Gongronema latifolium Crude Leaf Extract Reverses Alterations in Haematological Indices and Weight-loss in Diabetic Rats

Acute Toxicity, Anti-diabetic, and Anti-cancerous Potential of Trillium Govanianum-conjugated Silver Nanoparticles in Balb/c Mice

BACKGROUND

The current study aimed to develop an economic plant-based therapeutic agent to improve the treatment strategies for diseases at the nano-scale because Cancer and Diabetes mellitus are major concerns in developing countries. Therefore, in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic and anti-cancerous activities of Trillium govanianum conjugated silver nanoparticles were assessed.

METHODS

In the current study synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Trillium govanianum and characterization were done using a scanning electron microscope, UV-visible spectrophotometer, and FTIR analysis. The in vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic and anti-cancerous potential (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) were carried out.

RESULTS

It was discovered that Balb/c mice did not show any major alterations during observation of acute oral toxicity when administered orally both TGaqu (1000 mg/kg) and TGAgNPs (1000 mg/kg), and results revealed that 1000 mg/kg is not lethal dose as did not find any abnormalities in epidermal and dermal layers when exposed to TGAgNPs. In vitro studies showed that TGAgNPs could not only inhibit alpha-glucosidase and protein kinases but were also potent against the brine shrimp. Though, a significant reduction in blood glucose levels and significant anti-cancerous effects was recorded when alloxan-treated and CCl4-induced mice were treated with TGAgNPs and TGaqu.

CONCLUSION

Both in vivo and in vitro studies revealed that TGaqu and TGAgNPs are not toxic at 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg doses and possess strong anti-diabetic and anti-cancerous effects due to the presence of phyto-constituents. Further, suggesting that green synthesized silver nanoparticles could be used in pharmaceutical industries to develop potent therapeutic agents.

Gongronema latifolium leaf extract protects against dexamethasone-induced myocardial cell injury via cardiac oxido-inflammatory molecules modulation

The use of glucocorticoids in the treatment of inflammatory disorders can result in myocardial injury. This study was carried out to investigate the protective effects of ethanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium (GL) in dexamethasone (DEX)-induced myocardial injury. Wistar rats were assigned to 4 groups (n = 6) namely, control, GL, DEX, and DEX+GL groups. DEX (35 μg/kg body weight) was administered subcutaneously to induce myocardial injury, while GL leaf extract (200 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally. Both agents were administered to their respective groups for 14 days. DEX (p < .05) decreased nitric oxide and increased angiotensin-converting enzyme activity compared with the control. Serum superoxide dismutase activity and bilirubin level were decreased (p < .05), while malondialdehyde level was increased (p < .05) in the DEX group. Serum liver enzymes, inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein and interleukin-6), and cardiac injury biomarkers (creatinine kinase, cardiac troponin-T, and lactate dehydrogenase) were significantly (p < .05) increased in the DEX group relative to the control. Administration of GL leaf extract attenuated these changes significantly. The study therefore suggests that GL is beneficial in the treatment of myocardial injury via the downregulation of high serum concentration of cardiac biomarkers, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory biomarkers released as a result of the insult caused by glucocorticoid administration. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In this study, we demonstrated that prolonged use of dexamethasone resulted in myocardial cell injury via increased production of reactive oxygen species, inflammatory biomarkers, and inhibition of nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator. The leaves extract of Gongronema latifolium elicits the anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective potential as an efficient inhibitor of free radicals with good antioxidant properties. The study provides scientific evidence of the therapeutic ability of the extract of G. latifolium in the treatment of DEX-induced myocardial injury and could be a drug candidate for the treatment of myocardial injury and inflammation in humans.

Moisture Adsorption potentials and energy models of Gongronema latifolium leaves dried in separate environments

Moisture adsorption isotherm potentials and energy models of Gongronema latifolium leaf grits were investigated. Fresh leaves were dried in sun; passive solar dryer and hot air oven, while proximate composition of the dried and fresh leaves were determined using standard laboratory procedure. Equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of the leaf grits was measured using gravimetric static method. Selected mathematical and statistical models were applied on the experimental data to evaluate data fitting. Energy calculations were done based on the mathematical models. The EMCs of the leaf grits directly increased with water activity (aW) at specific temperatures. Adsorption data was better represented by GAB model than others while differential enthalpy decreased as the EMC of the oven sample increased. Differential entropy of all the samples decreased as the EMC increased. The safest monolayer moisture content varied between 7.1036 and 8.0164 gH2O/100 g solid, below 40°C, within relative humidity of 10%-50%. Sun and oven leaf grits adsorbed more moisture than solar sample. Proximate contents of the dried leaves showed higher values for protein and ash. Overall results indicated that the leaf grits when properly packaged could be used as spice or tea powder to manage household nutrient security in addition to the use as therapeutic foods.

Synthesis, spectroscopic, structural and thermal characterizations of vanadyl(IV) adenine complex prospective as antidiabetic drug agent

The vanadyl(IV) adenine complex; [VO(Adn)2]⋅SO4; was synthesized and characterized. The molar conductivity of this complex was measured in DMSO solution that showed an electrolyte nature. Spectroscopic investigation of the green solid complex studied here indicate that the adenine acts as a bidentate ligand, coordinated to vanadyl(IV) ions through the nitrogen atoms N7 and nitrogen atom of amino group. Thus, from the results presented the vanadyl(IV) complex has square pyramid geometry. Further characterizations using thermal analyses and scanning electron techniques was useful. The aim of this paper was to introduce a new drug model for the diabetic complications by synthesized a novel mononuclear vanadyl(IV) adenine complex to mimic insulin action and reducing blood sugar level. The antidiabetic ability of this complex was investigated in STZ-induced diabetic mice. The results suggested that VO(IV)/adenine complex has antidiabetic activity, it improved the lipid profile, it improved liver and kidney functions, also it ameliorated insulin hormone and blood glucose levels. The vanadyl(IV) complex possesses an antioxidant activity and this was clear through studying SOD, CAT, MDA, GSH and methionine synthase. The current results support the therapeutic potentiality of vanadyl(IV)/adenine complex for the management and treatment of diabetes.

Decreasing the diabetic complication by vanadyl(VO)2+/vitamin B 6 complex in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

The scope of this work was to synthesize a novel bifunctionalized vanadyl(VO)(2+)/vitamin B 6 complex. The diabetic therapeutic efficacy of the new complex was investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The results suggested that vanadyl(VO)(2+)/vit B6 complex has an anti-diabetic potency, improved the lipid profile and liver and kidney functions. The new complex possesses an antioxidant activity. The current results support the therapeutic potentiality of vanadyl(VO)(2+)/vitamin B 6 complex for the management of diabetes.