Effects of aqueous extract of alfalfa on hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Gastroprotective evaluation of Medicago sativa L. (Fabaceae) on diabetic rats

Traditional uses for the plant Medicago sativa (M. sativa) (Alfalfa) (Family: Fabaceae) include liver protection, antioxidant activity, and the treatment of bleeding and digestive issues. This study aims to assess the effect of ethanol extract of M. sativa (EEMS) on experimental-induced ulcers in diabetic rats. By pylorus ligation and ethanol administration, gastric ulcers were induced in diabetic rats. Five groups each consisting of six rats in each model were used. All other groups except Group I were made diabetic by giving rats alloxan (140 mg/kg i.p.). Vehicles were given to Group I (normal control) and Group II (diabetes control) rats. Group III (positive control) received ranitidine 50 mg/kg, and Group IV and V received EEMS at doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. In the pylorus ligation and ethanol-induced stomach ulcer model of rats, the findings demonstrated that EEMS (100 mg/kg) showed a decreased ulcer index of 2.01 ± 0.41 and was found statistically significant against the diabetes control group (p < 0.001) as well as, an ulcer index of 0.68 ± 0.22 by EEMS (400 mg/kg) with a significant reduction in the ulcer index (p < 0.001). EEMS (100 and 400 mg/kg) reduce free acidity by 13.16 ± 0.65 mEq/L and 9.83 ± 0.30 mEq/L, respectively. EEMS also showed a protective impact on the liver and kidneys of diabetic rats. Antihyperglycemic action was also discovered in diabetic animals. The findings of the current investigation demonstrated that ethanolic extract of M. sativa possesses anti-ulcer activity in diabetic rats. Ethanolic extract of M. sativa may be a treatment option for stomach ulcers that also have diabetes.

Dietary alfalfa powder supplementation improves growth and development, body health, and meat quality of Tibetan sheep

The application of alfalfa powder (AP) in Tibetan sheep to explore its healthy effects and meat quality improvement potential has not been reported. Our study found that AP improved the growth performance, serum metabolism, and antioxidation of Tibetan sheep. The edible quality, sensory quality, and nutritional quality of longissimus dorsi (LD) were analyzed. We observed lower drip loss and hue angle of meat after AP supplementation. AP also increased the cooked meat percentage, pH_24h, a*_24h, chroma_24h, and the contents of protein and fat. The targeted metabolomics profiling revealed that the contents of essential amino acids and flavor amino acids in mutton increased by AP treatments. AP also promoted the deposition of MUFA and PUFA. Therefore, as a promising botanical supplement, AP has a positive effect on the growth, development, and body health of Tibetan sheep, and is also conductive to providing healthy and nutritious high-quality livestock products.

Hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, and hypolipidemic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Eryngium billardieri root on nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type II diabetic rats

Background and purpose

Erynginum billardieri has been used to control diabetes in traditional medicine. This research was performed to study the antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and hypolipidemic effects of E. billardieri root extract (EBRE) on streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic male rats.

Experimental approach

Type two diabetic animals were treated by three different doses of EBRE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg), orally administered for 4 weeks. Ultimately, after anesthesia, the glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, hepatic enzyme levels in the blood and liver, and pancreas tissues of the animals were analyzed.

Findings/Results

Induction of diabetes caused a diminution in insulin level, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and significantly enhanced the level of other lipid profiles, glucose, and liver enzymes (P < 0.05). Administration of the EBRE to diabetic-male rats significantly reduced glucose level, lipid profiles, and liver enzymes, and increased the level of HDL to near normal.

Conclusion and implications

The results of the present study showed that E. billardieri had a positive effect on diminishing the lipid profiles, liver enzymes, and controlling diabetes. The most effective dose was found to be 100 mg/kg.

Protective Effects of Anthocyanin Extract from Purple Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) on Blood MDA Levels, Liver and Renal Activity, and Blood Pressure of Hyperglycemic Rats

There has been a dynamic progression in the study of purple sweet potatoes, particularly in regard to their antioxidant compounds, such as anthocyanins. Antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress due to hyperglycemia, therefore research into the protective effects of hyperglycemia is essential. This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of anthocyanin extracts from purple sweet potatoes on blood malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, liver and renal activity, and blood pressure in hyperglycemic rats. Anthocyanin from purple sweet potato (APSP) was extracted with ethanol-citric acid 3% solvent. Twenty-four rats were split into four experimental groups: (i) healthy rats; (ii) hyperglycemic rats without anthocyanin treatment; (iii) hyperglycemic rats treated with APSP extract at a dose of 50 mg/kg; and (iv) hyperglycemic rats treated with APSP extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Rats received treatment for 35 days. The results showed that consumption of APSP significantly reduced levels of MDA in the blood, and liver and renal systems. APSP could reduce the urea and creatinine levels, which are indicative of improved renal function. In addition, APSP could decrease serum glutamate oxalacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase levels, indicative of protective activity of the extract on liver, and decrease systolic blood pressure. Accordingly, it was concluded that APSP could be developed as a functional food for treatment of diabetes.

Ultrasound-enhanced gene delivery to alfalfa cells by hPAMAM dendrimer nanoparticles

Cationic polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers are highly branched nanoparticles with unique molecular properties, which make them promising nanocarriers for gene delivery into cells. This research evaluated the ability of hyperbranched PAMAM (hPAMAM)-G2 with a diethylenetriamine core to interact with DNA, its protection from ultrasonic damage, and delivery to alfalfa cells. Additionally, the effects of ultrasound on the efficacy of hPAMAM-G2 for the delivery and expression of the gus A gene in the alfalfa cells were investigated. The electrophoresis retardation of plasmid DNA occurred at an N/P ratio (where N is the number of hPAMAM nitrogen atoms and P is the number of DNA phosphorus atoms) of 3 and above, and hPAMAM-G2 dendrimers completely immobilized the DNA at an N/P ratio of 4. The analysis of the DNA dissociated from the dendriplexes revealed a partial protection of the DNA from ultrasound damage at N/P ratios lower than 2, and with increasing N/P ratios, the DNA was better protected. Sonication of the alfalfa cells in the presence of ssDNA-FITC-hPAMAM increased the ssDNA delivery efficiency to 36%, which was significantly higher than that of ssDNA-FITC-hPAMAM without sonication. Additionally, the efficiency of transfection and the expression of the gus A gene were dependent on the N/P ratio and the highest efficiency (1.4%) was achieved at an N/P ratio of 10. The combination of 120 s of ultrasound and hPAMAM-DNA increased the gusA gene transfection and expression to 3.86%.