Herbal therapy: A review of emerging pharmacological tools in the management of diabetes mellitus in Africa

Antidiabetic Evaluation of Kigelia pinnata Root Bark Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Type-2 Diabetes Model of Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disorder characterized by increased blood glucose levels resulting from defective insulin secretion, resistance to insulin action, or both. DM is often associated with severe complications, and there is an increasing appreciation that cognitive function declines in DM. The aim of this research work was to evaluate Kigelia pinnata root bark extract in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type-2 diabetes. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single administration of STZ (60 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]), immediately after the STZ administration, and all animals were fed with normal food and water. Nicotinamide was administered (120 mg/kg, i.p.) 15 min before STZ. The development of hyperglycemia was confirmed by the elevated blood glucose levels determined at fixed intervals, which was confirmed by measuring fasting blood glucose levels in rats' blood taken from the tail vein. Supplementation with ethanolic extract of K. pinnata root bark (EEKP) significantly reduced the elevated blood glucose in STZ-induced hyperglycemia in rats. EEKP significantly restored the biochemical and antioxidant defense system. On the final day of the protocol, the extract also reduced inflammatory cytokines in the blood serum.

Physalis angulata Linn. as a medicinal plant (Review)

There are numerous medicinal benefits from herbal plants, with many herbal medicines being used as 'Jamu', 'standardized herbal medicines' and phytopharmaceuticals. Physalis angulata Linn. (P. angulata L.), a plant utilized for both medicinal and food consumption purposes in a number of tropical and subtropical nations, is widely studied for its beneficial properties. The present review summarized the scientific evidence which suggested that P. angulata L. possesses antibacterial, anticancer, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and antidiabetic properties. Furthermore, the various pharmacological studies that have been conducted utilizing in vivo and in vitro models, as well as the identification of phytochemical components with therapeutic value are described. In addition, the present review explained the solvents and the toxicity tests that were used for the investigation of P. angulata L. The authors aspire that this literature review will provide an overview for researchers regarding the scientific progress of P. angulata L. over the past ten years and the potential areas of future research.

Zinc status in public health: exploring emerging research trends through bibliometric analysis of the historical context from 1978 to 2022

The current study aims to provide a roadmap for future research by analyzing the research structures and trends in scholarly publications related to the status of zinc in public health. Only journal articles published between 1978 and 2022 are included in the refined bibliographical outputs retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database. The first section announces findings based on WoS categories, such as discipline heterogeneity, times cited and publications over time, and citation reports. The second section then employs VoSViewer software for bibliometric analysis, which includes a thorough examination of co-authorship among researchers, organizations, and countries and a count of all bibliographic databases among documents. The final section discusses the research's weaknesses and strengths in zinc status, public health, and potential future directions; 7158 authors contributed to 1730 papers (including 339 with publications, more than three times). "Keen, C.L." is a researcher with the most publications and a better understanding of zinc status in public health. Meanwhile, the USA has been the epicenter of research on the status of zinc in public health due to the highest percentage of publications with the most citations and collaboration with the rest of the world, with the top institution being the University of California, Davis. Future research can be organized collaboratively based on hot topics from co-occurrence network mapping and bibliographic couplings to improve zinc status and protect public health.

A novel sprayable thermosensitive hydrogel coupled with zinc modified metformin promotes the healing of skin wound

A novel sprayable adhesive is established (ZnMet-PF127) by the combination of a thermosensitive hydrogel (Pluronic F127, PF127) and a coordination complex of zinc and metformin (ZnMet). Here we demonstrate that ZnMet-PF127 potently promotes the healing of traumatic skin defect and burn skin injury by promoting cell proliferation, angiogenesis, collagen formation. Furthermore, we find that ZnMet could inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through activation of autophagy, thereby protecting cell from oxidative stress induced damage and promoting healing of skin wound. ZnMet complex exerts better effects on promoting skin wound healing than ZnCl₂ or metformin alone. ZnMet complex also displays excellent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli, which could reduce the incidence of skin wound infections. Collectively, we demonstrate that sprayable PF127 could be used as a new drug delivery system for treatment of skin injury. The advantages of this sprayable system are obvious: (1) It is convenient to use; (2) The hydrogel can cover irregular skin defect sites evenly in a liquid state. In combination with this system, we establish a novel sprayable adhesive (ZnMet-PF127) and demonstrate that it is a potential clinical treatment for traumatic skin defect and burn skin injury.

The Effect of Gambier Catechin Isolate on Cervical Cancer Cell Death (HeLa Cell Lines)

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women worldwide. Human Papilloma Virus infection on the surface of the cervix is the most common cause which can cause abnormal growth of cervical cells. AIM: This research was conducted in vitro which aims to determine whether catechin compounds can inhibit the growth and regulation of cervical cancer cells (HeLa cell line). METHODS: This is experimental research using the colourimetric assay method and qualitative observation of cervical cancer cell morphology (HeLa cell line) under a fluorescence microscope. The administration of catechin compounds was tested at different concentrations to HeLa cells, namely 1000 g/ml, 500 g/ml, 250 g/ml, 125 g/ml, 62.5 g/ml, 31.25 g/ml. RESULTS: The smallest cell viability was obtained from a concentration of 1000 g/ml which was 5.98% while the largest cell viability was found at a concentration of 31.25 g/ml, which was 40.01%. The resulting IC50 value was 22.91 g/ml. Gambier catechin compounds have very high antioxidants because they contain an IC50 value < 50 g/ml. The effect of gambier catechin compounds on HeLa cell death can be found by increasing the percentage of dead cells. The difference in the fluorescence images of HeLa cells in the experimental group was assessed based on the percentage of the number of cells that died or underwent apoptosis, which was marked by a red or orange fluorescent image. At the concentration of IC25, 31.87% of dead cells were found, the concentration of IC50 was 51.09% of dead cells, and the concentration of IC75 was 82.51% of dead cells. The test results showed that there was a significant difference in the average percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis in all study groups with p <0.05. CONCLUSION: Based on research, it can be concluded that catechin compounds could inhibit the growth and regulation of cervical cancer cells (HeLa cell line). Later, it has the potential to be developed as an anticancer candidate for cervical cancer. Keyword: Cervical cancer, Catechin, Apoptosis, HeLa cell line, Cell death.

Effects of combined Garcinia kola and Kigelia africana on Insulin and Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) levels in type 2 diabetic rats

BACKGROUND

Several reports of individual extracts of Garcina kola and Kigelia africana beneficial effects against several factors related with development of diabetes mellitus abound. However, there is still lack of information about the combined effects of these extracts on Insulin and Paraoxonase 1 (PON-1) in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide induced type-2 diabetic Wistar rats.

METHODS

Forty-two young male rats (180-200g) were randomly divided into six groups (n=7/group). Diabetes was intraperitoneally induced with 110 mg/kg of nicotinamide constituted in distilled water andfifteen minutes after with 65mg/kg of streptozocin freshly prepared in 0.1M citrate buffer (pH of 4.5) and treated for six weeks as follows: the control rats received either 0.9% normal saline (NS) or 250mg/kg extract by gavage. The remaining animals were diabetic induced and subsequently treated with either NS, graded doses of the extract (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg) or 5mg/kg Glibenclamide + 100mg/kg Metformin. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) of the combined extracts was also analyzed to identify the bioactive compounds present. Insulin, PON-1 levels, lipid profiles and atherogenic index were assessed.

RESULTS

Our findings show that Insulin and PON-1 levels in the plasma of diabetic rats treated with the combined extracts were significantly increased when compared to the control rats. Moreover, the GCMS of the extract show the presence of both monosaturated (oleic acid) and polyunsaturated (linoleic acid) fatty acids.

CONCLUSION

The current findings suggest that the extract may help improve glucose homeostasis, prevent atherosclerosis through established mechanism of the identified bioactive compounds.

Function of selected natural antidiabetic compounds with potential against cancer via modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR cascade

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder with growing global incidence, as 387 million people were diagnosed in 2014 with an expected projection of 642 million in 2040. Several complications are associated with DM including heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and cancer. The latter is the second leading cause of death worldwide accounting for one in every six deaths, with liver, pancreas, and endometrium cancers are the most abundant among patients with diabetes. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a vital role in developing a wide array of pathological disorders, among them diabetes and cancer. Natural secondary metabolites that counteract the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulate PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway could be a promising approach in cancer therapy. Here, 717 medicinal plants with antidiabetic activities were highlighted along with 357 bioactive compounds responsible for the antidiabetic activity. Also, 43 individual plant compounds with potential antidiabetic activities against cancer via the modulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR cascade were identified. Taken together, the available data give an insight of the potential of repurposing medicinal plants and/or the individual secondary metabolites with antidiabetic activities for cancer therapy.

Lychee Seed as a Potential Hypoglycemic Agent, and Exploration of its Underlying Mechanisms

Food is people's primal want. A reasonable diet and healthy food not only provide nutrients for human growth but also contribute to disease prevention and treatment, while following an unhealthy diet can lead to an increased risk of many diseases, especially metabolic disorders, such as diabetes. Nature is enriched with different food sources, and it seems that purely natural products are more in line with the current concept of health, which enhance the formation of the notion that "Food/Diet Supplements from Natural Sources as a Medicine." As a delicious fruit, the medicinal values such as anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidation, and antiglycating properties of lychee have been found. Lychee (Litchi in Chinese) is a subtropical fruit plant belonging to the family Sapindaceae. It has been widely cultivated in warm climates worldwide, particularly in China, for thousands of years. In recent years, various phytochemical components such as quercetin, procyanidin A2, and (2R)-naringenin-7-O-(3-O-αL-rhamnopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside) have been identified in a lychee seed, which may lend a lychee seed as a relatively safe and inexpensive adjuvant treatment for diabetes and diabetic complications. In fact, accumulating evidence has shown that lychee seed, lychee seed extracts, and related compounds have promising antihyperglycemic activities, including improving insulin resistance, anti-inflammatory effect, lipid regulation, neuroprotection, antineurotoxic effect, and renoprotection effect. In this review, we summarized publications on antiglycemic effects and mechanisms of lychee seed, lychee seed extracts, and related compounds, which included their efficacies as a cure for diabetes and diabetic complications in cells, animals, and humans, attempting to obtain a robust evidence basis for the clinical application and value of lychee seed.

Trends in diabetes care with special emphasis to medicinal plants: Advancement and treatment

Diabetic mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic disorder prevailing throughout the world. It may affect a child to an older person depending upon the physiology and the factors influencing the internal metabolic system of the body. Several treatments are available in the market ranges from synthetic drugs, insulin therapy, herbal drugs, and transdermal patches. Interestingly, the development of technologies and digital health have proving very helpful in improving the lifestyle of diabetic patients. All treatment approaches have their own advantages and disadvantages in the form of effectiveness and side effects. Medicinal plants have a long history of traditional application in the treatment of diabetes and even the use of plants are growing day-by-day due to the significant results against diseases and fewer side effects as compared to other treatment therapies. The intention behind writing this review is to gather all information and discussed them exhaustively in an article. The novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected my lives including diabetic patients. The antidiabetic treatment strategies during this period has also discussed. In this article, we highlighted the molecular mechanism and herbal phytoconstituents that are responsible for lowering blood glucose level. The factors responsible for the progression of metabolic disorders can be controlled with the use of phytoconstituents present in herbal plants to maintain β-cells performance and restore blood glucose level. It can be concluded that medicinal plants are effective and affordable with lesser side effects for treating DM.

In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Methanolic Extracts of Caesalpinia volkensii Harms., Vernonia lasiopus O. Hoffm., and Acacia hockii De Wild

Oxidative stress is the result of the disparity between pro-oxidants and antioxidants in an organism, and it is important in the pathogenesis of several degenerative disorders, such as arthritis, Alzheimer's, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Free radicals can damage biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, lipids, proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and carbohydrates, and the DNA leading to mutations. The use of antioxidants is effective in delaying the oxidation of biomolecules. Antioxidants are complexes found in the food that can retard or deter oxidation by preventing the initiation and propagation of oxidizing chain reactions. Medicinal plants have been used for centuries by man to manage diseases and have a host of antioxidant complexes. Traditionally, Caesalpinia volkensii, Vernonia lasiopus, and Acacia hockii have folkloric remedies against associated oxidative stress-mediated complications. However, the upsurge in its use has not been accompanied by scientific validations to support these claims. In this study, in vitro antioxidant activity of Caesalpinia volkensii, Vernonia lasiopus, and Acacia hockii collected from Embu County (Kenya) were determined by radical scavenging activities of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical in addition to ferric reducing antioxidant power analyzed against that of L-ascorbic acid as the standard. The obtained results revealed remarkable antioxidant activities of the studied plant extracts as evidenced by the low IC50 and EC50 values. These antioxidant activities could be due to the presence of antioxidants phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, and saponins among others. Therefore, the therapeutic potential of this plant could be due to their antioxidant properties. This study recommends bioassay of the extracts against oxidative stress-related disorders for development of phytomedicine with antioxidant properties.

Potential antidiabetic effect of ethanolic and aqueous-ethanolic extracts of Ricinus communis leaves on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

Recently, herbal drugs and their bioactive compounds have gained popularity in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM), which has become an epidemic disease all over the world and is especially prevalent in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic effect of ethanolic and aqueous-ethanolic extracts of wild Ricinus communis (R. communis) leaves in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were administered orally with the mentioned extracts at doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg/BW for 14 days, and the obtained results of different biochemical parameters were compared with normal control, diabetic control and standard drug glibenclamide (5 mg/kg/BW). The obtained results revealed a remarkable and significantly (P < 0.05) reverse effect of the body weight loss, observed when diabetic rats were treated with ethanol and aqueous-ethanol extracts at 300 mg/kg/BW. Administration of the ethanol extract at 600 mg/kg/BW significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the blood glucose level. A significant increase in the AST, ALT and ALP levels (P < 0.05) was observed in the diabetic control and in the experimental groups with glibenclamide which was also significantly (P < 0.05) lowered after treatment with extracts at special doses. Total proteins, albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, creatinine and urea were also investigated and compared to the corresponding controls. We showed that administration of R. communis extract generally significantly (P < 0.05) ameliorated the biochemical parameters of diabetic rats. Also, the changes in serum electrolyte profile were assessed and the results demonstrate that administration of extracts at concentration of 600 mg/kg/BW generally inhibits the alteration maintain their levels. The obtained data imply the hypoglycemic effects of this plant, which may be used as a good alternative for managing DM and therefore validating its traditional usage in KSA.

In Vivo Hypoglycemic Effect of Kigelia africana (Lam): Studies With Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice

The claims by the traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Kigelia africana has bioactivity against several diseases, including diabetes mellitus, were investigated in this study. Type I diabetes mellitus was induced in mice by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate followed by treatment with the therapeutic doses of the aqueous and ethyl acetate leaf extract of K africana to the experimentally diabetic mice. The treatment effects were compared with the normal control, diabetic control, and diabetic control rats treated with a standard antidiabetic drugs (insulin administered intraperitoneally at 1 IU/kg body weight in 0.1 mL physiological saline or glibenclamide administered orally at 3 mg/kg body weight in 0.1 mL physiological saline). Phytochemical composition of the leaf extract was assessed using standard procedures and mineral elements assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and total reflection X-ray fluorescence system. Oral and intraperitoneal administration of the aqueous and ethyl acetate leaf extract caused a statistically significant dose-independent reduction in plasma glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The observed hypoglycemic activity of this plant extract could be attributed to the observed phytochemicals and trace elements, which have been associated with exhibiting antidiabetic properties. Therefore, the data appear to support the hypoglycemic effects of K africana validating its folkloric usage.

A Beneficial Role of Rooibos in Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

In a rapid increase in cases of diabetes mellitus worldwide, there has been interested in the use of plant-derived polyphenols as nutraceuticals to prevent the onset and progression of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. Aspalathus linearis, commonly known as rooibos, is a rich source of uncommon glycosylated plant polyphenols with various critical health-promoting properties, including the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). This study aimed to examine these effects by meta-analyzing the current evidence in diabetic rodent models. Peer-reviewed studies written in English from two databases, PubMed and Embase, were searched up to 28 February 2018. Studies reporting blood glucose levels in diabetic rodents with and without receiving rooibos extracts or their major phenolic compounds are included. Twelve studies enrolling 88 diabetic rodents treated with rooibos extracts or their polyphenols and 85 diabetic control males reported blood glucose levels. The pooled effect size was -0.89 (95% CI: -1.44 to -0.35) with a substantial heterogeneity (I² = 67.0%). This effect was likely to be modified by type of rooibos extracts and their polyphenols and treatment period. Blood glucose levels were significantly lower in diabetic rodent models treated with the phenolic compound rich in rooibos extracts, PPAG.

Antihyperglycemic Activity of Caralluma fimbriata: An In vitro Approach

Background:

An increase in prevalence of diabetes mellitus necessitates the need to develop new drugs for its effective management. Plants and their bioactive compounds are found to be an alternative therapeutic approach. Caralluma fimbriata, used in this study, is well known for its various biological effects.

Objective:

The present study was designed to investigate the antihyperglycemic effect of the ethanolic leaf extract of C. fimbriata.

Materials and Methods:

Different concentrations (1–1000 mg/mL) of the ethanolic leaf extract of C. fimbriata were subjected to alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory assay with acarbose as control. Cytotoxicity was assessed by 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Glucose uptake assay was performed on L6 myotubes using the extract in 1 μg–100 μg/mL, using metformin and insulin as control.

Results:

The C. fimbriata extract showed potent inhibitory activity on enzymes of glucose metabolism in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum alpha-amylase inhibitory effect was 77.37% ± 3.23% at 1000 μg/mL with an IC₅₀ value of 41.75 μg/mL and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect was 83.05% ± 1.69% at 1000 μg/mL with an IC₅₀ value of 66.71 μg/mL. The maximum glucose uptake was found to be 66.32% ± 0.29% for the Caralluma extract at 100 μg/mL and that of metformin (10 μg/mL) was 74.44% ± 1.72% and insulin (10 mM) 85.55% ± 1.14%. The extract was found to be safe as the IC₅₀ of extract and metformin was found to be ≥1000 μg/mL and ≥1000 μM, respectively, in the cell line tested.

Conclusion:

The study concludes that C. fimbriata has promising antihyperglycemic activity.

SUMMARY

Caralluma fimbriata extract exhibited effective dose dependent inhibitory activity against alpha-amylase and alpha- glucosidase

Enhanced glucose uptake from L6 myotubes was appreciated in the presence of the extract, comparable to Insulin and metformin

Caralluma fimbriata has potent antihyperglycemic properties.

Abbreviations used: GLUT: Glucose transporter; MTT: 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide.

Abnormalities in alternative splicing in diabetes: therapeutic targets

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a non-communicable, metabolic disorder that affects 416 million individuals worldwide. Type 2 diabetes contributes to a vast 85-90% of the diabetes incidences while 10-15% of patients suffer from type 1 diabetes. These two predominant forms of DM cause a significant loss of functional pancreatic β-cell mass causing different degrees of insulin deficiency, most likely, due to increased β-cell apoptosis. Treatment options involve the use of insulin sensitisers, α-glucosidase inhibitors, and β-cell secretagogues which are often expensive, limited in efficacy and carry detrimental adverse effects. Cost-effective options for treatment exists in the form of herbal drugs, however, scientific validations of these widely used medicinal plants are still underway. Alternative splicing (AS) is a co-ordinated post-transcriptional process in which a single gene generates multiple mRNA transcripts which results in increased amounts of functionally different protein isoforms and in some cases aberrant splicing leads to metabolic disease. In this review, we explore the association of AS with metabolic alterations in DM and the biological significance of the abnormal splicing of some pathogenic diabetes-related genes. An understanding of the molecular mechanism behind abnormally spliced transcripts will aid in the development of new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic tools.

Antidiabetic Effects of Aqueous and Dichloromethane/Methanol Stem Bark Extracts of Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub (Papilionaceae) on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Aim of the Study:

The aim is to evaluate the hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effects of aqueous and CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH stem bark extracts of Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub in normal and diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods:

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic and normal adult Wistar rats were orally administered with aqueous and CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH plant extracts of P. soyauxii at various doses (38–300 mg/kg) in a single administration. In addition, STZ-induced diabetic rats received prolonged daily administration for 14 days. Glibenclamide (GB) (10 mg/kg) was used as reference treatment. In acute test, fasting blood glucose was followed for 5 h. In subacute test, body weight, food and water intakes, and blood glucose were followed weekly and serum biochemical parameters evaluated after 14 days treatment.

Results:

Acute administration of aqueous and CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH stem bark extracts moderately decreased fasting blood glucose compared to GB, significantly in normal rats (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) but, as GB, not significantly in diabetic rats. Prolonged treatments in diabetic rats with aqueous and CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH extracts reduced blood glucose to an extent, respectively, superior or similar to GB. Moreover, P. soyauxii also significantly (P < 0.01) reduced weight loss, and diabetes increased serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and transaminases (alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase) elevations.

Conclusion:

P. soyauxii Taub stem bark extracts have possible value for antidiabetic oral medication.

SUMMARY

Aqueous and Dichloromethane/Methanol stem bark extracts of Pterocarpus soyauxii Taub have potent (compared to Glibenclamide) antidiabetic effects in STZ-diabetic rats, with specific kinetics and dose-responses.

Moderate hypoglycemia effects upon acute P. soyauxii administration.

Potent anti-hyperglycemic effects of sub-acute P. soyauxii administration in STZ-diabetic rats.

Potent anti-hyperlipidemic effects of sub-acute P. soyauxii administration in STZ-diabetic rats.

Improved hepatic and renal serum parameters after sub-acute P. soyauxii administration in STZ-diabetic rats.

P. soyauxii extracts may be useful for oral treatment of diabetes and related metabolic disorders.

Abbreviations Used: CH2Cl2/CH3OH: Dichloromethane/Methanol; STZ: Streptozotocin; GB: Glibenclamide; AE: Aqueous extract; OE: Organic extract; FeCl3: Iron (III) chloride; NaCl: Sodium chloride; K3Fe(CN)6: Potassium ferricyanide; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; H: Hour; BW: Body weight, W1 and W2: Weeks 1 and 2; CHOD: Cholesterol oxidase; GPO: Glycerol-3 Phosphate oxidase; PAP: Phenol + Aminophenazone

Insulin Plant (Costus pictus) Extract Restores Thyroid Hormone Levels in Experimental Hypothyroidism

Background:

The aim of the present study was to investigate the preventive effect of Costus pictus leaf extract in experimental hypothyroidism.

Materials and Methods:

Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups with ten rats in each group: Control (C), hypothyroid (H), control+extract (C+E), and hypothyroid+extract (H+E). Rats in C group did not receive any intervention throughout the experimental period. The rats in the C+E and H+E groups received pretreatment with C. pictus leaf extract for 4 weeks. Subsequently, for the next 6 weeks, rats in the H group received 0.05% propylthiouracil in drinking water while C+E group received C. pictus leaf extract and H+E group received propyl thiouracil and C. pictus leaf extract.

Results:

Hypothyroid group rats exhibited dramatic increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with concomitant depletion in the levels of thyroid hormones. Treatment with the extract resulted in remarkable improvement in thyroid profile. Extract produced 10.59-fold increase in plasma free T3, 8.65-fold increase in free T4, and 3.59-fold decrease in TSH levels in H+E group in comparison with H group. Treatment with the extract ameliorated hypercholesterolemia, decreased levels of plasma C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor alpha, suppressed tissue oxidative stress and prevented hepatic and renal damage caused due to thyroid hormone depletion in the H+E group. Pentacyclic triterpenes alpha and beta amyrins were identified and quantified in the extract.

Conclusions:

This is the first study to reveal that C. pictus extract has therapeutic potential to restore thyroid hormone levels and prevent the biochemical complications due to thyroid hormone insufficiency in the animal model of experimental hypothyroidism.

SUMMARY

The preventive effect of Costus pictus leaf extract in experimental hypothyroidism was evaluated in the present study.

Hypothyroidism was induced in the experimental animals by giving 0.05% propylthiouracil in drinking water.

Hypothyroid rats exhibited dramatic increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels with concomitant depletion in the levels of thyroid hormones.

Treatment with Costus pictus leaf extract in hypothyroid rats significantly improved the thyroid profile. It also ameliorated hypercholesterolemia, decreased the levels of plasma inflammatory markers, suppressed tissue oxidative stress and prevented hepatic and renal damage caused due to thyroid hormone depletion.

The possible active principles alpha and beta amyrins were identified and quantified in the extract through LC-MS.

Abbreviations Used: APCI: Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; C group: Control group; C+E group: Control+extract group; C. pictus: Costus pictus; CRP: C-reactive protein; DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; FRAP: Ferric reducing antioxidant power; HDL: High-density lipoprotein; H group: Hypothyroid group; H+E group: Hypothyroid+extract group; LDL: Low-density lipoprotein; LC-MS: Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; MDA: Malondialdehyde; PTU: 6-Propyl-2-thiouracil; SRM: Single reaction monitoring; TSH: Thyroid-stimulating hormone; TPTZ: 2,4,6-tri-(2-pyridyl)-5-triazine; TBA: 2-Thiobarbituric acid; TG: Triglyceride; TNFα: Tumor necrosis factor alpha; TAS: Total antioxidant status