Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels., a novel therapeutic agent for diabetes: folk medicinal and pharmacological evidences

Effects of Herbal Tea (Non-Camellia sinensis) on Glucose Homeostasis and Serum Lipids in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

CONTEXT

Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia increase the risk for diabetes and its complications, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and stroke. Identification of safe and cost-effective means to reduce risk factors is needed. Herbal teas may be a vehicle to deliver antioxidants and polyphenols for prevention of complications.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate and summarize the impact of herbal tea (non-Camellia sinensis) on glucose homeostasis and serum lipids in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, FSTA, Web of Science, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception through February 2023 using relevant keyword proxy terms for diabetes, serum lipids, and "non-Camellia sinensis" or "tea."

DATA EXTRACTION

Data from 14 randomized controlled trials, totaling 551 participants, were included in the meta-analysis of glycemic and serum lipid profile end points.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis suggested a significant association between drinking herbal tea (prepared with 2-20 g d-1 plant ingredients) and reduction in fasting blood glucose (FBG) (P = .0034) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; P = .045). In subgroup analysis based on studies using water or placebo as the control, significant reductions were found in serum total cholesterol (TC; P = .024), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; P = .037), and triglyceride (TG; P = .043) levels with a medium effect size. Meta-regression analysis suggested that study characteristics, including the ratio of male participants, trial duration, and region, were significant sources of FBG and HbA1c effect size heterogeneity; type of control intervention was a significant source of TC and LDL-C effect size heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

Herbal tea consumption significantly affected glycemic profiles in individuals with T2D, lowering FBG levels and HbA1c. Significance was seen in improved lipid profiles (TC, TG, and LDL-C levels) through herbal tea treatments when water or placebo was the control. This suggests water or placebo may be a more suitable control when examining antidiabetic properties of beverages. Additional research is needed to corroborate these findings, given the limited number of studies.

Homeopathic Formulations of Syzygium jambolanum Alleviate Glycation-Mediated Structural and Functional Modifications of Albumin: Evaluation through Multi-Spectroscopic and Microscopic Approaches

BACKGROUND

 The growing interest in identifying the mode of action of traditional medicines has strengthened its research. Syzygium jambolanum (Syzyg) is commonly prescribed in homeopathy and is a rich source of phytochemicals.

OBJECTIVE

 The present study aims to shed light on the anti-glycation molecular mechanism of Syzyg mother tincture (MT), 30c, and 200c on glycated human serum albumin (HSA) by multi-spectroscopic and microscopic approaches.

METHODS

 The phytochemicals and antioxidant potential of the Syzyg formulations were estimated by the high-performance liquid chromatography and spectroscopic technique, respectively. Glycation was initiated by incubating HSA with methylglyoxal, three Syzyg formulations, and the known inhibitor aminoguanidine in separate tubes at 37°C for 48 hours. The formation of glycation adducts was assessed by spectrofluorometer and affinity chromatography. The structural modifications were analyzed through circular dichroism, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, turbidity, 8-anilinonapthalene-1-sulfonic acid fluorescence, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Further, the formation of the aggregates was examined by thioflavin T, native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, the functional modifications of glycated HSA were determined by esterase-like activity and antioxidant capacity. The binding analysis of Syzyg formulations with glycated HSA was evaluated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR).

RESULTS

 Syzyg formulations MT, 30c, and 200c contained gallic acid and ellagic acid as major phytochemicals, with concentrations of 16.02, 0.86, and 0.52 µg/mL, and 227.35, 1.35, and 0.84 µg/mL, respectively. Additionally, all three formulations had remarkable radical scavenging ability and could significantly inhibit glycation compared with aminoguanidine. Further, Syzyg formulations inhibited albumin's structural and functional modifications. SPR data showed that Syzyg formulations bind to glycated HSA with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 1.10 nM.

CONCLUSION

 Syzyg formulations inhibited the glycation process while maintaining the structural and functional integrity of HSA.

Mechanistic role of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels in glycation induced diabetic nephropathy via RAGE-NF-κB pathway and extracellular proteins modifications: A molecular approach

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (SC), an ancient medicinal plant, is used as a complementary and alternative medicine for treating diabetes mellitus and its associated complications, such as diabetic nephropathy (DN). Phytochemicals present in SC homeopathic formulations possess anti-glycemic, anti-glycation, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Additionally, the non-enzymatic formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) increases during hyperglycemia in diabetes. AGEs interaction with their receptor of AGEs (RAGE) promotes inflammation via Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) and the accumulation of Extracellular Matrix (ECM) proteins, contributing to the renal dysfunction in DN. However, the molecular mechanism through which SC formulations interact with the AGEs-RAGE-NF-κB pathway has not yet been investigated.

AIM

This study aims to examine the impact of SC formulations on the RAGE-NF-κB pathway and ECM protein modifications in glycation-induced DN using a molecular approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human serum albumin (10 mg/ml) was glycated with MGO (55 mM) in the presence of SC formulations - Mother tincture (MT), 30C, 200C for 7 days. Glycated samples were added to renal cells (HEK 293) for 24 h. Subsequently, cellular gene and protein expressions of RAGE, NF-κB, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), collagen IV (Col IV), and fibronectin were determined using RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. The immunofluorescence, luciferase assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation techniques were employed to gain insights into glycation-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation, transcriptional activity, and its effect on RAGE promoter activity in SC-treated cells.

RESULTS

SC formulations significantly downregulated glycation-induced elevated levels of RAGE and NF-κB. Mechanistically, SC formulations prevented NF-κB nuclear translocation, transcriptional activity, and RAGE promoter activity. Also, SC formulations significantly attenuated glycation-enhanced expressions of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and VEGF) and ECM proteins (Col IV and fibronectin).

CONCLUSION

Our findings enlighten the molecular mechanism of SC in DN by targeting the AGEs-RAGE-NF-κB signaling pathway, inflammatory responses, and ECM accumulation. Hence, the study validates the protective role of SC formulations and signifies its novel potential for treating DN.

Phloroglucinol derivatives with α-glucosidase inhibitory activities from Syzygium fluviatile

Four new phloroglucinol derivatives (1 - 4) were isolated from the leaves of Syzygium fluviatile. Their structures were elucidated by means of extensive spectroscopic data. Among them, compounds 1 and 3 showed significant inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 10.60 and 5.07 µM, respectively. The structure-activity relationship was also discussed briefly.

Genus Equisetum L: Taxonomy, toxicology, phytochemistry and pharmacology

INTRODUCTION

The genus Equisetum (Equisetaceae) is cosmopolitan in distribution, with 41 recognized species. Several species of Equisetum are widely used in treating genitourinary and related diseases, inflammatory and rheumatic problems, hypertension, and wound healing in traditional medicine practices worldwide. This review intends to present information on the traditional uses, phytochemical components, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of Equisetum spp. and to analyze the new insights for further study.

METHODS

Relevant literature has been scanned and collected via various electronic repositories, including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Springer Connect, and Science Online, from 1960 to 2022.

RESULTS

Sixteen Equisetum spp. were documented as widely used in traditional medicine practices by different ethnic groups throughout the world. A total of 229 chemical compounds were identified from Equisetum spp. with the major group of constituents being flavonol glycosides and flavonoids. The crude extracts and phytochemicals of Equisetum spp. exhibited significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiulcerogenic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and diuretic properties. A wide range of studies have also demonstrated the safety of Equisetum spp.

CONCLUSION

The reported pharmacological properties of Equisetum spp. support its use in traditional medicine, though there are gaps in understanding the traditional usage of these plants for clinical experiments. The documented information revealed that the genus is not only a great herbal remedy but also has several bioactives with the potential to be discovered as novel drugs. Detailed scientific investigation is still needed to fully understand the efficacy of this genus; hence, very few Equisetum spp. were studied in detail for phytochemical and pharmacological investigation. Moreover, its bioactives, structure-activity connection, in vivo activity, and associated mechanism of action ought to be explored further.

The role of selected nutraceuticals in management of prediabetes and diabetes: An updated review of the literature

Dysglycemia is a disease state preceding the onset of diabetes and includes impaired fasting glycemia and impaired glucose tolerance. This review aimed to collect and analyze the literature reporting the results of clinical trials evaluating the effects of selected nutraceuticals on glycemia in humans. The results of the analyzed trials, generally, showed the positive effects of the nutraceuticals studied alone or in association with other supplements on fasting plasma glucose and post-prandial plasma glucose as primary outcomes, and their efficacy in improving insulin resistance as a secondary outcome. Some evidences, obtained from clinical trials, suggest a role for some nutraceuticals, and in particular Berberis, Banaba, Curcumin, and Guar gum, in the management of prediabetes and diabetes. However, contradictory results were found on the hypoglycemic effects of Morus, Ilex paraguariensis, Omega-3, Allium cepa, and Trigonella faenum graecum, whereby rigorous long-term clinical trials are needed to confirm these data. More studies are also needed for Eugenia jambolana, as well as for Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus which glucose-lowering effects were observed when administered in combination, but not alone. Further trials are also needed for quercetin.

Phytochemical Profile, Biological Properties, and Food Applications of the Medicinal Plant Syzygium cumini

Syzygium cumini, locally known as Jamun in Asia, is a fruit-bearing crop belonging to the Myrtaceae family. This study aims to summarize the most recent literature related to botany, traditional applications, phytochemical ingredients, pharmacological activities, nutrition, and potential food applications of S. cumini. Traditionally, S. cumini has been utilized to combat diabetes and dysentery, and it is given to females with a history of abortions. Anatomical parts of S. cumini exhibit therapeutic potentials including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antimalarial, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities attributed to the presence of various primary and secondary metabolites such as carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, alkaloids, flavonoids (i.e., quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol), phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, ellagic acid) and anthocyanins (delphinidin-3,5-O-diglucoside, petunidin-3,5-O-diglucoside, malvidin-3,5-O-diglucoside). Different fruit parts of S. cumini have been employed to enhance the nutritional and overall quality of jams, jellies, wines, and fermented products. Today, S. cumini is also used in edible films. So, we believe that S. cumini’s anatomical parts, extracts, and isolated compounds can be used in the food industry with applications in food packaging and as food additives. Future research should focus on the isolation and purification of compounds from S. cumini to treat various disorders. More importantly, clinical trials are required to develop low-cost medications with a low therapeutic index.

Cumin Prevents 17β-Estradiol-Associated Breast Cancer in ACI Rats

Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths in women in less developed countries and the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. In this study, we report the inhibition of E2-mediated mammary tumorigenesis by Cuminum cyminum (cumin) administered via the diet as cumin powder, as well as dried ethanolic extract. Groups of female ACI rats were given either an AIN-93M diet or a diet supplemented with cumin powder (5% and 7.5%, w/w) or dried ethanolic cumin extract (1%, w/w), and then challenged with subcutaneous E2 silastic implants (1.2 cm; 9 mg). The first appearance of a palpable mammary tumor was significantly delayed by both the cumin powder and extract. At the end of the study, the tumor incidence was 96% in the control group, whereas only 55% and 45% animals had palpable tumors in the cumin powder and extract groups, respectively. Significant reductions in tumor volume (660 ± 122 vs. 138 ± 49 and 75 ± 46 mm³) and tumor multiplicity (4.21 ± 0.43 vs. 1.16 ± 0.26 and 0.9 ± 0.29 tumors/animal) were also observed by the cumin powder and cumin extract groups, respectively. The cumin powder diet intervention dose- and time-dependently offset E2-related pituitary growth, and reduced the levels of circulating prolactin and the levels of PCNA in the mammary tissues. Mechanistically, the cumin powder diet resulted in a significant reversal of E2-associated modulation in ERα, CYP1A1 and CYP1B1. Further, the cumin powder diet reversed the expression levels of miRNAs (miR-182, miR-375, miR-127 and miR-206) that were highly modulated by E2 treatment. We analyzed the composition of the extract by GC/MS and established cymene and cuminaldehyde as major components, and further detected no signs of gross or systemic toxicity. Thus, cumin bioactives can significantly delay and prevent E2-mediated mammary tumorigenesis in a safe and effective manner, and warrant continued efforts to develop these clinically translatable spice bioactives as chemopreventives and therapeutics against BC.

Amelioration of arsenic-induced toxic effects in mice by dietary supplementation of Syzygium cumini leaf extract

Arsenic created a serious public health problem in Bangladesh due to its presence in groundwater and dissemination of the toxic effects to millions of people. The scarcity of the treatment options to manage this affected population has made the situation much worse. To find a promising treatment option, this study was undertaken to examine the ameliorating roles of Syzygium cumini leaf extract (SLE) against arsenic-induced toxic effects in mice. Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups where ‘control’ group received pure water + normal feed, ‘arsenic (As)’ group received sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂)-containing water (10 μg/g body weight/day) + normal feed, ‘As+SLE’ group received NaAsO₂-containing water + feed supplemented with SLE (50 µg/g body weight/day) and finally the ‘SLE’ group received pure water + feed supplemented with SLE. A gradual increase in body weight gain was observed in control mice; however, the body weight gain in As-exposed mice was decreased. This decrease in body weight gain was prevented in As+SLE group mice that received SLE supplemented feed. Arsenic showed a secondary effect by causing enlargement of spleen, kidney and liver of ‘As’ group mice and this enlargement of the organs was minimized with SLE supplementation. In addition, SLE abrogated arsenic-mediated elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), uric acid and glucose. These results, therefore, suggest that SLE might have future therapeutic value for preventing or reducing arsenic-induced toxic effects.

Phenolics from Eugenia jambolana seeds with advanced glycation endproduct formation and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities

Published data suggest that dietary-derived phenolics exert beneficial effects against hyperglycemia-mediated diseases, such as diabetes, through inhibiting the formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme activities. In the course of our investigation on the edible berry, Eugenia jambolana (known as Jamun), 21 phenolics (1-21) were isolated and identified from its seeds. Among these, one compound (1) is new and eleven compounds (3, 6, 9-13, 17, and 19-21) are being reported from E. jambolana for the first time. The anti-AGE activities of thirteen pure isolates (2-7, 9-12, 14, 15, and 20) were either comparable or superior to the synthetic anti-glycation agent, aminoguanidine, at three test concentrations (20, 50, and 100 μM) in the BSA-fructose assay. Most of these phenolics with anti-AGE activity exhibited potent free radical scavenging activity in the DPPH assay, and attenuated intracellular levels of LPS-induced reactive oxygen species in RAW264.7 macrophage. In addition, compounds 2-6, and 14 showed superior α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 5.0-21.2 μM) compared to the clinical α-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose (IC50 = 289.9 μM). This is the first report of the anti-AGE effects of compounds 2-6 and 9-12, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of compounds 3-6, 9, 11 and 14. The current study supports the role of phenolics in the antidiabetic properties attributed to this edible berry, and warrants further animal studies to evaluate their potential as dietary agents for the prevention and/or therapy of hyperglycemia-mediated diseases.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of triterpenoid-enriched Jamun (Eugenia jambolana Lam.) fruit extract in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice

The edible berries of Eugenia jambolana Lam. (known as Jamun) are consumed in various parts of the world. Our previous studies revealed that a triterpenoid-enriched Jamun fruit extract (TJFE) showed beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis in non-diabetic mice. Herein, the anti-diabetic effects of TJFE (100 mg kg-1 by oral gavage for ten days) were evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic mice. TJFE significantly attenuated STZ-induced hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance, suppressed the abnormal elevation of hepatic gluconeogenesis, and improved dyslipidemia in the mice. Histopathology and mechanism-based studies revealed that TJFE preserved the architecture and function of pancreatic islets, attenuated insulin secretion deficiency, enhanced insulin/Akt signaling transduction, reduced lipogenic gene expression, and prevented the abnormal activation of Erk MAPK in the liver tissues of the STZ-induced diabetic mice. The current study adds to previously published data supporting the potential beneficial effects of this edible fruit on diabetes management.

Bioinspired gold nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite using Syzygium cumini seed extract: Evaluation of its biological applications

The development of novel functionalized reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite materials keeping in mind environmental and health perspectives via green approaches is currently gaining enormous research interest in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Herein, we report a bio-inspired green synthesis approach for gold nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite in which Syzygium cumini seed extract (SCSE) is applied as natural reducing and stabilizing agent for the simultaneous reduction of chloroauric acid and graphene oxide (GO). The obtained nanocomposite was thoroughly investigated using UV-visible and FT-IR spectroscopy, XRD, SEM-EDX, TEM-SAED, Raman spectroscopy and XPS analysis. These characterization techniques clearly confirmed the successful synthesis of gold nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite. In addition, this study evaluated the systematic and detailed analysis of AuNPs-rGO-NC and its efficacy towards cellular and antibacterial toxicological behavior. A detailed in-vitro cytotoxicity study was performed by analysing the percentage inhibition of cell viability, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cell lines using 3‑(4,5‑dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl)‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on human colorectal (HCT116) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines. Further, antibacterial toxicological evaluation was performed by analysing diameter of inhibition Zone (DIZ), activity index (AI), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), growth kinetics (GrK) and death kinetics (DeK) against Gram-negative bacterial strain Escherichia coli and Gram-positive bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The cytotoxicity and antibacterial toxicological assays revealed that the synthesized nanocomposite showed significant anti-cancer activity towards A549 cell line and Gram-negative bacterial strain Escherichia coli compared to the rest.

Assessment of traditional knowledge of the antidiabetic plants of Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas in the context of recent phytochemical and pharmacological advances

Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas, a part of Eastern Himalayan Hotspot, is characterized by its richness of plant diversity. Herbal medicine has been one of the most popular and reliable healing practices among the different ethnic groups of this region for ages. However, the lack of documentation practice by the traditional healers has led to obscurity regarding the efficacy of herbal medicine among the present generation, though they have to depend on the same quite often. Meanwhile, several reviews have attempted to document the plants used for the treatment of diabetes from this region, but interestingly, very few research works can be obtained regarding the characterization of antidiabetic properties of the plants of this region. Therefore, it demands a better understanding of the potentiality of these plants in the purview of scientific evidence. This review article reports 55 such plant species which have been reported to be frequently used in the treatment of hyperglycemia and our objective was to validate the potentiality of the plants in the light of recent phytochemical and pharmacological researches being carried out locally or elsewhere.

Genotoxicity inhibition by Syzygium cumini (L.) seed fraction and rutin: understanding the underlying mechanism of DNA protection

Considering the ethnopharmacological importance of Syzygium cumini's seed and the lack of information on the antimutagenic and DNA-protecting mechanisms, a fraction-based study was conducted. Four different (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and aqueous) fractions were obtained from the sequential extraction of the methanolic extract of the seed. The most active antioxidant fraction (ethyl acetate) contained significant amount of phenolics and flavonoids. LC-qTOF-MS analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction revealed the presence of rutin, myricetin, naringin, cuscohygrin, and epoxycarryophyllone as constituent phytocompounds. The ethyl acetate fraction (100 μg ml-1) and a selected compound (rutin, 40 μg ml-1) showed remarkable decrease in the revertants frequency range from 74-77% and 66-84%, respectively, against both the mutagens (sodium azide (NaN3) and methyl methane sulfonate (MMS)) in the Salmonella typhimurium tester strains. All the statistical analyses were at a significance level of 0.05 between the different treatment groups. Moreover, the underlying mechanism of antimutagenicity using different treatment regime for rutin was explored. MMS-mediated DNA fragmentation and oxidation in lymphocytes were also shown to be decreased significantly when treated with the ethyl acetate fraction and rutin. Oxidative damage to pBR322 plasmid DNA was also reduced when incubated with different concentration of the ethyl acetate fraction and rutin. Biophysical (UV, fluorescence, ITC, etc.) and computational methods were employed to obtain a closer look at the DNA-rutin interaction. The data obtained clearly revealed that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited promising antimutagenic and DNA-protective activity and its flavonoid constituents, including rutin, contribute significantly to the observed activity.

Bioactive compounds and pharmacological and food applications ofSyzygium cumini– a review

The present review explores the nutritional, phytochemical and pharmacological potential as well as diverse food usages ofSyzygium cumini.

Bioactive compounds and pharmacological and food applications ofSyzygium cumini– a review

The present review explores the nutritional, phytochemical and pharmacological potential as well as diverse food usages ofSyzygium cumini.

Nanoparticle formulation increases Syzygium cumini antioxidant activity in Candida albicans-infected diabetic rats

CONTEXT

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, studies on the use of this plant and of nanoparticle formulations against DM-related fungal infections are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of the treatments with aqueous seed extract of S. cumini (ASc) and ASc-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (NPASc) on biochemical parameters in Candida albicans-infected diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups: Control, DM, C. albicans, C. albicans + ASc, C. albicans + NPASc, DM + C. albicans, DM + C. albicans + ASc and DM + C. albicans + NPASc. Rats were daily treated with ASc or NPASc (100 mg/kg) for 21 days. Biochemical parameters in serum and urine, advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) and TBARS levels in the serum, kidney, liver and pancreas and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) activities in kidney and urine were evaluated.

RESULTS

Biochemical and oxidative stress parameters increased in rats with DM and/or candidiasis. NPASc was more effective than ASc in decreasing glucose (56%), cholesterol (33%) and creatinine (51%) levels; serum (16%) and pancreatic (46%) AOPP and renal (48%) TBARS levels when compared with DM + C. albicans group. In C. albicans group, both treatments decreased NAG activity but did not decrease creatinine levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the use of nanotechnology is able to improve plant extract properties such as antioxidant activity that may be useful in diabetes-related complications.

Quantification of phenolics in Syzygium cumini seed and their modulatory role on tertiary butyl-hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in H9c2 cell lines and key enzymes in cardioprotection

The study quantified the major phenolics in different fractions of Syzygium cumini seeds and evaluated their cardioprotective efficacy. Gallic acid, ellagic acid, cinnamic acid, quercetin, syringic acid and ferulic acid were the major polyphenols present in different fractions of Syzygium cumini seeds. The cardioprotective effect of Syzygium cumini seed fractions in modulating angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), HMG-CoA reductase, LDL oxidation and tertiary butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) induced oxidative stress in H9c2 cardiac cell lines were investigated. Syzygium cumini effectively attenuated the cellular oxidative stress in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. These fractions possessed inhibitory potential against ACE, HMG-CoA reductase and LDL oxidation. Molecular docking studies of the predominant polyphenols with ACE and HMG-CoA proteins revealed the binding interactions of these compounds, thus confirming their modulation of activity. The present study demonstrated the cardioprotective efficacy of Syzygium cumini seed fractions which can be attributed to the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids.

Phloroglucinol Derivatives with Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Inhibitory Activities from Eugenia jambolana Seeds

Fifteen new phloroglucinol derivatives, jamunones A-O (1-8 and 10-16, respectively), along with one known analogue spiralisone C (9), were isolated from Eugenia jambolana seeds. Their structures were elucidated by detailed nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry spectroscopic data interpretation. Compounds 1-9, 11, 12, and 14-16 inhibited protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.42 to 3.2 μM.

Prevention of hormonal breast cancer by dietary jamun

SCOPE

Syzygium cumini (jamun) is perhaps the only berry that has the diversity of anthocyanidins of blueberry and bilberry and the abundance of ellagitannins/ellagic acid of black raspberry. Here, we report the potential of jamun against 17β-estrogen-mediated breast cancer and the role of miRNAs and other targets in disease inhibition.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Female August-Copenhagen Irish rats were given AIN-93M diet or diet supplemented with jamun. Two weeks later, animals received 17β-estradiol and were palpated weekly for the mammary tumors. At the end of 26 weeks, the jamun-diet significantly delayed the first tumor appearance by 21 days, and reduced the tumor incidence (65% versus 96%), tumor burden (313 ± 95 versus 661 ± 123 mm(3) ) and tumor multiplicity (1.8 ± 0.3 versus 4.2 ± 0.4 tumors/rat) compared to control. The experimental diet significantly reduced the estrogen-associated growth of pituitary prolactinomas, circulating prolactin and estradiol levels and offset estrogen-associated increases in mammary cell-proliferation, estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α), and cyclinD1. miRNAs that were either overexpressed (miR-182 and miR-375) or underexpressed (miR-127 and miR-206) following estrogen-treatment were significantly protected by jamun diet.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, our data show that jamun significantly offset estrogen-mediated alterations in mammary cell-proliferation, ER-α, cyclinD1, and candidate miRNAs, and that the modulation of these biomarkers correlated with a reduction in mammary carcinogenicity.

Selective Inhibition of PTP1B by Vitalboside A from Syzygium cumini Enhances Insulin Sensitivity and Attenuates Lipid Accumulation Via Partial Agonism to PPARγ: In Vitro and In Silico Investigation

Although antidiabetic drugs show good insulin-sensitizing property for T2DM, they also exhibit undesirable side-effects. Partial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonism with protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibition is considered as an alternative therapeutic approach toward the development of a safe insulin sensitizer. Bioactivity-based fractionation and purification of Syzygium cumini seeds led to the isolation and identification of bifunctional Vitalboside A, which showed antidiabetic and anti-adipogenic activities, as measured by glucose uptake in L6 and 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Nile red assay. A non-competitive allosteric inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B by Vitalboside A was observed, which was confirmed by docking studies. Inhibitor studies with wortmannin and genistein showed an IRTK- and PI3K-dependent glucose uptake. A PI3K/AKT-dependent activation of GLUT4 translocation and an inactivation of GSK3β were observed, confirming its insulin-sensitizing potential. Vitalboside A exhibited partial transactivation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ with an increase in adiponectin secretion, which was confirmed using docking analysis. Vitalboside A is a bifunctional molecule derived from edible plant showing inhibition of PTP1B and partial agonism to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ which could be a promising therapeutic agent in the management of obesity and diabetes.

Polyphenol-Rich Extract of Syzygium cumini Leaf Dually Improves Peripheral Insulin Sensitivity and Pancreatic Islet Function in Monosodium L-Glutamate-Induced Obese Rats

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae) has been traditionally used to treat a number of illnesses. Ethnopharmacological studies have particularly addressed antidiabetic and metabolic-related effects of extracts prepared from its different parts, especially seed, and pulp-fruit, however. there is a lack of studies on phytochemical profile and biological properties of its leaf. As there is considerable interest in bioactive compounds to treat metabolic syndrome and its clustered risk factors, we sought to characterize the metabolic effects of hydroethanolic extract of S. cumini leaf (HESc) on lean and monosodium L-glutamate (MSG)-induced obese rats. HPLC-MS/MS characterization of the HESc polyphenolic profile, at 254 nm, identified 15 compounds pertaining to hydrolysable tannin and flavanol subclasses. At 60 days of age, both groups were randomly assigned to receive HESc (500 mg/kg) or vehicle for 30 days. At the end of treatment, obese+HESc exhibited significantly lower body weight gain, body mass index, and white adipose tissue mass, compared to obese rats receiving vehicle. Obese rats treated with HESc showed a twofold increase in lipolytic activity in the periepididymal fat pad, as well as, brought triglyceride levels in serum, liver and skeletal muscle back to levels close those found in lean animals. Furthermore, HESc also improved hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance in obese+HESc rats, which resulted in partial reversal of glucose intolerance, as compared to obese rats. HESc had no effect in lean rats. Assessment of ex vivo glucose-stimulated insulin secretion showed HESc potentiated pancreatic function in islets isolated from both lean and obese rats treated with HESc. In addition, HESc (10–1000 μg/mL) increased glucose stimulated insulin secretion from both isolated rat islets and INS-1E β-cells. These data demonstrate that S. cumini leaf improved peripheral insulin sensitivity via stimulating/modulating β-cell insulin release, which was associated with improvements in metabolic outcomes in MSG-induced obese rats.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Palamalai region of Eastern Ghats, India

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

During the last few decades there has been an increasing interest in the study of medicinal plants with their traditional use and related pharmacological research all over the World. This paper enumerated folk medicinal plants used by Malayali tribal people in an unexplored and biodiversity rich region of Eastern Ghats in southern India.

AIM OF STUDY

The aim of this study is to collect and identify the plants used in medicinal therapy by the local people and professional traditional healers with quantitative analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out during January to December 2014 among the Malayali tribal people in four villages of Palamalai region in Eastern Ghats, India. The information was obtained through open and semi-structured face-to-face interviews with the local knowledgeable people and professional traditional healers. The statistical analysis, use value, family use value, informants' consensus factor, fidelity level, frequency of citation, relative frequency citation and informants' agreements ratio were calculated for the quantitative study of ethnomedicinal data.

RESULTS

A total of 118 plant species belonging to 95 genera and 55 families dominated by the families like Leguminosae, Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were enumerated with detailed information on parts used, method of preparation, mode of administration and ailments treated. Leaves were mostly used plant part and predominantly used herbal preparations were decoction and paste. Moringa oleifera Lam. was reported by all the interviewed informants and gives the highest UV of 3.9 with 78 use reports due to its diverse medicinal uses.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated the need for importance of documenting the traditional knowledge of forest dwelling people. As a result of the study, Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet., Andrographis echioides (L.f.) Nees., Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., Canarium strictum Roxb., Centella asiatica (L.) Urban., Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb. and Tribulus terrestris (L.) were recommended for further ethnopharmacological studies since these plants were recorded with high UV, IAR, RFC and FL values.

Aldose reductase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitory active compounds from Syzygium cumini seeds

CONTEXT

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae), commonly known as jamun, is an Indian plant, traditionally well known for its medicinal properties including antidiabetic activity.

OBJECTIVE

To isolate the antidiabetic compounds from Syzygium cumini seeds and evaluate their activity using aldose reductase (AR) and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibition assays.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The dried seeds were extracted with methanol and partitioned with ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. The extracts were screened for antidiabetic activity at a concentration of 100 µg/mL using in vitro AR and PTP 1B inhibition assays.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The highly enriched fractions obtained from broad ethyl acetate fraction yielded maslinic acid (1), 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfural (2), gallic acid (3), valoneic acid dilactone (4), rubuphenol (5), and ellagic acid (6). Structures were elucidated by (1)H-NMR and (13)C-NMR. The initial ethyl acetate fraction showed AR inhibitory activity with the IC50 value of 2.50 μg/mL and PTP1B enzyme inhibition with the IC50 value of 26.36 μg/mL. Compounds 3, 4, 5, and 6 were found to inhibit AR with IC50 values of 0.77, 0.075, 0.165, and 0.12 μg/mL while the compounds 4, 5, and 6 inhibited PTP1B with IC50 values of 9.37, 28.14, and 25.96 μg/mL, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study demonstrate that the isolated constituents show promising in vitro antidiabetic activity and, therefore, can be candidates for in vivo biological screening using relevant models to ascertain their antidiabetic activity.

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels essential oil and its major constituent α-pinene exhibit anti-Leishmania activity through immunomodulation in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae), commonly known as "jambolão" in Brazil is widely used in folk medicine against leishmaniasis, inflammation, chronic diarrhea, and ulcers. It is one of the most commonly used plants for the treatment of diabetes worldwide. In previous studies, Syzygium cumini was shown to possess antihyperlipidemic and anti-allergic properties, and to exhibit good performance as an antimicrobial agent against bacteria, fungi, and protozoa parasites of the genus Leishmania and Trypanosoma. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of S. cumini essential oil (ScEO) and its major component α-pinene on Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis, as well as their cytotoxicity and possible mechanisms of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To evaluate the anti-proliferative effect on Leishmania, effects on promastigote and axenic amastigote forms were assessed using tetrazolium salt (MTT) assay. The intramacrophagic amastigotes were exposed to ScEO and α-pinene to determine the survival index. To gain insight into the mechanism of action involved in the effect on the samples, we evaluated the modulation of macrophage activation state by observing structural (phagocytic and lysosomal activities) and cellular (nitric oxide increase) changes. To assess the safety profile of ScEO and α-pinene, murine macrophages and human red blood cells were treated with ScEO and α-pinene and the selectivity index was calculated for each treatment.

RESULTS

α-Pinene was effective against Leishmania amazonensis promastigote forms, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 19.7µg/mL. α-Pinene was more active (IC50 values of 16.1 and 15.6µg/mL against axenic and intracellular amastigotes, respectively) than ScEO (IC50 values of 43.9 and 38.1µg/mL against axenic and intracellular amastigotes, respectively). Our results showed that the anti-Leishmania effects were mediated by immunomodulatory activity, as evidenced by the observed increases in both phagocytic and lysosomal activity, and the elevated NO levels. ScEO and α-pinene exhibited low cytotoxicity against murine macrophages and human erythrocytes. The 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) values for the macrophages in the MTT assay were 614.1 and 425.2µg/mL for ScEO and α-pinene, respectively, while the corresponding half-maximal hemolytic concentration (HC50) values were 874.3 and 233.3µg/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, the results demonstrate that ScEO and its major constituent α-pinene have significant anti-Leishmania activity, modulated by macrophage activation, with acceptable levels of cytotoxicity in murine macrophages and human erythrocytes. Further work is warranted, involving more in-depth mechanistic studies and in vivo investigations.

Effects of in vitro supplementation with Syzygium cumini (L.) on platelets from subjects affected by diabetes mellitus

The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro effects of Syzygium cumini (L.) (Sc) incubation on platelets from patients with diabetes, in order to test its efficacy as a potential adjuvant therapy. This study was performed on 77 patients with diabetes [29 in good (DMgc) and 48 in poor glycemic control (DMpc)] and 85 controls. In patients, platelets were analyzed at recruitment and after in vitro Sc incubation (final concentration of 200 µg/ml for 3 hours at 37 °C), whereas in controls only basal evaluation was performed. Lipoperoxide and nitric oxide (NO) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activities, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and membrane fluidity tested by anisotropy of fluorescent probes 1-(4-trimethylaminophenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH) and 1-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) were determined. Collagen-induced platelet aggregation was also evaluated. In vitro Sc activity counteracts oxidative damage, by improving platelet function through augmented membrane fluidity and Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity; it also enhances antioxidant system functionality by increasing NO levels, SOD activity, and TAC and by decreasing lipoperoxide levels both in whole samples and in DMgc and DMpc. In addition, a slight tendency towards collagen-induced platelet aggregation decrease after Sc was observed. However, all these parameters, even after improvement, did not reach the levels of control subjects. Our results suggest that Sc may have a preventive and protective effect in oxidative damage progression associated with diabetes mellitus and its complications. If our data will be confirmed, Sc supplementation might become a further tool in the management of this disease, especially in view of its easy availability, safety, low cost, and absence of side effects.

The therapeutic potential of medicinal foods

Pharmaceutical and nutritional sciences have recently witnessed a bloom in the scientific literature geared towards the use of food plants for their diversified health benefits and potential clinical applications. Health professionals now recognize that a synergism of drug therapy and nutrition might confer optimum outcomes in the fight against diseases. The prophylactic benefits of food plants are being investigated for potential use as novel medicinal remedies due to the presence of pharmacologically active compounds. Although the availability of scientific data is rapidly growing, there is still a paucity of updated compilation of data and concerns about the rationale of these health-foods still persist in the literature. This paper attempts to congregate the nutritional value, phytochemical composition, traditional uses, in vitro and in vivo studies of 10 common medicinal food plants used against chronic noncommunicable and infectious diseases. Food plants included were based on the criteria that they are consumed as a common food in a typical diet as either fruit or vegetable for their nutritive value but have also other parts which are in common use in folk medicine. The potential challenges of incorporating these medicinal foods in the diet which offers prospective opportunities for future drug development are also discussed.