Evaluation of pancreatic regeneration activity of Tephrosia purpurea leaves in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Amelioration of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in a high-fat diet-fed mice by supplementation of a developed optimized polyherbal formulation

This study evaluated in vivo anti-diabetic and anti-obesity activity of a polyherbal formulation's methanolic extract containing an optimized ratio of edible seeds (Salvia hispanica, Chenopodium quinoa, Nelumbo nucifera). Diet-induced obese mice model (C57BL/6) was developed by feeding the mice a high-fat diet for 10 weeks resulting in hyperglycemia and obesity. Different doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight) of formulation were administered orally daily for 6 weeks. Fasting blood glucose and body weight were monitored throughout the study. At the end of the study, serum parameters were analyzed and histological examinations were performed. There was a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels and body weight in animal groups receiving polyherbal formulation. Lipid profile was improved as revealed by a reduction in serum triglycerides and total cholesterol. Histological study showed an improvement in liver, kidney and pancreatic sections of treated mice. High-performance thin layer chromatography was performed to identify the phytochemicals responsible for the above-mentioned bioactivities. The results revealed the presence of flavonoid (rutin) in seeds of N.nucifera and in the polyherbal formulation. For the first time, this study demonstrated the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential of the optimized formulation. The formulation can be used as a potential therapy for management of diabesity.

Dual actions of gallic acid and andrographolide trigger AdipoR1 to stimulate insulin secretion in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes rat model

Common treatments for the management of diabetes have limitations due to side effects, hence the need for continuous research to discover new remedies with better therapeutic efficacy. Previously, we have reported that the combination treatment of gallic acid (20 mg/kg) and andrographolide (10 mg/kg) for 15 days demonstrated synergistic hypoglycemic activity in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced insulin-deficient diabetes rat model. Here, we attempt to further elucidate the effect of this combination therapy at the biochemical, histological and molecular levels. Our biochemical analyses showed that the combination treatment significantly increased the serum insulin level and decreased the total cholesterol and triglyceride level of the diabetic animals. Histological examinations of H&E stained pancreas, liver, kidney and adipose tissues of combination-treated diabetic animals showed restoration to the normalcy of the tissues. Besides, the combination treatment significantly enhanced the level of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) protein expression in the skeletal muscle of treated diabetic animals compared to single compound treated and untreated diabetic animals. The molecular docking analysis on the interaction of gallic acid and/or andrographolide with the adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1), a key component in the regulation of pancreatic insulin secretion, revealed a greater binding affinity of AdipoR1 to both compounds compared to individual compounds. Taken together, these findings suggest the combination of gallic acid and andrographolide as a potent therapy for the management of diabetes mellitus.

Therapeutic Potential and Pharmaceutical Development of a Multitargeted Flavonoid Phloretin

Phloretin is a flavonoid of the dihydrogen chalcone class, present abundantly in apples and strawberries. The beneficial effects of phloretin are mainly associated with its potent antioxidant properties. Phloretin modulates several signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms to exhibit therapeutic benefits against various diseases including cancers, diabetes, liver injury, kidney injury, encephalomyelitis, ulcerative colitis, asthma, arthritis, and cognitive impairment. It ameliorates the complications associated with diabetes such as cardiomyopathy, hypertension, depression, memory impairment, delayed wound healing, and peripheral neuropathy. It is effective against various microbial infections including Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Considering the therapeutic benefits, it generated interest for the pharmaceutical development. However, poor oral bioavailability is the major drawback. Therefore, efforts have been undertaken to enhance its bioavailability by modifying physicochemical properties and molecular structure, and developing nanoformulations. In the present review, we discussed the pharmacological actions, underlying mechanisms and molecular targets of phloretin. Moreover, the review provides insights into physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics, and approaches to promote the pharmaceutical development of phloretin for its therapeutic applications in the future. Although convincing experimental data are reported, human studies are not available. In order to ascertain its safety, further preclinical studies are needed to encourage its pharmaceutical and clinical development.

Echinops spinosus effect against diabetes and its hepatorenal complications: total extract and flavonoids fraction

The perennial plant Echinops spinosus (ES) grows in the Hail area of Saudi Arabia, and its traditional formulations are often employed in folk medicine. The goal of this study is to identify the active components present in Hail Echinops spinosus and to investigate the anti-diabetic properties of both ES total extract (ESTE) and its high flavonoids fraction (ESHFF) in experimental diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection in rats. Forty-two rats were divided into six groups. Diabetes was induced using STZ (55 mg/kg). Seven days after STZ administration, the diabetic animals were treated daily with ESTE, ESHFF, or metformin (MET) as a standard anti-diabetic drug for 28 days. Blood and tissues samples were collected for biochemical, molecular, and histological investigations. Both ESTE and ESHFF demonstrated anti-diabetic properties, as evidenced by lowering glucose levels and increasing the levels of insulin, insulin receptor expression rate, and glycogen synthesis. Additionally, ESTE as well as ESHFF alleviated diabetic complications in the kidneys and liver by decreasing oxidative stress, modulating inflammatory mediators, and suppressing the apoptotic cascade along with correcting diabetic dyslipidemia. It could be deduced that Hail ES extracts could play a role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related lesions as well as oxidative damage in hepatic and renal tissues.

Ameliorative Effect of Ocimum forskolei Benth on Diabetic, Apoptotic, and Adipogenic Biomarkers of Diabetic Rats and 3T3-L1 Fibroblasts Assisted by In Silico Approach

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complicated condition that is accompanied by a plethora of metabolic symptoms, including disturbed serum glucose and lipid profiles. Several herbs are reputed as traditional medicine to improve DM. The current study was designed to explore the chemical composition and possible ameliorative effects of Ocimum forskolei on blood glucose and lipid profile in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and in 3T3-L1 cell lines as a first report of its bioactivity. Histopathological study of pancreatic and adipose tissues was performed in control and treatment groups, along with quantification of glucose and lipid profiles and the assessment of NF-κB, cleaved caspase-3, BAX, and BCL2 markers in rat pancreatic tissue. Glucose uptake, adipogenic markers, DGAT1, CEBP/α, and PPARγ levels were evaluated in the 3T3-L1 cell line. Hesperidin was isolated from total methanol extract (TME). TME and hesperidin significantly controlled the glucose and lipid profile in DM rats. Glibenclamide was used as a positive control. Histopathological assessment showed that TME and hesperidin averted necrosis and infiltration in pancreatic tissues, and led to a substantial improvement in the cellular structure of adipose tissue. TME and hesperidin distinctly diminished the mRNA and protein expression of NF-κB, cleaved caspase-3, and BAX, and increased BCL2 expression (reflecting its protective and antiapoptotic actions). Interestingly, TME and hesperidin reduced glucose uptake and oxidative lipid accumulation in the 3T3-L1 cell line. TME and hesperidin reduced DGAT1, CEBP/α, and PPARγ mRNA and protein expression in 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, docking studies supported the results via deep interaction of hesperidin with the tested biomarkers. Taken together, the current study demonstrates Ocimum forskolei and hesperidin as possible candidates for treating diabetes mellitus.

Ameliorative potential of phloridzin in type 2 diabetes-induced memory deficits in rats

Diabetes associated oxidative stress and impaired cholinergic neurotransmission causes cognitive deficits. Although phloridzin shows antioxidant- and insulin sensitizing-activities, its ameliorative potential in diabetes-induced memory dysfunction remains unexplored. In the present study, type 2 diabetes (T2D) was induced by streptozotocin (35 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) in rats on ad libitum high-fat diet. Diabetic animals were treated orally with phloridzin (10 and 20 mg/kg) for four weeks. Memory functions were evaluated by passive avoidance test (PAT) and novel object recognition (NOR) test. Brains of rats were subjected to biochemical analysis of glutathione (GSH), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), malonaldehyde (MDA) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Role of cholinergic system in the effects of phloridzin was evaluated by scopolamine pre-treatment in behavioral studies. While diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in step through latency in PAT, and exploration time and discrimination index in NOR test; a substantial increase in all parameters was observed following phloridzin treatment. Phloridzin reversed abnormal levels of GSH, BDNF, MDA and AChE in the brain of diabetic animals. Moreover, in silico molecular docking study revealed that phloridzin acts as a potent agonist at M1 receptor as compared to acetylcholine. Viewed collectively, reversal of T2D-induced memory impairment by phloridzin might be attributed to upregulation of neurotrophic factors, reduced oxidative stress and increased cholinergic signaling in the brain. Therefore, phloridzin may be a promising molecule in the management of cognitive impairment comorbid with T2D.