Pathophysiology of obesity-related infertility and its prevention and treatment by potential phytotherapeutics

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a complex multifactorial disease in which the accumulation of excess body fat has adverse health effects, as it can increase the risk of several problems, including infertility, in both men and women. Obesity and infertility have risen together in recent years. Against this background, the present review aims to highlight the impact of obesity on infertility and the underlying pathophysiology of obesity-related infertility (ORI) in men and women, and to provide readers with knowledge of current trends in the effective development of phytotherapeutics for its treatment.

METHODS

We thoroughly searched in PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar to find all relevant papers on ORI and the therapeutic effects of phytotherapeutics on ORI in men and women.

RESULTS

The extensive search of the available literature revealed that obesity affects reproductive function through several complex mechanisms such as hyperlipidaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperandrogenism, increased body mass index, disruption of the hormonal milieu, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, alterations in epigenetics and dysbiosis. On the other hand, several studies reported that phytotherapeutics has a broad therapeutic spectrum of action by improving sex hormone homeostasis, ovarian dysfunction, menstrual cycle and inhibiting ovarian hyperplasia, as well as down-regulating ovarian apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress, and controlling metabolic dysfunction in obese women. Male infertility is also addressed by phytotherapeutics by suppressing lipogenesis, increasing testosterone, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD levels, improving sperm parameters and attenuating testicular dyslipidaemia, oxidative stress, inflammation and germ cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present review, we discussed the effects of obesity on reproductive dysfunction in men and women and the underlying pathophysiology of ORI. In addition, the therapeutic effect of phytotherapeutics against ORI was highlighted.

Linalool attenuates lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease via Sirt1/Akt/PPRA-α/AMPK and Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathways

INTRODUCTION

Linalool is a monoterpene that occurs naturally in various aromatic plants and is identified in our previous study as a potential candidate for protection against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, little is known about its direct effects on hepatic lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of linalool against MASLD and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

To establish a rat model of MASLD, male Wistar rats were fed HFD for 16 weeks and orally administered linalool (100 mg/kg body weight) for 45 days starting from week 14.

RESULTS

Linalool significantly reduced HFD-induced liver lipid accumulation and restored altered adipokine levels. Mechanistically, linalool downregulated the mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 and its lipogenesis target genes fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and upregulated the mRNA expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha [PPAR-α], lipoprotein lipase and protein kinase B [Akt]) as well as the upstream mediators sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the liver of MASLD rats. In addition, linalool also curbed oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzymes and activating nuclear erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and its downstream target genes involved in antioxidant properties.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, this study concludes that linalool attenuates lipid accumulation in the liver by inhibiting de novo lipogenesis, promoting fatty acid oxidation, and attenuating oxidative stress by regulating Sirt1/Akt/PPRA-α/AMPK and Nrf-2/ HO-1 signaling pathways.

Improved wild horse optimization with levy flight algorithm for effective task scheduling in cloud computing

Cloud Computing, the efficiency of task scheduling is proportional to the effectiveness of users. The improved scheduling efficiency algorithm (also known as the improved Wild Horse Optimization, or IWHO) is proposed to address the problems of lengthy scheduling time, high-cost consumption, and high virtual machine load in cloud computing task scheduling. First, a cloud computing task scheduling and distribution model is built, with time, cost, and virtual machines as the primary factors. Second, a feasible plan for each whale individual corresponding to cloud computing task scheduling is to find the best whale individual, which is the best feasible plan; to better find the optimal individual, we use the inertial weight strategy for the Improved whale optimization algorithm to improve the local search ability and effectively prevent the algorithm from reaching premature convergence. To deliver services and access to shared resources, Cloud Computing (CC) employs a cloud service provider (CSP). In a CC context, task scheduling has a significant impact on resource utilization and overall system performance. It is a Nondeterministic Polynomial (NP)-hard problem that is solved using metaheuristic optimization techniques to improve the effectiveness of job scheduling in a CC environment. This incentive is used in this study to provide the Improved Wild Horse Optimization with Levy Flight Algorithm for Task Scheduling in cloud computing (IWHOLF-TSC) approach, which is an improved wild horse optimization with levy flight algorithm for cloud task scheduling. Task scheduling can be addressed in the cloud computing environment by utilizing some form of symmetry, which can achieve better resource optimization, such as load balancing and energy efficiency. The proposed IWHOLF-TSC technique constructs a multi-objective fitness function by reducing Makespan and maximizing resource utilization in the CC platform. The IWHOLF-TSC technique proposed combines the wild horse optimization (WHO) algorithm and the Levy flight theory (LF). The WHO algorithm is inspired by the social behaviours of wild horses. The IWHOLF-TSC approach's performance can be validated, and the results evaluated using a variety of methods. The simulation results revealed that the IWHOLF-TSC technique outperformed others in a variety of situations.

Polyherbal Formulation Ameliorates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Through Attenuation of Cardiac Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Via NF-κB/Nrf-2/HO-1 Pathway in Diabetic Rats

ABSTRACT

The present study was intended to evaluate the effect of polyherbal formulation (PHF) made with 3 nutraceuticals, such as Piper nigrum, Terminalia paniculata, and Bauhinia purpurea on inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), which is induced by streptozotocin and nicotinamide administration in rats. We supplemented DCM rats with PHF (250 and 500 mg/kg/BW) for 45 days and evaluated their effects on oxidative stress markers, proinflammatory cytokines, and messenger RNA expressions of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) and its linked genes [heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase, catalase] along with inflammatory genes [tumour necrosis factor α and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)]. Our study demonstrated that PHF successfully attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress via messenger RNA upregulation of Nrf-2, HO-1, superoxide dismutase, and catalase and concomitantly with downregulation of tumour necrosis factor α and NF-κB. Conversely, PHF also protected hyperglycemia-mediated cardiac damage, which was confirmed with histopathological and scanning electron microscopy analysis. In conclusion, our results suggested that PHF successfully ameliorated hyperglycemia-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress via regulation of NF-κB/Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. Therefore, these results recommend that PHF may be a prospective therapeutic agent for DCM.

Attenuation of lipid metabolic abnormalities, proinflammatory cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinase expression by biochanin-A in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

In the present study, we assessed the therapeutic potential of Biochanin-A (BCA) (10 mg/kg BW/day) pretreatment for 30 days on lipid metabolic abnormalities, proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase expression in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. We measured the potential role of BCA on tissue and circulatory lipid profiles as well as on lipid metabolic enzymes: serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MCP1) and serum Matrix Metalloproteinases (particularly, MMP-2 and MMP-9) together with mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-2 and MMP-9 by RT-PCR analysis. Administration of ISO to rats significantly distorted their lipid metabolism and augmented inflammatory process, MMP expression and proteolytic activity. In addition, pretreatment with BCA of ISO-induced MI rats significantly reestablished the altered lipid metabolism and concealed the inflammation of cytokines. BCA suppressed the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines and MMPs in ISO-induced MI in rats when compared to normal untreated MI rats. Hence, these results established that BCA could improve the pathological processes of myocardial remodeling which was confirmed by histopathology of heart in MI rats and might be an effective beneficial ingredient for the management of heart failure disorders.

Cloud resource optimization based on poisson linear deep gradient learning for mobile cloud computing

Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC) addresses the drawbacks of Mobile Users (MU) where the in-depth evaluation of mobile applications is transferred to a centralized cloud via a wireless medium to reduce load, therefore optimizing resources. In this paper, we consider the resource (i.e., bandwidth and memory) allocation problem to support mobile applications in a MCC environment. In such an environment, Mobile Cloud Service Providers (MCSPs) form a coalition to create a resource pool to share their resources with the Mobile Cloud Users. To enhance the welfare of the MCSPs, a method for optimal resource allocation to the mobile users called, Poisson Linear Deep Resource Allocation (PL-DRA) is designed. For resource allocation between mobile users, we formulate and solve optimization models to acquire an optimal number of application instances while meeting the requirements of mobile users. For optimal application instances, the Poisson Distributed Queuing model is designed. The distributed resource management is designed as a multithreaded model where parallel computation is provided. Next, a Linear Gradient Deep Resource Allocation (LG-DRA) model is designed based on the constraints, bandwidth, and memory to allocate mobile user instances. This model combines the advantage of both decision making (i.e. Linear Programming) and perception ability (i.e. Deep Resource Allocation). Besides, a Stochastic Gradient Learning is utilized to address mobile user scalability. The simulation results show that the Poisson queuing strategy based on the improved Deep Learning algorithm has better performance in response time, response overhead, and energy consumption than other algorithms.

A Review on Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Action, Ethanobotanical Uses and Nutritional Potential of Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn

Nature is an amazing source for food, shelter, clothing and medicine. An impressive number of modern drugs are isolated from many sources like plants, animals and microbes. The development of natural products from traditional medicines is of great importance to society. Modern concepts and methodologies with abundant clinical studies, unique diversity of chemical structures and biological activities aid the modern drug discovery process. Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn., a traditional medicinal plant of the Cucurbitaceae family, is found in India, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia and Western Malaysia. Almost all parts of the plant are used in traditional systems of medicines and reported having medicinal properties in both in vitro and in vivo studies. In the last few years, extensive research work had been carried out using extracts and isolated phytoconstituents from Kedrostis foetidissima to confirm its pharmacology and biological activities. Many scientific reports show that crude extracts and extensive numbers of phytochemical constituents isolated from Kedrostis foetidissima have activities like antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory and various other important medicinal properties. The therapeutic properties of the plants are mainly attributed to the existence of phytoconstituents like phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and steroids. This comprehensive review in various aspects gave a brief overview of phytoconstituents, nutritional values and medicinal property of the plant and might attract the researchers to explore its medicinal activity by discovering novel biologically active compounds that can serve as a lead compound in pharmaceutical and food industry.

Phenolic fraction extracted from Kedrostis foetidissima leaves ameliorated isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats through restoration of cardiac antioxidant status

In this study, the cardioprotective effects of partially purified phenolic fraction of Kedrostis foetidissima leaves (PFK) were evaluated in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction rat model. ISO induction to experimental rats for two consecutive days significantly increased the levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids, free fatty acids, low-density lipoproteins, and cardiac biomarker enzymes, and decreased the levels of high-density lipoproteins and antioxidant enzyme activity. Pretreatment of experimental rats with PFK for 45 days led to a significant elevation in antioxidant enzyme activity. PFK-pretreated rats exhibited significantly reduced levels of circulating lipids and cardiac-specific biomarker enzymes compared to ISO-treated rats. Thus, the present study demonstrated that PFK ameliorated ISO-induced cardiotoxicity through the augmentation of the endogenous cardiac antioxidant system, thereby modulating the lipid peroxidation caused by ISO-induced free radicals, and prevented the myocardial damage, which was confirmed through histopathological analysis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Kedrostis foetidissima is edible medicinal plant and phenolic fraction extracted from the leaves of this plant may help the common man in the protection of heart. The phenolic fraction shows significant antioxidant activity, so this might be referred to as dietary supplement and also helps to develop new pharmaceutical formulations.

Excitation-induced tunable luminescence of luminomagnetic Dy and Ce co-doped ZnO nanoparticles

Here, 1 mol% Dy,Ce co-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via a simple, cost-effective combustion method which could produce large-scale products. The structure and phase purity of synthesized nanoparticles were shown by X-ray diffraction, selected-area-electron-diffraction patterns and Raman spectroscopy to be a hexagonal wurtzite structure with no secondary peaks. Spherical morphology was shown by field emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The presence of dopants with elemental composition was authenticated by energy dispersive spectroscopy and elemental mapping. Enhanced reflectance in the visible region for Ce-doped ZnO samples was noted by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. An increase in the bandgap for doped samples was indicated by the Kubelka-Munk function. Significant visible luminescence was observed, which varied with different excitations. The room-temperature weak ferromagnetic behaviour of 2 mol% Ce-doped ZnO and distinct paramagnetic behaviour of 1 mol% Dy,Ce co-doped ZnO was detected using vibrating sample magnetometry.

Beneficial Role of Some Natural Products to Attenuate the Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Through Nrf2 Pathway in Cell Culture and Animal Models

Diabetic cardiomyopathy, as one of the main cardiac complications in diabetic patients, is identified to connect with oxidative stress that is due to interruption in balance between reactive oxygen species or/and reactive nitrogen species generation and their clearance by antioxidant protection systems. Transcription factor the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a significant role in maintaining the oxidative homeostasis by regulating multiple downstream antioxidants. The Nrf2 plays a significant role in ARE-mediated basal and inducible expression of more than 200 genes that can be grouped into numerous categories as well as antioxidant genes and phase II detoxifying enzymes. On the other hand, activation of Nrf2 by natural and synthetic therapeutics or antioxidants has been revealed effective for the prevention and treatment of toxicities and diseases connected with oxidative stress. Hence, recently focus has been shifted toward plants and plant-based medicines in curing such chronic diseases, as they are supposed to be less toxic. In this review, we focused on the role of some natural products on diabetic cardiomyopathy through Nrf2 pathway.

Supplementation of Carrot Incorporated Paneer Attenuates Diabetes through its Antioxidant Potential in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: The ideal medications for diabetes mellitus (DM) should have less or no adverse effects, thus screening on the antidiabetic activities of plant-based products is in urgent need. Paneer is the fundamental nutritious and complete native dairy products, and natural products incorporated paneer has greatly increased its therapeutic potential.Objective: The current study was undertaken to explore the effects of carrot incorporated paneer (CIP) on blood glucose, body weight, insulin, and enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione (GSH) peroxidase, and reduced GSH in streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NAD)-induced diabetes in rats.Materials and Methods: Diabetic rats were orally supplemented with CIP (200 mg/kg body weight/day) for 1 month and the effects were compared with gliclazide (5 mg/kg body weight/day).Results: Supplementation of CIP or gliclazide was resulted in noteworthy diminish in the levels of blood glucose and increase in body weight and insulin levels. STZ-NAD administration caused the diminution in enzymatic antioxidant activities in diabetic rats and supplementation with CIP predominantly enhanced the levels of antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rats when contrasted to diabetic group.Conclusion: Hence, the results suggested that CIP has the potential antioxidant capability and may be believed as an efficient curative constituent for the management of DM.

Online Sentinel: A Sentiment Analysis Tool for Identifying Pseudoscience in the Cancer Care Continuum

Background/Context: The online narrative of the cancer care continuum shows an alarming rise in pseudoscience-driven material; often acting to confuse patients who are in the cancer journey, especially those with inadequate information, for making various decisions on cancer treatment and care. This worrying phenomenon is co-opting more patients away from scientifically tested care strategies. Sentiment analysis refers to the use of natural language processing, text analysis, computational linguistics, and biometrics to systematically identify, extract, quantify, and study affective states and subjective information in populations. Working together, MIMOS Berhad, Malaysia's largest Applied Research and Development Centre in Information and Communications Technology, Industrial Electronics Technology and Nano-Semiconductor Technology; and the National Cancer Society of Malaysia aimed to tackle this serious health systems gap in provision of health information to cancer patients, families and the larger public. Aim: The aim of this project was to construct a sentiment analysis tool on cancer and develop an expert-driven support network for utilizing this tool for identifying pseudoscience-related cancer discussions and material in the Malaysian online space; and act to counterbalance these discussions with scientific facts. Strategy/Tactics: First, the tool was evaluated to determine its accuracy in identifying cancer-related pseudoscience news in the Malaysian context. This was done by having content experts objectively ascertain the analysis carried out by the tool. Once consensus had been reached with the experts, the tool was deployed. The support system mechanism consisted of a voluntarily recruited expert panel consisting of healthcare professionals briefed on the mechanism of the tool. Once the tool was deployed, the resultant analysis was shared out to the expert panel who then responded; counterbalancing the pseudoscience material identified in the respective online medium with accurate information. Program/Policy process: The sentiment analysis tool deployed machine learning, statistics, and natural language processing techniques to automate sentiment analysis on large collections of online cancer-related texts, including Web pages, online news, Internet discussion groups, online reviews, Web blogs, and social media. The tool was combined with a support-systems network of healthcare professionals who acted on the analysis results. A weekly run analysis and feedback mechanism was determined to be viable in terms of turn-around-time (TOT) while still remaining 'current' in the fast-paced online scene. Outcomes/What was learned: A marriage of an artificial intelligence system backed by human content experts can be a viable, sustainable mechanism in reducing the impact of pseudoscience in the online cancer ecosphere and help in provisioning accurate health information to cancer patients, families and the general public as a whole.

Effect of Morphology of Platinum Nanoparticles on Benzene Oxidation Activity

The effect of morphology of Platinum (Pt) nanoparticles supported on alumina (γ-Al2O3) for complete catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was investigated. Pt nanoparticles were synthesized through a simple method comprising of reduction followed by calcination of metal precursor coated chitosan templates using three different reducing agents: sodium borohydride (NaBH4), hydrazine (N2H4) and hydrogen (H2). The morphology and facet orientation of Pt nanoparticles were influenced by the reducing agents. The catalytic oxidation performance studies of these Pt nanoparticles loaded on γ-Al2O3 for VOCs showed strong dependence of their activities on their morphologies. High indexed facet (220) Pt nanosheets synthesized through NaBH4 reduction showed superior catalytic oxidation activity compared to the catalysts prepared using other reducing agents. Cyclic performance studies on these catalysts showed stable benzene oxidation performance implying their thermal stability. The absence of any shape directing agents in the synthesis of Pt nanoparticles with homogeneous morphologies and preferential orientation is an aspect that can be extended to other catalytic applications.

Anti obese potential of Cucurbita maxima seeds oil: effect on lipid profile and histoarchitecture in high fat diet induced obese rats

In this study, we made an attempt to evaluate the potential of Cucurbita maxima seeds oil (CSO) against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in rats. We investigated the effect of CSO (100 mg/kg body weight) supplementation over 30 days on the changes of HFD-induced obese rats in body weight, biochemical parameters and lipid profile as well as investigated the effects of CSO on the histopathological changes. Oral administration with CSO revealed significant diminution in body weight gain, glucose and insulin levels, which altered the activity of lipid profile and restored the pathological alterations. It demonstrated that CSO had considerably altered these parameters when evaluated with HFD control rats. In conclusion, this study established that CSO prevents the HFD-induced obesity by altering the markers important to lipid metabolism.

Obesity-alleviating potential of asiatic acid and its effects on ACC1, UCP2, and CPT1 mRNA expression in high fat diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats

The present study evaluated the effects of asiatic acid (AA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid from Centella asiatica on lipid metabolism parameters in a rat model of obesity induced using a high fat diet (HFD) for 42 days. AA (20 mg/kg body weight [BW]) was administered orally once daily for 42 days, and an orlistat-treated group of rats (10 mg/kg BW) was included for comparison. Changes in BW, blood glucose levels, insulin resistance and leptin, adiponectin, amylase, and lipase levels in the blood; lipid profiles of plasma; liver antioxidants levels; and acetyl CoA carboxylase(ACC), uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) mRNA expression were observed in the experimental rats. Our results revealed that AA (20 mg/kg BW), similar to orlistat, reduced the increase in BW; increased bone mineral contents and bone mineral densities; reduced blood glucose levels, insulin resistance, leptin, plasma lipid levels; increased adiponectin, amylase, lipase levels in the blood; showed antioxidant activity; and altered mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related genes, including ACC, UCP 2, and CPT 1, in the HFD-fed rats. From these results, we concluded that AA possesses significant anti-obesity potential through the suppression of BW gain, lipid lowering action, development of insulin and leptin sensitivity, antioxidant activity, and increased mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related genes.

Reversal of endothelial dysfunction in aorta of streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced type-2 diabetic rats by S-Allylcysteine

Dietary measures and plant-based therapies as prescribed by native systems of medicine have gained attraction among diabetics with claims of efficacy. The present study investigated the effects of S-Allylcysteine (SAC) on body weight gain, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, and nitric oxide synthase in plasma and argininosuccinate synthase (AS) and argininosuccinate lyase (ASL), lipid peroxides and antioxidant enzymes in aorta of control and streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced diabetic rats. Changes in body weight, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, and antioxidant profiles of aorta and mRNA expressions of nitric oxide synthase, AS, and ASL were observed in experimental rats. SAC (150 mg/kg b.w) showed its therapeutic effects similar to gliclazide in decreasing glucose, insulin resistance, lipid peroxidation, and increasing body weight; insulin, antioxidant enzymes, and mRNA levels of nitric oxide synthase, argininosuccinate synthase, and argininosuccinate lyase genes in STZ-NA rats. Histopathologic studies also revealed the protective nature of SAC on aorta. In conclusion, garlic and its constituents mediate the anti-diabetic potential through mitigating hyperglycemic status, changing insulin resistance by alleviating endothelial dysregulation in both plasma and tissues.

Effects of S-Allylcysteine on Biomarkers of the Polyol Pathway in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the effects of S-allylcysteine (SAC) on biomarkers of the polyol pathway in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced diabetes in rats.

METHODS

Diabetes was induced in male albino Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of STZ (55 mg kg^-1 bw^-1) and NA (110 mg kg^-1 bw^-1). SAC (150 mg kg^-1 bw^-1) was orally administered to the rats with diabetes for 45 days to assess its effects on blood glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, glycated hemoglobin, aldose reductase (AR), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), sorbitol, fructose, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), hydroperoxide, hemoglobin and glutathione (GSH).

RESULTS

On SAC administration in the rats with diabetes, the levels of blood glucose, insulin resistance, glycated hemoglobin, AR, SDH, sorbitol, fructose, TBARS and hydroperoxide increased significantly (p<0.05), whereas those of insulin, hemoglobin and GSH decreased. SAC showed therapeutic effects similar to those of gliclazide in decreasing blood glucose, AR, SDH, sorbitol, fructose, glycosylated hemoglobin, TBARS and hydroperoxides levels and significant increases in insulin, hemoglobin and GSH activity in rats with diabetes. Moreover, histopathologic studies also revealed the protective effect of SAC on pancreatic beta cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that SAC prevents complications of diabetes by reducing the influx of glucose in the polyol pathway, thereby elevating the GSH level and reducing the activities of AR and SDH. Therefore, SAC may have imperative implications for the deterrence and early treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Therapeutical Perspectives of S-Allylcysteine: Effect on diabetes and other disorders in Animal Models

Plants derived constituents with impending therapeutic values have been used long time to cure various diseases and disorders including Diabetes mellitus (DM). Many of the medicinal plants and herbs are also part of our diet as spices, vegetables and fruits. In recent years, there is growing evidence that plant-foods molecules, due to their biological properties, may be unique nutraceuticals and supplementary treatments for various aspects of Diabetes mellitus. In this review, we addressed the potential efficacies of S-Allylcysteine (SAC), a sulfur containing amino acid, derived from garlic, on Diabetes mellitus and other disorders. Substantiate with several in vitro, animal models and some human studies, SAC revise carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, alter hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance, recuperate adipose tissue metabolism, and improve oxidative stress and stress-sensitive signaling pathways and inflammatory processes. In Conclusion, S-Allycysteine showed several beneficial effects on various disorders and there is no scientific evidence against S-Allycysteine adverse effects, and proved that consumption of S-Allylcysteine has numerous pharmacological benefits.

Ameliorative potential of gingerol: Promising modulation of inflammatory factors and lipid marker enzymes expressions in HFD induced obesity in rats

Obesity, generally linked to hyperlipidemia, has been occurring of late with distressing alarm and has now become a global phenomenon casting a huge economic burden on the health care system of countries around the world. The present study investigated the effects of gingerol over 30 days on the changes in HFD-induced obese rats in marker enzymes of lipid metabolism such as fatty-acid synthase (FAS), Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACC), Carnitine Palmitoyl Transferase-1(CPT-1), HMG co-A Reductase (HMGR), Lecithin Choline Acyl Transferase (LCAT) and Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) and inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6). The rats were treated orally with gingerol (75 mg kg(-1)) once daily for 30 days with a lorcaserin-treated group (10 mg kg(-1)) included for comparison. Changes in body weight, glucose, insulin resistance and expressions of lipid marker enzymes and inflammatory markers in tissues were observed in experimental rats. The administration of gingerol resulted in a significant reduction in body weight gain, glucose and insulin levels, and insulin resistance, which altered the activity, expressions of lipid marker enzymes and inflammatory markers. It showed that gingerol had significantly altered these parameters when compared with HFD control rats. This study confirms that gingerol prevents HFD-induced hyperlipidemia by modulating the expression of enzymes important to cholesterol metabolism.

Diosgenin reorganises hyperglycaemia and distorted tissue lipid profile in high-fat diet-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is often connected with significant morbidity, mortality and also has a pivotal role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Diet intervention, particularly naturaceutical antioxidants have anti-diabetic potential and avert oxidative damage linked with diabetic pathogenesis. The present study investigated the effects of diosgenin, a saponin from fenugreek, on the changes in lipid profile in plasma, liver, heart and brain in high-fat diet-streptozotocin (HFD-STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diosgenin was administered to HFD-STZ induced diabetic rats by orally at 60 mg kg(-1) body weight for 30 days to assess its effects on body weight gain, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance and cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids in plasma, liver, heart and brain.

RESULTS

The levels of body weight, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, phospholipids, VLDL-C and LDL-C were increased significantly (P < 0.05) whereas HDL-C level decreased in the HFD/STZ diabetic rats. Administration of diosgenin to HFD-STZ diabetic rats caused a decrease in body weight gain, blood glucose, insulin, insulin resistance and also it modulated lipid profile in plasma and tissues.

CONCLUSION

The traditional plant fenugreek and its constituents mediate its anti-diabetic potential through mitigating hyperglycaemic status, altering insulin resistance by alleviating metabolic dysregulation of lipid profile in both plasma and tissues.

Anti-obesity action of gingerol: effect on lipid profile, insulin, leptin, amylase and lipase in male obese rats induced by a high-fat diet

BACKGROUND

Obesity represents a rapidly growing threat to the health of populations and diet intervention has been proposed as one of the strategies for weight loss. Ginger and its constituents have been used for their anti-flatulent, expectorant and appetising properties and they are reported to possess gastro-protective and cholesterol-lowering properties. The present study investigated the effects of gingerol on the changes in body weight, serum glucose, insulin, insulin resistance and lipid profile in plasma and liver as well as on the activity of amylase, lipase and leptin in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats.

RESULTS

HFD-induced obese rats were treated orally with gingerol (25, 50 and 75 mg kg(-1) ) once daily for 30 days. A lorcaserin-treated group (10 mg kg(-1) ) was included for comparison. The levels of body weight, glucose, lipid profile and insulin, insulin resistance, leptin, amylase and lipase were increased significantly (P < 0.05) in HFD rats. Rats treated with gingerol and fed a HFD showed significantly (P < 0.05) decreased glucose level, body weight, leptin, insulin, amylase, lipase plasma and tissue lipids when compared to normal control. The effect at a dose of 75 mg kg(-1) of gingerol was more pronounced than that of the dose 25 mg kg(-1) and 50 mg kg(-1) . The lorcaserin-treated group also manifested similar effects to those of gingerol.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that ginger supplementation suppresses obesity induced by a high fat diet and it might be a promising adjuvant therapy for the treatment of obesity and its complications.

S-allylcysteine Improves Streptozotocin-Induced Alterations of Blood Glucose, Liver Cytochrome P450 2E1, Plasma Antioxidant System, and Adipocytes Hormones in Diabetic Rats

BACKGROUND

S-allylcysteine, a garlic derivative, could have a protective effect against pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES

Sustained free radical generation and oxidative damage to system leads to the final conclusion phase of diabetes and also it coexists with a constant diminution in the antioxidant status.The present study aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of S-allylcysteine (SAC) against adipocytes hormones and antioxidant defense systems of plasma and erythrocytes of treptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diabetic rats were administered SAC (150 mg/kg b.w) orally for 45 days. At 46(th) day, the rats were anesthetized, and blood and liver sample were collected for analyzing glucose, plasma insulin, CYP2E1 activity, Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hydroperoxide, enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants, reduced glutathione (GSH), ceruloplasmin, plasma leptin, and adiponectin.

RESULTS

The levels of glucose, CYP2E1 activity, Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hydroperoxide, and ceruloplasmin were increased significantly; whereas, the levels of plasma insulin, reduced glutathione, enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants, leptin and adiponectin were decreased in experimental diabetic rats. Administration of SAC to diabetic rats led to a decrease in the levels of glucose, CYP2E1 activity, TBARS, and ceruloplasmin. In addition, the levels of plasma insulin, enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants leptin and adiponectin were increased in SAC treated diabetic rats. Gliclazide, a standard drug for diabetes, was used for the comparative purpose.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present investigation suggest that SAC could be used as a food supplement in the treatment of diabetes characterized by provoked antioxidant status, altered blood glucose, and hormones level.

Effect of S-allylcysteine, a sulphur containing amino acid on iron metabolism in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

It is suggested that iron may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Iron is not only chaperoned through its essential functional pathways, but it also causes damage to biological systems by catalyzing the production of reactive oxygen species. So, the parenchymal tissues of several organs are subject to cell injury and functional insufficiency due to excess deposition of iron. The present study investigated the effects of S-allylcysteine (SAC), a sulphur containing amino acid derived from garlic on the changes in iron metabolism induced by oxidative stress in tissues, as well as on serum biochemical parameters of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. SAC was administered orally for 45days to control and experimental diabetic rats. The effects of SAC on glucose, insulin, serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, serum bilirubin, heart heme oxygenase activity (HO) and δ-aminolevulinicacid dehydratase activity (δ-ALA-D) in liver and kidneys were studied. The levels of glucose, iron, ferritin, bilirubin and HO in liver were increased significantly (p<0.05) whereas the levels of insulin, transferrin and δ-ALA-D in tissues were decreased in diabetic rats. Administration of SAC to diabetic rats showed a decrease in blood glucose, iron, ferritin, bilirubin and HO. In addition, the levels of insulin, transferrin and δ-ALA-D activity in tissues were increased in SAC treated diabetic rats. These findings suggest that S-allylcysteine could have a protective effect against alterations in oxidative stress induced iron metabolism in the diabetic state which was evidenced by the capacity of this natural antioxidant to modulate parameters of iron metabolism.

Amaranthus viridis Linn., a common spinach, modulates C-reactive protein, protein profile, ceruloplasmin and glycoprotein in experimental induced myocardial infarcted rats

BACKGROUND

Glycoprotein is one of the components of the cardiac extracellular matrix and plays an important role in cardiac remodelling during various cardiac diseases, including myocardial infarction (MI). This study was aimed at evaluating the preventive role of Amaranthus viridis Linn. on C-reactive protein (CRP), total protein, albumin, globulin, ceruloplasmin and glycoproteins in the serum and heart of experimental induced myocardial infarcted (MI) rats.

RESULTS

MI was induced in male Wistar rats by subcutaneous injection of 20 mg kg(-1) isoproterenol (ISO) kg(-1) body weight (BW) twice at an interval of 24 h. ISO-induced MI rats showed a significant increase in the levels of serum CRP and ceruloplasmin and a significant decrease in the levels of serum total protein, albumin and globulin. Glycoprotein levels in the serum and heart were increased in ISO-induced MI rats. Oral administration of 300 mg A. viridis kg(-1) BW day(-1) for a period of 45 days altered the metabolic derangement in ISO-induced MI rats.

CONCLUSION

This study exemplifies the protective effect of A. viridis on ISO-induced cardiotoxicity in male Wistar rats. The data further reinforce the cardioprotective effect of A. viridis by altering CRP and glycoprotein levels.

Antidiabetic effect of S-allylcysteine: effect on thyroid hormone and circulatory antioxidant system in experimental diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE

It is considered that diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease are the two common endocrine disorders and also suggested that insulin and thyroid hormones influence each other actions. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the administration of S-allylcysteine (SAC), a sulfur containing amino acid derived from garlic on blood glucose, insulin, HbA1C, total protein, albumin, Thyroid hormone (T3, T4), TSH, TBARS and circulatory antioxidant levels (SOD, CAT, GSH and GPx) in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

SAC was administered orally for 45 days to control and STZ induced diabetic rats. The effects of SAC on glucose, plasma insulin, HbA1C, total protein, albumin, Thyroid hormone, TSH and circulatory antioxidant levels were studied.

RESULTS

The levels of glucose, TBARS, hydroperoxide and HbA1C were increased significantly whereas the levels of plasma insulin, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, GSH, GPx, total protein, albumin, Thyroid hormone and TSH were decreased in STZ induced diabetic rats. Administration of SAC to diabetic rats showed a decrease in plasma glucose, TBARS, hydroperoxide and HbA1C. In addition, the levels of plasma insulin, SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH, total protein, albumin, Thyroid hormone and TSH were increased in SAC treated diabetic rats. The effect of SAC was compared with gliclazide, a well-known antioxidant and antihyperglycemic drug.

CONCLUSION

From these findings, it is indicated that SAC might be acting through activation in the synthesis and/or secretion of circulating thyroid hormones which in turn stimulate the synthesis of insulin.

Synthesis, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic properties of some novel N'-((1-(substituted amino)methyl)-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-4-(2-(methyl/phenyl)-4-oxoquinazolin-3(4H)-yl)benzohydrazide derivatives

A new series of N'-((1-(substituted amino)methyl)-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-4-(2-(methyl/phenyl)-4-oxoquinazolin-3(4H)-yl)benzohydrazide derivatives 4a-4l were designed and synthesized from anthranilic acid. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means and elemental analyses. The tail-flick technique and the carrageenan-induced foot paw edema test were performed for screening analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, respectively. All of the compounds were also examined for their ulcerogenicity. Some of the compounds showed significant activity. Among the test compounds, 4b exhibited 53% and 69% analgesic activity at a dose of 10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively. It also displayed 47% (10 mg/kg) and 65% (20 mg/kg) anti-inflammatory activity with one-fourth of ulcer index of the reference drugs diclofenac and aspirin.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of schiff bases of 4-(2-aminophenyl)-morpholines

In the present study, a novel series of 4-(2-aminophenyl)morpholines were synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectral analysis. The synthesized compounds were screened for analgesic (100 and 200 mg/kg), antiinflammatory (200 and 400 mg/kg), antibacterial (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) and antifungal (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) activities. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the compounds were also ascertained by agar streak dilution method. N-benzylidine-2-morpholoino benzenamine (1) and N-(3-nitro benzylidine)-2-morpholino benzenamine (3) exhibited significant analgesic, antiinflammatory and antimicrobial activities.

Antidiabetic effect of S-allylcysteine: Effect on plasma and tissue glycoproteins in experimental diabetes

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of S-allylcysteine (SAC) on dearrangement in glycoprotein levels in the streptozotocin induced diabetic model. SAC (150 mg/kg b.w./day) was administered orally for 45 days to normal and diabetic rats. STZ-induced diabetic rats showed significant increase in blood glucose and glycoprotein components such as hexose, hexosamine, fucose and sialic acid in plasma, liver and kidneys of diabetic rats. Oral administration of SAC to diabetic rats for a period of 45 days normalized all the above-mentioned biochemical parameters. The antihyperglycemic effect of SAC was compared with glyclazide, a well-known antihyperglycemic drug. The present study indicates that SAC possesses a significantly beneficial effect on the glycoprotein moiety in addition to its antidiabetic effect.

Beneficial effect of S-allylcysteine (SAC) on blood glucose and pancreatic antioxidant system in streptozotocin diabetic rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of S-allyl cysteine (SAC) on the antioxidant defense system of pancreas in streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetes in rats. The levels of blood glucose and TBARS in plasma and pancreas were estimated in control and experimental groups of rats. To assess the changes in the cellular antioxidant defense system, the level of reduced glutathione in plasma and pancreas and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were assayed in pancreatic tissue homogenate. The levels of glucose, TBARS and enzymatic antioxidants were altered in diabetic rats. These alterations were reverted back to near control levels after the treatment of SAC. The antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of SAC was compared with glyclazide, a well-known hypoglycemic drug. These findings suggest that SAC treatment exerts a therapeutic protective nature in diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress.