Antidiabetic and antioxidant potentials of Vitellaria paradoxa barks in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and protective effects of Gladiolus psittacinus on hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVES

Gladiolus psittacinus (GP) is an important medicinal plant in folk medicine where its corm is used for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Despite this, there is paucity of scientific information to justify its use as antidiabetic drug. Hence, this study was designed to explore antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and effects of aqueous extract of Gladiolus psittacinus (AGP) on hyperglycemia-associated oxidative stress in pancreas, kidney and liver of diabetic rats.

METHODS

Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in rats using streptozotocin 50 mg/kg (i.p.). Normal and diabetic rats were treated orally with AGP once a day for 14 days. Antidiabetic effects were evaluated on body weight, fasting blood glucose concentration (FBGC), lipid profiles and serum chemistry. Also, protective effects of AGP were also determined on markers of oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes and histopathology of pancreas, kidney and liver of diabetic rats.

RESULTS

Treatment with AGP emanated to significant decrease of FBGC (552.67-157.33 mg/dL), increase in body weight (100.01-133.76 g) and positive modulation of lipid parameters in diabetic rats. The alteration in the contents of markers of liver and kidney function were significantly modulated in the diabetic rats upon treatment. Also, oxidative damage and antioxidant depletions in pancreas, kidney and liver were significantly mitigated in treated diabetic rats. Structural aberrations in the histopathology slides of pancreas, kidney and liver were improved upon treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that AGP could be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its related ailments, thereby justifying its usage in traditional medicine.

Antidiabetic Properties of Plant Secondary Metabolites

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is one of the major medical problems that the modern world is currently facing. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus both result in early disability and death, as well as serious social and financial problems. In some cases, synthetic drugs can be quite effective in the treatment of diabetes, though they have side effects. Plant-derived pharmacological substances are of particular interest. This review aims to study the antidiabetic properties of secondary plant metabolites. Existing review and research articles on the investigation of the antidiabetic properties of secondary plant metabolites, the methods of their isolation, and their use in diabetes mellitus, as well as separate articles that confirm the relevance of the topic and expand the understanding of the properties and mechanisms of action of plant metabolites, were analyzed for this review. The structure and properties of plants used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, including plant antioxidants, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and insulin-like plant substances, as well as their antidiabetic properties and mechanisms for lowering blood sugar, are presented. The main advantages and disadvantages of using phytocomponents to treat diabetes are outlined. The types of complications of diabetes mellitus and the effects of medicinal plants and their phytocomponents on them are described. The effects of phytopreparations used to treat diabetes mellitus on the human gut microbiota are discussed. Plants with a general tonic effect, plants containing insulin-like substances, plants-purifiers, and plants rich in vitamins, organic acids, etc. have been shown to play an important role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the prevention of its complications.

Mitigation of the hyperglycemic effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes albino rats using biosynthesized copper oxide nanoparticles

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder described by compromised insulin synthesis or resistance to insulin inside the human body. Diabetes is a persistent metabolic condition defined by elevated amounts of glucose in the bloodstream, resulting in a range of potential consequences. The main purpose of this study was to find out how biosynthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) affect the blood sugar levels of diabetic albino rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ). In the current study, CuONPs were successfully biosynthesized using Saccharomyes cervisiae using an eco-friendly method. Characterization results revealed that biosynthesized CuONPs appeared at 376 nm with a spherical shape with sizes ranging from 4 to 47.8 nm. Furthermore, results illustrated that administration of 0.5 and 5 mg/kg CuONP in diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in blood glucose levels accompanied by elevated insulin levels when compared to the diabetic control group; however, administration of 0.5 mg/kg is the best choice for diabetic management. Furthermore, it was found that the group treated with CuONPs exhibited a noteworthy elevation in the HDL-C level, along with a depletion in triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and VLDL-cholesterol levels compared to the diabetic control group. This study found that administration of CuONPs reduced hyperglycemia and improved pancreatic function as well as dyslipidemia in diabetic rats exposed to STZ, suggesting their potential as a promising therapeutic agent for diabetes treatment.

Nelsonia canescens (Acanthaceae) aqueous extract and partitioned fractions ameliorates type-2 diabetes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin. There is a continuous rise of this disease particularly in developing countries due to changes in life style and poverty among the people. In this study, antidiabetic activities of aqueous extract of Nelsonia canescens and its partitioned fractions in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. Male albino rats were divided into 9 groups (diabetic and non-diabetic) of 5 rats each. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal administration of alloxan (90 mg/kgbwt). The experimental design consists of a diabetic control group (untreated), a normal control group (1 mL saline), a standard diabetic drug (Glibenclamide; 5 mg/kgbwt), two doses (50 and 300 mg/kgbwt) of aqueous extract, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of Nelsonia canescens were orally administered for a period 21 days. Blood glucose of the rats was monitored at 3-days intervals while biochemical and in vivo antioxidant assays of serum and liver were determined after 21 days.

Results

The hypoglycemic effect of the extract observed was in a dose dependent manner with a significant reduction (p < 0.05) of blood glucose in ethylaceate fraction > aqueous extract > methanol fraction compared with the diabetic control group. A significant difference (p < 0.05) in lipid profiles and serum enzyme activity of rats in the diabetic control group was observed compared with the extract and fraction treated groups.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the aqueous extract and fractions of N. canescens showed hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic potentials and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the progression of oxidative stress.

Phytochemical and biological diversity of triterpenoid saponins from family Sapotaceae: A comprehensive review

Sapotaceae is a flowering plants family reported for its richness in triterpenoid saponins. Sapotaceae comprises a large number of fruit-producing plants of nutritional and medicinal value. Different species of family Sapotaceae received a considerable interest owing to their rich triterpenoid saponins content of a myriad pharmacological effects and health benefits. Several databases were searched for collecting papers for this review in the scope of phytochemistry, bioactivity and record of triterpenoid saponins from family Sapotacese such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus and Reaxys from 1990 till now. Triterpenoid saponins reported from Sapotaceae plants are mostly of protobassic acid, 16-α-hydroxyprotobassic acid, bayogenin, and oleanolic acid derivatives with both monodesmosidic and/or bidesmosidic attached sugar side chains. Besides, the most frequently attached sugar units are glucose, glucoronic acid, apiose, xylose, rhamnose, and arabinose. The reported health effects of Sapotaceae plants in folk medicine in relation to their bioactive saponins were also reviewed with special attention to anti-inflammatory, antiulcer activity, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxic, anti-hypercholesterolemic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. This review aims to present a holistic compile on the phytochemical and biological diversity of triterpenoid saponins reported from family Sapotaceae with future perspectives.

Effect of Flavonoid-Rich Extract From Dalbergiella welwitschii Leaf on Redox, Cholinergic, Monoaminergic, and Purinergic Dysfunction in Oxidative Testicular Injury: Ex Vivo and In Silico Studies

The antioxidant, cholinergic, monoaminergic, and purinergic activities of flavonoid-rich extract from Dalbergiella welwitschii leaf (FEDW) were investigated on oxidative testicular injury (ex vivo) due to the local report on the use of this plant as anti-testicular injury. Flavonoid extract was obtained from FEDW using a standard procedure. Five male albino rats were used, testes harvested and incubated with FeSO₄ for accessing the cholinergic, monoaminergic, and purinergic activities of the FEDW (ex vivo). Testicular tissues incubated with FeSO₄ demonstrated a significant decrease in antioxidant biomarkers, arginase, ATPase, ENTPDase, 5'-nucleotidase, and PDE-5 activities, as well as Zn and sialic acid levels with an upsurge in malondialdehyde (MDA), and NO levels, myeloperoxidase, cholinesterases, monoamine oxidase (MAO), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activities. Treatment of testicular tissues incubated with FeSO₄ via different concentrations of FEDW significantly increased the activities of antioxidant, arginase, ATPase, E-NTPDase, 5'-nucleotidase, phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), as well as Zn and sialic acid levels with a significant decrease in MDA, nitric oxide (NO), myeloperoxidase, cholinesterases, MAO, and ACE levels. Molecular docking revealed the molecular interactions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with ellagic acid, piperine, and caffeine with piperine and caffeine obeyed the druggability and pharmacokinetic. These findings point to FEDW as a possible potential for the treatment of oxidative testicular injury.

Anti-diabetic effect of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis on low dose streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats fed on a high-fat diet

Introduction

This study evaluates the anti-diabetic effect of ethanol extract of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis leaf on streptozotocin (STZ) - induced diabetic rats fed on high-fat diet (HFD).

Methods

Sets of male albino rats of the Wistar strain weighing between 180 and 250 g were exposed to high fat diet (margarine and oil from vegetable sources in a ratio of 2:1 w/v) for 3 weeks. Then the animals were fasted overnight; hyperglycemic state was induced using reduced dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) and animals were randomly divided into five groups (n = 7); group A received the HFD + STZ (35 mg/kg i.p.); group B received HFD + STZ + gliberclamide (10 mg/kg; i.p); groups C, D and E were administered the HFD + streptozotocin with different doses of the ethanol extract (30, 35 and 100 mg/kg p.o., respectively).

Results

Results showed significant (p < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose concentration of the rats treated with different doses of S. jamaicensis extract and those treated with gliberclamide compared to the untreated diabetic rats (negative control). Significant (p < 0.05) reductions in activities of serum AST, ALP, total protein and bilirubin were noticed in the groups in contrast to the control. Levels of urea, creatinine, potassium and chloride were considerably (p < 0.05) low while sodium and bicarbonate levels were high in the groups except the control. Lipid profile revealed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, LDL, VLDL while HDL levels were high in the groups compared to the control. The extract significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated weight loss. Histopathology of the liver, kidney and pancreas showed ameliorative effect of the extract against the deleterious changes occasioned by the HFD and STZ induced diabetic state.

Conclusion

These findings have provided scientific basis for the use of S. jamaicensis in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in ethnomedicinal practices in Nigeria.

Anti-diabetogenic and in vivo antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of Dryopteris dilatata in alloxan-induced male Wistar rats

AIMS

Oxido-inflammatory stress has been implicated as the main targets in alleviating diabetic complications induced by hyperglycaemia. Dryopteris dilatata: a bioactive plant serves great medicinal benefits in ethnopharmacology to ameliorate pathological conditions. This study investigated the protective effects of ethanol extract of Dryopteris dilatata (EEDD) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats through mechanism involving inhibition of oxidative stress and liver and kidney inflammatory markers.

METHODOLOGY

Male Wistar rats were made diabetic via alloxan monohydrate (100 mg/kg) administration intraperitoneally. Diabetic rats were post-treated with EEDD (800 mg/kg) and Metformin (50 mg/kg) orally for two weeks. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), body and organ weight change, markers of oxidative stress, liver and kidney inflammation were evaluated.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that EEDD significantly reduced alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia in the diabetic rats after 5, 10 and 15 days of treatment. Markers of oxidative injury were also significantly ameliorated in the pancreas, liver and kidney of the diabetic rats following treatment with EEDD. However, liver and kidney injury markers were significantly attenuated with marked decreased organ weight in the diabetic rats after treatment with EEDD.

CONCLUSION

Here in, we found that Dryopteris dilatata could be used as nutraceuticals in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its related complications through positively modulating oxidative stress and liver and kidney inflammatory markers.

An evaluation of pharmacological healing potentialities of Terminalia Arjuna against several ailments on experimental rat models with an in-silico approach

Herbal remedies have been used in many cultures for decades to treat illnesses. These medicinal plants have been found to contain various phytochemical compounds that can help to cure mild to severe illnesses. The inadequacies of conventional medicines and their unusual side effects sparked a determined search for alternative natural therapeutic agents. Another reason for this hunt could be the availability and fewer side effects of natural products. T. arjuna is widely used in traditional medicine to alleviate various diseases like relieving pain, ameliorating diabetes, mitigating inflammation, and back-pedaling of depression. In this study, the ethanolic extract of T. arjuna possesses a promising effect on the animal model (p < 0.05/p < 0.01) as an antihyperglycemic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant agent, but in a dose-dependent manner. The lower dose of T. arjuna was found to be capable of reversing the disturbed physiological state at a significant level (p < 0.05). However, a higher dose of T. arjuna exerts better therapeutic effects for those diseases. This animal study aims to evaluate the anti-diabetic, anti-depressant, and anti-inflammatory properties of T. arjuna compared to conventional marketed drugs. We will perform an in-silico study for active constituents of T. arjuna against their proposed targets and look for the molecular cascade on their claimed pharmacological properties. This study shows that different doses of T. arjuna bark extracts give similar therapeutic responses compared with established marketed drugs in managing hyperglycemia, stress-induced depression, and inflammation. Besides, our docking study reveals that flavonoids and triterpenoid active constituents of T. arjuna play an important role in its usefulness. This study, therefore, scientifically confirmed the traditional use of this medicinal plant in the management of several diseased conditions.

The Influence of Plant Extracts and Phytoconstituents on Antioxidant Enzymes Activity and Gene Expression in the Prevention and Treatment of Impaired Glucose Homeostasis and Diabetes Complications

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder resulting either from insulin resistance or an impaired insulin secretion. Prolonged elevated blood glucose concentration, the key clinical sign of diabetes, initiates an enhancement of reactive oxygen species derived from glucose autoxidation and glycosylation of proteins. Consequently, chronic oxidative stress overwhelms cellular endogenous antioxidant defenses and leads to the acute and long-standing structural and functional changes of macromolecules resulting in impaired cellular functioning, cell death and organ dysfunction. The oxidative stress provoked chain of pathological events over time cause diabetic complications such as nephropathy, peripheral neuropathy, cardiomyopathy, retinopathy, hypertension, and liver disease. Under diabetic conditions, accompanying genome/epigenome and metabolite markers alterations may also affect glucose homeostasis, pancreatic β-cells, muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. By providing deeper genetic/epigenetic insight of direct or indirect dietary effects, nutrigenomics offers a promising opportunity to improve the quality of life of diabetic patients. Natural plant extracts, or their naturally occurring compounds, were shown to be very proficient in the prevention and treatment of different pathologies associated with oxidative stress including diabetes and its complications. Considering that food intake is one of the crucial components in diabetes’ prevalence, progression and complications, this review summarizes the effect of the major plant secondary metabolite and phytoconstituents on the antioxidant enzymes activity and gene expression under diabetic conditions.

Hypoglycemic, antidyslipidemic and antioxydant effects of Vitellaria paradoxa barks extract on high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes rats

Backgroud

Vitellaria paradoxa is a plant belonging to the Sapotaceae family and used in traditional medicine in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this work was to evaluate the hypoglycemic, antidyslipidemic and antioxidant effects of V. paradoxa on type 2 diabetic rats.

Methods

To induce type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), animals were fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks followed by an intraperitoneal injection of 35 mg/kg of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were divided into groups and treated for 28 days with V. paradoxa extract (AEVP) at doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg. Body weight, urine volume, food and water consumption were assessed at the start and end of treatment. The glucose tolerance test was performed on the last day of treatment. Blood samples were taken for the assay of biochemical parameters, organs (kidneys and liver) for markers of oxidative stress and pancreas for histological sections.

Results

AEVP (250 and 500 mg/kg) improved the drop in body weight, polyphagia, polydipsia and polyuria in diabetic rats. AEVP significantly reduced the concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, urea, creatinine, activities of transaminases, and increased the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol and serum insulin. AEVP resulted in a decrease in malondialdehyde levels and an increase in catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. An increase in the size and number of islets in the pancreas has also been observed after administration of the extract.

Conclusion

AEVP has antidiabetic, antidyslipidemic and antioxidant properties, thus confirming its traditional use for the treatment of diabetes. These effects could be due to the presence of phytoconstituents, phenols and flavonoids presents in the plant extract.