Diosgenin ameliorates gestational diabetes through inhibition of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1

Plant based steroidal and triterpenoid sapogenins: Chemistry on diosgenin and biological aspects

Plants are rich in steroidal and triterpenoid saponins. Diosgenin is an important sapogenin obtained from various steroidal saponins and specially from dioscin. It possesses diverse pharmacological activities as it is capable of modulating various endogenous pathways. Diosgenin is the molecule of choice for the industrial synthesis of the steroid based clinical drugs namely progesterone, testosterone, dexamethasone, dehydroepiandrosterone, vitamin D3, steroidal contraceptive pills, norethindrone, norgestrel etc. Diosgenin has been a molecule of discussion due to its high demand in industry as well as for future research applications. Present review describes its chemistry and detailed pharmacological profile.

Expression and correlation analysis of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP1), and pyroptosis factor in gestational diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Globally, the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is rising each year, yet its pathophysiology is still unclear. To shed new light on the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus and perhaps uncover new therapeutic targets, this study looked at the expression levels and correlations of SIRT1, SREBP1, and pyroptosis factors like NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1, and IL-18 in patients with GDM.

METHODS

This study involved a comparative analysis between two groups. The GDM group consisted of 50 GDM patients and the control group included 50 pregnant women with normal pregnancies. Detailed case data were collected for all participants. We utilized real-time quantitative PCR and Western Blot techniques to assess the expression levels of SIRT1 and SREBP1 in placental tissues from both groups. Additionally, we employed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure the serum levels of SIRT1, SREBP1, and pyroptosis factors, namely NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18, in the patients of both groups. Subsequently, we analyzed the correlations between these factors and clinical.

RESULTS

The results showed that there were significantly lower expression levels of SIRT1 in both GDM group placental tissue and serum compared to the control group (p < 0.01). In contrast, the expression of SREBP1 was significantly higher in the GDM group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the serum levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 were significantly elevated in the GDM group compared to the control group (p < 0.01). The expression of SIRT1 exhibited negative correlations with the expression of FPG, OGTT-1h, FINS, HOMA-IR, SREBP1, IL-1β, and IL-18. However, there was no significant correlation between SIRT1 expression and OGTT-2h, NLRP3, or Caspase-1. On the other hand, the expression of SREBP1 was positively correlated with the expression of IL-1β, Caspase-1, and IL-18, but has no apparent correlation with NLRP3.

CONCLUSIONS

Low SIRT1 levels and high SREBP1 levels in placental tissue and serum, coupled with elevated levels of pyroptosis factors NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in serum, may be linked to the development of gestational diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, these three factors appear to correlate with each other in the pathogenesis of GDM, offering potential directions for future research and therapeutic strategies.

Unveiling Novel Mechanism of CIDEB in Fatty Acid Synthesis Through ChIP-Seq and Functional Analysis in Dairy Goat

Goat milk is abundant in nutrients, particularly in milk fats, which confer health benefits to humans. Exploring the regulatory mechanism of fatty acid synthesis is highly important to understand milk composition manipulation. In this study, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) on goat mammary glands at different lactation stages which revealed a novel lactation regulatory factor: cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector B (CIDEB). RT-qPCR results revealed that CIDEB was significantly upregulated during lactation in dairy goats. CIDEB overexpression significantly increased the expression levels of genes involved in fatty acid synthesis (ACACA, SCD1, p < 0.05; ELOVL6, p < 0.01), lipid droplet formation (XDH, p < 0.05), and triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis (DGAT1, p < 0.05; GPAM, p < 0.01) in goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs). The contents of lipid droplets, TAG, and cholesterol were increased (p < 0.05) in CIDEB-overexpressing GMECs, and knockdown of CIDEB led to the opposite results. In addition, CIDEB knockdown significantly decreased the proportion of C16:0 and total C18:2. Luciferase reporter assays indicated that X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) promoted CIDEB transcription via XBP1 binding sites located in the CIDEB promoter. Furthermore, CIDEB knockdown attenuated the stimulatory effect of XBP1 on lipid droplet accumulation. Collectively, these findings elucidate the critical regulatory roles of CIDEB in milk fat synthesis, thus providing new insights into improving the quality of goat milk.

Saponin monomers: Potential candidates for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a metabolic disease with persistent hyperglycemia primarily caused by insulin resistance (IR), has become one of the most serious health challenges of the 21st century, with considerable economic and societal implications worldwide. Considering the inevitable side effects of conventional antidiabetic drugs, natural ingredients exhibit promising therapeutic efficacy and can serve as safer and more cost-effective alternatives for the management of T2DM. Saponins are a structurally diverse class of amphiphilic compounds widely distributed in many popular herbal medicinal plants, some animals, and marine organisms. There are many saponin monomers, such as ginsenoside compound K, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rg1, astragaloside IV, glycyrrhizin, and diosgenin, showing great efficacy in the treatment of T2DM and its complications in vivo and in vitro. However, although the mechanisms of action of saponin monomers at the animal and cell levels have been gradually elucidated, there is a lack of clinical data, which hinders the development of saponin-based antidiabetic drugs. Herein, the main factors/pathways associated with T2DM and the comprehensive underlying mechanisms and potential applications of these saponin monomers in the management of T2DM and its complications are reviewed and discussed, aiming to provide fundamental data for future high-quality clinical studies and trials.

Fenugreek derived diosgenin as an emerging source for diabetic therapy

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that endangers the entire body's tissues and organs. Diabetes impairs glucose and insulin regulation in the human body by causing pancreatic cell damage. Diabetes modifies pathways such as serine/threonine protein kinase (Akt) and Protein kinase C (PKC)/- glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) glucose absorption, and inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase, Sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT-1), and Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Diabetes may also be caused by a decrease in the expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) and its target genes, fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACC), as well as a decrease in the levels of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Caspase12, and Caspase3 proteins. Diabetes has long been linked to diseases of the cardiovascular, nervous, skeletal, reproductive, hepatic, ocular, and renal systems. Diosgenin, a steroidal compound derived from fenugreek, aids in the prevention of diabetes by altering cellular pathways in favor of healthy bodily functions. Diosgenin is a new nutraceutical on the market that claims to cure diabetes in particular. This article focuses on diosgenin extraction and purification, fenugreek bioactive compounds, pharmacological properties of diosgenin, mode of action of diosgenin to cure diabetes, and dosages.

Dioscorea nipponica Makino: A comprehensive review of its chemical composition and pharmacology on chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread ailment that significantly impacts global health. It is characterized by high prevalence, poor prognosis, and substantial healthcare costs, making it a major public health concern. The current clinical treatments for CKD are not entirely satisfactory, leading to a high demand for alternative therapeutic options. Chinese herbal medicine, with its long history, diverse varieties, and proven efficacy, offers a promising avenue for exploration. One such Chinese herbal medicine, Dioscorea nipponica Makino (DNM), is frequently used to treat kidney diseases. In this review, we have compiled studies examining the mechanisms of action of DNM in the context of CKD, focusing on five primary areas: improvement of oxidative stress, inhibition of renal fibrosis, regulation of metabolism, reduction of inflammatory response, and regulation of autophagy.

A Quinoa Protein Hydrolysate Fractionated by Electrodialysis with Ultrafiltration Membranes Improves Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in a Mouse Model of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

SCOPE

Quinoa intake exerts hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in animals and humans. Although peptides from quinoa inhibit key enzymes involved in glucose homeostasis in vitro, their in vivo antidiabetic properties have not been investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study evaluated the effect of oral administration of a quinoa protein hydrolysate (QH) produced through enzymatic hydrolysis and fractionation by electrodialysis with ultrafiltration membrane (EDUF) (FQH) on the metabolic and pregnancy outcomes of Lepdb/+ pregnant mice, a preclinical model of gestational diabetes mellitus. The 4-week pregestational consumption of 2.5 mg mL-1 of QH in water prevented glucose intolerance and improves hepatic insulin signaling in dams, also reducing fetal weights. Sequencing and bioinformatic analyses of the defatted FQH (FQHD) identified 11 peptides 6-10 amino acids long that aligned with the quinoa proteome and exhibited putative anti-dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-IV) activity, confirmed in vitro in QH, FQH, and FDQH fractions. Peptides homologous to mouse and human proteins enriched for biological processes related to glucose metabolism are also identified.

CONCLUSION

Processing of quinoa protein may be used to develop a safe and effective nutritional intervention to control glucose intolerance during pregnancy. Further studies are required to confirm if this nutritional intervention is applicable to pregnant women.

New insights into anti-diabetes effects and molecular mechanisms of dietary saponins

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a long-term metabolic disorder that manifests as chronic hyperglycemia and impaired insulin, bringing a heavy load on the global health care system. Considering the inevitable side effects of conventional anti-diabetic drugs, saponins-rich natural products exert promising therapeutic properties to serve as safer and more cost-effective alternatives for DM management. Herein, this review systematically summarized the research progress on the anti-diabetic properties of dietary saponins and their underlying molecular mechanisms in the past 20 years. Dietary saponins possessed the multidirectional anti-diabetic capabilities by concurrent regulation of various signaling pathways, such as IRS-1/PI3K/Akt, AMPK, Nrf2/ARE, NF-κB-NLRP3, SREBP-1c, and PPARγ, in liver, pancreas, gut, and skeletal muscle. However, the industrialization and commercialization of dietary saponin-based drugs are confronted with a significant challenge due to the low bioavailability and lack of the standardization. Hence, in-depth evaluations in pharmacological profile, function-structure interaction, drug-signal pathway interrelation are essential for developing dietary saponins-based anti-diabetic treatments in the future.

Diosgenin alleviates the inflammatory damage and insulin resistance in high glucose‑induced podocyte cells via the AMPK/SIRT1/NF‑κB signaling pathway

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the predominant cause of end-stage renal disease globally. Diosgenin (DSG) has been reported to play a protective role in podocyte injury in DN. The present study aimed to explore the role of DSG in DN, as well as its mechanism of action in a high glucose (HG)-induced in vitro model of DN in podocytes. Cell viability, apoptosis, inflammatory response and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake were evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8, TUNEL, ELISA and 2-deoxy-D-glucose assay, respectively. In addition, the expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/NF-κB signaling-related proteins in podocyte cells was measured using western blotting. The results indicated that DSG enhanced the viability of podocytes after HG exposure, but inhibited inflammatory damage and attenuated insulin resistance. Moreover, DSG induced the activation of the AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, treatment with compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK, counteracted the protective effects of DSG on HG-induced podocyte cells. Therefore, DSG may be a potential therapeutic compound for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Morpho-anatomical, Molecular, and Chemical Standardization of Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don: An Endangered Medicinal Herb Native to the Himalayas

Background

Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don occurring at high altitudes in the Himalayas and known by the common name ‘Nag Chhatri,’ has high medicinal value. Its rhizome samples have substantial therapeutic potential and possess anti-cancer and anti-aging properties. Due to similar common names and morphology, there is an issue with adulteration and misidentification of actual rhizome samples with rhizomes of other species. So, there is a need to develop valid scientific methods to identify raw herbal samples of authentic ‘Nagchatri’ ( T. govanianum).

Objectives

The present study focused on developing botanical, molecular, and chemical standards for identifying raw herbal samples of T. govanianum.

Materials and Methods

Samples were collected from four locations in the Northwestern Himalayas. Botanical characters were studied by stereomicroscope and compound microscope. Molecular identification was done by DNA barcoding and chemical identification by chemical fingerprinting (TLC and HPTLC), LC-MS profiling, and NMR studies.

Results

The botanical characters involved detailed morpho-anatomical characterization of herbal samples. The DNA barcoding exhibited a 100% identification match of generated barcode sequences with NCBI database sequences for all the selected markers. Chemical profiling revealed diosgenin, makisterone A, and 20-hydroxy ecdysone as major constituents in the rhizome sample, confirming the authenticity of the species.

Conclusion

The integrated authentication approach employing botanical standardization, DNA barcoding, and chemical profiling will be a promising tool for accurately identifying the genuine raw herbal material of T. govanianum.

Diosgenin: An ingress towards solving puzzle for diabetes treatment

The consumption and composition of food in daily life predict our health in long run. The relation of diabetes to sweets is quite popular. Diabetes hampers the glucose and insulin regulation in the human body by damaging pancreatic β cells. Diabetes has a strong potential towards altering cellular mechanisms of organs causing unlawful performance. Diabetes alters pathways like TLR4, AChE, NF-ĸB, LPL, and PPAR at different sites that affect the normal cellular machinery and cause damage to the local tissue and organ. The long-lasting effect of diabetes was observed in vascular, cardia, nervous, skeletal, reproductive, hepatic, ocular, and renal systems. The increasing awareness of diabetes and its concern has awakened the common people more enthusiastically. Due to rising harm from diabetes, scientific researchers tend to have more eyes toward it. While searching for diabetes solutions, fenugreek diosgenin could pop up with some positive effects in curing the same. Diosgenin helps to lower the scathe of diabetes by modifying cellular pathways in favor of healthy bodily functions. Diosgenin altered the pathways for renewal of pancreatic β cells for better insulin secretion, initiate GLUT4, enhanced DHEA, modify ER-α-mediated PI3K/Akt pathways. Diosgenin can be an appropriate insult for diabetes in a much evolving way for a healthy lifestyle. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Diabetes is one of the most death causing diseases in the medical world. Regrettably the cure of diabetes is yet to be found. Various scientific team working on the same to look after the most appropriate way for diabetes treatment. There is enormous growth of nutraceutical in the market claiming for cure of different metabolic disorders. Among various bioactive compound fenugreek's diosgenin could took a leap over other in curing and preventing the damage caused by diabetes to different organs. The role of diosgenin in curing various metabolic disorders is quite popular from some time. This article also emphasizes over beneficiary effect of diosgenin in curing the damages caused by diabetes by altering cellular metabolism processes. Hence diosgenin could be a better way for researchers to develop a method for diabetes treatment.

Therapeutic potential and research progress of diosgenin for lipid metabolism diseases

Diosgenin, a steroidal saponin, is a natural product found in many plants. Diosgenin has a wide range of pharmacological activities, and has been used to treat cancer, nervous system diseases, inflammation, and infections. Numerous studies have shown that diosgenin has potential therapeutic value for lipid metabolism diseases via various pathways and mechanisms, such as controlling lipid synthesis, absorption, and inhibition of oxidative stress. These mechanisms and pathways have provided ideas for researchers to develop related drugs. In this review, we focus on data from animal and clinical studies, summarizing the toxicity of diosgenin, its pharmacological mechanism, recent research advances, and the related mechanisms of diosgenin as a drug for the treatment of lipid metabolism, especially in obesity, hyperlipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. This systematic review will briefly describe the advantages of diosgenin as a potential therapeutic drug and seek to enhance our understanding of the pharmacological mechanism, recipe-construction, and the development of novel therapeutics against lipid metabolism diseases.

Diosgenin derivatives developed from Pd(II) catalysed dehydrogenative coupling exert an effect on breast cancer cells by abrogating their growth and facilitating apoptosis via regulating the AKT1 pathway

Palladium metallates containing 4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbaldehyde derived ONS donor Schiff bases were synthesized and their efficacy was tested in the direct amination of diosgenin - a phyto steroid. Based on the pharmacological importance of diosgenin, the obtained derivatives were exposed to study their effect on breast cancer cells where they significantly reduced the growth of cancer cells and left non-malignant breast epithelial cells unaffected. Among the derivatives, D3, D4 and D6 showed a better anti-proliferative effect and further analysis revealed that the D3, D4 and D6 derivatives markedly promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by attenuation of the AKT1 signalling pathway.

Neuroprotective role of Diosgenin, a NGF stimulator, against Aβ (1-42) induced neurotoxicity in animal model of Alzheimer's disease

Diosgenin is a neurosteroid derived from the plants and has been previously reported for its numerous health beneficial properties, such as anti-arrhythmic, hypolipidemic, and antiproliferative effects. Although several studies conducted earlier suggested cognition enhancement actions of diosgenin against neurodegenerative disorders, but the molecular mechanisms underlying are not clearly understood. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of diosgenin in the Wistar rats that received an intracerebroventricular injection of Amyloid-β (1-42) peptides, representing a rodent model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Animals were treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg/p.o of diosgenin for 28 days, followed by Amyloid-β (1-42) peptides infusion. Animals were assessed for the spatial learning and memory by using radial arm maze and passive avoidance task. Subsequently, animals were euthanized and brains were collected for biochemical estimations and histopathological studies. Our results revealed that, diosgenin administration dose dependently improved the spatial learning and memory and protected the animals from Amyloid-β (1-42) peptides induced disrupted cognitive functions. Further, biochemical analysis showed that diosgenin successfully attenuated Amyloid-β (1-42) mediated plaque load, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and elevated acetylcholinesterase activity. In addition, histopathological evaluation also supported neuroprotective effects of diosgenin in hippocampus of rat brain when assessed using hematoxylin-eosin and Cresyl Violet staining. Thus, the aforementioned effects suggested protective action of diosgenin against Aβ (1-42) induced neuronal damage and thereby can serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for AD.

Asperulosidic Acid, a Bioactive Iridoid, Alleviates Placental Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by Suppressing NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways

BACKGROUND

Asperulosidic acid (ASP) is a bioactive iridoid exerting broad pharmacological and medicinal properties. However, it is still unknown if ASP has therapeutical effects on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study aims to evaluate the effects of ASP on GDM as well as its underlying mechanism.

METHODS

A mouse model of GDM was established and orally administrated ASP (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) on gestation day (GD) 0. The mice were sacrificed on GD 18.

RESULTS

Blood glucose and serum insulin were then determined. The inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α and oxidative stress biomarkers including MDA, SOD, GSH, and GPx were determined by using specific ELISAs. In addition, the expressions of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathway-related proteins were determined by using Western blotting. Treatment with ASP decreased blood glucose in the mouse model of GDM. Besides, ASP also increased serum insulin and attenuated β-cell function. Treatment with ASP suppressed IL-6 and TNF-α and regulated oxidative stress-related biomarkers. Western blotting analysis showed that treatment with ASP suppressed phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, ERK1/2, and p38 in placental tissues.

CONCLUSION

ASP alleviates placental oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in GDM by the inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

Regulation of reactive oxygen species by phytochemicals for the management of cancer and diabetes

Cancer and diabetes mellitus are served as typical life-threatening diseases with common risk factors. Developing therapeutic measures in cancers and diabetes have aroused attention for a long time. However, the problems with conventional treatments are in challenge, including side effects, economic burdens, and patient compliance. It is essential to secure safe and efficient therapeutic methods to overcome these issues. As an alternative method, antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties of phytochemicals from edible plants have come to the fore. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring compounds, considered promising agent applicable in treatment of various diseases with beneficial effects. Either antioxidative or pro-oxidative activity of various phytochemicals were found to contribute to regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis, which can exert preventive and therapeutic effects against cancer and diabetes. In this article, the antioxidant or pro-oxidant effects and underlying mechanisms of flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins in cancer or diabetic models demonstrated by the recent studies are summarized.

Diosgenin: An Updated Pharmacological Review and Therapeutic Perspectives

Plants including Rhizoma polgonati, Smilax china, and Trigonella foenum-graecum contain a lot of diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin. This bioactive phytochemical has shown high potential and interest in the treatment of various disorders such as cancer, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, and cardiovascular disease, in addition to being an important starting material for the preparation of several steroidal drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. This review aims to provide an overview of the in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies reporting the diosgenin's pharmacological effects and to discuss the safety issues. Preclinical studies have shown promising effects on cancer, neuroprotection, atherosclerosis, asthma, bone health, and other pathologies. Clinical investigations have demonstrated diosgenin's nontoxic nature and promising benefits on cognitive function and menopause. However, further well-designed clinical trials are needed to address the other effects seen in preclinical studies, as well as a better knowledge of the diosgenin's safety profile.

Diosgenin Modulates Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder that results in excessive energy accumulated in adipose tissue causing dysfunction of adipocytes, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Diosgenin (DG), a steroidal saponin produced by several plants, has been reported to have antioxidant activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of diosgenin on oxidative stress and inflammation in mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD).

METHODS

Thirty adult male mice were divided into three groups including the control group, mice fed with a normal diet; the HFD group, mice fed with a high-fat diet for 6 weeks; and the HFD+DG group, mice fed with a high-fat diet and diosgenin daily for 6 weeks. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) activities were evaluated. Histopathological changes in the adipose tissues have been investigated.

RESULTS

Data showed that diosgenin increased TAC activities with a concomitant decrease in MDA levels. As well, DG reduces the TNF and IL-6 levels. The histopathological changes in the adipose tissues due to high-fat consumption were restored upon DG supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that diosgenin is a promising agent for regulating obesity by increasing the levels of antioxidants, modifying oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which might prevent the onset of many diseases.

A Novel Identified Peptide Hormone "Metabolitin" Attenuates Lipid Absorption in the Small Intestine of Diabetic Mice with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating Neurotensin and AMPK Signaling Pathway

AIM

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of a novel identified peptide hormone "metabolitin" on lipid absorption in the small intestine of mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and potential mechanisms.

METHODS

T2DM was induced in mice by 4-6 weeks of high-fat diets followed by intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg STZ. NAFLD was induced in diabetic mice by a month of high-fat diets. Oral administration of 4 pmol/g or 12 pmol/g metabolitin every two days was performed during one-month high-fat diets. Triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) detection and Oil Red O staining were performed to evaluate lipid absorption. The neurotensin (NT) levels in the intestinal tissues and serum were determined by ELISA. Lipogenesis- and lipolysis-related proteins, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and p-AMPK were examined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

It was found that glucose tolerance test (GTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT), TG, and TC indicated lower levels in the serum of NAFLD/T2DM mice receiving 4 pmol/g and 12 pmol/g metabolitin compared to the mice receiving normal saline (P < 0.05). No significant difference was noted in the TC level of the feces among mice with different diets (P > 0.05), but compared to NAFLD/T2DM mice with normal saline, the mice administrated with 4 pmol/g and 12 pmol/g metabolitin revealed much higher TG levels in the feces (P < 0.05). The results of Oil Red O staining revealed that the intestinal epithelial cells of NAFLD/T2DM mice receiving 12 pmol/g metabolitin indicated resistance to lipid absorption and the area of staining was smaller than that of NAFLD/T2DM mice with normal saline (P < 0.05). The NAFLD/T2DM mice receiving 4 pmol/g and 12 pmol/g metabolitin showed a higher extent of p-AMPK concomitant with lower levels of NT in the serum and small intestine than the mice with normal saline (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis also suggested that NAFLD/T2DM mice receiving 4 pmol/g and 12 pmol/g metabolitin revealed lower expressions in fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1), and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1 (SREBP1) proteins and higher expressions in carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), and fatty acid translocase (CD36) proteins than NAFLD/T2DM mice with normal saline (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

According to the data we observed, oral administration of metabolitin could attenuate lipid absorption in the small intestine of NAFLD/T2DM mice, which may be a novel therapeutic approach for NAFLD/T2DM.

Metabolites from midtrimester plasma of pregnant patients at high risk for preterm birth

BACKGROUND

There is an increased awareness regarding the association between exposure to environmental contaminants and adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth. Whether an individual's metabolic profile can be utilized during pregnancy to differentiate the subset of patients who are ultimately destined to delivered preterm remains uncertain but could have MEANINGFUL clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to objectively quantify metabolomic profiles of patients at high risk of preterm birth by evaluating midtrimester maternal plasma and to measure whether endogenous metabolites and exogenous environmental substances differ among those who ultimately deliver preterm compared with those who deliver at term.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a case-control analysis from a prospective cohort of patients carrying a singleton, nonanomalous gestation who were at high risk of spontaneous preterm birth. Subjects with a plasma blood sample drawn at <28 weeks' gestation and no evidence of preterm labor at the time of enrollment were included. Metabolites were extracted from frozen samples, and metabolomic analysis was performed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The primary outcome was preterm birth at 16.0 to 36.9 weeks' gestation.

RESULTS

A total of 42 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 25 (59.5%) delivered preterm at <37 weeks' gestation, at a median of 30.14 weeks' gestation (interquartile range, 28.14-34.14). A total of 812 molecular features differed between preterm birth cases and term controls with a minimum fold change of 1.2 and P<.05. Of these, 570 of 812 (70.1%) were found in higher abundances in preterm birth cases; the other 242 of 812 (29.9%) were in higher abundance in term birth controls. The identity of the small molecule/compound represented by the molecular features differing statistically between preterm birth cases and term controls was identified as ranging from those involved with endogenous metabolic pathways (including lipid catabolism, steroids, and steroid-related molecules) to exogenous exposures (including avocadyne, diosgenin, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, acetaminophen metabolites, aspartame, and caffeine). Random forest analyses evaluating the relative contribution of each of the top 30 compounds in differentiating preterm birth and term controls accurately classified 21 of 25 preterm birth cases (84%).

CONCLUSION

Both endogenous metabolites and exogenous exposures differ in maternal plasma in the midtrimester among patients who ultimately delivered preterm compared with those who deliver at term.

Effect of Quercetin on Lipids Metabolism Through Modulating the Gut Microbial and AMPK/PPAR Signaling Pathway in Broilers

The present study was conducted to investigate effects and mechanism of quercetin on lipids metabolism in broilers. 480 AA broilers were randomly allotted to four treatments (0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 g/kg quercetin) for 42 days. Compared with the control, 0.6 g/kg quercetin significantly decreased percentage of abdominal fat (P < 0.05); 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 g/kg quercetin significantly decreased relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Desulfovibrionaceae (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01; P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01); 0.2 g/kg quercetin significantly increased mRNA expression of PI3K, AMPKα1, AMPKα2, AMPKβ2, LKB1 (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and significantly reduced mRNA expression of SREBP1 and PPARγ (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); 0.4 g/kg quercetin significantly increased mRNA expression of LKB1 and PKB (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and significantly reduced mRNA expression of ACC, HMGR, PPARγ, and SREBP1 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01); 0.6 g/kg quercetin significantly increased mRNA expression of AMPKγ, LKB1, CPT1, PPARα, PKB (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.05), and significantly reduced the mRNA expression of PI3K, ACC, HMGR, PPARγ, SREBP1 (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01); 0.2 g/kg quercetin significantly increased protein expression of AMPK (P < 0.01); 0.6 g/kg quercetin significantly increased protein expression of LKB1 (P < 0.01), 0.2 and 0.6 g/kg quercetin significantly increased protein expression of PI3K, PKB, CPT1 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01), and significantly reduced protein expression of ACC and SREBP1 (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). In conclusion, quercetin improved lipid metabolism by modulating gut microbial and AMPK/PPAR signaling pathway in broilers.

Diosgenin alleviates hypercholesterolemia via SRB1/CES-1/CYP7A1/FXR pathway in high-fat diet-fed rats

Phytosterol diosgenin (DG) exhibits cholesterol-lowering properties. Few studies focused on the underlying mechanism of DG attenuation of hypercholesterolemia by promoting cholesterol metabolism. To investigate the roles of SRB1/CES-1/CYP7A1/FXR pathways in accelerating cholesterol elimination and alleviating hypercholesterolemia, a rat model of hypercholesterolemia was induced by providing a high-fat diet (HFD). Experimental rat models were randomly divided into a normal control (Con) group, HFD group, low-dose DG (LDG) group (150 mg/kg/d), high-dose DG (HDG) group (300 mg/kg) and Simvastatin (Sim) group (4 mg/kg/d). Body weights, serum and hepatic lipid parameters of rats were tested. The expression levels of scavenger receptor class B type I (SRB1), carboxylesterase-1 (CES-1), cholesterol7α- hydroxylase (CYP7A1), and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) were determined. The results showed that DG reduced weight and lowered lipid levels in HFD-fed rats. Pathological morphology analyses revealed that DG notably improved hepatic steatosis and intestinal structure. Further studies showed the increased hepatic SRB1, CES-1, CYP7A1 and inhibited FXR-mediated signaling in DG-fed rats, which contributing to the decrease of hepatic cholesterol. DG also increased intestinal SRB1 and CES-1, inhibiting cholesterol absorption and promoting RCT. The expression levels of these receptors in the HDG group were higher than LDG and Sim groups. These data suggested that DG accelerated reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and enhanced cholesterol elimination via SRB1/CES-1/CYP7A1/FXR pathway, and DG might be a new candidate for the alleviation of hypercholesterolemia.

The Effects of Diosgenin on Hypolipidemia and Its Underlying Mechanism: A Review

Hyperlipidemia is a disorder of lipid metabolism, which is a major cause of coronary heart disease. Although there has been considerable progress in hyperlipidemia treatment, morbidity and risk associated with the condition continue to rise. The first-line treatment for hyperlipidemia, statins, has multiple side effects; therefore, development of safe and effective drugs from natural products to prevent and treat hyperlipidemia is necessary. Diosgenin is primarily derived from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) seeds, and is also abundant in medicinal herbs such as Dioscorea rhizome, Dioscorea septemloba, and Rhizoma polygonati, is a well-known steroidal sapogenin and the active ingredient in many drugs to treat cardiovascular conditions. There is abundant evidence that diosgenin has potential for application in correcting lipid metabolism disorders. In this review, we evaluated the latest evidence related to diosgenin and hyperlipidemia from clinical and animal studies. Additionally, we elaborate the pharmacological mechanism underlying the activity of diosgenin in treating hyperlipidemia in detail, including its role in inhibition of intestinal absorption of lipids, regulation of cholesterol transport, promotion of cholesterol conversion into bile acid and its excretion, inhibition of endogenous lipid biosynthesis, antioxidation and lipoprotein lipase activity, and regulation of transcription factors related to lipid metabolism. This review provides a deep exploration of the pharmacological mechanisms involved in diosgenin-hyperlipidemia interactions and suggests potential routes for the development of novel drug therapies for hyperlipidemia.

Four sesquiterpene glycosides from loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) leaf ameliorates palmitic acid-induced insulin resistance and lipid accumulation in HepG2 Cells via AMPK signaling pathway

Insulin resistance (IR), caused by impaired insulin signal and decreased insulin sensitivity, is generally responsible for the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sesquiterpene glycosides (SGs), the exclusive natural products from loquat leaf, have been regarded as potential lead compounds owing to their high efficacy in hypoglycemia and hypolipidemia. Here, we evaluated the beneficial effects of four single SGs isolated from loquat leaf, including SG1, SG2, SG3 and one novel compound SG4 against palmitic acid-induced insulin resistance in HepG2 cells. SG1, SG3 and SG4 could significantly enhance glucose uptake of insulin-resistant HepG2 cells at non-cytotoxic concentration. Meanwhile, Oil Red O staining showed the decrease of both total cholesterol and triglyceride content, suggesting the amelioration of lipid accumulation by SGs in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Further investigations found that the expression levels of phosphorylated AMPK, ACC, IRS-1, and Akt were significantly up-regulated after SGs treatment, on the contrary, the expression levels of SREBP-1 and FAS were significantly down-regulated. Notably, AMPK inhibitor Compound C (CC) blocked the regulative effects, while AMPK activator AICAR mimicked the effects of SGs in PA-treated insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. In conclusion, SGs (SG4>SG1≈SG3>SG2) improved lipid accumulation in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells through the AMPK signaling pathway.

Diosgenin, a steroidal saponin, and its analogs: Effective therapies against different chronic diseases

BACKGROUND

Chronic diseases are a major cause of mortality worldwide, and despite the recent development in treatment modalities, synthetic drugs have continued to show toxic side effects and development of chemoresistance, thereby limiting their application. The use of phytochemicals has gained attention as they show minimal side effects. Diosgenin is one such phytochemical which has gained importance for its efficacy against the life-threatening diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, nervous system disorders, asthma, arthritis, diabetes, and many more.

AIM

To evaluate the literature available on the potential of diosgenin and its analogs in modulating different molecular targets leading to the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

METHOD

A detailed literature search has been carried out on PubMed for gathering information related to the sources, biosynthesis, physicochemical properties, biological activities, pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and toxicity of diosgenin and its analogs.

KEY FINDINGS

The literature search resulted in many in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials that reported the efficacy of diosgenin and its analogs in modulating important molecular targets and signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT, NF-κB, MAPK, etc., which play a crucial role in the development of most of the diseases. Reports have also revealed the safety of the compound and the adaptation of nanotechnological approaches for enhancing its bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties.

SIGNIFICANCE

Thus, the review summarizes the efficacy of diosgenin and its analogs for developing as a potent drug against several chronic diseases.

The role of diosgenin in diabetes and diabetic complications

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic and common metabolic disease that seriously endangers human health. Hyperglycemia and long-term metabolic disorders in diabetes will cause damage to the whole body tissues and organs, resulting in serious complications. Nowadays, drugs for treating diabetes on the market has strong side effects, new treatments thus are urgently needed. Natural therapy of natural ingredients is a promising avenue, this is because natural ingredients are safer and they also show strong activity in the treatment of diabetes. Diosgenin is such a very biologically active natural steroidal sapogenin. The research of diosgenin in the treatment of diabetes and its complications has been widely reported. This article reviews the effects of diosgenin through multiple targets and multiple pathways in diabetes and its complications which including diabetic nephropathy, diabetic liver disease, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic vascular disease, diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic reproductive dysfunction, and diabetic eye disease.

Therapeutic Potential of Diosgenin and Its Major Derivatives against Neurological Diseases: Recent Advances

Diosgenin (DG), a well-known steroidal sapogenin, is present abundantly in medicinal herbs such as Dioscorea rhizome, Dioscorea villosa, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Smilax China, and Rhizoma polgonati. DG is utilized as a major starting material for the production of steroidal drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. Due to its wide range of pharmacological activities and medicinal properties, it has been used in the treatment of cancers, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and infections. Numerous studies have reported that DG is useful in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. Its therapeutic mechanisms are based on the mediation of different signaling pathways, and targeting these pathways might lead to the development of effective therapeutic agents for neurological diseases. The present review mainly summarizes recent progress using DG and its derivatives as therapeutic agents for multiple neurological disorders along with their various mechanisms in the central nervous system. In particular, those related to therapeutic efficacy for Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, brain injury, neuroinflammation, and ischemia are discussed. This review article also critically evaluates existing limitations associated with the solubility and bioavailability of DG and discusses imperatives for translational clinical research. It briefly recapitulates recent advances in structural modification and novel formulations to increase the therapeutic efficacy and brain levels of DG. In the present review, databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were used for studies of DG and its derivatives in the treatment of central nervous system diseases published in English until December 10, 2019. Three independent researchers examined articles for eligibility. A total of 150 articles were screened from the above scientific literature databases. Finally, a total of 46 articles were extracted and included in this review. Keywords related to glioma, ischemia, memory, aging, cognitive impairment, Alzheimer, Parkinson, and neurodegenerative disorders were searched in the databases based on DG and its derivatives.

Diosgenin inhibits the epithelial-mesenchymal transition initiation in osteosarcoma cells via the p38MAPK signaling pathway

Diosgenin is an important basic raw material for the production of steroid hormone drugs. It can be isolated and purified from a variety of traditional Chinese medicines or plants. Modern molecular biological studies have shown that diosgenin inhibits various tumor cells migration and invasion ability to varying degrees in vitro and in vivo. The aim of the present study was to observe the inhibitory effects of diosgenin on the invasive and metastatic capabilities of osteosarcoma cells and to determine the association between the effects of diosgenin on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to observe the inhibitory effects of diosgenin on the invasion and migration of two osteosarcoma cell lines. Immunofluorescence was used to observe changes in transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) protein expression levels in the osteosarcoma cells following drug administration. EMT-associated proteins, including TGFβ1, E-cadherin and vimentin were detected by western blotting, which demonstrated that the drug may inhibit the initiation of EMT in osteosarcoma cells. Western blot analysis of the expression of all the proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway demonstrated that the drug inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway. The primary mechanism of action of diosgenin was the inhibition of the phosphorylated p38 (pP38) protein. Through a combination of inhibitors of the p38MAPK signaling pathway and detection of the downstream EMT marker protein E-cadherin by quantitative PCR, pP38 was confirmed to be a target of diosgenin in the inhibition of EMT in the osteosarcoma cells via the MAPK molecular signaling pathway. Diosgenin may exhibit utility as an auxiliary drug for the clinical reduction of metastasis in patients with osteosarcoma.

Tertiary butylhydroquinone alleviates gestational diabetes mellitus in C57BL/KsJ-Lep db/+ mice by suppression of oxidative stress

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common disorder characterized by abnormal glucose metabolism during pregnancy, affecting 2% to 5% of pregnant women. Currently, clinical treatment for GDM is very limited. The present study was designed to investigate the effect and underlying molecular mechanism of tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) in a pregnant C57BL/KsJ-Lep db/+ (referred to as db+) GDM mouse model. The results showed that nonpregnant db/+ mice did not show a diabetic phenotype, and TBHQ had no effect on glucose and insulin tolerance in these mice. Moreover, in db/+ pregnant mice exhibiting typical diabetes symptoms, such as hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia, TBHQ could remarkably decrease the blood glucose level, increase insulin level, and improve glucose and insulin intolerance. The results also revealed that TBHQ could inhibit oxidative stress in pregnant db/+ mice. Furthermore, TBHQ greatly improved offspring survival rate, glucose metabolism, and insulin tolerance. In addition, TBHQ inhibited oxidative stress by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. Moreover, we found that TBHQ activated the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), thereby increasing the levels of Nrf2, and ultimately upregulating the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (NO-1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that TBHQ alleviated GDM via Nrf2 activation.

Combined Effect of Diosgenin Along with Ezetimibe or Atorvastatin on the Fate of Labelled Bile Acid and Cholesterol in Hypercholesterolemic Rats

We analyzed the effect of diosgenin, administered with atorvastatin or ezetimibe, on the fate of ³H(G)-taurocholic acid or 26-¹⁴C-cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rats. Male Wistar rats received a hypercholesterolemic diet (HD), HD + atorvastatin (HD+ATV), HD + ezetimibe (HD+EZT), HD + diosgenin (HD+DG), HD+ATV+EZT, or HD+ATV+DG for 40 days. We also included a control normal group (ND). The labelled compounds were administered on day 30. The animals were placed in metabolic cages for daily feces collection. At day 40 the rats were sacrificed. Lipid extracts from blood, liver, spinal cord, testicles, kidneys, epididymis, intestine, and feces were analyzed for radioactivity. Cholesterol activity was the highest in the liver in HD rats. DG diminished one half of this activity in HD+DG and HD+ATV+DG groups in comparison with the HD group. HD+ATV rats showed four to almost ten-fold cholesterol activity in the spinal cord compared with the ND or HD rats. Fecal elimination of neutral steroids was approximately two-fold higher in the HD+DG and HD+ATV+DG groups. Taurocholic acid activity was four to ten-fold higher in HD+DG intestine as compared to the other experimental groups. Taurocholic activity in the liver of HD and HD+DG groups was two and a half higher than in ND. Our results show that the combination of DG and ATV induced the highest cholesterol reduction in the liver and other tissues.

Anticancer potential of Trigonella foenum graecum: Cellular and molecular targets

A growing body of evidence supported by numerous studies on tumorigenesis confirms that it is possible to target various hallmarks of cancer. Recent studies have shown that plant-derived molecules may be used in targeting different signaling pathways for cancer drug discovery. The present paper gives an insight into the anticancer potential of fenugreek and lists the existing studies that have been carried out to demonstrate the advantages of the use of fenugreek in cancer treatment and prevention. It also aims at opening up new perspectives in the development of new drugs of natural origins in the future clinical trials. This review article will discuss; (1) the chemical constituents and bioactive compounds of fenugreek; (2) effects on oxidative stress and inflammation; (3) effects on proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion; (4) toxicity of fenugreek; and 5) future directions in cancer drug development. All of the experimental studies discussed in this paper suggest that multiple signaling pathways (hallmarks) are involved in the anticancer activities of fenugreek, but their efficacy is still unclear, which requires further investigation.