Abrogation of maternal and fetal oxidative stress in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat by dietary supplements of Tinospora cordifolia

Indian herb Tinospora cordifolia and Tinospora species: Phytochemical and therapeutic application

Clinical investigations are increasingly focusing on natural materials with medical benefits because, in contrast to medicines, they have extremely few adverse effects. Tinospora species of the Menispermaceae family has many bioactive principles for plant nutraceuticals. A thorough assessment of the existing literature revealed that Indian Tinospora species are an important group of medicinal herbs used for a variety of pharmacological activities. While, Tinospora cordifolia is widely recognized as a significant herb in the Indian System of Medicines (ISM) due to its bioactive components and has been used in the treatment of diabetes, cancer, urinary problems, fever, jaundice, helminthiasis, leprosy, dysentery, skin diseases, and many more. Using the search phrases "phytochemistry," "traditional uses," and "pharmacological evaluation of Indian Tinospora species," appropriate articles were carefully extracted from the MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and WOS databases. Around 180 articles, related to the India Tinospora species, were selected from a pool of 200 papers published between 1991 and 2023. T. cordifolia has received a lot of scientific attention because of its diverse therapeutic characteristics in treating various diseases. Our present study in this review encompasses 1.) Phytochemistry, traditional uses and pharmacological potential of T. cordifolia as well as other Indian Tinospora species. 2.) Safety and toxicity study and available marketed formulation of T. cordifolia for the treatment of various diseases. The chemical constitution and pharmacological characteristics of other Tinospora species must also be investigated, indicating a need for further scientific research.

Embryonic diapause due to high glucose is related to changes in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, as well as abnormalities in the TCA cycle and amino acid metabolism

Introduction

The adverse effects of high glucose on embryos can be traced to the preimplantation stage. This study aimed to observe the effect of high glucose on early-stage embryos.

Methods and results

Seven-week-old ICR female mice were superovulated and mated, and the zygotes were collected. The zygotes were randomly cultured in 5 different glucose concentrations (control, 20mM, 40mM, 60mM and 80mM glucose). The cleavage rate, blastocyst rate and total cell number of blastocyst were used to assess the embryo quality. 40 mM glucose was selected to model high glucose levels in this study. 40mM glucose arrested early embryonic development, and the blastocyst rate and total cell number of the blastocyst decreased significantly as glucose concentration was increased. The reduction in the total cell number of blastocysts in the high glucose group was attributed to decreased proliferation and increased cell apoptosis, which is associated with the diminished expression of GLUTs (GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT3). Furthermore, the metabolic characterization of blastocyst culture was observed in the high-glucose environment.

Discussion

The balance of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation at the blastocyst stage was disrupted. And embryo development arrest due to high glucose is associated with changes in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, as well as abnormalities in the TCA cycle and amino acid metabolism.

Unveiling Various Facades of Tinospora cordifolia Stem in Food: Medicinal and Nutraceutical Aspects

Natural products with curative properties are gaining immense popularity in scientific and food research, possessing no side effects in contrast to other drugs. Guduchi, or Tinospora cordifolia, belongs to the menispermaceae family of universal drugs used to treat various diseases in traditional Indian literature. It has received attention in recent decades because of its utilization in folklore medicine for treating several disorders. Lately, the findings of active phytoconstituents present in herbal plants and their pharmacological function in disease treatment and control have stimulated interest in plants around the world. Guduchi is ethnobotanically used for jaundice, diabetes, urinary problems, stomachaches, prolonged diarrhea, skin ailments, and dysentery. The treatment with Guduchi extracts was accredited to phytochemical constituents, which include glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, and diterpenoid lactones. This review places emphasis on providing in-depth information on the budding applications of herbal medicine in the advancement of functional foods and nutraceuticals to natural product researchers.

Effect of Tinospora cordifolia on gestational diabetes mellitus and its complications

Ayurvedic system of medicine uses giloy or guduchi, also known as Tinospora cordifolia (TC), to treat diabetes and related diseases like hyperglycemia and hyperlipididemia. However, its usage in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is not well studied. The primary objective of the study was to examine the effects of water extract of TC called satva, essential oil, and hydroalcoholic (HA) extract on GDM and its complications and to explore their mechanism of action using mice model. We used streptozotocin-induced diabetes in pregnant mice as murine model and tested TC preparations for anti-GDM activities. Blood glucose, insulin, litter size, and placental weight were assessed. ELISA method was used to measure plasma insulin level to compute homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and homeostatic model assessment for assessing beta cell function (HOMA-Beta) levels to estimate insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, and beta cell function respectively. TC-treated groups had significantly higher serum insulin levels, QUICKI, average litter size, and lower placental weight (p < .001). TC oil and HA extract increased pancreatic beta cell activity according to the level of HOMA-Beta. TC lowered placenta weight and increased litter size significantly compared to control group. Our findings suggest that TC preparations preserve pancreatic beta cells, increase insulin production, decrease insulin resistance, and improve beta cell function, hence preventing GDM. TC preparations also reduced placental weight and increased litter size in mice. Based on these results, we recommend the clinical trial and testing of TC preparations for management of GDM and associated complications. Refer graphical abstract (Figure S1).

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers: Protection mechanisms and strategies against oxidative stress-related diseases

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers (Menispermaceae) is a Mediterranean herb, used in Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani, and folk medicines. The herb is also used in conventional medicine to treat oxidative stress-related diseases and conditions, including inflammation, pain, diarrhea, asthma, respiratory infections, cancer, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The taxonomy, botanical classification, geographical distribution, and ethnobotanical uses of T. cordifolia, as well as the phytochemical compounds found in the herb, the toxicology of and pharmacological and clinical studies on the effects of T. cordifolia are all covered in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To gather information on T. cordifolia, we used a variety of scientific databases, including Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The information discussed focuses on biologically active compounds found in T. cordifolia, and common applications and pharmacological activity of the herb, as well as toxicological and clinical studies on its properties.

RESULTS

The findings of this study reveal a connection between the use of T. cordifolia in conventional medicine and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and other biological effects. The entire plant, stem, leaves, root, and extracts of T. cordifolia have been shown to have a variety of biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective impact. Toxicological testing demonstrated that this plant may have medicinal applications. T. cordifolia contains a variety of biologically active compounds from various chemical classes, including alkaloids, terpenoids, sitosterols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Based on the reports researched for this review, we believe that chemicals in T. cordifolia may activate Nrf2, which leads to the overexpression of antioxidant enzymes such as CAT, GPx, GST, and GR, and thereby induces the adaptive response to oxidative stress. T. cordifolia is also able to reduce NF-κB signalling by inhibiting PI3K/Akt, activating AMPK and sirtuins, and downregulating PI3K/Akt.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that the pharmacological properties displayed by T. cordifolia back up its conventional uses. Antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, nephroprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective activities were all demonstrated in T. cordifolia stem extracts. To validate pharmacodynamic targets, further research is needed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of the known compounds against gastrointestinal diseases, inflammatory processes, and microbial infections, as immunostimulants, and in chemotherapy. The T. cordifolia safety profile was confirmed in a toxicological analysis, which prompted pharmacokinetic assessment testing to confirm its bioavailability.

Cordifolioside: potent inhibitor against Mpro of SARS-CoV-2 and immunomodulatory through human TGF-β and TNF-α

Therapeutic options for SARS-CoV-2 are limited merely to the symptoms or repurposed drugs and non-specific interventions to promote the human immune system. In the present study, chromatographic and in silico approaches were implemented to identify bioactive compounds which might play pivotal role as inhibitor for SARS-CoV-2 and human immunomodulator (TGF-β and TNF-α). Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers was evaluated for phenolic composition and explored for bioactive compounds by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). Furthermore, the bioactive compounds such as cordifolioside, berberine, and magnoflorine were appraised as human immunomodulatory and potent inhibitor against Main Protease (M^pro) of SARS-CoV-2 through multiple docking strategies. Cordifolioside formed six stable H-bonds with His41, Ser144, Cys145, His163, His164, and Glu166 of M^pro of SARS-CoV-2, which displayed a significant role in the viral replication/transcription during infection acting towards the common conserved binding cleft among all strains of coronavirus. Overall, the study emphasized that the proposed cordifolioside might use for future investigations, which hold as a promising scaffold for developing anti-COVID-19 drug and reduce human cytokine storm.

Tinospora cordifolia ameliorates brain functions impairments associated with high fat diet induced obesity

Obesity is a rapidly growing health problem worldwide and its prevalence has increased markedly in both the developing and developed nations. It is associated with a range of co-morbidities such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cognitive dysfunctions. Therefore, the need for a safe and effective treatment has led to the exploration of natural products for the management of obesity. In the present study, we tested the anxiolytic, anti-apoptotic, and anti-neuroinflammatory potential of Tinospora cordifolia in a high fat diet-induced obesity rat model system. Young female Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: (1) Low fat diet (LFD), fed on normal chow feed; (2) High fat diet (HFD), fed on diet containing 30% fat by weight; and (3) High fat diet containing extract (HFDE), fed on high fat diet supplemented with the stem powder of T. cordifolia (TCP). The rats from each group were kept on their respective feeding regimen for 12 weeks. The body weight and calorie intake were recorded weekly. The elevated plus maze test and rotarod performance test were performed to evaluate the anxiety-like behavior and locomotor coordination, respectively. The levels of serum cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) were estimated and various markers for inflammation, synaptic plasticity, apoptosis, and energy homeostasis were studied by western blotting. The HFDE rats showed reduced anxiety-like behavior and improved locomotor behavior as compared to HFD-induced obese rats. The TCP supplementation in high fat diet suppressed the expression of inflammatory molecules, including serum cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), and modulated apoptosis and synaptic plasticity. TCP was found to be effective in managing body weight in HFD-fed rats by maintaining energy metabolism and cellular homeostasis. T. cordifolia may be recommended as a potential therapeutic agent to prevent the adverse effects of obesity and obesity-associated brain dysfunctions.

<i>Tinospora cordifolia</i> (Giloy): Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology, Clinical Application and Conservation Strategies

Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy) is a medicinal plant used in folk and Ayurvedic medicines throughout India since ancient times. All the parts of the plant are immensely useful due to the presence of different compounds of pharmaceutical importance belonging to various groups as alkaloids, diterpenoid lactones, glycosides, steroids, sesquiterpenoid, and phenolics. These compounds possess pharmacological properties, which make it anti-diabetic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, hepato-protective, and immuno-modulatory. However, due to the increasing population, there is an inadequate supply of drugs. Therefore, this review focuses on phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, clinical application and its conservation strategies so that the plant can be conserved for future generations and utilized as alternative medicine as well as to design various pharmacologically important drugs.

Beneficial effects of walnut (Juglans regia L.) oil-derived polyunsaturated fatty acid prevents a prooxidant status and hyperlipidemia in pregnant rats with diabetes

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus has a long-term effect on pregnant women. Walnut (Juglans regia L.) oil-derived polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) possesses multifarious pharmacological activities. This study investigated the beneficial effects of walnut oil-derived PUFA on glucose metabolism, pregnancy outcomes, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism in gestational diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

The GDM rat model was generated by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) on gestational day (GD) 6, GD7 and GD8. The differences between groups were estimated using one-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey's multiple comparison test for post-hoc analysis.

RESULTS

The results indicated that PUFA could mitigate GDM in pregnant diabetic rats, as embodied by the decrease of fasting blood glucose and the increase of plasma insulin and hepatic glycogen levels. Also, PUFA could suppress oxidative stress in pregnant diabetic rats, as reflected by the decrease of malondialdehyde content, an increase of superoxide dismutase, catalase and gutathione peroxidase activities. PUFA could also mitigate the abnormal changes of lipid profiles in plasma and hepatic tissue. Moreover, the relative mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase, was suppressed by PUFA in pregnant diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that PUFA supplementation during pregnancy is beneficial in preventing diabetic complications in pregnant rats.

Using Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) as an eco-friendly feed supplement in human and poultry nutrition

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is a well-recognized and widely distributed traditional plant that is used successfully in Indian Ayurveda medicine. T. cordifolia has shown many promising biological activities, such as antioxidative, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, osteoprotective, hepatoprotective, antidiarrheal, and antistress effects. Guduchi is a rich source of protein and micronutrients, such as iron, zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, and manganese. It also contains many secondary plant metabolites, such as terpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and glycosides. Based on previous studies in poultry, the supplementation levels of Guduchi range from 1 to 5 g/kg of diet (different sources, such as powder, extracts, roots, and leaves, have been used). It was suggested that this variation in supplementation levels depends on different factors, including the extraction method, the supplementation proposed, the method of supplementation (either in feed or drinking water), and the species and physiological status of the birds. Generally, dietary supplementation of poultry broilers with T. cordifolia yielded positive impacts on growth performance, body gains (increased by 4.8%), dressing percentage (increased by 7.1%), meat quality traits, and the shelf life of the meat. In addition, T. cordifolia exerted a palliative effect on the general health status of the birds through reducing live enzymes and plasma uric acids and enhancing the immune response, as indicated by the leukocyte count, hemagglutinin titer, interleukin activity, and mortality levels. Further investigations concluded that T. cordifolia showed strong antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis, with subsequent reductions in mortality. Moreover, T. cordifolia showed an ability to improve humoral and cell-mediated immunity against Newcastle disease, infectious anemia, gout, and aflatoxicosis. The current review discusses many beneficial properties of T. cordifolia, although the lack of pharmacological trials limits the use of this extract in poultry. Further research should be performed regarding the composition of the active compound, the possible mechanisms of action, and the effective doses to fully understand the activities and benefits of T. cordifolia as a growth performance improvement supplement.

The chemical constituents and diverse pharmacological importance of Tinospora cordifolia

Tinospora cordifolia is a popular medicinal plant which is used in several traditional medicines to cure various diseases. The common names are Amrita and Guduchi and belong to the family of Menispermaceae. It is considered an essential herbal plant of Indian system of medicine (ISM) and has been used in the treatment of fever, urinary problem, dysentery, skin diseases leprosy, diabetes, and many more diseases. The plant reported containing chemical compound including Alkaloids, Terpenoids, Lignans, Steroids and others that establish the phytochemistry and pharmacological activity of Tinospora cordifolia. The present review highlights the pharmacological importance viz antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, anti-diabetic activity, antistress activity, hypolipidaemic effect, hepatic disorder, anticancer anti HIV potential, antiosteoporotic effects, antitoxic effects, wound healing, anticomplementary activity, and immunomodulating activity, systemic infection and Parkinson's disease.

Astragaloside IV inhibits excessive mesangial cell proliferation and renal fibrosis caused by diabetic nephropathy via modulation of the TGF-β1/Smad/miR-192 signaling pathway

Astragaloside IV (ASI) exhibits a wide variety of pharmacological effects in cardiovascular diseases, hepatitis and kidney disease and due to this, ASI has recently become an attractive research target. The present study aimed to determine the effect of ASI on renal fibrosis and the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects in diabetic nephropathy (DN). In vitro, ASI was added to rat mesangial cells (RMCs) and cultured with a high level of glucose (HG) to observe the effects exhibited on proliferation and fibrosis-related mRNA and protein expression. In vivo, a DN model was established using streptozotocin administration in rats, and renal injury was evaluated using renal histological examination. The expression levels of related mRNAs and proteins were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. ASI was demonstrated to downregulate miR-192 expression and inhibit excessive proliferation of RMCs, which was induced by HG, in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, ASI exhibited a therapeutic effect on DN rats. ASI was also demonstrated to decrease the miR-192 expression and mRNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Smad3, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type 1 (col1), and increase the mRNA and protein expression of Smad7 in vitro and in vivo. These results suggested that ASI exhibited a therapeutic effect on DN, possibly due to the inhibition of excessive mesangial proliferation and renal fibrosis via the TGF-β1/Smad/miR-192 signaling pathway.

Nanoceria Attenuated High Glucose-Induced Oxidative Damage in HepG2 Cells

Objective

Hyperglycemia, a common metabolic disorder in diabetes, can lead to oxidative damage. The use of antioxidants can benefit the control and prevention of diabetes side effects. This study aims to evaluate the effect of nanoceria particles, as an antioxidant, on glucose induced cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione (GSH) content in a human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2) cell line.

Materials and Methods

In this experimental study, we divided HepG2 cells into these groups: i. Cells treated with 5 mM D-glucose (control), ii. Cells treated with 45 mM D- mannitol+5 mM D-glucose (osmotic control), iii. Cells treated with 50 mM D-glucose (high glucose), and iv. Cells treated with 50 mM D-glucose+nanoceria. Cell viability, ROS formation, LPO and GSH were measured and analyzed statistically.

Results

High glucose (50 mM) treatment caused significant cell death and increased oxidative stress markers in HepG2 cells. Interestingly, nanoceria at a concentration of 50 mM significantly decreased the high glucose-induced cytotoxicity, ROS formation and LPO. This concentration of nanoceria increased the GSH content in HepG2 cells (P<0.05).

Conclusion

The antioxidant feature of nanoceria particles makes it an attractive candidate for attenuation of hyperglycemia oxidative damage in different organs.

Inulin supplementation during gestation mitigates acrylamide-induced maternal and fetal brain oxidative dysfunctions and neurotoxicity in rats

Accumulating evidence suggests that the developing brain is more susceptible to a variety of chemicals. Recent studies have shown a link between the enteric microbiota and brain function. While supplementation of non-digestible oligosaccharides during pregnancy has been demonstrated to positively influence human health mediated through stimulation of beneficial microbiota, our understanding on their neuromodulatory propensity is limited. In the present study, our primary focus was to examine whether supplementation of inulin (a well known fructan) during gestation can abrogate acrylamide (ACR)-induced oxidative impairments and neurotoxicity in maternal and fetal brain of rats. Initially, in a dose-determinative study, we recapitulated the impact of ACR exposure during gestation days (GD 6-19) on gestational parameters, extent of oxidative impairments in brain (maternal/fetal), cholinergic function and neurotoxicity. Subsequently, pregnant rats orally (gavage) administered with inulin (IN, 2 g/kg/day in two equal installments) supplements during gestation days (GD 0-19) were exposed to ACR (200 ppm) in drinking water. IN supplements significantly attenuated ACR-induced changes in exploratory activity (reduced open field exploration) measured on GD 14. Further, IN restored the placental weights among ACR exposed dams. Analysis of biochemical markers revealed that IN supplements effectively offset ACR associated oxidative stress not only in the maternal brain, but in the fetal brain as well. Elevated levels of protein carbonyls in maternal brain regions were completely normalized with IN supplements. More importantly, IN supplements significantly augmented the number of Bifidobacteria in the cecum of ACR rats which correlated well with the neurorestorative effect as evidenced by restored dopamine levels in the maternal cortex and fetal brain acetylcholinesterase activity among ACR-exposed dams. Further, IN supplements also conferred significant protection against mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ACR in both milieus. Although the precise mechanism/s by which IN supplements during pregnancy attenuate ACR induced neurotoxic impact merits further investigations, we hypothesize that it may mediate through enhanced enteric microbiota and abrogation of oxidative stress. Further, our study provides an experimental approach to explore the neuroprotective role of prebiotic oligosaccharides during pregnancy in reducing the adverse impact of developmental neurotoxicants.

Tinospora cordifolia: One plant, many roles

Natural products with medicinal value are gradually gaining importance in clinical research due to their well-known property of no side effects as compared to drugs. Tinospora cordifolia commonly named as "Guduchi" is known for its immense application in the treatment of various diseases in the traditional ayurvedic literature. Recently the discovery of active components from the plant and their biological function in disease control has led to active interest in the plant across the globe. Our present study in this review encompasses (i) the genetic diversity of the plant and (ii) active components isolated from the plant and their biological role in disease targeting. The future scope of the review remains in exploiting the biochemical and signaling pathways affected by the compounds isolated from Tinospora so as to enable new and effective formulation in disease eradication.

Dietary supplementation with Ipomoea aquatica (whole leaf powder) attenuates maternal and fetal oxidative stress in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

BACKGROUND

The rate of congenital anomalies, as well as morbidity and mortality of both the mother and fetus, is increased in diabetic pregnancy. Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in these effects because of the beneficial effects of several antioxidants in diabetic embryopathy. In the present study, we assessed attenuation of maternal and fetal OS and diabetic embryopathy by Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. (Convolvulaceae).

METHODS

Pregnant rats were divided into four groups: Group I, untreated non-diabetic control; Group II, rats fed a 2%I. aquatica (IA)-supplemented diet; Group III, streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats fed a normal diet; Group IV, STZ-diabetic rats fed an IA-supplemented diet. Rats were rendered diabetic with a single injection of STZ (40 mg/kg) on gestational day (GD) 4. Dams were killed on GD20 and markers of OS were determined in the maternal liver and fetal brain and liver.

RESULTS

Embryopathy increased significantly in STZ-diabetic rats (by 40% versus control), but IA supplementation provided significant protection (36% reduction in embryopathy in the IA group versus the STZ-diabetic group). Interestingly, IA supplementation significantly offset diabetes-associated OS in the maternal liver, as evidenced by reductions in malondialdehyde (MDA; 25% reduction versus STZ-diabetes) and reactive oxygen species (ROS; 72% reduction) and increases in glutathione (53% reduction) and total thiols (45% reduction). In addition, IA supplementation offered significant protection against diabetes-induced OS in the fetal brain and liver, as evidenced by increased levels of antioxidant molecules and enzymes and reductions in ROS and MDA compared with fetuses from STZ-diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that IA supplementation during pregnancy provides considerable protection against diabetes-induced OS in the mother and fetus. Thus, I. aquatica may be an effective therapeutic supplement.