Therapeutic effect of ferulic acid, an ethereal fraction of ethanolic of seed of Syzygium cumini against streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male rat

Preconditioned human dental pulp stem cells with cerium and yttrium oxide nanoparticles effectively ameliorate diabetic hyperglycemia while combatting hypoxia

The development of efficient insulin producing cells (IPC) induction system is fundamental for the regenerative clinical applications targeting Diabetes Mellitus. This study was set to generate IPC from human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) capable of surviving under hypoxic conditions in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

hDPSCs were cultured in IPCs induction media augmented with Cerium or Yttrium oxide nanoparticles along with selected growth factors & cytokines. The generated IPC were subjected to hypoxic stress in vitro to evaluate the ability of the nanoparticles to combat hypoxia. Next, they were labelled and implanted into diabetic rats. Twenty eight days later, blood glucose and serum insulin levels, hepatic hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were measured. Pancreatic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pancreatic duodenal homeobox1 (Pdx-1), hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) and Caspase-3 genes expression level were evaluated.

RESULTS

hDPSCs were successfully differentiated into IPCs after incubation with the inductive media enriched with nanoparticles. The generated IPCs released significant amounts of insulin in response to increasing glucose concentration both in vitro & in vivo. The generated IPCs showed up-regulation in the expression levels of anti-apoptotic genes in concomitant with down-regulation in the expression levels of hypoxic, and apoptotic genes. The in vivo study confirmed the homing of PKH-26-labeled cells in pancreas of treated groups. A significant up-regulation in the expression of pancreatic VEGF and PDX-1 genes associated with significant down-regulation in the expression of pancreatic HIF-1α and caspase-3 was evident.

CONCLUSION

The achieved results highlight the promising role of the Cerium & Yttrium oxide nanoparticles in promoting the generation of IPCs that have the ability to combat hypoxia and govern diabetes mellitus.

Antidiabetic activity of root tubers of Asparagus gonoclados Baker in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Asparagus gonoclados Baker is a traditional folk remedy used for diabetes, diuretic, galactogogue, gastric ulcer activities etc. AIM: The present investigation was intended to evaluate the beneficial effect of the A.gonoclados (Lilliaceae) root tubers against diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different solvent extracts of root tubers of A. gonoclados were used to study the antihyperglycemic activity in streptozotocin (45 mg/kg.wt) induced diabetic rats. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed in diabetic and normal rats treated with A.gonoclados. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavanoid content (TFC) and total steroidal saponins content (TSSC) were measured in different solvent extracts. Following bioassay guided fractionation method antihyperglycemic active fraction of A. gonoclados (AGAF) was isolated from the ethanol extract (AGEE) by silica gel column chromatography. We further tested relationship between insulin stimulation effect and the influence of active fraction on K⁺-ATP and Ca²⁺ channels opening in normal and diabetic rats. The characterization of AGAF was carried out by LC-ESI-MS/MS.

RESULTS

Among the different solvent extracts, the ethanol extract (AGEE) at a dose of 500 mg/kg b.wt has produced maximum (67%) reduction in fasting blood glucose levels (FBG) in diabetic treated rats after 6 h of oral administration when compared to the standard drug glibenclamide (40%). AGEE also showed dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the activities of α-glucosidase (74.73%) and α-amylase (76.47%), which is comparable to the activity of standard drug acarbose (88.42%). AGEE was found to have the richest quantity of TPCs (138.4 ± 0.39 μg/mg gallic acid equivalents), TFCs (64.8 ± 0.54 μg/mg quercetin equivalents) and TSSCs (12.9 ± 0.11μg/mg sarasapogenin equivalents). We identified 8 potential antihyperglycemic compounds in AGAF by LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis.

CONCLUSION

From our current study we confirm that A. gonoclados root tubers have potent antihyperglycemic activity and it can be a unique drug/formulation for the management of diabetes mellitus.

Antidiabetic and antioxidative properties of the hydro-methanolic extract (60:40) of rhizomes of Curcuma amada roxb. (Zingiberaceae) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino rat: a dose-dependent study through biochemical and genomic approaches

Background Curcuma amada is the most popular traditional medicine in India for the treatment of diabetes. The present study aimed to focus the antidiabetic and antioxidative activity of C. amada through the analysis of biochemical and genomic levels in a dose-dependent manner in streptozotocin-induced male adult rat. Method Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were administered orally with hydro-methanolic extract of C. amada at the dose of 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/100 g body weight of rats for 28 days. The antidiabetic and antioxidative efficacy of the extract on glycemic, enzymatic, genomic and histological sensors along with toxicity study was investigated. Results The result showed a significant antidiabetic and antioxidative effect of the extract at dose-dependent manner. The significant recovery of fasting blood glucose level, serum insulin, activity of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes and antioxidative enzymes in extract-treated diabetic group as compared to untreated diabetic group were noted. After the extract treatment, the size of pancreatic islet and cell population densities were significantly increased. Activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase in liver were significantly recovered along with the correction of Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression in hepatic tissue after the extract treatment in diabetic rats in respect to untreated diabetic group. Out of all the doses, the significant effects were noted at the dose of 20 mg/100 g body weight which has been considered as threshold dose in the concern. Conclusion It may be concluded that the significant and corrective effect in most of the sensors was noted at the minimum dose of 20 mg/100 g body weight of hydro-methanolic extract of C. amada without producing any toxicity.

Correction of diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction by a hydro-methanol (60:40) extract of Curcuma amada rhizomes: A dose-dependent study

Diabetes affects the reproductive system. This study was conducted to find out the potent dose of the hydro-methanol 60:40 extract of Curcuma amada rhizomes for the management of diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction in albino rats. The extract was administered at the doses of 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/100 g body weight/day for 28 days. Oxidative stresses, reproductive parameters, histological, and gene expressions of the testicular tissue were assessed. Out of the doses used, the 20-mg dose showed maximum recovery as the minimum dose (e.g., sperm motility 112.03%, testicular cholesterol 34.86%, Bax gene expression 49.77%), whereas 40- and 80-mg doses did not vary statistically with each other (e.g., sperm motility 95.37% and 89.19%, testicular cholesterol 30.42% and 28.41%, Bax gene expression 47.33% and 46.18%, respectively) as well as with the 20-mg dose. It may be concluded that the 20-mg dose is the threshold dose for this purpose. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The hydro-methanol 60:40 extract of rhizomes of Curcuma amada has a strong antioxidant property that can manage diabetes-induced oxidative injuries in testes which may raise a hope to the pharmaceutical industries to develop a herbal drug for diabetes-linked testicular hypofunction management.

Ferulic Acid and Naturally Occurring Compounds Bearing a Feruloyl Moiety: A Review on Their Structures, Occurrence, and Potential Health Benefits

The ubiquitous compound 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, also known as ferulic acid (FA), constitutes a bioactive ingredient of many foods that may offer beneficial effects against disorders related to oxidative stress, including cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. This review discusses the antioxidant properties of FA, establishing relationships to several biological activities already described for this natural product. Next, 387 naturally occurring compounds, all isolated from plants and published between 1990 and 2015, the structures of which bear 1 or more feruloyl moieties, are covered in this review along with their structural formulas, botanical sources, and bioactivities. The compounds' distribution, structural patterns, bioactivities, and perspectives on food research are also succinctly discussed.

Plants used to treat diabetes in Sri Lankan Siddha Medicine - An ethnopharmacological review of historical and modern sources

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

In recent decades diabetes mellitus has become a considerable health problem in countries like Sri Lanka and results in an increasing economic burden hampering the social and economic development of these countries. About 60% to 70% of the rural population in Sri Lanka rely on indigenous medicinal systems as their main source for primary health care. Siddha (Tamil) Medicine is one of the four Sri Lankan traditional medicinal systems and it is practised mostly in the eastern and northern provinces of Sri Lanka where the majority of Tamils reside.

AIM

The foundation of this study is a documentation of plant species recorded in historical and modern Sri Lankan Siddha Medical documents used to treat diabetes. Based on the systematic documentation and analysis of Siddha concepts about diabetes and its signs and preparations used to treat diabetes in Sri Lankan Siddha Medicine, the plant species included in these preparations (excluding globally or very widely used, very well studied species) were evaluated in terms of the current state-of-the-art about these species' pharmacology and effectiveness in order to lay a foundation for their further development.

METHOD

Historic and modern Sri Lankan university texts books in Tamil were used as sources for information on diabetes Siddha concepts and antidiabetic Sri Lankan Siddha Medicine preparations. Information on the known antidiabetic effects of extracts and compounds obtained from these species were used in order to assess the current state of the art of these species.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Information of ingredients, preparation methods, amount of ingredients used, and dosages of 60 antidiabetic Sri Lankan Siddha Medicine preparations were obtained. Animal parts including marine organisms, inorganic substances, and plants are the three types of ingredients used. Overall 171 plant species in 73 families were documented. Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb. (Fabaceae) was identified as the most frequently cited species. Globally distributed and very well studied plants were excluded in the pharmacological and clinical literature review which includes 123 plant species. The majority (48%) of the plant species reviewed were studied up to in vivo level as the current maximum level of scientific evidence available. Followed by 41% of species have not been studied for antidiabetic activities or did not show antidiabetic activity. Moreover, 6% and 5% were studied up to in vitro and in clinical levels, respectively. The majority of the species were studied only in the models that represent type 1 diabetes.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study systematically assessing the importance of preparations and plants used in antidiabetic Sri Lankan Siddha Medicine preparations. Antidiabetic plants are a crucial health care resource in Sri Lankan Siddha Medicine. This study also identified a wide range of methodological problems in the studies conducted so far. More and better type 2 diabetes models should be employed in future studies. This comprehensive review creates the basis for a more systematic study of these local resources.

Protective effect of aqueous extract of seed of Psoralea corylifolia (Somraji) and seed of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Methi) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat: A comparative evaluation

BACKGROUND

Psoralea corylifolia (Somraji) and Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Methi), important medicinal plants widely used in India as folk medicine. Local people of West Bengal traditionally used the seeds of these plants to cure diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

Present study was designed to investigate the antidiabetic efficacy of aqueous extract of seeds of these plants in separate or in composite manner in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diabetes was induced by intramuscular injection of STZ at the dose of 40 mg/ml of citrate buffer/kg body weight. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glyclated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and activities of hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphatase of liver in experimental animals were assessed. Hyperlipidemic state developed in the experimental diabetic rat was assessed by measuring the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoproteins in serum.

RESULTS

There was significant increased in the levels of FBG, HbA1C and lipid profiles along with diminution (P < 0.001) in the activities of hepatic hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and elevation in glucose-6-phosphatase in diabetic control animals in respect to the untreated control. Significant recovery (P < 0.05) in the activities of above mentioned enzymes along with the correction in the levels of FBG, HbA1C and serum lipid profiles were noted towards the control level after the treatment of composite extract (i.e. 100 mg of Somraji: 100 mg of Methi, total 200 mg/kg body weight) than the individual extract (i.e. 200 mg of Somraji or 200 mg of Methi, per kg body weight) treatment.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that composite extract of above plant parts has more potent antidiabetic efficacy than the individual extract.

Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels., a novel therapeutic agent for diabetes: folk medicinal and pharmacological evidences

OBJECTIVES

During the past few decades numerous folk medicinal and scientific investigations on the antidiabetic effects of jambolan (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels) have been reported. However no comprehensive evidence-based review is available. Hence this review was aimed to summarize the antidiabetic effects of different parts and active principles of jambolan.

METHODS

The review is based on the available electronic literature indexed in the PubMed. The search terms were: Syzygium cumini, Eugenia jambolana, jambolan, jamun, and java plum with and without antidiabetic effect.

RESULTS

Based on experimental studies and folk medicinal evidences, we summarized an up to date and comprehensive report on the antidiabetic activity of jambolan. The mode of action of some of the parts and active principles is also included. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that, different parts of this plant especially fruits, seeds and stem bark were reported for promising activity against diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Till date no review is available for the evidence based preclinical/clinical study of jambolan with its antidiabetic effect. There is an immediate attention need for detailed analysis to identify its active principles. It could be used to produce safer drugs to treat diabetes.

Attenuation of age-related changes in FOXO3a activity and the PI3K/Akt pathway by short-term feeding of ferulate

Ferulate (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid) is a well-known phenolic compound that scavenges free radicals and exerts anti-inflammatory effects. Forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a), a transcription factor that plays important roles in aging processes, decreases with age and is negatively regulated through phosphorylation by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling. The present study investigated the efficacy of short-term ferulate feeding on age-related changes in PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a and upstream insulin signaling pathways in aged rats. In addition, changes in manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase expression were examined because of their dependence on PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a activity. Short-term feeding experiments were done with a diet containing ferulate that was given to aged rats at doses of 3 or 6 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 10 days. Results showed that FOXO3a activity was increased in the ferulate-fed old group compared with the control old group. Also, ferulate suppressed the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway that is responsible for FOXO3a inhibition in aged rats. Plasma insulin levels and the upstream insulin signaling pathway were also modulated by ferulate correspondingly with PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a activity. The age-related decrease in two major antioxidant enzymes, MnSOD and catalase, was blunted by ferulate, which was accompanied by FOXO3a transcriptional activity. The significance of the present study is the finding that short-term feeding of ferulate effectively modulates age-related renal FOXO3a, PI3K/Akt and insulin signaling pathways, and MnSOD and catalase expression, all of which may be beneficial for attenuating the aging process.

Antihyperglycemic and antioxidative effects of the hydro-methanolic extract of the seeds of Caesalpinia bonduc on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male albino rats

BACKGROUND

No satisfactory effective treatment is available yet to cure diabetes mellitus. Though, synthetic drugs are used but there are several drawbacks. The attributed antihyperglycemic effects of many traditional plants are due to their ability for the management of diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A hydromethanolic extract was administered orally at a dose of 250 mg/kg of body weight per day for 21 days. Its effects on the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, activities of key carbohydrate metabolic enzymes like hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and antioxidant enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase along with the effect on the lipid peroxidation level in hepatic tissues were measured. Glycogen levels were also assessed in hepatic and skeletal muscles and some toxicity parameters, such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, and alkaline phosphates activities were measured.

RESULTS

Treatment of the hydromethanolic extract of the seeds of Caesalpinia bonduc resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) recovery in the activities of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes along with correction in FBG and glycogen levels as compared with the untreated diabetic group. The extract also resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) recovery in the activities of toxicity assessment enzyme parameters. Activities of antioxidant enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase along with the lipid peroxidation levels were also recovered significantly (P < 0.05) after the treatment of the extract. The corrective effects produced by the extract were compared with the standard antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide.

CONCLUSION

Our findings provide that the extract shows possible antihyperglycemic and antioxidative activities.

Effect of Diashis, a polyherbal formulation, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino rats

This study focuses on the effect of 'Diashis', a polyherbal formulation composed of eight medicinal plants for the management of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. As oxidative stress is one of the consequences of diabetes, the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes and metabolic enzymes were evaluated. Treatment with 'Diashis' in STZ-induced diabetic rats resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) recovery in the activities of hepatic hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphatase along with correction in the levels of fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and liver and skeletal muscle glycogen. The oxidative stress status in the liver was corrected by 'Diashis' which was highlighted by the recovery in the activities of catalase, peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase along with the correction in the quantity of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and conjugated diene. 'Diashis' was not found to have any metabolic toxicity. The antidiabetic effects of 'Diashis' were compared with those of the antidiabetic drug, 'Glibenclamide'.

Inhibitory Effects of Two Ferulates from Angelica Sinensis on Platelet Aggregation and Oxytocin-induced Uterine Contraction

Ferulic acid (FA) is widely considered as a biologically active component in Angelica sinensis, and used as one of the marker compounds for the quality control of Angelica sinensis. However, in A. sinensis, FA mainly exists as its ester, coniferyl ferulate (CF). CF is unstable and readily hydrolyzed into FA during conventional extraction. Herein, their antiplatelet aggregation activities and relaxant effects on oxytocin-induced mouse uterine muscle contraction were investigated and compared. The results showed that FA inhibited arachidonic acid (AA), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and thrombin (THR)-induced platelet aggregation with IC50 values of 974.8 ± 97.5, 737.9 ± 40.2 and 244.6 ± 25.6 μg/ml, respectively. The potency of CF is much higher than that of FA, and the IC50 values for AA, ADP and THR were 7.1 ± 0.3, 276.4 ± 53.4 and 77.5 ± 23.1 μg/ml, respectively. IC50 of FA was 23.8 ± 6.2 μg/ml for oxytocin-induced uterine contraction in vitro. CF could only be tested at low concentration and its IC50 could not be calculated thereafter because of its strong hydrophobic property. So CF has more potent antiplatelet aggregation activity, while FA has stronger inhibitory effect on oxytocin-induced uterine contraction in vitro