Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of fruit extract of Hodgsonia heteroclita (Roxb.) Hook. f. & Thomson in diabetic mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hodgsonia heteroclita has been known as an important traditionally consumed medicinal plant of North-East India known to have antidiabetic properties. This study aims to investigate the effects of the ethanolic fruit extract of Hodgsonia heteroclita against hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia by using streptozotocin (STZ) treated diabetic mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The fruits of H. heteroclita were collected from the various parts of Kokrajhar district, Assam India (Geographic coordinates: 26°24'3.85″ N 90°16'22.30″ E). Basic morphological evaluations were carried out by the Botanical Survey of India, Eastern circle, Shillong, who also certified and identified the plant. Hexane, chloroform, and ethanolic extracts of the fruit of H. heteroclita were investigated for α-amylase inhibition assay as a rapid screening tool for examining anti-diabetic activity. The efficacy of ethanolic extract at a dose of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight was tested for 21 days in STZ-induced diabetic mice. The body weight, fasting plasma glucose and serum lipids, and hepatic glycogen levels were measured in experimental animals to examine the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic efficacy of the extract. Both HPTLC and LC-MS analysis was performed to examine the phyotochemicals present in the ethanolic extract of H. heteroclita.

RESULTS

It has been observed that treatment with the ethanolic extract dose-dependently reduced the plasma glucose levels, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, and increased the body weight, liver glycogens and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in STZ treated diabetic mice. HPTLC demonstrated the presence of triterpene compounds and LC-MS analysis revealed the presence Cucurbitacin I, Cucurbitacin E, and Kuguacin G as the triterpene phytoconstituents.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that ethanolic fruit extract of H. heteroclita improved both glycemic and lipid parameters in mice model of diabetes.

An insight on the future therapeutic application potential of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a native plant to Paraguay. The extracts have been used as a famous sweetening agent, and the bioactive components derived from stevia possess a broad spectrum of therapeutical potential for various illnesses. Among its medicinal benefits are anti-hypertensive, anti-tumorigenic, anti-diabetic, and anti-hyperlipidemia. Statins (3-hydro-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor) are a class of drugs used to treat atherosclerosis. Statins are explicitly targeting the HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme in the rate-limiting step of cholesterol biosynthesis. Despite being widely used in regulating plasma cholesterol levels, the adverse effects of the drug are a significant concern among clinicians and patients. Hence, steviol glycosides derived from stevia have been proposed as an alternative in replacing statins. Diterpene glycosides from stevia, such as stevioside and rebaudioside A have been evaluated for their efficacy in alleviating cholesterol levels. These glycosides are a potential candidate in treating and preventing atherosclerosis provoked by circulating lipid retention in the sub-endothelial lining of the artery. The present review is an effort to integrate the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, involvement of lipid droplets biogenesis and its associated proteins in atherogenesis, current approaches to treat atherosclerosis, and pharmacological potential of stevia in treating the disease.

Phytotherapeutic efficacy of the medicinal plant Terminalia catappa L

Diabetes is a chronic, lifelong condition due to inadequate production of insulin or the cells does not properly respond it. Recently, the significance and effectiveness of herbal drugs associated with diabetes has emerged. The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-diabetic effects of Terminalia catappa L. leaves on streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats. Two different concentrations of ethanolic leaf extract (300 and 500 mg/kg) of T. catappa were used to treat diabetic rats, and biochemical parameters were analyzed in blood samples. The results of herbal treatments were compared with the standard drug, glibenclamide. The ethanol extract (500 mg/kg) had significant anti-diabetic activity by altering blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, liver glycogen, glucose 6-phosphatase, fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, glucokinase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, uric acid and creatinine levels while increasing insulin levels. Thus, the present study suggests that the supplementation of the diabetic patients with T. catappa leaves can lead to recovery from diabetic effects.

Indole alkaloid from Nauclea latifolia promotes LDL uptake in HepG2 cells by inhibiting PCSK9

BACKGROUND

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has been found to play a major role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) by promoting hyperlipidemia. Its inhibition has therefore emerged as a viable drug target for improving the outcome of ASCVD. However, current monoclonal antibody PCSK9 inhibitors are considered cost ineffective and there is the need to discover new effective and cheaper small molecule alternatives.

PURPOSE

The methanolic and ethanolic crude extracts of Nauclea latifolia have been shown to possess anti-hyperlipidemic activity, but the chemical component(s) responsible for this activity and the mechanism of action have remained unknown. The objective of this study was therefore to identify N. latifolia constituents with anti-hyperlipidemic activity and to investigate the inhibition of PCSK9 as a probable mechanism of action.

METHOD

In the present study, compounds were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the stem of N. latifolia. The alkaloids were evaluated for their DiI-LDL uptake promoting activity in HepG2 cell. The most active compound was further assessed for its effect on low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and PCSK9 protein expressions by western blot.

RESULTS

3R-3,14-dihydroangustoline (5), showed a relatively good activity in promoting LDL uptake (1.26-fold). It further increased LDLR protein expression and decreased the protein expression of PCSK9 in a dose dependent manner (1-50  µM).

CONCLUSION

Alkaloids from N. latifolia may serve as a source of new PCSK9 inhibitors.

Evaluation of Paeonia emodi for its cardioprotective potentials: An investigative study towards possible mechanism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Paeonia emodi Wall. ex Royle (peony) is an important member of family Paeoniaceae. Different parts of the plant have been folklorically used for treatment of different diseases. Infusion of dried flowers is used to treat diarrhea, the seeds are emetic and cathartic while the rhizome has been indicated for the treatment of hysteria, abdominal spasm, nervine tonic and headache. Besides these, peony has also been used in different respiratory and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) like hypertension, palpitations, congestive heart failure and atherosclerosis. Being a folkloric remedy for the treatment of CVDs, Paeonia emodi (P. emodi) requires to be explored scientifically for MI management.

AIM

The current research work was designed to explore the possible cardioprotective mechanism of P. emodi in Isoproterenol hydrochloride (ISO) induced MI in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experimental animals randomly divided in different groups, received methanolic extract of P. emodi (Pe.ME) and its subsequent fractions for 15 days followed by ISO (100 mg/kg s.c) at 24 h interval for two days. The cardioprotective potential of the test samples were investigated by determining the serum levels of Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT), Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) and Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK). The ethyl acetate fraction (Pe.EA) was found potent among all the tested samples of P. emodi. Based on its high potency, Pe.EA was subjected to GC-MS analysis and further relevant experiments including anti-hyperlipidemic, antioxidant, lipid peroxidation, membrane stabilization, thrombolytic, DNA ladder assay and histopathological study.

RESULTS

Pe.EA exhibited significant cardioprotective activity through reduction in levels of serum biomarkers responsible for MI. It significantly reduced serum levels of ALT (p < 0.001), AST (p < 0.001), CPK (p < 0.05) and LDH (p < 0.001) at a dose of 300 mg/kg as compared to ISO treated group. The GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of potential compounds (esculetin, methyl eugenol, isovanillic acid) which might play a role in cardioprotection. Further screening confirmed that the effect of Pe.EA is mediated through multiple targets/mechanisms, which include anti-hyperlipidemia, antioxidant, lipid peroxidation inhibition, membrane stabilization, thrombolytic and DNA protective effects. Histopathological studies revealed the palliative effect for the damage caused in myocardial tissues.

CONCLUSION

Findings of current study provide evidence that P. emodi is a potential candidate for the treatment and management of MI.

Anti-hyperlipidemic, antioxidant and organic protection effects of acidic-extractable polysaccharides from Dictyophora indusiata

In the present work, we investigated the anti-hyperlipidemic, antioxidant and organic protection effects of acidic-extractable Dictyophora indusiata polysaccharides (Ac-DPS) on hyperlipidemic mice induced by high-fat emulsion. The results demonstrated that Ac-DPS had impressive abilities to mitigate oxidative stress by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzyme and reducing the contents of lipid peroxide. Moreover, lipid levels in serum were returned to normal status. Besides, Ac-DPS exhibited potential hepatic and renal protection effects reflected by decreasing serum enzyme activities, lowering TBIL, UREA and CREA levels and increasing ALB content. At the same time, histopathological observations proved protective effects of Ac-DPS on organs. Subsequently, the physical properties of polysaccharide were also investigated by HPGPC and FT-IR. The above consequences confirmed the important role of Ac-DPS as a functional food and natural medicine in the fight against oxidative stress and the prevention of hyperlipidemia.

Antioxidant, anti-hyperlipidemia and hepatic protection of enzyme-assisted Morehella esculenta polysaccharide

The aims of this work were to investigate the antioxidant, anti-hyperlipidemia and hepatic protection of Morehella esculenta polysaccharide (MPS) from fruiting body and its enzyme-assisted MPS (EnMPS). The in vitro scavenging rates of EnMPS at 600 mg/L on superoxide, hydroxyl and 1,1‑diphenyl‑2‑pyrazole hydrazide (DPPH) radicals were 76.92 ± 2.61%, 66.74 ± 2.56% and 75.78 ± 2.4%, higher than those of MPS, respectively. Animals experiments showed that the EnMPS exhibited superior abilities of reducing hepatic lipid levels by monitoring the serum enzyme activities (ALP, ALT, ALB and AST) and serum lipid levels (CK, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C and LDH), enhancing the hepatic antioxidant enzymes (FFA, SOD, CAT and T-AOC) and decreasing the lipid peroxidation (MDA and MPO). The results suggested that the EnMPS can act as a natural candidate for developing drugs to reduce blood lipids, resist oxidation and protect the liver.

Evaluation of Paeonia emodi and its gold nanoparticles for cardioprotective and antihyperlipidemic potentials

Paeonia emodi Wall. ex Royle is an important member of family Paeoniaceae and folklorically used for constipation, hysteria, respiratory diseases, epilepsy and cardiac diseases like hypertension, palpitations, congestive heart failure and atherosclerosis. In the present study, ethyl acetate fraction of P. emodi (Pe.EA) was subjected to column chromatography to obtain sub- fractions. These sub-fractions were screened for their cardioprotective activity in isoproterenol hydrochloride (ISO) induced myocardial infarction (MI) in mice. The most active fraction Pe. EA 40 was used for its gold nanoparticles synthesis (Pe.EA 40-AuNPs). Pe.EA 40 and Pe.EA 40-AuNPs were investigated for their cardioprotective, antihyperlipidemic, DNA fragmentation assay and histopathological study. Pe.EA 40 (80 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced the serum levels of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) to 66.07 ± 1.54, 77.08 ± 1.79, 84.86 ± 1.34 and 265.34 ± 4.34 IU/L respectively as compared to ISO treated group. Pe.EA 40-AuNPs (40 mg/kg) reduced the levels of ALT, AST, CPK and LDH to 60.74 ± 2.79, 75.47 ± 1.67, 80.48 ± 2.64 and 247.54. ± 5.57 IU/L respectively. A significant reduction was observed in lipid profile, protection in DNA damage and restoration of histopathological changes as compared to ISO treated group. Based on the results, it can be suggested that preparation of Pe.EA 40-AuNPs enhances the therapeutic potential of plant extract for the treatment of atherosclerosis and MI.

Halimane-type diterpenoids from Vitex rotundifolia and their anti-hyperlipidemia activities

Vitex rotundifolia is the variant of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Vitex trifolia. Diterpenoids from V. trifolia have shown anti-hyperlipidemia activity. As part of a continuous research program of searching for anti-hyperlipidemia constituents from TCM, 95% alcohol extract of the fruits of V. rotundifolia was fully studied, and 18 diterpenoids were isolated, including eight previously undescribed compounds (viterofolins A-H). Among them, viterofolins A-B were previously undescribed rearranged halimane-type diterpenoids, viterofolins CH were previously undescribed halimane-type diterpenoids. These compounds were then firstly evaluated in lipid (Dil-LDL) uptake assay in HepG2 cells. Viterofolin H, (5S, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10S)-6-acetoxy-9-hydroxy-13 (14)-labden-16,15-olide and previtexilactone showed moderate activities in promoting LDL uptake (1.27-1.35 fold). This work laid the foundation for searching anti-hyperlipidemia natural products.

Cassia auriculata flower extract attenuates hyperlipidemia in male Wistar rats by regulating the hepatic cholesterol metabolism

Hyperlipidemia in the male albino Wistar rats was induced by Triton WR - 1339. The treatment of the hyperlipidemic animals with the ethanol extract of Cassia auriculata flower (Et-CAF) exhibited a dose dependent reduction in serum triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) similar to the hyperlipidemic animals treated with standard drug atorvastatin. Hyperlipidemia altered the protein and mRNA expression levels of the key genes (SREBP-1c, ACC1, SREBP-2, HMGR, HMGS, CYP7A1, and ABCA1) in lipid metabolism and the treatment with Et-CAF (300mg/kg b. wt) reverted these levels similar to that observed with atorvastatin treated hyperlipidemic animals. These results revealed that Et-CAF extract served as an efficient anti-hyperlipidemic drug.

Evaluation of hypolipidemic Marrubium vulgare effect in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglyceridemic activities of four Marrbium vulgare herb extracts using Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia in mice.

METHODS

Hyperlipidemia was developed by intraperitoneal injection of Triton (200 mg/kg body weight). The animals were divided into main four groups of eight mice each: normal control group, hyperlipidemic control group, hyperlipidemic plus tween-40 control and treated group. The fourth one was divided into four subgroups, petroleum ether extract group, chloroform extract group, ethyl acetate extract group and methanol extract treated group each of them contains two sub-sub group for treating animals with two doses at 0.1 and 0.25 LD50.

RESULTS

After 7 h and 24 h of treatment, the intragastric administration of all extracts caused a significant decrease of plasma total cholesterol. Triglyceride levels were also significantly lowered by all extracts while petroleum ether produced the lowest decreasing level. Similar results were observed for LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Furthermore, more polar extracts (methanol and ethyl acetate)-soluble fractions showed a significant ameliorative action on elevated atherogenic index (AI) and LDL/HDL-C ratios, while these atherogenic markers were not statistically suppressed by the chloroform and petroleum ether-soluble extract.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicated that Marrubium may contain polar products able to lower plasma lipid concentrations and might be beneficial in treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Influence of pioglitazone on experimental heart failure and hyperlipidemia in rats

Objectives:

To investigate the effect of pioglitazone on isoproterenol-induced heart failure and high-fructose diet-induced metabolic changes in rats.

Materials and Methods:

Three doses of pioglitazone (Pio – 3, 10, 30 mg/kg, po) were tested in male Wistar rats. In the Heart Failure (HF) group, treatment was followed by Isoproterenol (ISO) injection. The markers for HF, such as enzyme estimation, relative heart weight, and antioxidant status, were evaluated. In another group, metabolic disturbances were induced by High Fructose Diet (HFD). The influence of Pio treatment on Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), serum glucose, Triglycerides (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC), and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (HDL-c) were determined.

Results:

The results indicated that Pio at 10 mg increased significantly (P<0.05) the Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Creatinine Kinase-MB (CK-MB), and antioxidant enzyme levels as compared to ISO. The high dose of Pio (30 mg) enhanced (P<0.05) Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Lipid Peroxidation (LPO),and relative heart weight in addition to increased LDH, CK-MB, and antioxidant enzyme activity. In the HFD group, a dose-dependent inhibitory effect was observed. Pio at 3 mg significantly reduced (P<0.05) elevated glycemia, TG, and SBP as compared to HFD rats. Further, the higher doses of Pio (10 and 30 mg) enhanced the inhibitory effect on glucose, TG, and SBP besides elevating the HDL-c levels. However, none of the tested doses of Pio significantly altered the TC level in HFD rats.

Conclusion:

The observations suggest that Pio exhibits anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive effects and also partially corrected the hyperlipidemia, but the treatment augmented the cardiac damage associated with ISO. The antioxidant property of Pio appears to have a limited role in protecting the ISO-mediated heart damage.