicine is seen in the population. These herbal products are also associated with concerns like poor aqueous solubility, compromised permeation, and a low degree of bioavailability. So, the emergence of nanotechnology in the herbal medicine is required to nullify the associated concerns of conventional antidiabetic drugs. The present review aims to compile the literature available for the nano-interventions pertinent to herbal products for diabetes management.

The Botanical, Chemical and Ethnobotanical Diversity of Southern African Lamiaceae

The Lamiaceae is undoubtedly an important plant family, having a rich history of use that spans the globe with many species being used in folk medicine and modern industries alike. Their ability to produce aromatic volatile oils has made them valuable sources of materials in the cosmetic, culinary, and pharmaceutical industries. A thorough account of the taxonomic diversity, chemistry and ethnobotany is lacking for southern African Lamiaceae, which feature some of the region’s most notable medicinal and edible plant species. We provide a comprehensive insight into the Lamiaceae flora of southern Africa, comprising 297 species in 42 genera, 105 of which are endemic to the subcontinent. We further explore the medicinal and traditional uses, where all genera with documented uses are covered for the region. A broad review of the chemistry of southern African Lamiaceae is presented, noting that only 101 species (34%) have been investigated chemically (either their volatile oils or phytochemical characterization of secondary metabolites), thus presenting many and varied opportunities for further studies. The main aim of our study was therefore to present an up-to-date account of the botany, chemistry and traditional uses of the family in southern Africa, and to identify obvious knowledge gaps.

A Review on Experimental Methods for Diabetes Induction and Therapeutic Efficacy of Anti-diabetic Drug Loaded Nanoformulation

Background:

Different experimental methods have been used to induce diabetes in animals. There are a number of anti-diabetic drug loaded nano-formulations with high therapeutic value that are used to target diabetes with high therapeutic efficacy.

Methods:

From this review, various anti-hyperglycemic agents have been screened for their activity. The use of nano-formulation in diabetes treatment is considered due to the possibility of the incorporation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances.

Results:

The clinical symptoms of diabetes are similar to those of hyperglycemia, glucosuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria and these symptoms were produced in experimental animal models through various diabetogens. The treatment by using nano-formulation enhance the therapeutic efficacy due to an increase in high carrier capacity.

Conclusion:

The characteristic features of the disease and pathological changes during disease in small animals (rats or mice) are similar to that of human beings. The use of synthetic as well as herbal drugs have shown greater therapeutic efficacy by encapsulating into nano drug delivery system.

Nanophytomedicines for the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome: A Pharmacological and Biopharmaceutical Review

Metabolic syndrome includes a series of metabolic abnormalities that leads to diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Plant extracts, due to their unique advantages like anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and insulin sensitizing properties, are interesting therapeutic options to manage MetS; however, the poor solubility and low bioavailability of lipophilic bioactive components in the herbal extracts are two critical challenges. Nano-scale delivery systems are suitable to improve delivery of herbal extracts. This review, for the first time, focuses on nanoformulations of herbal extracts in MetS and related complications. Included studies showed that several forms of nano drug delivery systems such as nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanobiocomposites, and green-synthesized silver, gold, and zinc oxide nanoparticles have been developed using herbal extracts. It was shown that the method of preparation and related parameters such as temperature and type of polymer are important factors affecting physicochemical stability and therapeutic activity of the final product. Many of these formulations could successfully decrease the lipid profile, inflammation, oxidative damage, and insulin resistance in in vitro and in vivo models of MetS-related complications. Further studies are still needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of these novel herbal formulations for clinical application.

A novel self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system for curcumin used in the treatment of wound healing and inflammation

The main objective of this study was to develop and evaluate self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) of curcumin (Cur) to enhance their solubility as well as improve skin permeation; and evaluate wound healing potential of Cur via SNEDDS in comparison with standards pure eucalyptus oil-SNEDDS (Euc-SNEDDS), pure curcumin suspension (Cur-S), and standard fusidic acid followed by their anti-inflammatory action. Curcumin-loaded different SNEDDS formulations were formulated through aqueous phase titration method and the zones of SNEDDS were recognized by the construction of phase diagrams. Eucalyptus oil, Tween 80 (surfactant), and Transcutol HP (co-surfactant) were selected on the basis of their solubility and highest nanoemulsion region. Characterization of thermodynamic stability for Cur-loaded SNEDDS was evaluated by its globule size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, viscosity, % transmittance, refractive index, and surface morphology. Cur-SNEDDS (Cur-SN4) was optimized and selected on the basis of their excellent physicochemical parameters for in vivo activity. The particle size (59.56 ± 0.94 nm), % transmittance (99.08 ± 0.07%), and PDI (0.207 ± 0.011 were observed for optimized Cur-SNEDDS. TEM and SEM showed their smooth and spherical shape of the morphological characterization with zeta potential (- 21.41 ± 0.89), refractive index (1.341 ± 0.06), and viscosity (11.64 ± 1.26 cp) for optimized Cur-SNEDDS. Finally, optimized Cur-SNEDDS was used to enhance skin permeation with improvement in the solubility of Cur. However, optimized Cur-SNEDDS showed significant wound healing activity as compared with pure eucalyptus oil and Cur-S on topical application. Optimized Cur-SNEDDS showed healing of wound as compared to standard fusidic acid. Optimized Cur-SNEDDS exhibited no signs of inflammatory cells on the histopathological studies of treated rats which were recommended the safety and non-toxicity of Cur-SNEDDS. Newly developed Cur-SNEDDS could be successfully used to enhance Cur-solubility and skin permeation, as well as suggested a potential role of Cur-SNEDDS for better improvement of wound healing activity followed by anti-inflammatory action of Cur via topical application.

Wound healing evaluation of self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system containing Piper cubeba essential oil

The objective of this work was to characterize and evaluate wound healing potential of Piper cubeba oil (PO) via self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) in comparison with standard gentamycin. PO loaded SNEDDS was prepared by low energy emulsification technique and characterized for thermodynamic stability, self-emulsification power and various physico-chemical parameters. An optimal formula of PO SNEDDS was subjected to wound healing evaluation, collagen determination and histomorphological examination in female Wistar rats as compared with pure PO and standard antibiotic/gentamycin. An optimal formula of PO SNEDDS showed significant wound healing effects in Wistar female rats in comparison with pure PO. However, wound healing effects of optimized SNEDDS were comparable with standard gentamycin. An optimized formulation also indicated significant enhancement in collagen content (0.82 mg/g) in comparison with pure PO (0.53 mg/g) and negative control (0.33 mg/g). While, the collagen content of SNEDDS (0.82 mg/g) treated rats were comparable with standard gentamycin treated animals (0.98 mg/g). Histopathological examinations of optimized SNEDDS treated animals showed no signs of inflammatory cells which indicated that prepared SNEDDS was safe and nontoxic to rats. The results obtained in this work showed the potential application of SNEDDS in enhancement of the wound healing activity of PO upon oral administration.