Calabash (Lagenaria siceraria) potency to ameliorate hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in diabetes

Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Silybum marianum Seed Extract Rich in Silydianin and Silychristin in a Rat Model of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become an increasing global health problem, which leads to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Silybum marianum extracts have been reported to possess several biological activities. In this study, an ethyl acetate extract prepared from S. marianum seeds of the Iraqi Kurdistan region was analyzed to identify its chemical constituents. Subsequently, its potential for the prevention and treatment of MetS was studied in a rat model induced by a high-fat/high-fructose diet (HFD/F). Silydianin and silychristin were the most abundant flavonolignan constituents (39.4%) identified in the S. marianum extract (SMEE). HFD/F-induced rats treated with SMEE exhibited preventive effects including reduced serum triglyceride levels (TG), decreased glucose levels in an oral glucose tolerance test (p < 0.001), attenuated weight gain, and reduced blood pressure compared to the untreated control group. Therapeutic application of SMEE after inducing MetS led to lowering of TG (p < 0.001) and glucose levels, in addition to reducing weight gain and normalizing blood pressure (p < 0.005). Thus, S. marianum extract rich in silydianin and silychristin may be useful for preventing and attenuating MetS, and further research and clinical trials are warranted.

Divya-WeightGo combined with moderate aerobic exercise remediates adiposopathy, insulin resistance, serum biomarkers, and hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Obesity has become an unprecedented epidemic worldwide owing to a prolonged imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. Available therapies primarily suppress energy intake but often fail to produce sustained fat loss, necessitating a more efficacious strategy to combat obesity. In this study, a polyherbal formulation, Divya-WeightGo (DWG) has been investigated for its anti-obesity activity using in-vitro and in-vivo assays. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) analysis revealed the presence of phytocompounds including gallic acid, methyl gallate, corilagin, ellagic acid, pentagalloyl glucose, withaferin A and hydroxycitric acid, proven to aid in weight loss. The exposure of 3T3-L1 cells to DWG at cytosafe concentrations inhibited lipid and triglyceride accumulation and downregulated the expression of several adipogenic and lipogenic markers like PPARy, C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, SREBP-1c, FASN and DGAT1. DWG reduced LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine release and NF-κB activity in THP-1 cells. The in-vivo anti-obesity activity of DWG, both alone and in combination with moderate aerobic exercise, was assessed in a high fat diet-induced obese mouse model. DWG mitigated the obesity associated increased body weight gain, feed efficiency ratio, glucose intolerance, diminished insulin sensitivity, dyslipidemia, altered liver function profile, lipid accumulation and adiposopathy in obese mice, alone as well as in combination intervention, with better efficacy in the combination approach. Thus, the findings of this study suggest that DWG could be a promising therapeutic avenue to treat obesity through attenuation of lipid and fat accumulation in liver and adipose tissues and could be utilized as an adjunct with lifestyle interventions to combat obesity and associated complications.

Lagenaria siceraria fruit: A review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology, and promising traditional uses

Since ancient times, the Cucurbitaceae family is used as a therapeutic option in human medicine. This family has around 130 genera and 800 species. Researchers have studied the various plants of this family including Lagenaria siceraria due to their medicinal potential. Various properties are beneficial for human health, that have been attributed to L. siceraria like antioxidant, hypolipidemic, diuretic, laxative, hepatoprotective, analgesic, antihypertensive, cardioprotective, central nervous system stimulant, anthelmintic, free radical scavenging, immunosuppressive, and adaptogenic. The fruit of this plant is commonly used as a vegetable that has a low-calorie value. The species possess a diverse set of biological compounds like flavonoids, sterols, saponins, and terpenoids. Vitamins, choline, flavonoids, minerals, proteins, terpenoids, and other phytochemicals are also found in the edible parts of this plant. Besides 17 different amino acids, many minerals are reported to be present in the seeds of L. siceraria. According to the USDA nutritional database per 100 g of L. siceraria contains 14 Kcal energy, 3.39 g carbohydrates, 0.62 g protein, 0.2 g fat, and 0.5 g fiber. L. siceraria performs a wide range of pharmacological and physiological actions. The literature reviewed from various sources including PubMed, Science Direct, Google scholar, etc. shows the remarkable potential to treat various human and animal illnesses due to its' potent bioactive chemicals. The key objective of this thorough analysis is to present a summary of the data about the beneficial and harmful effects of L. siceraria intake on human health, as well as in veterinary fields.

Growth Performance, Immune Response, Antioxidative Status, and Antiparasitic and Antibacterial Capacity of the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) After Dietary Supplementation With Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria, Molina) Seed Powder

Medicinal plants are a potential safe source of bioactive compounds. Fish diet supplemented with the medicinal plant bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) seed powder was evaluated in this study for the potential effect on growth performance, antioxidative status, immunological response, and resistance to infectious pathogens in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Nile tilapia fingerlings with mean weight ( ± SD)= (25.64 ± 0.17 g), were fed four L. siceraria seed supplemented diets (LSSD) at 0.0, 1, 2, and 3% for 60 days. Specimens were then challenged with the bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila for 10 days. Also, three different concentrations (2.5, 5, and 10 ml/L) of Lagenaria siceraria ethanolic extract (LSEE) were tested for their antibacterial and antiparasitic efficacy on four selected bacterial and one parasitic species. All parameters’ values generally improved with elevating the content of the L. siceraria seed powder in the diet. Dietary administration of LSSD-3% enabled significant (P &lt; 0.05) higher growth performance, and feed utilization efficiency. It reduced the mortality induced by A. hydrophila infection, increased crude protein content in the fish body and exhibited the highest in vitro antibacterial and antiparasitic efficiency. RBCs, WBCs, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH, and total serum protein values in pre- and post-challenge groups were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) in the LSSD-3% group. While MCHC, ALT, AST and glucose levels were significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05) than those of the other groups. Lysozyme and antioxidant enzyme activities in pre- and post-challenge groups were also higher (P &lt; 0.05) in the LSSD-3% group compared to the other groups. LSEE provided good efficacy against Gram-negative bacterial strains, mild efficacy against Gram-positive bacterial strains, and an antagonistic effect on the parasite Cichlidogyrus Tilapiae. The 10 ml/L concentration was the most effective against the pathogens followed by the 5 ml/L concentration and then 2.5 ml/L. Our findings suggest the feasibility of supplementation of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) diet with L. siceraria seed powder by 3% to improve the growth performance, immunity, and vital parameters.

Tiliacora triandra extract and its major constituent attenuates diabetic kidney and testicular impairment by modulating redox imbalance and pro-inflammatory responses in rats

BACKGROUND

Literature has demonstrated that diabetes is associated with renal complication and testicular dysfunctions. The current study explored the potential of Tiliacora triandra extract and its major component against diabetic kidney and testicular damages in rats.

METHODS

Diabetes was induced by high fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ) and treated orally with Tiliacora triandra extract (TTE, 100 and 400 mg kg^-1 body weight) and its major component, 5,7-dihydroxy-6-oxoheptadecanoic acid (DHA, 25 mg kg^-1 body weight) for 30 consecutive days. Testicular activities of testicular enzymes, serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sperm parameters and urinalysis for protein and albumin levels were evaluated. Renal and testicular biomarkers of oxidative stress and pro-inflammation were analysed along with histology.

RESULTS

The experimental diabetes induced significant alterations in the levels and activities of indices evaluated compared to non-diabetic normal rats. The 28-day treatment of diabetic rats with TTE and DHA markedly improved activities of testicular enzymes, restored levels of testosterone, LH and FSH and sperm parameters compared to untreated diabetic rats. TTE and DHA abrogated proteinuria and reversed urine albumin level. Testicular and renal oxidative stress and pro-inflammation were attenuated in diabetic rats treated with TTE and DHA. The diabetes-mediated histopathological damage was alleviated in the kidney and testis.

CONCLUSION

The protective effect of TTE and DHA against diabetes induced kidney and testicular damages may be related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bioactive component analysis and investigation of antidiabetic effect of Jerusalem thorn (Paliurus spina-christi) fruits in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The extracts of Jerusalem thorn fruits (JT-FE) have been commonly used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Turkey.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the effects of the JT-FE, prepared by decoction, on blood glucose, insulin and glycated haemoglobin levels of diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ). Hypoglycemic activity of the extracts was examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this purpose, pre-prandial blood sugar, insulin and glycated hemoglobin levels were measured. To investigate active substances that were responsible for the antidiabetic activity, phytochemical analysis was carried out with optimized and validated LC-MS/MS method using 53 phytochemicals in JT-FE. In addition, ICP-OES analysis was performed to determine the mineral content.

RESULTS

The findings of the study demonstrate that when insulin and JT-FE applied groups were compared with the diabetic control group, their blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin levels were seen to statistically decrease (p < 0,001). Morewer, When JT-FE treated groups were compared with insulin-treated groups, a statistically decrease (p < 0,05) in their levels was observed. On the other hand, it was also found that the increase in extract concentration didn't contribute significantly to antidiabetic activity. As a result of the phytochemical analysis, total of 31 different phenolic compounds were defined in JT-FE. The major components of JT-FE (as analyte/g extract) were; rutin (98753.4 ± 24.39 μg), catechin (58695.3 ± 12.971 μg), hesperidin (47445.2 ± 15.894 μg), quinic acid (38279.5 ± 14.239 μg) and malic acid (17536.8 ± 2.279 μg). In the mineral analysis we made; Sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus elements were found at macro level, Zn and Cr³⁺ minerals were found at trace level.

CONCLUSION

Our findings show that JT-FE, prepared by decoction, is rich in phenolic and mineral content and strong in antihyperglycemic activity. That's why Jerusalem thorn fruits can be a useful antidiabetic phytotherapy agent.

The structure, conformation, and hypoglycemic activity of a novel heteropolysaccharide from the blackberry fruit

A novel heteropolysaccharide fraction (BBP-24-3) with a relative molecular weight of 145.1 kDa was isolated from blackberry fruits. The BBP-24-3 was mainly composed of arabinose, glucose, and galacturonic acid with a ratio of 5.30 : 3.60 : 91.10 mol%. Structural analysis showed that BBP-24-3 possessed a 1,6-linked β-d-Glcp, 1, 2, 3, 5 linked α-l-Araf, and 1, 4 linked α-d-GalpA backbone with branches substituted at the C-2 and C-5 positions of arabinose units, which included 1, 2, 3, 4 linked β-d-Glcp and T-linked β-d-GalpA. The conformation analysis indicated that BBP-24-3 exhibited a solid spherical structure with a uniform distribution in 0.1 M NaCl solution. The BBP-24-3 exhibited excellent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 3.70 mg mL-1, which was due to the structural change, including α-helix and random coil of α-glucosidase caused by BBP-24-3. The current work suggests the potential utilization of BBP-24-3 as an α-glucosidase inhibitor in healthy food for reducing the postprandial blood glucose level.