Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of Guishe Extract from Agave lechuguilla, a Mexican Plant with Biotechnological Potential, on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats

Response surface methodology based development of an optimized polyherbal formulation and evaluation of its anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Background and aim

The seeds of Nelumbo nucifera, Chenopodium quinoa and Salvia hispanica are known as super foods due to their various therapeutic properties. The present study aimed to develop an optimized polyherbal formulation from edible seeds aqueous extract and to evaluate its anti-diabetic and lipase inhibitory effect on diet-induced obese diabetic mice.

Experimental procedure

Response surface methodology based various formulations were evaluated for their potent anti-diabetic, lipase-inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Acute toxicity of the best optimized formulation was conducted. The mice were fed a high fat diet for 10 weeks resulting in hyperglycemia and obesity. Oral tolerance tests (sucrose, starch and lipid) of the formulation were performed. The mice were supplemented with different doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) of the formulation for 6 weeks. The body weight and blood glucose level were monitored on a weekly basis. Finally, histological alterations and lipid profiles were analysed.

Results and conclusion

The formulation containing equal concentration (1.5 mg/ml) of each seed extract showed maximum bioactivities. The formulation was found to be safe during toxicity assay. The tolerance tests supported the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effect. Higher dose (500 mg/kg) of the formulation significantly (p < 0.01) lowered elevated fasting blood glucose, lipid indices and ameliorated the histological alterations in liver, kidney and pancreas caused by high fat diet. We demonstrated for the first time that the developed aqueous extract optimized formulation possess anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potential and thus could be used as adjuvant therapy for holistic management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Nephroprotective Plants: A Review on the Use in Pre-Renal and Post-Renal Diseases

Kidney diseases are expected to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040. Several physiological failures classified as pre-, intra-, and post-renal factors induce kidney damage. Diabetes, liver pathologies, rhabdomyolysis, and intestinal microbiota have been identified as pre-renal factors, and lithiasis or blood clots in the ureters, prostate cancer, urethral obstructions, prostate elongation, and urinary tract infections are post-renal factors. Additionally, the nephrotoxicity of drugs has been highlighted as a crucial factor inducing kidney injuries. Due to the adverse effects of drugs, it is necessary to point to other alternatives to complement the treatment of these diseases, such as nephroprotective agents. Plants are a wide source of nephroprotective substances and can have beneficial effects in different levels of the physiological pathways which lead to kidney damage. In traditional medicines, plants are used as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, diuretics, and anticancer agents, among other benefits. However, the mechanism of action of some plants empirically used remains unknown and scientific data are required to support their nephroprotective effects. The present work reviewed the plants with a beneficial effect on kidney diseases. The classification of nephroprotective plants according to the clinical definition of pre-renal, intrinsic, and post-renal factors is proposed to orient their use as complementary treatments.

Rosinidin Flavonoid Ameliorates Hyperglycemia, Lipid Pathways and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes is one of the world’s most important public health issues, impacting both public health and socioeconomic advancement; moreover, current pharmacotherapy is still insufficient. The natural flavonoid rosinidin has a long history of use in pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements, but its role in diabetes has been unknown. The current study was intended to confirm the anti-diabetic activity of rosinidin in our laboratory setting, along with its mechanism. Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, ip) treatment used to induce type II diabetes in rats and the test medication rosinidin was then administered orally (at doses of 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Treatment with rosinidin reduced negative consequences of diabetes. Rosinidin exerted a protective effect on a number of characteristics, including anti-diabetic responses (lower blood glucose, higher serum insulin and improved pancreatic function) and molecular mechanisms (favorable effects on lipid profiles, total protein, albumin, liver glycogen, proinflammatory cytokine, antioxidant and oxidative stress markers, AST, ALT and urea). Furthermore, the improved pancreatic architecture observed in tissues substantiated the favourable actions of rosinidin in STZ-induced diabetic rats.