Physiologic and Metabolic Benefits of Formulated Diets and Mangifera indica in Fluoride Toxicity

Fluorosis is a major health problem affecting normal physiological and metabolic functions in people living in endemic fluoride areas. The present work was aimed at investigating the role of basal, high carbohydrate low protein (HCLP) and high protein low carbohydrate (HPLC) diets and Mangifera indica fruit powder as a food supplement in fluoride-induced metabolic toxicity. Exposure to fluoride resulted in elevation of plasma glucose levels, ACP, ALP, SGPT, SGOT, and hepatic G-6-Pase activities, plasma and hepatic lipid profiles with decreased plasma protein, HDL-C, hepatic glycogen content and hexokinase activity in basal, HCLP and HPLC diet fed albino rats. However among the three diets tested, HPLC diet was found to be relatively, a better metabolic regulator. All the three formulated diets (basal, HCLP and HPLC) supplemented with mango fruit powder (5 and 10 g), decreased plasma glucose content, ACP, ALP, SGPT, SGOT and hepatic G-6-Pase activities and plasma as well as hepatic lipid profiles. These diets also elevated the hepatic glycogen content and hexokinase activities. These effects however, were prominent with the HPLC diet supplemented with mango fruit powder and, among the two doses of mango fruit powder, the higher dose (10 g) yielded more promising results. It is surmised that the micronutrients and phytochemicals present in the diets and the mango fruit could be responsible for attenuation of fluoride-induced metabolic toxicity.

Physiological Role of a Multigrain Diet in Metabolic Regulations of Lipid and Antioxidant Profiles in Hypercholesteremic Rats: Multigrain diet in hyperlipemia

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the present study was to investigate the lipid and the antioxidant regulatory potential of a multigrain diet in laboratory animals with reference to lipid profiles, tissue lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status.

METHODS

Two types of diets, with or without addition of cholesterol, were used in the study - a commercial diet and a formulated multigrain diet (with Sorghum vulgare, Avena sativa, Pennisetum typhoideum, Oryza sativa, Eleusine coracana and Zea mays grains). After a 10-week period of feeding the diets to albino rats the plasma, liver and fecal lipid profiles and the hepatic and renal antioxidant status of the animals that were fed the commercial and the formulated diets (with and without cholesterol addition) were assessed.

RESULTS

The commercial diet supplemented with cholesterol elevated the levels of plasma total lipids, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), as well as the atherogenic index (AI). The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) content and the antioxidant profiles (total ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase reduced glutathione) declined along with increases in lipid peroxidation. The formulated diet (with and without addition of cholesterol) was found to be more efficient than the commercial diet in controlling plasma, hepatic and fecal lipid profiles, as well as hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status, than of the hypercholesteremic animals.

CONCLUSION

The multigrain diet used in the present study is effective in countering the hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress caused by high cholesterol intake.

Limonia fruit as a food supplement to regulate fluoride-induced hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia

BACKGROUND

Limonia fruit pulp is edible and used in a number of food preparations. This fruit is also used as a folk medicine to treat various ailments and reportedly possesses antihyperglycaemic and antihyperlipidaemic activities. The purpose of the present study was to examine the potential of Limonia acidissima L. (LA) fruit pulp in regulating the carbohydrate and lipid profiles in fluoride-exposed rats.

RESULTS

Exposure to fluoride (100 mg l⁻¹ NaF) resulted in significant increases in plasma and hepatic carbohydrate and lipid profiles. Administration of LA fruit powder (2.5, 5 and 10 g kg⁻¹) in the diet for 4 weeks resulted in significant decreases in plasma glucose and lipid profiles and hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity and significant increases in hepatic glycogen content and hexokinase activity and plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Phytochemical analysis of the LA fruit pulp revealed the presence of fibres, phytosterols, saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids and ascorbic acid.

CONCLUSION

Consumption of LA fruit pulp is beneficial in controlling hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia in fluoride-induced toxicity. Since fibres, phytosterols, saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids and total ascorbic acid are known to influence both carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms, the decline in carbohydrate and lipid levels in LA-administered fluoride-exposed rats could be attributed to the phytoconstituents of the fruit.

Ameliorative effect of tamarind leaf on fluoride-induced metabolic alterations

OBJECTIVES

Fluoride is a serious health hazard across several nations, and chronic intake of fluoride deranges the carbohydrate, lipid and antioxidant metabolism in general. As there are limited remedial measures to prevent fluorosis, we investigated the role of tamarind leaf as a food supplement in restoration of carbohydrate, lipid and antioxidant metabolism in fluoride-exposed albino rats.

METHODS

Albino rats were exposed to fluoride (100 ppm sodium fluoride) through drinking water and fed diet supplemented with tamarind leaf powder (2.5, 5 and 10 g %) for 4 weeks. Carbohydrate, lipid and antioxidant profiles were investigated in both controls and fluoride-exposed animals.

RESULTS

While 4-week exposure to fluoride elevated plasma glucose and lipid profiles, simulating diabetic and hyperlipidaemic conditions, the antioxidant defence mechanisms of fluoride-exposed rats were compromised, with elevation and decline in lipid peroxidation and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, respectively. When the diet was supplemented with tender tamarind leaves (used in southern India as a replacement for tamarind or other sour food ingredients), significant improvements in carbohydrate and lipid profiles occurred as evidenced by decreased plasma glucose and lipid levels, lipid peroxidation, increased hepatic glycogen content, hexokinase activity and cholesterol excretion, with simultaneous improvement in antioxidant profiles of both hepatic and renal tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings are significant in view of the need for cost-effective approaches to tackle fluorosis as an environmental hazard and use of food supplements as ameliorative measures.

Antioxidant and ACE enhancing potential of Pankajakasthuri in fluoride toxicity: an in vitro study on mammalian lungs

Fluoride toxicity occurs due to high concentrations of fluoride in water sources or anthropogenic causes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an Ayurvedic drug--Pankajakasthuri (PK)--in relation to fluoride-induced toxicity in mammalian lungs. The results indicated that sodium fluoride increased lipid peroxidation and decreased enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in a concentration-dependent manner in lungs. The antioxidant potential of the lungs was suppressed maximally at 10 ppm fluoride concentration and PK at all three dose levels (i.e., 100, 200 and 300 µl) decreased fluoride induced lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05) and increased the levels of total ascorbic acid, superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and FRAP values significantly (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. When PK was examined for its effects on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, in fluoride-induced toxicity, the ACE activity was found to increase (p < 0.0001) in lung homogenates with all three doses. This study indicates that PK, an Ayurvedic drug, improves mammalian lung function by increasing antioxidant potential and ACE activity under the conditions of fluoride toxicity.

Leucas cephalotes regulates carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and improves antioxidant status in IDDM and NIDDM rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Leucas cephalotes (Roth.) Spreng. (Laminaceae) is an ayurvedic traditional medicinal plant used in India, Nepal and Pakistan to treat several ailments including diabetes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of the present study is to investigate the antidiabetic, antihyperlipaemic and antioxidant activities of Leucas cephalotes for its purported use in diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ethanol extract of leaves of Leucas cephalotes was administered (150, 300 and 450 mg kg(-1)bw) to diabetes induced (IDDM and NIDDM) rats and carbohydrate, lipid, antioxidant, urea and creatinine profiles were assessed.

RESULTS

All the three doses of extract decreased plasma glucose and lipid profiles and, improved the antioxidant status of both types of diabetic rats. The extract administration improved hepatic glycogen content and hexokinase activity, decreased glucose-6-phosphatase activity, blood urea, creatinine contents and decreased lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats. Of the three doses used, 450 mg kg(-1)bw dose was found to be more potent in its effects comparable to those of glibenclamide and metformin.

CONCLUSION

Leucas cephalotes regulates both carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and, improves body antioxidant defense systems in both types of diabetes.

Antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Costus speciosus in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Hyperglycemia, abnormal lipid and antioxidant profiles are the most usual complications in diabetes mellitus. In the present study, the antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipemic and antioxidant potency of an ethanol extract of Costus speciosus root was investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic male (Charles Foster) rats. Four groups of alloxan diabetic rats (n = 6) were administered orally with different doses of Costus speciosus root extract (150, 300 and 450 mg/kg BW) and a standard drug, glibenclamide (600 microg/kg BW), for 4 weeks. Two groups of rats (n = 6) served as normal and diabetic controls. While the diabetic controls showed significant abnormal carbohydrate, lipid and antioxidant profiles, administration of 150 mg/kg BW dose neither improved glucose nor lipid metabolism and antioxidant levels. Administration of 300 and 450 mg/kg BW doses, however, resulted in a reversal of diabetes and its complications. Both doses significantly brought down blood glucose concentration (26.76%, 34.68%), increased glycogenesis and decreased glyconeogenesis bringing the glucose metabolism toward normalcy. These doses also reversed the hyperlipidemia by reducing plasma total lipid (12.87%, 178.24%), cholesterol (21.92%, 30.77%) and triglyceride (25.32%, 33.99%) and improved hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities. The high dose (450 mg/kg BW) was found to have more potential antioxidant activities compared with glibenclamide. It is concluded that Costus speciosus root extract possesses anti-hyperglycemic, antihyperlipemic and antioxidative effects, which may prove to be of clinical importance in the management of diabetes and its complications.

Asparagus root regulates cholesterol metabolism and improves antioxidant status in hypercholesteremic rats

Hyperlipidemia/hypercholesteremia are major risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Root of Asparagus racemosus (AR) is widely used in Ayurvedic system of medicine in India and is known for its steroidal saponin content. This study was designed to investigate the hypocholesteremic and antioxidant potential of AR root in both normo- and hypercholesteremic animals. Normal and hypercholesteremic male albino rats were administered with root powder of AR (5 and 10 g% dose levels) along with normal and hypercholesteremic diets, respectively, for a duration of 4 weeks. Plasma and hepatic lipid profiles, fecal sterol, bile acid excretion and hepatic antioxidant activity were assessed. Inclusion of AR root powder in diet, resulted in a dose-dependant reduction in plasma and hepatic lipid profiles, increased fecal excretion of cholesterol, neutral sterol and bile acid along with increases in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity and bile acid content in hypercholesteremic rats. Further, AR root also improved the hepatic antioxidant status (catalase, SOD and ascorbic acid levels). No significant changes in lipid and antioxidant profiles occurred in the normocholesteremic rats administered with AR root powder. AR root appeared to be useful as a dietary supplement that offers a protection against hyperlipidemia/hypercholesteremia in hypercholesteremic animals. The results of the present study indicate that the potent therapeutic phyto-components present in AR root i.e. phytosterols, saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids and ascorbic acid, could be responsible for increased bile acid production, elimination of excess cholesterol and elevation of hepatic antioxidant status in hypercholesteremic conditions.

AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF CHLOROPHYTUM BORIVILIANUM ROOT ON LIPID METABOLISM IN HYPERLIPAEMIC RATS

1. The present study examined the efficacy of Chlorophytum borivilianum root (powder) in modulating the hyperlipaemic/hypercholesteraemic conditions in male albino rats. 2. Administration of C. borivilianum (0.75 and 1.5 g root powder/rat per day for 4 weeks) to hypercholesteraemic rats significantly increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels and decreased plasma and hepatic lipid profiles. 3. In addition, there were significant increases in faecal cholesterol, neutral sterol and bile acid excretion with elevated hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity and bile acid production. 4. Furthermore, the hypercholesteraemic rats treated with both doses of C. borivilianum also exhibited increases in superoxide dismutase and ascorbic acid levels. 5. Normocholesteraemic animals treated with both doses of C. borivilianum root powder did not show any significant variation in either lipid or anti-oxidant profiles, except for an increase in the hepatic ascorbic acid concentration compared with their untreated counterparts. 6. The hypolipaemic/hypocholesteraemic effect of C. borivilianum root powder appears to be mediated by an increase in cholesterol turnover via increased faecal cholesterol excretion and, second, through an endogenous cholesterol conversion into bile acid. 7. Administration of C. borivilianum root powder also increased the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes and vitamin C levels, which may have enhanced the anti-oxidant capacity of the liver.

Hypocholesteremic and antioxidant effects of Withania somnifera (Dunal) in hypercholesteremic rats

Hypocholesteremic and antioxidant effects of Withania somnifera (WS) Dunal (Solanaceae) were investigated in hypercholesteremic male albino rats. When the root powder of WS was added to the diet at 0.75 and 1.5 gm/rat/day, hypercholesteremic animals registered significant decreases in total lipids (-40.54%; -50.69%), cholesterol (-41.58%; -53.01%) and triglycerides (-31.25%; - 44.85%) in plasma. On the other hand, significant increases in plasma HDL-cholesterol levels (+15.10%; +17.71%), HMG-CoA reductase activity (+19.51%; +26.02%) and bile acid content (+24.64%; +30.52%) of liver were noted in these animals. A similar trend was also noted in bile acid (+22.43%;+28.52%), cholesterol (+14.21%; +17.68%) and neutral sterol (+12.40%; +18.85%) excretion in the hypercholesteremic animals with WS administration. Further, a significant decrease in lipid-peroxidation (-35.29%; -36.52%) occurred in WS administered hypercholesteremic animals when compared to their normal counterparts. However, it appeared that WS root powder is also effective in normal subjects for decreasing lipid profiles.

Hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects ofGlycyrrhiza glabra (Linn) in rats

The hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GG) root powder were examined in hypercholesterolaemic male albino rats. A 4-week administration of GG root powder (5 and 10 gm% in diet) to hypercholesterolaemic rats resulted in significant reduction in plasma, hepatic total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and plasma low-density lipoprotein and VLDL-cholesterol accompanied by significant increases in HDL-cholesterol levels. Furthermore, significant increases in fecal cholesterol, neutral sterols and bile acid excretion along with an increase in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity and bile acid production were observed in these animals. The root powder administration to hypercholesterolaemic rats also decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation with a concomitant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities and total ascorbic acid content. Thus, the hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects of GG root appeared to be mediated via (i) accelerated cholesterol, neutral sterol and bile acid elimination through fecal matter with an increased hepatic bile acid production and (ii) improving the activities of hepatic SOD, catalase and increasing the ascorbic acid content. The normo-cholesterolaemic animals when fed with GG root powder at 10 gm% level, registered a significant decline in plasma lipid profiles and an increase in HDL-cholesterol content. The antioxidant status of these animals also was improved upon treatment.