Antiobesity Activities of Methanolic Extracts of Amaranthus dubius, Cucurbita pepo, and Vigna unguiculata in Progesterone-Induced Obese Mice

Cognition Enhancing Potential of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Amaranthus dubius in Mice

Amaranthus dubius is a vegetable consumed for its nutritional content in Kenya. In herbal medicine, A. dubius is utilized to relief fever, anemia and hemorrhage. Additionally, it is utilized to manage cognitive dysfunction and is considered to augment brain function, but there is no empirical evidence to support this claim. The contemporary study investigated cognitive enhancing potential of A. dubius in mice model of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like dementia induced with ketamine. Cognitively damaged mice were treated with aqueous extract of A. dubius leaf upon which passive avoidance task (PAT) was used to assess the cognitive performance. At the end of passive avoidance test, brains of the mice were dissected to evaluate the possibility of the extract to inhibit hallmarks that propagate AD namely oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase activity. Additionally, characterization of secondary metabolites was done using liquid chromatograph- mass spectrometry analysis. During PAT test, extract-treated mice showed significantly increased step-through latencies than AD mice, depicting ability of A. dubius to reverse ketamine-induced cognitive decline. Further, the extract remarkably lowered malondialdehyde levels to normal levels and effectively inhibited acetylcholinesterase enzyme. The study showed that A. dubius extract is endowed with phytoconstituents that possess anti-oxidant and anticholinesterase activities. Thus, this study confirmed promising therapeutic effects of 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg bw of A. dubius extract with potential to alleviate cognitive disarray observed in AD.

In Vitro Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Digestive Enzymes Inhibition Activities of Hydro-Ethanolic Leaf and Bark Extracts of Psychotria densinervia (K. Krause) Verdc

Psychotria densinervia hydro-ethanolic leaf extract (PHELE) and bark extract (PHEBE) were evaluated for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and inhibition of digestive enzymes activities. The antioxidant activity was characterized by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) assays. The anti-inflammatory activity was characterized by protein denaturation and antiproteinase tests, while the inhibition of the enzymes was assessed using α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase, and cholesterol esterase activities. PHELE presented low ( $p<0.001$ ) IC50 (59.09 ± 5.97 μg/ml) for DPPH compared with ascorbic acid (71.78 ± 6.37 μg/ml) and PHEBE (115.40 ± 1.21 μg/ml). The IC50 of PHELE (262.4 ± 4.46 μg/ml) and PHEBE (354.2 ± 1.97 μg/ml) was higher ( $p<0.001$ ) than that of catechin (33.48 ± 2.02 μg/ml) for ABTS. PHELE had high ( $p<0.001$ ) FRAP (341.73 ± 21.70 mg CE/g) than PHEBE (150.30 ± 0.32 mg CE/g). PHELE presented ( $p<0.001$ ) high TPC (270.05 ± 7.53 mg CE/g) and TFC (23.43 ± 0.032 mg CE/g) than PHEBE (TPC: 138.89 ± 0.91 and TFC: 20.06 ± 0.032 mg CE/g). PHELE showed antiprotein denaturation with IC50 (257.0 ± 7.51 μg/ml) ( $p<0.001$ ) and antiproteinase activity (74.37 ± 1.10 μg/ml) lower than PHEBE (316.1 ± 6.02 μg/ml and 177.6 ± 0.50 μg/ml), respectively. Orlistat inhibited lipase ( $p<0.001$ ) activity with IC50 (37.11 ± 4.39 μg/ml) lower than PHELE and PHEBE (50.57 ± 2.89 μg/ml and 62.88 ± 1.74 μg/ml, respectively). PHELE inhibited cholesterol esterase with IC50 (34.75 ± 3.87 μg/ml) lower than orlistat (54.61 ± 2.56) and PHEBE (80.14 ± 1.71 μg/ml). PHELE inhibited α-amylase IC50 (6.07 ± 4.05 μg/ml) lower than PHEBE (19.69 ± 6.27 μg/ml) and acarbose (20.01 ± 2.84 μg/ml). Acarbose inhibited α-glucosidase ( $p<0.001$ ) activity with IC50 (4.11 ± 3.47 μg/ml) lower than PHELE (24.41 ± 2.84 μg/ml) and PHEBE (38.81 ± 2.46 μg/ml). PHELE presented better antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme inhibition activity than PHEBE.

Nutraceuticals: unlocking newer paradigms in the mitigation of inflammatory lung diseases

Persistent respiratory tract inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of various chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis. These inflammatory respiratory diseases have been a major public health concern as they are the leading causes of worldwide mortality and morbidity, resulting in heavy burden on socioeconomic growth throughout these years. Although various therapeutic agents are currently available, the clinical applications of these agents are found to be futile due to their adverse effects, and most patients remained poorly controlled with a low quality of life. These drawbacks have necessitated the development of novel, alternative therapeutic agents that can effectively improve therapeutic outcomes. Recently, nutraceuticals such as probiotics, vitamins, and phytochemicals have gained increasing attention due to their nutritional properties and therapeutic potential in modulating the pathological mechanisms underlying inflammatory respiratory diseases, which could ultimately result in improved disease control and overall health outcomes. As such, nutraceuticals have been held in high regard as the possible alternatives to address the limitations of conventional therapeutics, where intensive research are being performed to identify novel nutraceuticals that can positively impact various inflammatory respiratory diseases. This review provides an insight into the utilization of nutraceuticals with respect to their molecular mechanisms targeting multiple signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory respiratory diseases.

Metabolic profiling and biological activities of the aerial parts of Micromeria imbricata Forssk. growing in Saudi Arabia

The hydroalcoholic extract (MIT) of Micromeria imbricata (Forssk.) growing in Saudi Arabia in addition to the chloroform (MIC) and n-butanol (MIB) fractions were investigated for the first time using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The analysis revealed the tentative identification of fifty-eight compounds including three organic acids, twenty-five phenolic compounds, three coumarins, two anthocyanins, twenty-one flavonoids, three terpenes, and one miscellaneous. Moreover, the therapeutic potential of M. imbricata (MIT) and its fractions (MIC and MIB) were determined by in vitro evaluation of their cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-obesity characteristics. The MIT extract showed the highest phenolic (125.23 ± 0.87 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 gm extract) and flavonoid (112.24 ± 2.45 mg quercetin equivalent/100 gm extract) contents followed by n-butanol and chloroform fractions. The MIT extract revealed a potent cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 (Hepatocellular carcinoma) and MCF-7 (Breast carcinoma) with IC₅₀ 28.5 ± 2.0 and 35.2 ± 1.2 µg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the tested hydroalcoholic extract exhibited a significant DPPH scavenging activity with SC₅₀ 28.4 ± 1.2 µg/mL and a remarkable lipase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ 54.2 ± 1.2 µg/mL. In conclusion, the current study presents the first insights into the phytochemical constituents and pharmacological properties of M. imbricata extract and its chloroform and n-butanol fractions. The results revealed that M. imbricata hydroalcoholic extract might be a prolific source of bioactive constituents with potent antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-obesity potential. It might be a natural alternative therapy and nutritional strategy for obesity treatment.

Lycopene alleviates western diet-induced elevations in anthropometrical indices of obesity, adipose lipids, and other nutritional parameters

Objective: Given the unrelenting surge in the prevalence of obesity and the intensified efforts aimed at elucidating underlying mechanisms and proffering effective treatments, this study investigated the effects of lycopene on various anthropometrical indices of obesity. Methods: Thirty female Wistar rats were equally divided into two groups and fed either control diet or Western diet. After eight weeks, obese rats (fed Western diet) were divided into three groups (n=5); obese control received the vehicle, while the other two received lycopene (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg body weight, respectively). Normal rats were grouped into three (n=5) and treated similarly. This treatment lasted for another two weeks, in addition to their respective diets. Afterwards, anthropometrical indices were taken. Results: The weight gain, adiposity index, abdominal and thoracic circumference, body mass index, and Lee index were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the obese rats compared to the normal control, by 108.3%, 102.1%, 81.5%, 97.6%, 47.4%, and 13.9%, respectively. The obese rats had significantly (p<0.05) higher adipose tissue lipid contents, daily feed (37.4%) and energy intake (66.0%), daily weight gain (108.3%), and feed efficiency (25.5%) compared to control. However, the treatment of obese rats with lycopene occasioned a dose-dependent reduction in the elevated anthropometrical and nutritional parameters. In addition, lycopene elicited significant reductions (p<0.05), ranging from 16-54%, in the adipose lipid contents. Conclusion: The data presented here illustrate the positive effects of lycopene on indices of obesity and other anthropometric parameters in obese female rats.

Luffa cylindrica: a promising herbal treatment in progesterone induced obesity in mice

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigates the anti-obesity activity of Luffa cylindrica in progesterone induced obesity model.

METHOD

Swiss albino mice were grouped into 7 (n = 6). Obesity was induced by administration of progesterone (10 mg/kg s.c.) for 28 days. Normal group received ad libitum and water. Disease control, positive control and treatment groups received progesterone (10 mg/kg s.c.). Further positive control group received Orlistat (10 mg/kg p.o). Treatment groups received hydro-alcoholic and fractionation extract of Luffa cylindrica at doses 400, 200, 100 mg/kg b.w. Food and water intake were recorded daily, Body weight, BMI and blood glucose were checked weekly. On completion of the study, animals were sacrificed and blood serum being utilized to accesses in vitro to estimate the various biochemical parameters. Serotonin levels and antioxidant biomarkers were also estimated. Histopathology of liver and adipose tissue was studied.

RESULT

After the 28 days of treatment with plant extract and fraction, it was observed to improve the progestrogen-induced obesity by improving BMI, body weight, brain serotionin, locomotor activity, blood glucose level, anti-oxidant biomarkers, and lipid profile.

CONCLUSION

After assimilating the In vivo and in vitro studies Luffa cylindrical extract highlighted the antilipidemic, anti-hyperglycaemic, antioxidant potential in hormone-induced obesity.

Chemical Profile, In Vitro Antioxidant, Pancreatic Lipase, and Alpha-Amylase Inhibition Assays of the Aqueous Extract of Elettaria cardamomum L. Fruits

Phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of Elettaria cardamomum L. were mostly focused on its essential oil and organic crude extracts with little attention on its aqueous extracts. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile, in vitro antiobesity, and antidiabetic activities of the aqueous extract of Elettaria cardamomum L. family Zingiberaceae. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis is used for the aqueous extract characterization in both ionization modes. The analysis revealed the tentative identification of forty-seven compounds based on their MS/MS fragmentation pattern and comparison with the reported data. The identified compounds include eight flavones, thirteen phenolic and nonphenolic acids, one coumarin, and nineteen anthocyanins. Moreover, the in vitro antiobesity and antidiabetic activities were also studied. The results showed that E. cardamomum L. aqueous extract inhibits pancreatic lipase and α-amylase enzyme in a concentration-dependent manner, as 1 mg/mL extract was able to inhibit pancreatic lipase and α-amylase by 62.25% ± 0.58 (IC50 = 288.75 ± 1.3 µg/mL) and 70.42% ± 1.5 (IC50 = 220.5 ± 1.3 µg/mL), respectively. Conclusively, the current study indicated that the investigated biological activities of Elettaria cardamomum aqueous extract were attributed to the existence of biologically active metabolites such as flavones, phenolic and nonphenolic acids, coumarins, and anthocyanins. Moreover, it proposed that the aqueous cardamom extract can be used as a natural potential source in different pharmaceutical preparations to protect against variable chronic disorders, especially obesity and diabetes. Deeper in vivo investigations, isolation, purification, and structural elucidation of the major active metabolites from cardamom are recommended.

Comparative lipid and uric acid suppressing properties of four common herbs in high fat-induced obese mice with their total phenolic and flavonoid index

Our present study was designed to investigate the comparative anti-obesity efficacy of ethanolic extract of Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Allium sativum L. and Zingiber officinale Roscoe in high fat-induced mice with their total phenolic and flavonoid profile. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined by Folin–Ciocalteu's and Aluminium chloride UV method respectively. In our study, 55 healthy mice were separated into 11 groups to take their respective treatments. Lipid and uric acid profile were estimated by using the enzymatic colourimetric method. Ethanolic extract of A. indica contained the highest phenolic and flavonoid content. A. indica normal and high fat diet group showed reduced weight gaining tendency than other extract groups. A. indica at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight significantly (p < 0.001) reduced serum cholesterol (SC), triglyceride (TG), and uric acid (UA) level than other three extracts when compared with the control group. Thus, a considerable correlation was found between serum uric acid reducing potentials of the present experimental extracts with a lipid-lowering profile. Pathological examination revealed that the average weight of liver and kidney were significantly decreased in A. indica normal. Results obtained from the present study it can be concluded that ethanolic extract of A. indica possesses better lipid-lowering efficacy than the other three herbs.

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Ethanolic extract of A. indica contained the highest phenolic and flavonoid content.

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A. indica significant reduced the serum TC, TG, and UA level than other three extracts when compared with the control group.

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The average weight of liver and kidney were significantly decreased in A. indica.

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A. indica possesses better lipid-lowering efficacy than the other three herbs.