Effect of livingstonepotato (Plectranthus esculenthus N.E.Br) on hyperglycemia, antioxidant activity and lipid metabolism of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Tert-butylhydroquinone abrogates fructose-induced insulin resistance in rats via mitigation of oxidant stress, NFkB-mediated inflammation in the liver but not the skeletal muscle of high fructose drinking rats

The effect of 21% fructose drinking water (FDW) (w/v) on some parameters of metabolic syndrome, hepatic, and skeletal muscular histology of rats was studied using standard techniques. Twenty male albino rats were divided into four groups of 5 rats each in this in vivo study. Group I received distilled water, group 2 received FDW, group 3 received FDW and metformin (300 mg/kg body weight daily, orally), group 4 received FDW and 1% tert-butylhydroquinone feed. FDW changed the serum leptin, triacylglycerol, very low-density lipoprotein, and C-reactive protein levels of the rats, inducing hypertriglyceridemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation in their liver (but not the skeletal muscle) and insulin resistance which were modulated with metformin and tBHQ as corroborated by liver and muscle histology. The study reveals the potentials of metformin and tBHQ in mitigating hepatic and skeletal muscular morphological changes arising from exposure to high fructose drinks. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: There has been an increase in the global consumption of fructose (either as a sweetner in beverages or soft and carbonated drinks) in the last few decades and this has been positively correlated with the global increase in metabolic complications. Regular intake of fructose contributes to the pathogenesis of lipid disorders, oxidant stress, and chronic inflammation, which are linked with the metabolic syndrome components (MetS) (obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases) as well as increased morbidity and mortality. Given that the approaches that have been applied to treat the MetS have not been able to totally arrest it, currenty study which showed that tBHQ abrogated fructose-induced insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hepatic, and skeletal muscular pathology in the rats places tBHQ in the spotlight as a nutraceutical that could be of relevance in mitigating high dietary fructose-induced hepatic and skeletal muscular pathology.

Clinacanthus nutans attenuates atherosclerosis progression in rats with type 2 diabetes by reducing vascular oxidative stress and inflammation

CONTEXT

Atherosclerosis predisposes individuals to adverse cardiovascular events. Clinacanthus nutans L. (Acanthaceae) is a traditional remedy used for diabetes and inflammatory conditions.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the anti-atherosclerotic activity of a C. nutans leaf methanol extract (CNME) in a type 2 diabetic (T2D) rat model induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and low-dose streptozotocin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: non-diabetic fed a standard diet (C), C + CNME (500 mg/kg, orally), diabetic fed an HFD (DM), DM + CNME (500 mg/kg), and DM + Metformin (DM + Met; 300 mg/kg). Treatment with oral CNME and metformin was administered for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipid profile, atherogenic index (AI), aortic tissue superoxide dismutase levels (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured. The rats' aortas were stained for histological analysis and intima-media thickness (IMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis.

RESULTS

The CNME-treated diabetic rats had reduced serum total cholesterol (43.74%; p = 0.0031), triglycerides (80.91%; p = 0.0003), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (56.64%; p = 0.0008), AI (51.32%; p < 0.0001), MDA (60.74%; p = 0.0026), TNF-α (61.78%; p = 0.0002), and IMT (39.35%; p < 0.0001) compared to untreated diabetic rats. SOD level, however, increased (53.36%; p = 0.0326). These CNME effects were comparable to those in the metformin-treated diabetic rats.

CONCLUSIONS

C. nutans possesses anti-atherosclerotic properties, which may be due to reductions in vascular tissue oxidative stress, inflammation, and serum AI. Continued studies on atherosclerotic animal models are suggested.

Pepino extract (Solanum muricatum Ait.) on HDL and LDL in type 2 diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE

Pepino contains of flavonoid and phenol as antioxidant which can reduce total cholesterol. This research was aimed to study the effect of pepino extract on high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in type 2 diabetic rats.

METHOD

The study was a randomized pre-posttest control group design. The subjects of this study were 20 male Wistar rats divided into 4 groups, they are control group, the group of pepino extract dosage 250mg/kg BW, pepino extract dosage 500mg/kg BW, and preventive group. Rats were induced diabetes with alloxan. Pepino extract was supplied for 2 weeks. Blood glucose level was evaluated on day 3 after alloxan injection, then HDL and LDL were monitored.

RESULTS

The effect of pepino extract was not found significant to increase HDL or reduce LDL-C of diabetic rats at two different doses (p<0.05). However, high dose of pepino extract (500mg/kg BW) successfully inhibited the LDL increase in mice significantly.

CONCLUSION

Pepino extract can maintain HDL-C and LDL-C on alloxan induced diabetic rats. This food can potentially be a functional food that maintains the cholesterol profile.

Identification and characterization of anti-diabetic principle in Senna alata (Linn.) flower using alloxan-induced diabetic male Wistar rats

ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The age-long folkloric use of Senna alata flower (SAF) was recently substantiated with scientific evidence. However, the study did not account for the anti-diabetic principle(s) in SAF.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to identify and characterize the bioactive principle(s) responsible for the anti-diabetic activity in SAF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-one male Wistar rats were used for the two phases of this study. In phase 1, forty-two of these were allotted into six groups (A-F) of seven rats each. Animals in group A received distilled water while those in groups B-F were made diabetic by treatment with 150 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of alloxan. Group B received 0.5 mL of distilled water; C, D and E were treated each with 75 mg/kg b.w. of ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous residual fractions of SAF, while F received 2.5 mg/kg b.w. of glibenclamide. In the second phase, forty-nine rats were assigned into seven groups (A-G) of seven rats each. Group A received distilled water. Animals in Groups B-G were also made diabetic by alloxan treatment. B received 0.5 mL of distilled water; C, D, E and F were treated with 5.77, 25.96, 15.40, 27.87 mg/kg b.w (equivalent dose of 75 mg/kg b.w.) of sub-fractions obtained from the ethyl acetate fraction of SAF respectively whereas G received 2.5 mg/kg b.w. of glibenclamide. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipids, albumin, globulin, liver glycogen, urine ketone, hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities and cardiac function indices were evaluated using standard methods. Compounds D, E and F isolated from ethyl acetate sub-fraction B were evaluated for in vitro anti-diabetic activity. The structure of the anti-diabetic compound was identified using FTIR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, HCOSY, HSQC and HMBC. Data were subjected to Analysis of Variance and Duncan Multiple Range Test at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Alloxan treatment increased the levels of FBG, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, urine ketone and cardiac function indices and reduced the levels of globulin, albumin, HDL-cholesterol, globulin, liver glycogen, hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities. Ethyl acetate fraction and sub-fraction B reversed the level and/or activities of these biochemical indices to levels and/or activities that compared favourably with the distilled water treated non-diabetic animals. Of the three compounds (D, E and F) that were obtained from the sub-fraction B, compound E which was Emodin (1, 3, 8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) produced the highest α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities.

CONCLUSION

Emodin is one of the bioactive constituents present in Senna alata flower.

Modulation of the Lipid Profile, Hepatic and Renal Antioxidant Activities, and Markers of Hepatic and Renal Dysfunctions in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats by Virgin Coconut Oil

BACKGROUND

Research studies that holistically investigated the effect of administration of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) on diabetic humans or animals are limited in literature.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of administration of VCO on lipid profile, markers of hepatic and renal dysfunction, and hepatic and renal antioxidant activities of alloxan induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

Twenty-four male albino rats were used, and they were divided into four groups of six rats each. Group 1 (Normal Control, NC) received distilled water (1 mL/kg); Group 2 (VCO Control) received VCO (5 mL/kg); Group 3 (Diabetic Control, DC) received distilled water (1 mL/kg); Group 4 (Test Group, TG) received 5 ml/kg of VCO.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in blood glucose, body weights, relative liver weights, relative kidney weights, hepatic and renal Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activities, Malondialdehyde (MDA), albumin, aspartate Amino Transaminase (AST), alanine Amino Transaminase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), urea, creatinine, uric acid, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, Very Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) concentrations; significant increases in renal Glutathione (GSH), hepatic catalase, Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and GSH but significant reduction in renal GPx and catalase activities of VCO control group compared with NC group. There were significant increases in blood glucose, relative liver and kidney weights, hepatic GPx, hepatic and renal MDA concentration, ALP, AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, uric acid, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, LDL and VLDL concentrations; and significant decreases in body weight, hepatic SOD and GSH activities and albumin concentration but no significant difference in hepatic catalase activity of DC group compared with NC group. Administration of VCO to diabetic rats positively modulated these parameters compared with the diabetic control.

CONCLUSION

The study showed the potentials of VCO in the management of hyperlipidemia, renal and hepatic dysfunctions imposed by hyperglycemia and by oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

A novel pharmacological approach of herbal mediated cerium oxide and silver nanoparticles with improved biomedical activity in comparison with Lawsonia inermis

Diabetes mellitus is one of the threatening, non-communicable and chronic ailments worldwide since ancient times to the current stage of human existence. The utilization of nanoparticles as a medicine in the treatment of diabetes is an attractive proposition. In the present study, herbal mediated cerium oxide nanoparticles (HMCeO₂ NPs), herbal mediated silver nanoparticles (HMAg NPs) and Lawsonia intermix extract (LIE) was evaluated for them for in-vivo hypoglycemic effect and compared the potency. The resulting HMCeO₂ NPs, HMAg NPs and Lawsonia inermis have been characterized by different analytical equipments such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Particle size analyzer (PSA), Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The synthesized NPs and Lawsonia inermis extract were assessed for toxicity by using acute oral toxicity using female albino mice (s) model by following OECD-425 guidelines. In in-vivo hypoglycemic animal model, the male wistar rats with weight varying between 180-200 gms were grouped as: normal control: did not receive any treatment, diabetic control (saline): received a single intraperitoneal dose of Streptozotocin (40 mg/kg), standard: received a single daily oral dose of 50 mg/kg body weight, HMCeO₂ NPs: received single daily oral dose of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, HMAg NPs: received a single daily oral dose of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and Lawsonia inermis: received a single daily oral dose of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg. The herbal mediated NPs were considered safe as they have not shown toxic effects. From the current study results, it may conclude that, due to the advanced biological and pharmacological characters, the HMAg NPs depicted more potent hypoglycemic activity than that of LIE and CeO₂ NPs.

Amelioration of oxidative stress by dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seeds is potentiated by onion (Allium cepa L.) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Oxidative stress has a crucial role in the progression of diabetes and its complications. Soluble fibre-rich fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) are understood to have a beneficial effect in the management of diabetes. Previously, we have shown that the amelioration of diabetic hyperglycemia and related metabolic abnormalities was potentiated by onion (Allium cepa L.) in experimental rats. The present study evaluated the additive beneficial effect of dietary fenugreek seeds (10%) and onion (3%) on oxidative stress in diabetic rats. These dietary interventions lowered oxidative stress, the combination producing a higher beneficial effect (p < 0.05), although not additive. Dietary fenugreek, onion, or fenugreek+onion countered hypercholesterolemia (p < 0.05), especially from low-density lipoprotein−associated fraction by 43%, 35%, and 54%, respectively. Elevated concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides in the liver and heart under diabetic conditions were significantly counteracted by these dietary interventions, with the additive combination resulting in greater effect. These findings were also corroborated by restoration of histopathological abnormalities of heart and liver tissues along with lowered heart and liver weights. It is inferred that an alleviation of oxidative stress contributes further to the antidiabetic influence and this nutraceutical potential of fenugreek seeds and onion was higher when consumed together.

Modulation of the lipid profile and insulin levels of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats by ethanol extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves and some fractions: Effect on the oral glucose tolerance of normoglycemic rats

BACKGROUND

No study to date has investigated the effect of different polar solvent extracts from Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves on glycemic control as used in folk medicine. Hence this study which investigated the effect of ethanol extract and fractions of C. aconitifolius leaves on body weights, relative organ weights, serum levels of glucose, lipid profiles and insulin in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and on oral glucose tolerance of normoglycemic rats.

METHODS

The ethanol extract was partitioned using methanol, hexane and chloroform to obtain different fractions.

RESULTS

The ethanol extract, fractions or glibenclamide demonstrated hypoglycemic/therapeutic actions as seen from the reduction of serum glucose but increase in serum insulin and body weights of the diabetic rats at the end of experimentation following their administration, unlike the diabetic control that had significant alteration of these parameters with respect to the normal control. Whereas the diabetic control had significant increase in pancreatic weights with no alteration in the heart weights, the ethanol extract, fractions or glibenclamide had no effect on these organs. The ethanol extract, methanol fractions or glibenclamide showed better hypoglycemic actions than the n-hexane or chloroform fractions at the doses used and results obtained were corroborated by histology. Furthermore, the ethanol extract, n-hexane (at 250mg/kg) and methanol fractions or glibenclamide improved glucose tolerance in glucose loaded normal rats. The methanol fraction (500mg/kg) demonstrated anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-hypertriglyceridemic and insulin modulatory properties in a manner akin to glibenclamide. Acute toxicity study revealed the non toxicity of the plant CONCLUSION: The study justifies the use of polar solvent extracts of this plant in the management of diabetes mellitus.

Effect of kolaviron, a biflavanoid complex from Garcinia kola on some biochemical parameters in experimentally induced benign prostatic hyperplasic rats

BACKGROUND

To determine the effect of kolaviron on some biochemical parameters in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) rats.

METHODS

BPH was induced in rats using a mixture of dihydrotestosterone and estradiol valerate (10:1).

RESULTS

The lethal dose of kolaviron was 3050mg/kg body weight. Body weights, relative heart weight (RHW), relative liver weight (RLW), serum levels of prostate specific antigen, prolactin, estradiol, testosterone, testosterone/estradiol ratio, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), urea, creatinine and prostatic levels of total proteins in the normal rats administered finasteride (standard drug) or kolaviron were not different (P>0.05) from normal control whereas most of these parameters were altered in the disease control except RHW, RLW, AST and ALT. Finasteride (5mg/70kg) or kolaviron (100 and 200mg/kg) ameliorated most of these parameters compared with disease control except RHW, RLW, prolactin, AST, ALT, urea and creatinine (for kolaviron at 100mg/kg). The normal rats administered finasteride or kolaviron had decreased prostate weights (P<0.05) compared with the normal control which results were corroborated by histological assay that also showed that treatment with kolaviron (200mg/kg) or finasteride reversed the histoarchitecture of the prostates of the BPH rats.

CONCLUSION

Kolaviron could be useful in the management of BPH.