Phytochemicals in Garlic Extract Inhibit Therapeutic Enzyme DPP-4 and Induce Skeletal Muscle Cell Proliferation: A Possible Mechanism of Action to Benefit the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Effects of garlic (Allium sativum L) and Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad individually and in combination on male reproductive damage due to diabetes: suppression of the AGEs/RAGE/Nox-4 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Diabetes Mellitus is associated with disturbances in male reproductive function and fertility. Studies have shown that oxidative stress with the subsequent inflammation and apoptosis cause these complications in diabetes. Garlic (G) (Allium sativum L) and Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (C) both have antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. Recently, we demonstrated their synergistic effects in alleviating reproductive complications when administered concomitantly. However, as even medicinal plants in long term usage may lead to some unwanted side effects of their own, we examined whether with half the original doses of these two medicinal plants we could achieve the desired results.

METHODS

Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 7/group): Control, Diabetic, Diabetic + G (0.5 ml/100 g BW), Diabetic + C (5 mg/kg BW) and Diabetic + GC (0.5 ml/100 g BW of garlic and 5 mg/kg BW of C. colocynthis) groups. The experimental period was 30 days.

RESULTS

Oxidative stress, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), immunoexpression of caspase-3, and expression of mRNAs for receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX-4) and nuclear factor kappa B increased in testis of diabetic rats. Treatment with garlic and C. colocynthis alone showed some beneficial effects, but in the combination form the effectiveness was more profound.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the combination therapy of diabetic rats with lower doses is still as efficient as higher doses; therefore, the way forward for reducing complications in long term consumption.

Overview of Natural Supplements for the Management of Diabetes and Obesity

Bioactive compounds found in various natural sources, such as fruits, vegetables, and herbs, have been studied for their potential benefits in managing obesity and diabetes. These compounds include polyphenols, flavonoids, other antioxidants, fiber, and certain fatty acids. Studies have found that these compounds may improve insulin sensitivity, regulate blood sugar levels, and promote weight loss. However, the effects of these compounds can vary depending on the type and amount consumed, as well as individual factors, such as genetics and lifestyle. Nutraceutical substances have multifaceted therapeutic advantages, and they have been reported to have disease-prevention and health-promoting properties. Several clinically used nutraceuticals have been shown to target the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome and their complications and modulate various clinical outcomes favorably. This review aims to highlight and comment on some of the most prominent natural components used as antidiabetics and in managing obesity.

Therapeutic Applications of Plant and Nutraceutical-Based Compounds for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review

Diabetes mellitus is a condition caused by a deficiency in insulin production or sensitivity that is defined by persistent hyperglycemia as well as disturbances in glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism. Uncurbed diabetes or incessant hyperglycemic condition can lead to severe complications, including renal damage, visual impairment, cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, etc., which promotes diabetes-associated morbidity and mortality rates. The therapeutic management of diabetes includes conventional medications and nutraceuticals as complementary therapies. Nutraceuticals are bioactive compounds derived from food sources that have health-promoting properties and are instrumental in the management and treatment of various maladies. Nutraceuticals are clinically exploited to tackle DM pathogenesis, and the clinical evidence suggests that nutraceuticals can modulate biochemical parameters related to diabetes pathogenesis and comorbidities. Hypoglycemic medicines are designed to mitigate DM in traditional medicinal practice. This review intends to emphasize and comment on the various therapeutic strategies available to manage this chronic condition, conventional drugs, and the potential role of nutraceuticals in managing the complexity of the disease and reducing the risk of complications. In contrast to conventional antihyperglycemic drugs, nutraceutical supplements offer a higher efficacy and lesser adverse effects. To substantiate the efficacy and safety of various functional foods in conjunction with conventional hypoglycemic medicines, additional data from clinical studies are required.

Pharmacological and Clinical Studies of Medicinal Plants That Inhibit Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) is an enzyme responsible for the degradation of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). DPP-IV plays a significant role in regulating blood glucose levels by modulating the activity of GLP-1. In the context of diabetes, DPP-IV inhibitors effectively block the activity of DPP-IV, hence mitigating the degradation of GLP-1. This, in turn, leads to an extension of GLP-1's duration of action, prolongs gastric emptying, enhances insulin sensitivity, and ultimately results in the reduction of blood glucose levels. Nonetheless, reported adverse events of DPP-IV inhibitors on T2DM patients make it essential to understand the activity and mechanism of these drugs, particularly viewed from the perspective of finding the effective and safe add-on medicinal plants, to be implemented in clinical practice. This review is intended to bring forth a thorough overview of plants that work by reducing DPP-IV activity, from computational technique, enzymatic study, animal experiments, and studies in humans. The articles were searched on PubMed using "Plants", "DPP-IV", "DPP-IV inhibitor", "GLP-1", "Type 2 diabetes", "diabetes", "in silico", "in vitro", "in vivo", "studies in human", "clinical study" as the query words, and filtered for ten years of publication period. Eighteen plants showed inhibition against DPP-IV as proven by in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies; however, only ten plants were reported for efficacy in clinical studies. Several plant-based DPP-IV inhibitors, eg, Allium sativum, Morus Alba, Curcuma longa, Pterocarpus marsupium, and Taraxacum officinale, have established their functional role in inhibiting DPP-IV and have proven their effectiveness through studies in humans earning them a prominent place in therapeutic discovery.

Nutraceutical management of metabolic syndrome as a palliative and a therapeutic to coronavirus disease (COVID) crisis

The global market for medicinal plants and herbs is on the increase due to their desirability, efficacy, and less adverse effects as complementary and alternative medications to the orthodox pharmaceuticals, perhaps due to their natural components and qualities. Metabolic syndromes are managed with changes in diet, exercise, lifestyle modifications and the use of pharmacological agents. Plants are now known to have potent antioxidant and cholinergic activities which are relevant to the management of several metabolic syndromes, which are unfortunately, co-morbidity factors in the coronavirus disease crisis. This review will focus on the biological activities of some plant products used as complementary and alternative medicines in the management of metabolic syndromes, and on their reported antiviral, antithrombotic, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory properties, which are integral to their usage in the management of viral infections and may give an avenue for prophylactic and therapeutics especially in the absence of vaccines/formulated antiviral therapies.

Effects of garlic supplementation on components of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Garlic (Allium sativum), the underground bulb of the Allium genus, has been consumed on Earth for thousands of years. Many clinical trials of garlic supplementation on components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) have emerged in recent years, but there is no consensus on the effect. This meta-analysis aimed at systematically evaluating the effect of garlic supplementation on components of MetS.

METHODS

In this meta-analysis, we searched Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, Medline, Web of Science databases, and clinical trials online sites from inception to November 1, 2022, with language restrictions to English. We engaged participants > 18 years and eligible for the clinical diagnosis of MetS or those with metabolic disorders and garlic was the only intervention. Outcomes included waist circumference, and body mass index, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were conducted based on six covariates (total sample size, the mean age, the mean dose, the duration of intervention, the oral form of garlic, and the dietary intervention).

RESULTS

Results from 19 RCTs were included engaging 999 participants. Compared to placebo, garlic significantly reduced TG [SMD (95%CI) = -0.66 (-1.23, -0.09)], TC [SMD (95%CI) = -0.43 (-0.86, -0.01)], LDL [SMD (95%CI) = -0.44(-0.88, -0.01)], DBP [SMD (95%CI) = -1.33 (-2.14, -0.53)], BMI [SMD (95%CI) = -1.10(-1.90, -0.20)], and WC [SMD (95%CI) = -0.78(-1.09, -0.47)]. Meta-regression showed age and sample size are potential effect modifiers.

CONCLUSION

According to the results of meta-analysis, the modulatory effect of garlic on some MetS components is evident. More high-quality, large-scale RCTs are needed to confirm iat based on the high heterogeneity and potential publication bias of the current data.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=373228 , ID: CRD42022373228.

In vitro and in silico studies of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Allium sativum against diabetes

In the present study, the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized from the bulbs of Allium sativum, characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, SEM, HR-TEM, EDAX analysis and investigated its action on the inhibition of starch digestion. The results proved that the biosynthesized nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed, spherical shaped with the size ranging from 10 to 30 nm. The phytochemical and FT-IR analysis showed the presence of phenols, terpenoids, and amino acids in the synthesized AgNPs. The cytotoxicity analysis revealed that the synthesized AgNPs were non-toxic to the normal cells. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited significant free radical scavenging activity. The in vitro antidiabetic activity showed that the synthesized AgNPs increased glucose utilization, decreased hepatic glucose production, inhibited the activity of starch digestive enzymes such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase, and were not involved in the stimulation of pancreatic cells for the secretion of insulin. The in silico antidiabetic activity analysis (molecular docking) also revealed that the silver atoms of the AgNPs interacted with the amino acid residues of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and insulin. The present study proved that the AgNPs synthesized from A. sativum have prominent antidiabetic activity in terms of reducing the hyperglycemia through the increased glucose utilization, decreased hepatic glucose production, and the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. So it can be used as a promising nanomedicine for the treatment of diabetes.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) in diabetes and its complications: Recent advances in mechanisms of action

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and impaired islet secretion that places a heavy burden on the global health care system due to its high incidence rate, long disease course and many complications. Fortunately, garlic (Allium sativum L.), a well-known medicinal plant and functional food without the toxicity and side effects of conventional drugs, has shown positive effects in the treatment of diabetes and its complications. With interdisciplinary development and in-depth exploration, we offer a clear and comprehensive summary of the research from the past ten years, focusing on the mechanisms and development processes of garlic in the treatment of diabetes and its complications, aiming to provide a new perspective for the treatment of diabetes and promote the efficient development of this field.

Synergistic properties of garlic and Citrullus colocynthis on reproductive injury caused by diabetes in male rats: Structural and molecular evidence

This study evaluates the synergistic effect of garlic and Citrullus colocynthis on diabetic reproductive damage by suppressing the AGEs/RAGE/Nox-4 signaling pathway. Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 7/group): Control, Diabetic, Diabetic+G (Garlic, 1 mL/100 g b.w), Diabetic+C (C. colocynthis, 10 mg/kg b.w) and Diabetic+GC (Garlic, 1 mL/100 g b.w and C. colocynthis, 10 mg/kg b.w) groups. At the end of the experimental period (30 days), in diabetic rats, glucose increased, and body & testis weight, luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels, and sperm count decreased significantly and histopathological injuries were observed. In addition, they have increased testicular apoptosis and oxidative stress. Also, the mechanism based on advanced glycation end products (AGEs)/receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)/NADPH oxidase-4 (Nox-4) was activated in diabetic rats. Separate consumption of garlic and C. colocynthis in Diabetic+G and Diabetic+C groups alleviated the negative adverse effect of diabetes to some extent, but when they were used in the combination form (Diabetic+GC) improvement was profound. Testis histopathology, increased body and testis weight, and enhanced capacity in protecting diabetic reproductive injury was seen. Decreases in testosterone and LH concentration and sperm count in diabetic rats were also reversed by combined administration of garlic and C. colocynthis. It regulated oxidative stress markers, meanwhile reducing caspase-3 immunoexpression. In addition, overexpression of RAGE, Nox-4 and nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) was inhibited by the combination of garlic and C. colocynthis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Diabetes mellitus is wide spread all around the world with variety of complications in body including reproductive system in which patients suffer from physical and psychological aspects. Despite many efforts in providing agents for controlling diabetes and its complications, economic conditions of some countries make it difficult for people to provide costly medicine and as a result, they have to bear the complications until they pass away. However, traditional medicine is still finding its way, especially in poor countries with emphasis on medicinal plants. There have been many studies on plants to alleviate diabetes or its side effects. But, using one plant for long term, may be not so effective. Here, we attempted to find whether two plants from two different species can show more efficacy than each one alone. We noticed garlic and Citrullus colocynthis despite having beneficial effects when used alone, they could show synergistic effects in combination.

Effect of Pinoresinol and Vanillic Acid Isolated from Catalpa bignonioides on Mouse Myoblast Proliferation via the Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway

Growth and maintenance of skeletal muscle is essential for athletic performance and a healthy life. Stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of muscle cells may help prevent loss of muscle mass. To discover effective natural substances enabling to mitigate muscle loss without side effects, we evaluated muscle growth with several compounds extracted from Catalpa bignonioides Walt. Among these compounds, pinoresinol and vanillic acid increased C2C12, a mouse myoblast cell line, proliferation being the most without cytotoxicity. These substances activated the Akt/mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which positively regulates the proliferation of muscle cells. In addition, the results of in silico molecular docking study showed that they may bind to the active site of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R), which is an upstream of the Akt/mTOR pathway, indicating that both pinoresinol and vanillic acid stimulate myoblast proliferation through direct interaction with IGF-1R. These results suggest that pinoresinol and vanillic acid may be a natural supplement to improve the proliferation of skeletal muscle via IGF-1R/Akt/mTOR signaling and thus strengthen muscles.

Computation Screening of Multi-Target Antidiabetic Properties of Phytochemicals in Common Edible Mediterranean Plants

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease and one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. Numerous studies support that the Mediterranean diet has preventive and treatment effects on diabetes. These effects have been attributed to the special bioactive composition of Mediterranean foods. The objective of this work was to decipher the antidiabetic activity of Mediterranean edible plant materials using the DIA-DB inverse virtual screening web server. A literature review on the antidiabetic potential of Mediterranean plants was performed and twenty plants were selected for further examination. Subsequently, the most abundant flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenes in plant materials were studied to predict their antidiabetic activity. Results showed that flavonoids are the most active phytochemicals as they modulate the function of 17 protein-targets and present high structural similarity with antidiabetic drugs. Their antidiabetic effects are linked with three mechanisms of action, namely (i) regulation of insulin secretion/sensitivity, (ii) regulation of glucose metabolism, and (iii) regulation of lipid metabolism. Overall, the findings can be utilized to understand the antidiabetic activity of edible Mediterranean plants pinpointing the most active phytoconstituents.

Natural Garlic Organosulfur Compounds Prevent Metabolic Disorder of Lipid and Glucose by Increasing Gut Commensal Bacteroides acidifaciens

A number of reports of the effects of garlic on gut microbiota revealed that the active garlic organosulfur compounds (OSCs) are destabilized by the action of alliinase during garlic preparation. In this study, garlic alliinase was deactivated to obtain stable garlic OSCs. Experiments with C57BL/6J mice fed with lipid and glucose metabolic disorder-inducing Western diet (WD) revealed that stable garlic OSCs prevented the disorder by increasing the relative abundance of gut Bacteroides acidifaciens. Molecular analysis indicated that garlic OSCs inhibited dyslipidemia and fatty liver by increasing taurine and subsequently promoting hepatic fatty acid β-oxidation. In parallel, garlic OSCs could meliorate glucose homeostasis by inhibiting dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) and hepatic gluconeogenesis. In vitro bacterial culture experiments revealed that garlic OSCs directly increased the growth of gut Bacteroides acidifaciens. The results of this study demonstrate that the molecular mechanism of the preventive effect of garlic OSCs on the WD-induced metabolic disorder is attributed to the enhanced growth of Bacteroides acidifaciens and the consequent increase in taurine.

Garlic: A systematic review of the effects on cardiovascular diseases

Allium sativum (garlic) certainly is one of the oldest horticultural crops in the world and presents bioactive compounds that are related to the garlic's effects on human health. Several authors have shown beneficial effects on diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which are among the most relevant causes of mortality in the world. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of garlic in the risk factors of CVD and evaluate its economic importance. MEDLINE-PubMed, COCHRANE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched. The included studies showed that the use of garlic can reduce blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, LDL-c, non-HDL-c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammatory markers. It also can increase the levels of HDL-c and can improve cardiovascular parameters such as coronary artery calcium, microcirculation, epicardial and periaortic adipose tissue, post occlusive reactive hyperemia, low attenuation plaque, carotid intima-media thickness; and carotid intima-media thickness. Due to these reasons, garlic can be considered in the prevention and treatment of CVD risk factors.

A review on phytochemical and pharmacological facets of tropical ethnomedicinal plants as reformed DPP-IV inhibitors to regulate incretin activity

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder resulting from impaired insulin secretion and resistance. Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-IV is an enzyme known to trigger the catalysis of insulinotropic hormones, further abating the endogenous insulin levels and elevating the glucose levels in blood plasma. In the field of drug development, DPP-IV inhibitors have opened up numerous opportunities for leveraging this target to generate compounds as hypoglycemic agents by regulating incretin activity and subsequently decreasing blood glucose levels. However, the practice of synthetic drugs is an apparent choice but poses a great pharmacovigilance issue due to their incessant undesirable effects. The ideology was set to inventively look upon different ethnomedicinal plants for their anti-diabetic properties to address these issues. To date, myriads of phytochemicals are characterized, eliciting an anti-diabetic response by targeting various enzymes and augmenting glucose homeostasis. Antioxidants have played a crucial role in alleviating the symptoms of diabetes by scavenging free radicals or treating the underlying causes of metabolic disorders and reducing free radical formation. Plant-based DPP-IV inhibitors, including alkaloids, phenolic acid, flavonoids, quercetin, and coumarin, also possess antioxidant capabilities, providing anti-diabetic and antioxidative protection. This review article provides a new gateway for exploring the ability of plant-based DPP-IV inhibitors to withstand oxidative stress under pathological conditions related to diabetes and for reforming the strategic role of ethnomedicinal plants as potent DPP-IV inhibitors through the development of polyherbal formulations and nanophytomedicines to regulate incretin activity.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitory action of Calebin A: An in silico and in vitro analysis

BACKGROUND

Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors, the enhancers of incretin are used for the treatment of diabetes. The non-glycaemic actions of these drugs (under developmental stage) also proved that repurposing of these molecules may be advantageous for other few complicated disorders like cardiovascular diseases, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, etc. OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed to investigate the DPP-IV inhibitory potential of Calebin-A, one of the constituents of Curcuma longa.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The phytoconstituent was subjected for various in silico studies (using Schrödinger Suite) like, Docking analysis, molecular mechanics combined with generalized Born model and solvent accessibility method (MMGBSA) and Induced fit docking (IFD) after validating the protein using Ramachandran plot. Further, the protein-ligand complex was subjected to molecular dynamic simulation studies for 50 nanoseconds. And finally, the results were confirmed through enzyme inhibition study.

RESULTS

Insilico results revealed possible inhibitory binding interactions in the catalytic pocket (importantly Glu205, Glu206 and Tyr 662 etc.) and binding affinity in terms of glide g-score and MMGBSA dG bind values were found to be -6.2 kcal/mol and -98.721 kcal/mol. Further, the inhibitory action towards the enzyme was confirmed by an enzyme inhibition assay, in which it showed dose-dependent inhibition, with maximum % inhibition of 55.9 at 26.3 μM. From molecular dynamic studies (50 nanoseconds), it was understood that Calebin A was found to be stable for about 30 nanoseconds in maintaining inhibitory interactions.

CONCLUSION

From the in silico and in vitro analysis, the current research emphasizes the consideration of Calebin A to be as a promising or lead compound for the treatment of several ailments where DPP-IV action is culprit.

Evaluating Peptides of Picrorhiza kurroa and Their Inhibitory Potential against ACE, DPP-IV, and Oxidative Stress

Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. is a high-altitude plant having great medicinal value. However, its medicinal value at the peptide level is still unknown, which limits its utility in the development of peptide-based therapeutics. Here, we identify 65 peptides fromP. kurroa hydrolysate. Sequence analysis suggests that one novel bioactive peptide, ASGLCPEEAVPRR (BP1), has antioxidant potential and shows angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activities. The molecular docking study showed that BP1 has a lower binding energy and strong affinity toward active pockets of ACE and DPP-IV, which explains its higher ACE [IC₅₀ = 59.90 ± 9.52 μg/mL (43.40 μM)] and DPP-IV [IC₅₀ = 3.04 ± 0.26 μg/mL (2.2 μM)] inhibitory activities. BP1 protects HEK293 cells from H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage by inhibiting intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde accumulation and activating the intrinsic antioxidant defense system. Additionally, phase-contrast microscopy studies revealed that pre-treatment of BP1 to HEK293 cells before exposure to H₂O₂ retains the normal morphology and blocks apoptosis. Furthermore, it also suppresses ROS-induced mitochondrial apoptosis via restoring the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and inhibiting caspase 3/7 activity. Therefore, BP1 has antioxidant potential and ACE and DPP-IV inhibitory activities that could be used for peptide-based formulation(s) in pharmaceuticals to treat diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other diseases associated with ROS.

A Comprehensive Review and Perspective on Natural Sources as Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors for Management of Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasing global public health problem, and its prevalence is expected to rise in coming decades. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is a therapeutic target for the management of T2DM, and its inhibitors prevent the degradation of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide and glucagon-like peptide 1, and thus, maintain their endogenous levels and lower blood glucose levels. Various medicinal plant extracts and isolated bioactive compounds exhibit DPP-4 inhibitory activity. In this review, we discussed different natural sources that have been shown to have anti-diabetic efficacy with a particular emphasis on DPP-4 inhibition. Furthermore, the effect of DPP-4 inhibition on pancreatic beta cell function, skeletal muscle function, and the glucose-lowering mechanisms were also discussed. We believe that scientists looking for novel compounds with therapeutic promise against T2DM will be able to develop antidiabetic drugs using these natural sources.

Dipeptidyl Peptidase (DPP)-IV Inhibitors with Antioxidant Potential Isolated from Natural Sources: A Novel Approach for the Management of Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia that is predominantly caused by insulin resistance or impaired insulin secretion, along with disturbances in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Various therapeutic approaches have been used to treat diabetes, including improvement of insulin sensitivity, inhibition of gluconeogenesis, and decreasing glucose absorption from the intestines. Recently, a novel approach has emerged using dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors as a possible agent for the treatment of T2DM without producing any side effects, such as hypoglycemia and exhaustion of pancreatic β-cells. DPP-IV inhibitors improve hyperglycemic conditions by stabilizing the postprandial level of gut hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1, and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides, which function as incretins to help upregulate insulin secretion and β-cell mass. In this review, we summarized DPP-IV inhibitors and their mechanism of inhibition, activities of those isolated from various natural sources, and their capacity to overcome oxidative stress in disease conditions.

Improvements in HOMA indices and pancreatic endocrinal tissues in type 2-diabetic rats by DPP-4 inhibition and antioxidant potential of an ethanol fruit extract of Withania coagulans

CONTEXT

Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dunal fruits are used in the therapeutics of several ailments due to possessing of potent phytoconstituents which is also used traditionally for curing the diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was assessing the amelioration potential of the phytochemicals of an ethanol fruit extract of W. coagulans (Stocks) Dunal in the HOMA (Homeostatic model assessment) indices and pancreatic endocrinal tissues by inhibition of DPP-4 and antioxidants activities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The identification of phytoconstituents of the test extract was performed by LCMS. Further, assessments of in-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico were achieved by following standard methods. In-vivo studies were conducted on type-2 diabetic rats.

RESULTS

The chosen extract inhibited DPP-4 activity by 63.2% in an in vitro assay as well as significantly inhibit serum DPP-4 levels. Accordingly, the administration of the ethanol fruit extract resulted in a significant (P ≤ 0.001) alterations in the lipid profile, antioxidant levels, and HOMA indices. Moreover, pancreatic endocrinal tissues (islet of Langerhans) appeared to have the restoration of normal histoarchitecture as evidenced by increased cellular mass. Molecular docking (Protein-ligands) of identified phytoconstituents with DPP-4 (target enzyme) shown incredibly low binding energy (Kcal/mol) as required for ideal interactions. ADMET analysis of the pharmacokinetics of the identified phytoconstituents indicated an ideal profile as per Lipinski laws.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that the phytoconstituents of an ethanol fruit extract of W. coagulans have the potential to inhibit DPP-4 which result in improved glucose homeostasis and restoration of pancreatic endocrinal tissues in type-2 diabetic rats.

From the distinctive smell to therapeutic effects: Garlic for cardiovascular, hepatic, gut, diabetes and chronic kidney disease

Garlic, a member of the Allium family, widely used in cooking for many centuries, displays well described antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as a result of its constituent organosulfur compounds, such as alliin, allicin, ajoene S-allyl-cysteine, diallyl sulfide and diallyl disulfide, among others. Although garlic has demonstrated beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, its efficacy as a therapeutic intervention in chronic kidney disease remains to be proven. This review thus focuses on the potential benefits of garlic as a treatment option in chronic kidney disease. and its ability to mitigate associated cardiovascular complications and gut dysbiosis.

Phytochemicals in Chinese Chive (Allium tuberosum) Induce the Skeletal Muscle Cell Proliferation via PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Smad Pathways in C2C12 Cells

Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) is a medicinal food that is cultivated and consumed mainly in Asian countries. Its various phytochemicals and physiological effects have been reported, but only a few phytochemicals are available for skeletal muscle cell proliferation. Herein, we isolated a new compound, kaempferol-3-O-(6″-feruloyl)-sophoroside (1), along with one known flavonoid glycoside (2) and six amino acid (3-8) compounds from the water-soluble fraction of the shoot of the Chinese chive. The isolated compounds were identified using extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D and 2D NMR, and evaluated for their proliferation activity on skeletal muscle cells. Among the tested compounds, newly isolated flavonoid (1) and 5-aminouridine (7) up-regulated PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways, which implies a positive effect on skeletal muscle growth and differentiation. In particular, compound 1 down-regulated the Smad pathways, which are negative regulators of skeletal muscle growth. Collectively, we suggest that major constituents of Chinese chive, flavonoids and amino acids, might be used in dietary supplements that aid skeletal muscle growth.