Genotoxicity testing of a Salacia oblonga extract

The Effect of Salacia Reticulata Extract Biscuits on Blood Sugar Control of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Two-Period, Two-Sequence, Crossover, Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial

Background Traditional physicians in Sri Lanka and India use extracts from the plant Salacia reticulata,or Kothala Himbutu (KH) to treat diabetes. The effect of a KH biscuit, taken as a snack, on glycemic control was investigated in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methodology This triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, two-period, two-sequence, crossover study was conducted in the Internal Medical Clinic, Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura. A research assistant opened computer-generated random numbers enclosed in a sealed envelope and performed treatment allocation. The group outcome was masked from the researchers, patients, and analysts. Both the placebo and the KH biscuit were identical. The primary outcome measure was HbA1c. Intention to treat analyses was used. Glycemic stability was assured in the run-in period, and patients with severe renal, liver, or heart disease were excluded. If patients needed insulin, they were withdrawn from the trial. Results From January 2014 to May 2016, 230 patients were screened, and 136 were randomized. Of them, 62 were allocated, 58 completed the placebo biscuit, 71 were allocated, and 69 completed the KH biscuit. After the washout period and crossover, 57 completed the KH and 65 completed the placebo biscuit. The baseline mean HbA1c level was 8.45% (68.9 mmol/mol) and 8.65% (71.0 mmol/mol) for the placebo-KH biscuit and KH-placebo biscuit groups. At the end of the trial, the HbA1c levels in the placebo-KH biscuit group and the KH-placebo biscuit group were 8.23% (66.4 mmol/mol) and 8.53% (69.3 mmol/mol), respectively. The unadjusted mean HbA1c reduced from the baseline with 0.10% (95% CI = -0.12, 0.32) after the placebo biscuit and 0.35% (95% CI = 0.10, 0.60) after the KH biscuit. After the placebo and KH biscuits, the HbA1c values were 8.46% (95% CI = 8.19, 8.73) (69 mmol/mol with 95% CI = 66, 72) and 8.19% (95% CI = 7.90, 8.48) (66 mmol/mol with 95% CI = 63, 69), respectively. The paired sample t-test shows that the reduction was not significant for placebo biscuits (p = 0.324), while it is significant for KH biscuits (p = 0.003). Analysis with multiple imputations confirmed a significant difference between the placebo and KH biscuit in reducing the HbA1c level. Conclusions KH biscuit taken as a snack reduces HbA1c by 0.25% compared to placebo without serious renal or liver adverse effects. The biscuit can be safely recommended as a snack to patients with type 2 diabetes.

Functional IgG Autoantibodies against Autonomic Nervous System Receptors in Symptomatic Women with Silicone Breast Implants

The association between the clinical picture of symptomatic women with silicone breast implants (SBI) and dysregulated immunity was in dispute for decades. In the current study, we describe for the first time the functional activity of purified IgG antibodies derived from symptomatic women with SBIs (suffering from subjective/autonomic-related symptoms), both in vitro and in vivo. We found that IgGs, derived from symptomatic women with SBIs, dysregulate inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-6) in activated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, compared to healthy-women-derived IgGs. Importantly, behavioral studies conducted following intracerebroventricular injection of IgGs derived from symptomatic women with SBIs (who have dysregulated circulating level of IgG autoantibodies directed against autonomic nervous system receptors) into mice brains demonstrated a specific and transient significant increment (about 60%) in the time spent at the center of the open field arena compared with mice injected with IgG from healthy women (without SBIs). This effect was accompanied with a strong trend of reduction of the locomotor activity of the SBI-IgG treated mice, indicating an overall apathic-like behavior. Our study is the first to show the potential pathogenic activity of IgG autoantibodies in symptomatic women with SBIs, emphasizing the importance of these antibodies in SBI-related illness.

Herbal tea, a novel adjuvant therapy for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus: A review

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic, endocrine disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. Several studies have shown that herbal tea improves glucose metabolism disorders in patients with T2DM. This study summarizes the published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on herbal tea as a adjuvant therapy for treating T2DM and found that herbal teas have potential add-on effects in lowering blood glucose levels. In addition, we discussed the polyphenol contents in common herbal teas and their possible adverse effects. To better guide the application of herbal teas, we further summarized the hypoglycemic mechanisms of common herbal teas, which mainly involve: 1) improving insulin resistance, 2) protecting islet β-cells, 3) anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation, 4) inhibition of glucose absorption, and 5) suppression of gluconeogenesis. In conclusion, herbal tea, as a novel adjuvant therapy for treating T2DM, has the potential for further in-depth research and product development.

Mutagenicity assessment of Salacia chinensis by bacterial reverse mutation assay using histidine dependent Salmonella typhimurium tester strains

Background and objective

Genotoxicity analysis is one of the most important non-clinical environmental safety investigations required for pharmaceutical and agrochemical product registration. Any medicinal product must undergo a risk evaluation to determine its mutagenicity and carcinogenicity.

Materials and methods

The Ames test is a commonly used in vitro test for determining a test chemical's mutagenic activity. Histidine-dependent Salmonella typhimurium strains with a defective gene that causes the bacteria to synthesis the necessary amino acid histidine for life were tested for mutagenic potential. In order to reveal pro-mutagens and mutagens, the mutagenic potential of both plate integration and pre-incubation techniques was examined in the presence and absence of metabolizing system. Salacia chinensis has been widely used in ayurveda to treat various ailments. However, the information of mutagenicity of Salacia chinensis is scarce as per available literature.

Results

The mutagenicity of a Salacia chinensis root extract was investigated utilizing the Ames assay with plate incorporation and pre-incubation protocols using the appropriate Salmonella typhimurium tester strains: TA98, TA100, TA1537, TA1535, and TA102 in the presence and absence of S9. The concentrations used were 0.3123, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/plate. The extract of Salacia chinensis root did not show any mutagenic effect in any of the Salmonella typhimurium strains at the concentrations tested in the absence or presence of metabolic activation.

Conclusion

The root of Salacia chinensis was hence confirmed to be non-mutagenic and at least according to the results of this genotoxicity evaluation can be regarded as being safe for human use.

Mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of Salacia crassifolia (mart. Ex. Schult.) G. Don. evaluated by Ames test

Abstract Salacia crassifolia (Mart. Ex. Schult.) G. Don. is a bush which belongs to Celastraceae family and occurs specially in Brazilian Cerrado. Its leaves, stem, seeds and fruits are popularly used for several medicinal purposes, such as antitumoral, antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. In this study, the mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of S. crassifolia stem bark fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic) were evaluated by the Ames mutagenicity assay in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains. By the obtained results, all S. crassifolia fractions did not significantly increase the number of prototrophic revertants for histidine (His+) in both S. typhimurium strains tested (p > 0.05), suggesting absence of mutagenicity. Regarding antimutagenicity, the fractions ethyl acetate and hydroalcoholic significantly decreased the number of His+ revertants colonies induced by positive control for strain TA98 (p < 0.05), demonstrating protection against mutagenicity induced by 4-nitroquinolile1-oxide, whereas the hexane fraction did not show antimutagenic effect in this strain. In the TA100 strain, all fractions of S. crassifolia protected DNA against the harmful action of sodium azide, and the hexane fraction exhibited the greatest protection in this work. Thus, it’s possible conclude that the fractions of S. crassifolia tested in this study could be used in chemoprevention.

An Updated Review on the Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Clinical Trials of Salacia oblonga

Salacia oblonga (S. oblonga), a perennial herb, has been used for thousands of years in ayurvedic medicine and is closely associated with prevention, treatment, and cure of various human ailments such as obesity and diabetes. A vast and wide range of chemical compounds such as polyphenols, friedelane-type triterpenes, norfriedelane-type triterpenes, eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes including various glycosides had been isolated from this plant. This review is aimed to survey the literature covering the phytochemistry and pharmacology of S. oblonga and to review the scientific data including active components and their multi-targeted mechanisms of action against various metabolic syndromes. We also included clinical trials related to this plant in this review. The overview would assist researchers to gather scientific information related to S. oblonga in future.

A subchronic oral toxicity study of Salacia reticulata extract powder in rats

The safety of Salacia plant (Salacia reticulata) extract powder, which is used in Ayurvedic medical practices, was studied in a dose range-finding subchronic toxicity study in Crl:CD Sprague-Dawley rats. Male and female rats were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups and were treated by oral gavage with 0, 10, 65, and 400 mg/kg body weight/day of the powder for 91 days. Body weight, food consumption, and clinical signs were assessed during the treatment period. Urinalysis, hematology, blood chemistry, and organ weights were determined one day after the final treatment. The animals were euthanized at the end of the treatment and were examined for necropsy and histopathological purposes. No adverse toxicity was observed in the Salacia powder-treated groups with a No Observed Adverse Effect Level of ≧400 mg/kg body weight/day in both male and female SD rats.

Salacia root, a unique Ayurvedic medicine, meets multiple targets in diabetes and obesity

In many traditional schools of medicine it is claimed that a balanced modulation of several targets can provide a superior therapeutic effect and decrease in side effect profile compared to a single action from a single selective ligand, especially in the treatment of certain chronic and complex diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. Diabetes and obesity have a multi-factorial basis involving both genetic and environmental risk factors. A wide array of medicinal plants and their active constituents play a role in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Salacia roots have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for diabetes and obesity since antiquity, and have been extensively consumed in Japan, the United States and other countries as a food supplement for the prevention of obesity and diabetes. Recent pharmacological studies have demonstrated that Salacia roots modulate multiple targets: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha-mediated lipogenic gene transcription, angiotensin II/angiotensin II type 1 receptor, alpha-glucosidase, aldose reductase and pancreatic lipase. These multi-target actions may mainly contribute to Salacia root-induced improvement of type 2 diabetes and obesity-associated hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and related cardiovascular complications seen in humans and rodents. The results of bioassay-guided identification indicate that mangiferin, salacinol, kotalanol and kotalagenin 16-acetate are at least in part responsible for these multi-target regulatory activities of Salacia roots. The evidence suggests that this unique traditional medicine fulfills a multiple-target strategy in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and obesity. Although toxicological studies have suggested minimal adverse effects of the herbal medicine in rodents, a clinical trial is crucial to further confirm the safety of Salacia roots. In addition, further mechanistic studies are necessary in order to allow a better understanding of how use of Salacia root may interact with other therapeutic interventions.

Toxicological and cytogenetic assessment of a Salacia oblonga extract in a rat subchronic study

Salacia oblonga holds potential as a natural method to mitigate the blood glucose response for people with diabetes by inhibiting the activity of intestinal alpha-glucosidases. As part of a safety evaluation of novel ingredients for use in blood glucose control, the toxicity of a S. oblonga root extract (SOE) was evaluated in a subchronic 90-day feeding study in rats. An in vivo-in vitro rat peripheral blood lymphocyte chromosomal aberrations assay was added at termination of the subchronic rat study to examine cultured lymphocytes for possible chromosomal aberration induction. This was conducted due to a previous weak; although reproducible, positive chromosomal aberrations response in cultured peripheral blood human lymphocytes after acute in vitro treatment with SOE. The present study results indicate that SOE was negative for the induction of chromosomal aberrations in cultured rat peripheral blood lymphocytes after 90 consecutive days of treatment with SOE. The no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) was determined to be 2,500 mg/kg/day following daily subchronic oral gavage administrations to rats.

Extract of Salacia oblonga lowers acute glycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Two previous studies tested the efficacy of Salacia oblonga extract in healthy adults.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the effect of an herbal extract of Salacia oblonga on postprandial glycemia and insulinemia in patients with type 2 diabetes after ingestion of a high-carbohydrate meal.

DESIGN

Sixty-six patients with diabetes were studied in this randomized, double-blinded crossover study. In a fasted state, subjects consumed 1 of the following 3 meals: a standard liquid control meal, a control meal + 240 mg Salacia oblonga extract, and a control meal + 480 mg Salacia oblonga extract. Serum glucose and insulin samples were measured at baseline and at postprandial intervals up to 180 min.

RESULTS

Both doses of the Salacia extract significantly lowered the postprandial positive area under the glucose curve (14% for the 240 mg extract and 22% for the 480 mg extract) and the adjusted peak glucose response (19% for the lower dose and 27% for the higher dose of extract) to the control meal. In addition, both doses of the herbal extract significantly decreased the postprandial insulin response, lowering both the positive area under the insulin curve and the adjusted peak insulin response (14% and 9%, respectively, for the 240 mg extract; 19% and 12%, respectively, for the 480 mg extract) in comparison with the control meal.

CONCLUSIONS

The extract of Salacia oblonga lowers acute glycemia and insulinemia in persons with type 2 diabetes after a high-carbohydrate meal. The results from this study suggest that Salacia may be beneficial to this population for postprandial glucose control.