Biological and Toxicological Effects of Aqueous Acetone Extract of Cienfuegosia digitata Cav. (Malvaceae) in Mice and Rats

Mangiferin from Salacia chinensis prevents oxidative stress and protects pancreatic β-cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Oxidative stress in diabetic tissues is a consequence of free radical accumulation with concurrently impaired natural antioxidants status and results in oxidative tissue damage. The present study investigated the protective effects of mangiferin against pancreatic β-cell damage and on the antioxidant defense systems in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was experimentally induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as tissue malondialdehyde, hydroperoxides, reduced glutathione (GSH) content, and nonenzymatic antioxidants were measured. Biochemical observations were further substantiated with histological examination and ultrastructural studies in the pancreas of diabetic, glibenclamide and mangiferin-treated diabetic rats (dosage of 40 mg/kg body weight daily for 30 days). Oral administration of mangiferin and glibenclamide to diabetic rats significantly decreased the level of blood glucose and increased levels of insulin. Additionally, mangiferin treatment significantly modulated the pancreatic nonenzymatic antioxidants status (vitamin C, vitamin E, ceruloplasmin, and reduced GSH content) and other oxidative stress biomarkers. The histoarchitecture of diabetic rats showed degenerated pancreas with lower β-cell counts, but mangiferin treatment effectively regenerated insulin secreting islet cells. The electron microscopic study revealed damaged nuclear envelope and mitochondria and fewer secretory granules in pancreas of diabetic rats; however, mangiferin treatment nearly normalized pancreatic architecture. The present findings suggest that mangiferin treatment exerts a therapeutic protective nature in diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress and protecting against pancreatic β-cell damage, which may be attributable to its antioxidative properties.

Free radical scavenging capacity, anticandicidal effect of bioactive compounds from Sida cordifolia L., in combination with nystatin and clotrimazole and their effect on specific immune response in rats

Background

Infectious diseases caused by fungi are still a major threat to public health, despite numerous efforts by researchers. Use of ethnopharmacological knowledge is one attractive way to reduce empiricism and enhance the probability of success in new drug-finding efforts. In this work, the total alkaloid compounds (AC) from Sida cordifolia L. (Malvaceae) have been investigated for their free radical scavenging capacity, antifungal and immunostimulatory properties.

Method

The antifungal activity was investigated against five candida strains using the microplate dilution method and the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) of compounds was evaluated. The antioxidant activity of the samples was evaluate using three separate methods, at last, the immunostimulatory effect on immunosuppressed wistar rats was performed.

Results

As for the antifungal activity, result varied according to microorganism. The results obtained in this antifungal activity were interesting and indicated a synergistic effect between alkaloid compounds and the antifungal references such as Nystatin and Clotrimazole. Antioxidant capacity noticed that the reduction capacity of DPPH radicals obtained the best result comparatively to the others methods of free radical scavenging. Our results showed a low immunostimulatory effect and this result could be explained by the lack of biologically active antioxidants such as polyphenol compounds lowly contained in the alkaloid compounds.

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that alkaloid compounds in combination with antifungal references (Nystatin and Clotrimazole) exhibited antimicrobial effects against candida strains tested. The results supported the utilization of these plants in infectious diseases particularly in treatment of candida infections.