Influence of olive leaves extract on hepatorenal injury in streptozotocin diabetic rats

Potential Metabolic Pathways Involved in Osteoporosis and Evaluation of Fracture Risk in Individuals with Diabetes

Diabetes has a significant global prevalence. Chronic hyperglycemia affects multiple organs and tissues, including bones. A large number of diabetic patients develop osteoporosis; however, the precise relationship between diabetes and osteoporosis remains incompletely elucidated. The activation of the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway hinders the differentiation of osteoblasts and weakens the process of bone formation due to the presence of advanced glycation end products. High glucose environment can induce ferroptosis of osteoblasts and then develop osteoporosis. Hyperglycemia also suppresses the secretion of sex hormones, and the reduction of testosterone is difficult to effectively maintain bone mineral density. As diabetes therapy, thiazolidinediones control blood glucose by activating PPAR-γ. Activated PPAR-γ can promote osteoclast differentiation and regulate osteoblast function, triggering osteoporosis. The effects of metformin and insulin on bone are currently controversial. Currently, there are no appropriate tools available for assessing the risk of fractures in diabetic patients, despite the fact that the occurrence of osteoporotic fractures is considerably greater in diabetic individuals compared to those without diabetes. Further improving the inclusion criteria of FRAX risk factors and clarifying the early occurrence of osteoporosis sites unique to diabetic patients may be an effective way to diagnose and treat diabetic osteoporosis and reduce the risk of fracture occurrence.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of Derris elliptica (Wall.) Benth in Streptozotocin-Induced diabetic Rats: Phytochemical characterization and antidiabetic evaluation

Derris elliptica (Wall.) Benth, a native medicinal plant, has been used to treat diabetes for centuries; however, comprehensive documentation of its bioactive constituents and therapeutic effectiveness is lacking. In this study, we investigated the phytochemical profile and antidiabetic potential of D. elliptica methanolic leaf extract (DEME) in diabetic Sprague Dawley rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ). In normal rats, acute oral toxicity evaluations were conducted, and in STZ-induced rats, antidiabetic properties were investigated. 14 days of oral administration of standard glibenclamide and the extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight to diabetic rodents. Assessed parameters included blood glucose levels, alterations in body weight, biochemical markers, and histological analysis of the pancreas, liver, and kidney. Numerous phytoconstituents were uncovered through qualitative phytochemical assays, 1H NMR, and 1H-13C HSQC screening. Quercetin was identified by 1H NMR characterization, and a ceramide analogue compound was isolated and partially characterized by 1H NMR. There were no indications of toxicity or mortality. The treatment with DEME significantly (p < 0.001) decreased body weight and had a remarkable hypoglycemic effect. Both 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg extract concentrations decreased total cholesterol levels significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). In addition, glibenclamide and the 400 mg/kg dose of extract increased serum insulin levels substantially (p < 0.05) and decreased total bilirubin, lactic acid dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels. In addition to glibenclamide, treatment with DEME has exhibited cytoprotective effects and increased insulin secretion, thereby exerting a potent antihyperglycemic effect. These results suggest that D. elliptica may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Roflumilast ameliorates diabetic nephropathy in rats through down-regulation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway

Roflumilast is a potent selective inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase-4 enzyme which greatly manifest an anti-inflammatory activity in chronic obstructive pulmonary patients. Inflammation is a prominent factor in the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy, one of the most prevalent microvascular complications of Diabetes Mellitus. The present study was undertaken to assess the potential role of roflumilast in diabetic nephropathy. The model was developed by feeding a high-fat diet for four weeks and following streptozotocin (30 mg/kg) injection intraperitoneally. The rats with > 13.8 mmol/L blood glucose were treated with roflumilast (0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/kg) and standard metformin (100 mg/kg) orally once a day for eight weeks. Roflumilast (1 mg/kg) remarkably improved renal damage, indicated by an increase in 16% albumin, a decrease in 5% serum creatinine, 12% BUN, 19% HbA1c, and 34% blood glucose. It also significantly improves the oxidative stress levels, which was indicated by a decrease in 18% MDA level and an increase in GSH, SOD, and catalase by 6%, 4%, and 5%, respectively. In addition, Roflumilast (1 mg/kg) decreased the HOMA-IR index by 28% and increased the pancreatic β-cells functioning by 30%. Moreover, significant improvement in histopathological abnormalities were observed in roflumilast treatment groups. Roflumilast treatment was shown to down-regulate the gene expressions of TNF-α (2.1-fold), NF-kB (2.3-fold), MCP-1 (2.5-fold), fibronectin (2.7-fold), collagen IV (2.7-fold), STAT 1(1.06-fold), and STAT 3 (1.20-fold) and upregulated the expression of the Nrf2 (1.43-fold) gene. Roflumilast manifested a potential role in diabetic nephropathy as a renoprotective agent. Roflumilast effectively down-regulates the JAK/STAT pathway and restores renal functions.

Antidiabetic Effect of Collagen Peptides from Harpadon nehereus Bones in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Mice by Regulating Oxidative Stress and Glucose Metabolism

Oxidative stress and abnormal glucose metabolism are the important physiological mechanisms in the occurrence and development of diabetes. Antioxidant peptides have been reported to attenuate diabetes complications by regulating levels of oxidative stress, but few studies have focused on peptides from marine bone collagen. In this study, we prepared the peptides with a molecular weight of less than 1 kD (HNCP) by enzymolysis and ultrafiltration derived from Harpadon nehereus bone collagen. Furthermore, the effects of HNCP on blood glucose, blood lipid, liver structure and function, oxidative stress, and glucose metabolism were studied using HE staining, kit detection, and Western blotting experiment in streptozocin-induced type 1 diabetes mice. After the 240 mg/kg HNCP treatment, the levels of blood glucose, triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mice decreased by 32.8%, 42.2%, and 43.2%, respectively, while the levels of serum insulin and hepatic glycogen increased by 142.0% and 96.4%, respectively. The antioxidant enzymes levels and liver function in the diabetic mice were markedly improved after HNCP intervention. In addition, the levels of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glucokinase (GK), and phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (p-GSK3β) in the liver were markedly up-regulated after HNCP treatment, but the glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase1 (PEPCK1) were down-regulated. In conclusion, HNCP could attenuate oxidative stress, reduce blood glucose, and improve glycolipid metabolism in streptozocin-induced type 1 diabetes mice.

The protective effect of green tea on diabetes-induced hepato-renal pathological changes: a histological and biochemical study

We investigated the protective effect of green tea on diabetic hepato-renal complications. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five equal groups: normal control, diabetic control, glibenclamide-treated, green tea-treated, and combined therapy-treated groups; ethical approval number "BERC-014-01-20." After eight weeks, animals were sacrificed by CO₂ euthanasia method, liver and kidney tissues were processed and stained for pathological changes, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Diabetic rats showed multiple hepato-renal morphological and apoptotic changes associated with significantly increased some biochemical parameters, while serum albumin and HDL decreased significantly compared to normal control (p < .05). Monotherapy can induce significant improvements in pathological and biochemical changes but has not been able to achieve normal patterns. In conclusion, green tea alone has a poor hypoglycaemic effect but can reduce diabetic complications, whereas glibenclamide cannot prevent diabetic complications. The addition of green tea to oral hypoglycaemic therapy has shown a potent synergistic effect.

Serpentine Enhances Insulin Regulation of Blood Glucose through Insulin Receptor Signaling Pathway

Insulin sensitizers targeting insulin receptors (IR) are a potential drug for the treatment of diabetes. Serpentine is an alkaloid component in the root of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. Serpentine screened by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology has the ability to target IR. The objective of this study was to investigate whether serpentine could modulate the role of insulin in regulating blood glucose through insulin receptors in cells and in animal models of diabetes. SPR technology was used to detect the affinity of different concentrations of serpentine with insulin receptors. The Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of key proteins of the insulin signaling pathway in C2C12 cells and 3T3-L1 cells as well as in muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue of diabetic mice after serpentine and insulin treatment. Diabetic mice were divided into four groups and simultaneously injected with insulin or serpentine, and the blood glucose concentration and serum levels of insulin, glucagon, and C-peptide were measured 150 min later. mRNA levels of genes related to lipid metabolism and glucose metabolism in liver, muscle, and subcutaneous adipose tissue were detected by RT-PCR. Serpentine was able to bind to the extracellular domain of IR with an affinity of 2.883 × 10^-6 M. Serpentine combined with insulin significantly enhanced the ability of insulin to activate the insulin signaling pathway and significantly enhanced the glucose uptake capacity of C2C12 cells. Serpentine enhanced the ability of low-dose insulin (1 nM) and normal-dose insulin (100 nM) to activate the insulin signaling pathway. Serpentine also independently activated AMPK phosphorylation, thus stimulating glucose uptake by C2C12 cells. In high-fat-diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetic mice, serpentine significantly prolonged the hypoglycemic time of insulin, significantly reduced the use of exogenous insulin, and inhibited endogenous insulin secretion. In addition, serpentine alone significantly increased the expression of GSK-3β mRNA in muscle tissue, thus enhancing glucose uptake, and at the same time, serpentine significantly increased glucagon secretion and liver gluconeogenesis. Serpentine enhances the ability of insulin to regulate blood glucose through the insulin receptor, and can also regulate blood glucose alone, but it has a negative regulation mechanism and cannot produce a hypoglycemic effect. Therefore, serpentine may be useful as an insulin sensitizer to assist insulin to lower blood glucose.

Pharmacological attributes of Bacopa monnieri extract: Current updates and clinical manifestation

Bacopa monnieri has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, alone or in combination with other herbs, as a memory and learning enhancer, sedative, and anti-epileptic. This review aimed to highlight the health benefits of B. monnieri extracts (BME), focusing on anti-cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. We examined the clinical studies on phytochemistry and pharmacological application of BME. We further highlighted the mechanism of action of these extracts in varying types of cancer and their therapeutic implications. In addition, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanism in therapeutic interventions, toxicities, safety concerns and synergistic potential in cognition and neuroprotection. Overall, this review provides deeper insights into the therapeutic implications of Brahmi as a lead formulation for treating neurological disorders and exerting cognitive-enhancing effects.

Fenugreek Seed Galactomannan Aqueous and Extract Protects against Diabetic Nephropathy and Liver Damage by Targeting NF-κB and Keap1/Nrf2 Axis

This investigation was conducted to test the potential of the galactomannan (F-GAL) and aqueous extract (FS-AE) of the Fenugreek seed aqueous to prevent liver and kidney damage extracts in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1DM in rats. Non-diabetic and diabetic rats received the normal saline as a vehicle or were treated with FS-EA or F-GAL at a final concentration of 500 mg/kg/each. Treatments with both drugs reduced fasting hyperglycemia and improved serum and hepatic lipid profiles in the control and diabetic rats. Additionally, F-GAL and FS-AE attenuated the associated reduction in the mass and structure of the islets of Langerhans in diabetic rats and improved the structure of the kidneys and livers. In association, they also reduced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxides, factor (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nuclear levels of NF-κB p65, and improved serum levels of ALT, AST, albumin, and creatinine. However, both treatments increased hepatic and renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the livers and kidneys of both the control and diabetic-treated rats, which coincided with a significant increase in transcription, translation, and nuclear localization of Nrf2. In conclusion, FS-AE and F-GAL are effective therapeutic options that may afford a possible treatment for T1DM by attenuating pancreatic damage, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic and renal damage.

Effect of nano extracts of olea europaea leaves, ficus carica and liraglutide in lipidemic liver of type 2 diabetic rat model

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of Ficus carica mixture and Olea europaea leaf nano extracts, and liraglutide, on liver tissue and serum lipids in type 2 diabetic male albino rat model. Forty rats were divided equally into 4 groups were used. Group 1 was the non-diabetic control group. The animals in Groups 2–4 was injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 60 mg/kg b.w. Streptozotocin to induce a diabetic rat model. Group 2 served as a positive control for diabetes. 0.02 mg/kg b.w./day of Liraglutide gave to groups 3 and 4 and 4.8 ng/ml × 10⁵ b.w./day of a mixture of the nano extracts, respectively. Eight weeks after treatment, the animals were sacrificed. Blood was collected for glucose analysis and serum low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and triglycerides analysis, and the livers processed for histopathological examination. The elevated lipid profiles and blood glucose levels in diabetic group (Group 2) were significantly reduced (p < 0.001) following the administration of liraglutide and nano extracts in Groups 3 and 4. Progressive fatty acid changes were found in the liver sections, indicated by the deposition of various sizes of lipid droplets in most liver lobules, along with patchy hepatocyte necrosis. These pathological changes were ameliorated in the liraglutide- and nano-extract-treated rats. Treatment with the nano extracts resulted in significant power assays associated with recovery of hepatic histology and functional alterations, compared to liraglutide treatment.

Dapagliflozin, Liraglutide, and Their Combination Attenuate Diabetes Mellitus-Associated Hepato-Renal Injury—Insight into Oxidative Injury/Inflammation/Apoptosis Modulation

In this study, we aim to explore the beneficial therapeutic impacts of dapagliflozin (Dapa), a highly potent, reversible, and selective sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, and liraglutide (Lira), a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, as hypoglycaemic agents for the management of diabetes mellitus (DM), as well as their combination against DM-induced complications, including hepato-renal injury. Indeed, the progression of DM was found to be associated with significant hepatic and renal injury, as confirmed by the elevated biochemical indices of hepatic and renal functions, as well as histopathological examination. Dapa, Lira, and their combination effectively attenuated DM-induced hepatic and renal injury, as confirmed by the recovery of hepatic and renal functional biomarkers. The administration of both drugs significantly reduced the tissue contents of MDA and restored the contents of GSH and catalase activity. Moreover, NF-κB and TNF-α expression at the protein and gene levels was significantly reduced in the liver and the kidney. This was in parallel with the significant reduction in the caspase-3 content in the liver and the kidney, as well as suppressed cleaved caspase-3 expression in the hepatic and renal specimens, as confirmed by immune–histochemical analysis. Notably, the combined Dapa/Lira treatment demonstrated an additive superior hepato-renal protective impact compared with the use of either drug alone. Thus, it appears that Dapa and Lira, through the coordinated modulation of oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic signalling, confer a significant hepato-renal protective impact against DM-induced complications and tissue injury.

Melatonin treatment improves human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell therapy in a mouse model of type II diabetes mellitus via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for tissue regeneration and disease treatment. However, long-term in vitro passaging leads to stemness loss of MSCs, resulting in failure of MSC therapy. This study investigated whether the combination of melatonin and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) was superior to hUC-MSCs alone in ameliorating high-fat diet and streptozocin (STZ)-induced type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a mouse model.

Methods

Mice were divided into four groups: normal control (NC) group; T2DM group; hUC-MSCs treatment alone (UCMSC) group and pretreatment of hUC-MSCs with melatonin (UCMSC/Mel) group.

Results

RNA sequence analysis showed that certain pathways, including the signaling pathway involved in the regulation of cell proliferation signaling pathway, were regulated by melatonin. The blood glucose levels of the mice in the UCMSC and UCMSC/Mel treatment groups were significantly reduced compared with the T2DM group without treatment (P < 0.05). Furthermore, hUC-MSCs enhance the key factor in the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway in T2DM mouse hepatocytes.

Conclusion

The pretreatment of hUC-MSCs with melatonin partly boosted cell efficiency and thereby alleviated impaired glycemic control and insulin resistance. This study provides a practical strategy to improve the application of hUC-MSCs in diabetes mellitus and cytotherapy.

Graphical abstract

Overview of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. (A) Underlying mechanism of UCMSC/Mel inhibition of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance T2DM mice via regulation of PI3K/AKT pathway. hUC-MSCs stimulates glucose uptake and improves insulin action thus should inhibition the clinical signs of T2DM, through activation of the p-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and then regulates glucose transport through activating AS160. UCMSC/Mel increases p53-dependent expression of BCL2, and inhibit BAX and Capase3 protein activation. Leading to the decrease in apoptosis. (B) Melatonin modulated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Melatonin activated PI3K/AKT response pathway through binding to MT1and MT2 receptor. Leading to the increase in hUC-MSCs proliferation, migration and differentiation. → (Direct stimulatory modification); ┴ ( Direct Inhibitory modification); → ┤ (Multistep inhibitory modification); ↑ (Up regulate); ↓ (Down regulate); PI3K (Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase); AKT ( protein kinase B); PDK1 (Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1); IR, insulin receptor; GLUT4 ( glucose transporter type 4); ROS (reactive oxygen species); BCL-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2); PDK1 (phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1) BAX (B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein); PCNA (Proliferating cell nuclear antigen); Cell cycle-associated proteins (KI67, cyclin A, cyclin E)

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-02832-0.

Regulatory mechanisms of Sesn2 and its role in multi-organ diseases

Sestrin2 (Sesn2) is a powerful anti-oxidant that can prevent acute and chronic diseases. The role of Sesn2 has been thoroughly reviewed in liver, nervous system, and immune system diseases. However, there is a limited number of reviews that have summarized the effects of Sesn2 in heart and vascular diseases, and very less literature-based information is available on involvement of Sesn2 in renal and respiratory pathologies. This review summarizes the latest research on Sesn2 in multi-organ stress responses, with a particular focus on the protective role of Sesn2 in cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal diseases, emphasizing the potential therapeutic benefit of targeting Sesn2 in stress-related diseases.

[Intervention of phlegm and blood stasis inhibits TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in the kidney of diabetic rats]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of traditional Chinese medicine for intervention of phlegm and blood stasis in regulating TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling and relieving nephropathy in diabetic rats.

METHODS

SD rats were divided into blank group (NC), diabetic model group (MC group), intervention of phlegm and blood stasis (RPDBS) group, phlegm-removing (RP) group and blood-removing (DBS) group. Diabetic models were established in all the rats except for those in the blank group. After 4 weeks of feeding, the rats in RPDBS group, RP group and DBS group were given corresponding drug intervention for 8 weeks. HE staining was used to observe the changes in renal histopathology. Western blotting and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to detect the expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad3.

RESULTS

The structure and arrangement of the glomeruli and renal tubules improved significantly in the treatment groups in comparison with those in the MC group. The expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad3 and p-Smad3 were significantly downregulated at both the protein and mRNA levels in the treatment groups (P < 0.05), and the down-regulation was more obvious in RPDBS group than in RP group and DBS group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Intervention of phlegm and blood stasis may inhibit the activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and delay diabetic nephropathy and fibrosis to protect the renal function in diabetic rats.

Tiliacora triandra extract possesses antidiabetic effects in high fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

The antidiabetic properties of Tiliacora triandra ethanol extract in diabetic rats induced with high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ) was investigated. Rats were fed with HFD for 4 weeks to induced insulin resistance, and thereafter administered with 35 mg/kg of STZ to induce diabetes. Diabetic rats received 100 and 400 mg/kg of T. triandra daily for 30 days. The body weight, blood glucose level, food and fluid intake were monitored. Furthermore, biochemical and histological assessment was performed to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of the extract in the treated rats. T. triandra significantly decreased the blood glucose level, increased the body weight and insulin secretion. Furthermore, T. triandra attenuated hyperlipidemia, improved liver and kidney functions of treated diabetic rats. Thus, T. triandra could effectively attenuate diabetes and it complications. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Tiliacora triandra is a common vegetable consumed in Thailand and Laos. It is traditionally employed in the treatment of fever, cancer, malaria, and diabetes. The extract from the aerial part was investigated for its antidiabetic properties. The results obtained provides important pharmacological information that supports the use of T. triandra in management of diabetes.