In-vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials of Dianthus basuticus Burtt Davy whole plant extracts

Natural Remedies and Health; A Review of Bee Pollen and Bee Bread Impact on Combating Diabetes and Obesity

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Diabetes and obesity are complicated multifactorial conditions that have been highlighted as a significant global burden for both health care and national budgets and their complications are considered a substantial public health concern. This review focuses on the potential anti-diabetic and anti-obesity properties of bee pollen (BP) and bee bread (BB), two bee products with a long history of use in traditional medicine and supplemental nutrition.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies, encompassing cellular models, experimental models, and clinical trials, have shed light on the therapeutic potential of these bee products. BP and BB are rich in phytochemical constituents like flavonoids and phenolic acids, which are believed to confer their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity properties. These bee products have shown promising results in the treatment of diabetes and obesity, underscoring their potential as natural therapeutic tools. BP and BB possess properties that aid in decreasing blood glucose levels and body weight. BP and BB have been found to enhance insulin sensitivity, alleviate oxidative stress, regulate appetite, adjust levels of hormones linked to obesity, while bolstering anti-oxidant defense systems. BP and BB nutritional qualities and health benefits make them promising candidates for further research towards diabetes and obesity treatment strategies.

Bioactive Compounds and Diabetes Mellitus: Prospects and Future Challenges

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic condition that influences the endocrine framework. Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are two of the most widely recognized metabolic irregularities in diabetes, just as two of the most well-known reasons for diabetic intricacies. Diabetes mellitus is a persistent illness brought about by metabolic irregularities in hyperglycemic pancreatic cells. Hyperglycemia can be brought about by an absence of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas (Type 1 diabetes mellitus) or inadequate insulin creation that does not work effectively (Type 2 diabetes mellitus). Present diabetes medication is directed toward directing blood glucose levels in the systemic circulation to the typical levels. Numerous advanced prescription medicines have many negative results that can bring about unexpected severe issues during treatment of the bioactive compound from a different source that is beneficially affected by controlling, adjusting metabolic pathways or cycles. Moreover, a few new bioactive medications disengaged from plants have shown antidiabetic action with more noteworthy adequacy than the oral hypoglycemic agent that specialists have utilized in clinical treatment lately. Since bioactive mixtures are collected from familiar sources, they have a great activity in controlling diabetes mellitus. This study discusses bioactive compounds and their activity to manage diabetes mellitus and their prospects. Though bioactive compound has many health beneficial properties, adequate clinical studies still need to gain large acknowledge that they are effective in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation of quorum-sensing inhibitory effects of extracts of three traditional medicine plants with known antibacterial properties

Today an alternative approach to control bacterial infections is the use of natural and traditional plant compounds to interfere with their quorum-sensing (QS) systems. In this study, antibacterial and anti-QS sensing activity of Syzygium aromaticum, Dionysia revoluta Boiss. and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. were evaluated. These plants are local to the Middle East region and have since ancient times been used for their antibacterial activity. Plant compounds were extracted with n-hexane, methanol and 96% ethanol mixed solvent. Antibacterial activity of this herbal extracts against five Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were assessed. The effective sub–minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of this extract on bacterial QS systems were investigated by a violacein quantification assay in the Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 biosensor strain, inhibition of exogenously QS signal molecules in Aeromonas veronii bv. Sobria strain BC88 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from a patient with cystic fibrosis in vitro. Results found that Syzygium aromaticum 0.39 to 0.048 mg/mL, Dionysia revoluta Boiss. 3.1 to 0.39 mg/mL and E. camaldulensis 0.78 to 0.097 mg/mL showed anti-QS activities by reducing the violacein formation depletion of QS signals produced in A. veronii and P. aeruginosa at sub-MICs. Regarding the anti-QS effects of these herbal extracts, their effective components may be candidates for use in combating bacterial infections at sub-MICs.

Bioactive Compounds in Anti-Diabetic Plants: From Herbal Medicine to Modern Drug Discovery

Natural products, including organisms (plants, animals, or microorganisms) have been shown to possess health benefits for animals and humans. According to the estimation of the World Health Organization, in developing countries, 80% of the population has still depended on traditional medicines or folk medicines which are mostly prepared from the plant for prevention or treatment diseases. Traditional medicine from plant extracts has proved to be more affordable, clinically effective and relatively less adverse effects than modern drugs. Literature shows that the attention on the application of phytochemical constituents of medicinal plants in the pharmaceutical industry has increased significantly. Plant-derived secondary metabolites are small molecules or macromolecules biosynthesized in plants including steroids, alkaloids, phenolic, lignans, carbohydrates and glycosides, etc. that possess a diversity of biological properties beneficial to humans, such as their antiallergic, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antioxidant activities Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease result of metabolic disorders in pancreas β-cells that have hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia can be caused by a deficiency of insulin production by pancreatic (Type 1 diabetes mellitus) or insufficiency of insulin production in the face of insulin resistance (Type 2 diabetes mellitus). The current medications of diabetes mellitus focus on controlling and lowering blood glucose levels in the vessel to a normal level. However, most modern drugs have many side effects causing some serious medical problems during a period of treating. Therefore, traditional medicines have been used for a long time and play an important role as alternative medicines. Moreover, during the past few years, some of the new bioactive drugs isolated from plants showed antidiabetic activity with more efficacy than oral hypoglycemic agents used in clinical therapy. Traditional medicine performed a good clinical practice and is showing a bright future in the therapy of diabetes mellitus. World Health Organization has pointed out this prevention of diabetes and its complications is not only a major challenge for the future, but essential if health for all is to be attained. Therefore, this paper briefly reviews active compounds, and pharmacological effects of some popular plants which have been widely used in diabetic treatment. Morphological data from V-herb database of each species was also included for plant identification.

Spray-Drying Microencapsulation of High Concentration of Bioactive Compounds Fragments from Euphorbia hirta L. Extract and Their Effect on Diabetes Mellitus

The present study was performed to spray-dry the high concentration of bioactive compounds from Euphorbia hirta L. extracts that have antidiabetic activity. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of four different extracts (crude extract, petroleum ether extract, chloroform extract and ethyl acetate extract) from the dried powder of Euphorbia hirta L. were determined using a spectrophotometer. After that, the fragment containing a high number of bioactive compounds underwent spray-dried microencapsulation to produce powder which had antidiabetic potential. The total phenolic content values of the crude extract, petroleum ether extract, chloroform extract and ethyl acetate extract were 194.55 ± 0.82, 51.85 ± 3.12, 81.56 ± 1.72 and 214.21 ± 2.53 mg/g extract, expressed as gallic acid equivalents. Crude extract, petroleum ether extract, chloroform extract and ethyl acetate extracts showed total flavonoids 40.56 ± 7.27, 29.49 ± 1.66, 64.99 ± 2.60 and 91.69 ± 1.67 mg/g extract, as rutin equivalents. Ethyl acetate extract was mixed with 20% maltodextrin in a ratio of 1:10 to spray-dry microencapsulation. The results revealed that the moisture content, bulk density, color characteristic, solubility and hygroscopicity of the samples were 4.9567 ± 0.00577%, 0.3715 ± 0.01286 g/mL, 3.7367 ± 0.1424 Hue, 95.83 ± 1.44% and 9.9890 ± 1.4538 g H₂O/100 g, respectively. The spray powder was inhibited 51.19% α-amylase at 10 mg/mL and reduced 51% in fast blood glucose (FBG) after 4 h treatment. Furthermore, the administration of spray powder for 15 days significantly lowered the fast blood glucose level in streptozotocin-diabetic mice by 23.32%, whereas, acarbose—a standard antidiabetic drug—and distilled water reduced the fast blood glucose level by 30.87% and 16.89%. Our results show that obtained Euphorbia hirta L. powder has potential antidiabetic activity.

Review: Southern African medicinal plants used as blood purifiers

ETHNOPHARMALOGICAL RELEVANCE

Blood purification practices, also referred to as blood cleansing or detoxification, is an ancient concept which is widespread amongst African traditional medicine, but for which no modern scientific basis exists. There prevails considerable ambiguity in defining what a blood purifier is.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this review is to firstly define what a blood purifier is in the context of African traditional medicine and compare to other cultural and westernized interpretations. Thereafter, this study identifies traditionally used medicinal plants used as blood purifiers in southern Africa and correlates these species to scientific studies, which may support evidence for these "blood purifying plant species".

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethnobotanical books and review articles were used to identify medicinal plants used for blood purification. Databases such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed and Google Scholar were used to source scientific articles. An evaluation was made to try correlate traditional use to scientific value of the plant species.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty nine plant species have been documented as traditional remedies for blood purification. Most of the plant species have some pharmacological activity, however, very little link to the traditional use for blood purification. There has been some justification of the link between blood purification and the use as an antimicrobial and this has been explored in many of the plant species identified as blood purifiers. Other pharmacological studies specifically pertaining to the blood require further attention.

CONCLUSION

Irrespective of the ambiguity of interpretation, medicinal plants used to "cleanse the blood", play an important holistic role in traditional medicine and this review with recommendations for further study provides some value of exploring this theme in the future.

In vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic activity of Citrullus colocynthis pulpy flesh with seeds hydro-ethanolic extract

Background

Diabetes is the one of the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Traditionally phytotherapy is widely being used for diabetes treatment and highly valued. Citrus colocynthis has known anti-diabetic potential. However, anti-diabetic potential of hydro-ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis pulpy flesh with seeds is not reported yet.

Methods

The extract of C. colocynthis pulpy flesh with seeds was done by maceration method using 70% ethanol. To evaluate anti-diabetic and antioxidant potential of the seeded fruit in vitro, α-glucosidase and DPPH inhibition assays was done, respectively. In vivo study used streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes model of rats. Rats were randomized in five groups i. e. normal control, negative control, standard control, C. colocynthis 150 and 300 mg/kg. STZ was administered to all groups except normal control. After wards, plant extract and glibenclamide is continued for 14 days. Blood samples were collected from rat tail vein daily and from Cardiac puncture at the end of study. The blood glucose levels were monitored daily by using one-touch blood glucose monitoring system. The blood glucose level was monitored on 0, 1st, 5th, 8th, 11th, and 14th day of induction.

Results

Hydro-ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis pulpy flesh with seeds was able to decolorize DPPH and therefore possess antioxidant potential, continuous administration for 14 days showed a marked decrease in serum glucose levels (p 0.01) it is found to be somewhat less effective as glibenclamide (standard control) (p 0.001). A time-dependent decrease in blood glucose levels was observed (351.3 ± 4 to 258 m/kg).

Conclusion

Hydro-ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis pulpy flesh with seeds lowered the serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels in diabetic rats significantly as compared to negative control. The hypoglycemic effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis pulpy flesh with seeds is may be due to α-glucosidase inhibition potential.

Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Mental Illnesses in the Berea, Leribe, and Maseru Districts of Lesotho

Mental illnesses (MIs) such as anxiety, epilepsy, major depression, schizophrenia, sleep disorder, and pain influence the quality of life severely. According to the World Health Organization Atlas for Mental Health (2014), the formal health sector in Lesotho has only 13.7 mental health workers per 100 000 of the population, which breaks down to 0.1 psychiatrist and other medical doctors, 0.3 psychologists, 4.7 nurses, and 5.2 social workers. Traditional health practitioners (THPs) have always played a significant role in the prevention and treatment of MIs, via utilization of Lesotho’s vast diversity of plants. This investigation aims to determine which medicinal plants are used for the treatment of MIs in the Berea, Leribe, and Maseru districts of Lesotho. A combination of unstructured and semistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted with 27 THPs. They were interviewed about the status of MIs in Lesotho, diagnostic methods, medicinal plants used, and preparation and administration of the herbal remedies in the treatment of MIs. A total of 43 different plant species (indigenous and exotic) were indicated by the THPs as commonly used to treat neurological disorders. With the exception of one unidentified plant, the plants represented 26 families and 42 genera. The most common families are the Asteraceae (9 species), Fabaceae (5 species), and Rosaceae (3 species). The most cited plant species were Morella serrata (Myricaceae) (26%), followed by Xysmalobium undulatum (Asclepiadaceae) (22%), and Afroaster hispidus (Asteraceae) (15%). This survey provides, for the first time, a database of Lesotho’s medicinal plants that are used to treat MIs.

MD-1, a poly herbal formulation indicated in diabetes mellitus ameliorates glucose uptake and inhibits adipogenesis - an in vitro study

Background

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a polygenic disease requiring a multipronged therapeutic approach. In the current scenario, the use of polyherbals is increasing among the diabetics. MD-1, a poly herbal formulation is constituted as a mixture of six popular anti diabetic herbs, used in the management of Diabetes mellitus (DM). The physicochemical, biochemical and in vitro efficacy studies have been carried out to ascertain the possible mechanisms underlying the anti-diabetic action of MD-1.

Methods

MD-1 was evaluated for residual toxins as per Ayurvedic Pharmacoepia of India (API) procedures. The hydro alcoholic extract of the formulation (HAEF) was evaluated for anti oxidant activity against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) and nitric oxide radicals in vitro. The effect of HAEF on carbohydrate digestive enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase was studied using biochemical assays. HAEF was studied for its glucose lowering potential in L6 myotubes and 3T3L1 preadipocytes, using 2-deoxy-D-[1-³H] glucose (2-DG) uptake assay. Effect of MD-1 on adipogenesis was evaluated in 3T3L1 adipocytes using oil O red staining. The effect of HAEF on mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in 3T3L1 adiocytes was investigated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Statistical analysis was performed by student t-test, ANOVA.

Results

Residual toxins present within the API limits and HAEF demonstrated strong antioxidant potential and significantly inhibited the α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ 63.6 ± 0.46 μg/mL) and α-amylase (IC₅₀ 242.81 ± 1.26 μg/mL) activity. HAEF significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the insulin stimulated glucose uptake in both the cell lines studied. Unlike standard pioglitazone (PGZ), HAEF modulated the mRNA expression of PPARγ and GLUT4 (p < 0.0001) in 3T3L1 adipocytes, without inducing adipogenesis.

Conclusion

Physicochemical parameters established in the study may serve as reference standards in regular quality control. Absence of residual toxins underpins the safety. The enhanced glucose uptake and favorable modulation of insulin sensitivity through a plausible weak PPARγ agonism is similar to the distinct PPARγ activation pattern of several reported natural compound agonists. The differential binding modes of such dynamic combinatorial ligands within the formulation unlike synthetic ligands like thiozolidinediones (TZD) can be linked to the safe mitigation of diabetic complications by MD-1.

Effects of Aphloia theiformis on key enzymes related to diabetes mellitus

CONTEXT

Aphloia theiformis (Vahl.) Benn. (Flacourtiaceae) (AT) is traditionally used for the management of diabetes mellitus (DM), but there is no scientific data regarding activity against enzymes linked to this condition.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the kinetics of AT on key enzymes inhibition related to DM, and establish the antioxidant profile of AT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dried powdered AT leaves were used to prepare crude methanol extract (70% v/v) (CME). Kinetics of CME (5000 to 156.25 μg/mL) on α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase inhibition were studied. CME was partitioned using solvents of increasing polarity and kinetics of enzyme inhibition of each fraction (1000-31.25 μg/mL) was evaluated. Potent fractions were combined to assess any synergistic effect. Total phenol, flavonoid, tannin, anthocyanin contents, and antioxidant capacity of AT was evaluated using standard spectrophotometric methods.

RESULTS

CME, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions showed potent inhibitory activities against the enzymes with IC50 ranging from 22.94-939.97 μg/mL. Significant (p < 0.05) reduction in IC50 (15.72 and 157.03 μg/mL against α-amylase and lipase, respectively) was observed when ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were combined; showing synergism. The extracts showed noncompetitive inhibition against α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Ethyl acetate, n-butanol fractions, and CME showed highest antioxidant capacities (0.44-1.41 μg GAE/mg sample), and phenol content (211.74-675.53 μg GAE/mg sample).

CONCLUSION

This study supports the use of AT in the management of DM and provides the rationale for bioactivity guided isolation and characterization of compounds from the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions.

In-Vitro dual inhibition of protein glycation, and oxidation by some Arabian plants

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of epidemic proportion, projected to become the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world in future. Despite extensive research in understanding this disease at molecular level, and the discovery of new drugs, diabetes and its complications remain largely untreated. Many of the late diabetic complications are associated with the glycation of proteins in the body. Natural flora has long been a rich source for therapeutic agents, especially against diabetes. The present study deals with the anti-glycation properties of some medicinally important plants of Arabian region.

Methods

Twenty-six medicinal plants, commonly found in different regions of Arabian Peninsula, were evaluated for their protein anti-glycation activity by using BSA-MG glycation assay in-vitro. The extracts were incubated with BSA and MG at 37 °C for 9 days, each sample was then examined for the presence of fluorescence (λex 330 nm, and λem 420 nm), which represent the extent of protein glycation. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), iron chelation, and superoxide radical scavenging asaays.

Results

The data revealed that out of 26 medicinal plants, five plants viz. Sida cordifolia, Plumbago zeylanica, Tribulus terrestris, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Rosa indica were active against the in-vitro protein glycation with IC₅₀ values between 0.408- 1.690 mg/mL. Among the active plants, Glycyrrhiza glabra L. was found to be the most potent (IC₅₀ = 0.408 ± 0.027 mg/mL), followed by Rosa indica (IC₅₀ = 0.596 ± 0.0179 mg/mL), and Sida cordifolia L. (IC₅₀ = 0.63 ± 0.009 mg/mL). The antioxidant potential of these plant extracts were also determined by using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), iron chelation, and superoxide anion radical scavenging assays. Among five plants, Sida cordifolia exhibited a potent anti-oxidant activity in both DPPH and superoxide anion radical scavenging assays (IC₅₀ = 0.005 ± 0.0004, and 0.078 ± 0.002 mg/mL, respectively), followed by Rosa indica (IC₅₀ = 0.023 ± 0.0005 and 0.141 ± 0.003 mg/mL, respectively).

Conclusions

Protein glycation in hyperglycemic conditions involve oxidative changes. Therefore dual inhibition of protein glycation and oxidation are desirable properties in any test substance investigated for therapeutic purposes.