Anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-diabetic evaluation of ethanolic leaf extract of Catharanthus roseus alone and in combination therapy

The use of plants in disease treatment is cost effective and relatively safe. This study was designed to investigate anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-diabetic activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Catharanthus roseus alone and in combination therapy in hyperlipidemic & diabetic mice. Eight groups comprising five mice each were used. Group A was hyperlipidemic control, group B, C, D received atorvastatin (20 mg/kg), leaf extract (200 mg/kg) and leaf extract in combination with atorvastatin (200 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) orally for 15 days. Group E was diabetic control. Group F, G, H received sitagliptin (40 mg/kg), leaf extract (200 mg/kg) and extract in combination with sitagliptin (200 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) orally for 7 days. Blood cholesterol levels were measured at 1st, 5th, 10th and 15th day and fasting blood sugar levels were measured at 2, 12, 24, 72 and 168 hours during treatment. One-way ANOVA with tukey- kramer multiple comparison test was used. The chemical characterization of ethanolic extract of Catharanthus roseus leaves showed presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. Ethanolic extract of Catharanthus roseus has significant anti-hyperlipidemic & anti-diabetic effects (p<0.05, p<0.01) when compared with control but had not cause significantly increase in anti-hyperlipidemic effects of atorvastatin. While significantly increased the antidiabetic effect of sitagliptin (p<0.05)

Study of antidiabetic and antioxidant activities for 2 species of birch leaves / Монголын эм зүй, эм судлал

Abstract@#The birch leaves were used as a substitute for birch bark, buds and chaga of birch in traditional medicine because the birch leaves are considered to be less toxic. Numerous researches conducted in Russia, Bulgaria, Japan, and China on <i>B.pubescens, B. pendula, B.Rezniczenkoana (Litv) </i> Schischk, <i>B.humilis</i> Schrank, and <i>B.mandshurica</i> Rgl Nakai found that birch barks and leaves contain antioxidants and they have anti-cancer, anti-yeast, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, liver protective and bile secretion induction properties. The studies conducted on animals with diseases showed that the birch leaves had anti-inflammatory properties on the gastric mucosa during acute stress, as well as anti-biliary and giardiasis. The birch leaf phytopreparations experimentations used on animals showed reduced peripheral tissue insulin resistance and lowered blood sugar. Mongolian traditional medicinal journals noted that the birch barks are used to treat inflammatory acute diseases. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the effects of two species of birch leaves on blood sugar and antioxidant activities in diabetes-induced rats.@*The study materials and methods@#The study was conducted in the Pharmacology Research Laboratory of the Monos Group’s Institute of Pharmacology. 40 WISTAR, non-linear white rats weighing 150-204 g were used in the experiments. Dry extract of birch leaves of the two species (Alloxan monohydrate Tokyo Chemical Industry LTD), IGM-100 3A blood glucose meter (Blood glucose test meter, Infopia LTD, Brussels Belgium) and sugar test (Blood glucose test strip only, province, China) were used for the experiment. Lenzen’s (2008) method was used to induce Alloxan diabetes in the rats and the antioxidant properties were determined by the antioxidant activity kit (Rat Malondialchehyche Elisa KIT, cat. № EKRAT- 0266, Jilin).@*Study Result@#The blood glucose level of the control group with diabetes lowered from 31.5 mmol/l to 17.1 mmol/l in 14 days. As for the <i>B.platyphylla</i> Sukacz group, the blood glucose level reduced to 6.3 mmol/l and the <i>B.hippolytii. </i> Sukacz group’s blood glucose level reduced to 6.9 mmol/l in 14 days.</br> The study results showed that <i>B.hippolytii </i>Sukacz birch leaves and <i>B.platyphilla</i> Sukacz birch leaves’ extracts reduced the maximum level of MDA dilution (4.8 nmol/ml) of B.hippolytii Sukacz and B.platyphilla Sukacz groups by 33.9% and 53.5% respectively. This suggests that the birch leaves had antioxidant effect.@*Conclusion@#<i>B.hippolytii </i>Sukacz birch leaves and <i>B. platyphilla </i> (Sukacz) birch leaves lowered the blood glucose level and had antioxidant properties on diabetes.

Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Cancer Activity And Associated Toxicity Of Leucas Aspera Extract In Wistar Albino Rats

In regenerative medicine, nanotechnology plays a vital role in the diagnosis, the delivery of therapeutic drugs and the treatment of many diseases and disorders. Due to the growing need to develop environmentally friendly technologies in material synthesis, the biosynthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (IOP) has received considerable attention over the past decades. Therefore, the community is now looking back for traditional medicines for various diseases after the practice of allopathic drugs with tremendous side effects. There are an increasing number of biomedical applications for iron oxide nanoparticles; as such uses are essential for in-vitro characterisation and in-vivo to ensure the bio-safety of these particles. The main complication of diabetes due to frequent lipid peroxidation is liver damage and renal dysfunction, but treatment with Leucas aspera has a pronounced effect on these indicators, which protects the organs from further damage. The current research supports the traditional use of Leucas aspera against diabetes mellitus and cancer, as well as the safety, effectiveness and potency of Leucas aspera leaf extract's anti-diabetic and anti-cancer effect in the in-vivo model. The overall results reveal that Leucas aspera has the potential and can be a candidate of choice without side effect.

Assessment of anti-diabetic activity of peanut shell polyphenol extracts / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic property of peanut shell polyphenol extracts (PSPEs). Diabetic rats were oral-administrated with PSPE at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) per day for 28 consecutive days, with metformin (Met) as a positive control. The results showed that, similar to the Met treatment, administration of PSPE caused significant decreases in food intake, water intake, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde in serum, and significant increases in BW, insulin level, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and liver glycogen. Further, glucose tolerance was markedly improved in the PSPE-treated diabetic groups. Histopathological results showed that PSPE improved cellular structural and pathological changes in liver, kidney, and pancreatic islets. Collectively, the results indicated that the hypoglycemic effects of PSPE on high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetes are comparable to Met, though their exact mechanism actions are still under investigation. Therefore, the current study suggests that PSPE could be a potential health-care food supplement in the management of diabetes.

A critical review on Nepal Dock (Rumex nepalensis): A tropical herb with immense medicinal importance

Rumex nepalensis Spreng. (Polygonaceae) commonly known as Nepal Dock has wide-spectrum therapeutic potencies and is extensively used for centuries in traditional medicine systems. The leaves of this plant are edible and a rich source of natural antioxidants. They act as a possible food supplement and are largely used in pharmaceutical industry. Extracts and metabolites from this plant exhibits pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, purgative, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-algal, central nervous system depressant, genotoxic, wound healing and skeletal muscle relaxant activity. Due to its remarkable biological activities, it has the potential to act as a rich source of drug against life threatening diseases. However, more studies are needed to scientifically validate the traditional uses of this plant, beside isolating and identifying their active principles and characterizing the mechanisms of action. We present herein a critical account of its botany, ecology, traditional uses, phytoconstituent profile and major pharmacological activities reported in recent years and therefore will provide a source of information on this plant for further studies.

Phenolic profile and biological potential of Endopleura uchi extracts

OBJECTIVE@#To improve the knowledge on the metabolite composition of Endopleura uchi bark, concerning phenolic compounds, and to evaluate some of its biological capacities for further possible exploitation in food and pharmaceutical industries associated to their health-promoting qualities.@*METHODS@#Two different extracts (infusion and hydroethanolic) were studied concerning phenolic composition and biological potential.@*RESULTS@#Five compounds were determined by HPLC-DAD, being bergenin the major one. In general way, infusion presents a greater richness in these metabolites. The antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, α-glucosidase and antibacterial activity were checked by in vitro assays. A dose-dependent response was noticed against DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide radicals, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and against α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. Antibacterial capacity of both extracts was investigated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, being more effective against the first one. The concentrations of infusion extract tested here revealed that is non-toxic for intestinal (Caco-2) cells line.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results suggest that the extracts of Endopleura uchi may be interesting for incorporating in pharmaceutical preparations for human health, since it can suppress hyperglycaemia and inhibit cholinesteases, and or as food additive due to its antiradical and antibacterial activities.

Phenolic profile and biological potential of Endopleura uchi extracts

Objective: To improve the knowledge on the metabolite composition of Endopleura uchi bark, concerning phenolic compounds, and to evaluate some of its biological capacities for further possible exploitation in food and pharmaceutical industries associated to their health-promoting qualities. Methods: Two different extracts (infusion and hydroethanolic) were studied concerning phenolic composition and biological potential. Results: Five compounds were determined by HPLC-DAD, being bergenin the major one. In general way, infusion presents a greater richness in these metabolites. The antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, α-glucosidase and antibacterial activity were checked by in vitro assays. A dose-dependent response was noticed against DPPH, superoxide and nitric oxide radicals, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase and against α-glucosidase inhibitory assay. Antibacterial capacity of both extracts was investigated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, being more effective against the first one. The concentrations of infusion extract tested here revealed that is non-toxic for intestinal (Caco-2) cells line. Conclusions: The results suggest that the extracts of Endopleura uchi may be interesting for incorporating in pharmaceutical preparations for human health, since it can suppress hyperglycaemia and inhibit cholinesteases, and or as food additive due to its antiradical and antibacterial activities.

Evaluation of Anti-diabetic Potentials of Methanol Extract of Ficus hispida Linn. Leaves Against Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats.

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the acute and chronic effects of the methanol extract of Ficus hispida against alloxan (150 mg/kg) induced diabetic rats. Methods: In acute study, hypoglycemic potency of methanol extract of Ficus hispida was assessed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and in chronic study of 21 days, extract at different doses ( ie 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was screened for itsanti-diabetic activity. Blood glucose level had been estimated at 0, 7th, 14th and 21st and addition to this serum concentrations of insulin, triglycerides, cholesterol, serum glutamate oxaloacetae transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and urea determined at 21st day of the study. Results: In OGTT, standard glibenclamide and extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) have shown significant reduction in blood glucose level compared to control group. In chronic model, the methanol extract was effective in reducing the blood glucose levels (P <0.001) at higher dose (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) and effect was comparable to that of standard. The extract could also significantly (P<0.001) reduced level of SGOT, triglycerides and cholesterol in serum and significantly (P<0.001) increased the insulin level in blood which proves beneficial antidiabetic potentials of the extract in diabetic model. The change in concentrations of SGPT and urea were not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: The methanol extract of Ficus hispida posses significant anti-diabetic activity in alloxan induced diabetis in rats model.

Barringtonia acutangula improves the biochemical parameters in diabetic rats / 中国天然药物

AIM@#This study was aimed at evaluating the anti-diabetic activity of the ethanol and aqueous extracts of the leaf material of Barringtonia acutangula in a diabetic animal model.@*METHODS@#The ethanolic and aqueous extracts (250 and 500 mg·kg(-1) body weight) of the leaves of B. acutangula were assessed for antidiabetic activity in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes animal model following 21 days of treatment. Glibenclamide (0.6 mg·kg(-1) p.o.) was used as a positive control. The hematological parameters, such as blood glucose level, urea, creatinin, cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels were examined.@*RESULTS@#An acute toxicity study (5 000 mg·kg(-1), p.o.) did not produce any symptoms of toxicity. Significant reductions in blood glucose level, and serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were noted in animals treated with the extract. The high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLC) level was found to increase as compared with the diabetic control group.@*CONCLUSION@#These results suggest that the leaf aqueous and ethanolic extracts of B. acutangula have anti-diabetic effects. The aqueous extract of B. acutangula produced a similar effect when compared with the ethanol extract. It is proposed that consumption of B. acutangula in some form like tea may help the management of diabetes.

Study of the mechanisms underlying increased glucose absorption in Smilax china L. leaf extract-treated HepG2 cells / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown that treatment with Smilax china L. leaf extract (SCLE) produces antidiabetic effects due to alpha-glucosidase inhibition. In this study, we examined the mechanism underlying these antidiabetic effects by examining glucose uptake in HepG2 cells cultured with SCLE. METHODS: Glucose uptake and glucokinase activity were examined using an assay kit. Expression of glucose transporter (GLUT)-2, GLUT-4, and HNF-1alpha was measured by RT-PCR or western blot. RESULTS: Treatment with SCLE resulted in enhanced glucose uptake in HepG2 cells, and this effect was especially pronounced when cells were cultured in an insulin-free medium. SCLE induced an increase in expression of GLUT-2 but not GLUT-4. The increase in the levels of HNF-1alpha, a GLUT-2 transcription factor, in total protein extract and nuclear fraction suggest that the effects of SCLE may occur at the level of GLUT-2 transcription. In addition, by measuring the change in glucokinase activity following SCLE treatment, we confirmed that SCLE stimulates glucose utilization by direct activation of this enzyme. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the potential antidiabetic activity of SCLE is due at least in part to stimulation of glucose uptake and an increase in glucokinase activity, and that SCLE-stimulated glucose uptake is mediated through enhancement of GLUT-2 expression by inducing expression of its transcription factor, HNF-1alpha.

Exploration of optimum conditions for production of saccharogenic mixed grain beverages and assessment of anti-diabetic activity / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to establish the production conditions through optimization of the production process of beverages using Aspergillus oryzae CF1001, and to analyze volatile compounds and antidiabetic activity. METHODS: The optimum condition was selected using the response surface methodology (RSM), through a regression analysis with the following independent variables gelatinization temperature (GT, X1), saccharogenic time (ST, X2), and dependent variable; DeltaE value (y). The condition with the lowest DeltaE value occurred with combined 45 min ST and 50degrees C GT. The volatile compounds were analyzed quantitatively by GC-MS. RESULTS: Assessment of antidiabetic activity of saccharogenic mixed grain beverage (SMGB) was determined by measurement of alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity, and glucose uptake activity and glucose metabolic protein expression by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis. Results of volatile compounds analysis, 62 kinds of volatile compounds were detected in SMGB. Palmitic acid (9.534% ratio), benzaldehyde (8.948% ratio), benzyl ethyl ether (8.792% ratio), ethyl alcohol (8.35% ratio), and 2-amyl furan (4.826% ratio) were abundant in SMGB. We confirmed that alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity, glucose uptake activity, and glucose-metabolic proteins were upregulated by SMGB treatment with concentration dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Saccharogenic mixed grain beverage (SMGB) showed potential antidiabetic activity. Further studies will be needed in order to improve the taste and functionality of SMGB.

Evaluation of anti-diarrheal and anti-diabetic activities of the stem, barks and leaves of the plant Vernonia cinerea (Family: Asteraceae).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-diarrheal, anti-diabetic activity of barks and leaves of the plant V. cinerea. The acute toxicity test was also carried out on the stems, barks and the leaves of the plant V.Cineria was sun dried and extracted using methanol. Later the crude methanolic extract was fractionated into three different fractions using carbon-tetrachloride, di-chloromethane and water. The anti-diarrheal activity was tested using the non polar carbon-tetra-chloride fraction in a dose dependent manner and it was found that the fraction does not possess any anti-diarrheal activity. The anti-diabetic study was done in rats using the alloxan-induced diabetes method. The carbon tetrachloride fraction of methanolic stem-bark and leaves extract of V. cinerea in all the doses used caused a time dependent and significant (p < 0.05) reduction of the blood glucose levels of the alloxan-induced diabetic rats when compared to the negative control group. The highest activity of V. cinerea extract in this experiment was observed at the dose of 500 mg/kg. Acute toxicity was done by following the method of Lorke. The acute toxicity in rats produced no death or signs of toxicity even at the highest dose of the extract (3500 mg/kg).

Study on antioxidative, antidiabetic and antiobesity activity of solvent fractions of smilax china L. leaf extract / 한국영양학회지

Smilax china L., a native plant found in Asian countries, has several medicinal properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. Although the root of the plant is commonly used as traditional herbal medicine in Korea and China, the medicinal properties of the leaves have not gained the same attention. In this study, we analyzed the antioxidant activity, alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect and lipid accumulation inhibition effect of Smilax china L. leaf water extract (SCLE) and its solvent fractions. SCLE was fractionated by using a series of organic solvents, including ethylacetate (EA) and n-butanol (BuOH). The EA fraction had the highest total polyphenol content (440.20 +/- 12.67 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (215.14 +/- 24.83 mg QE/g). The radical scavenging activity IC50 values of the EA fraction for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) were 0.022 mg/mL and 0.13 mg/mL, respectively. Further, SOD-like activity and reducing power values of the EA fraction were higher than those of the other fractions. However, both the alpha-glucosidase and lipid accumulation inhibition assays showed that the BuOH fraction (83.35 +/- 4.18% at 1 mg/mL) and water extract (11.27 +/- 2.67%) were more effective than the EA fraction (64.13 +/- 6.35%, and 45.66 +/- 7.20%). These results provide new insights into the potential anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of Smilax china L. leaf.

Screening for anti-diabetic effective fraction in leaves of Olea europaea / 中草药

Objective: To screen the anti-diabetic effective fraction in the leaves of Olea europaea. Methods: Different fractions (Frs. A-F) were prepared using reflux extraction and separation with macroporous resins. α-Amylase system, non-enzymatic glycation system, and alloxan-induced diabetic models of mice were used to evaluate the anti-diabetic activities of the different fractions, respectively. Results: Frs. C-F fractions showed the significant inhibitory activities against α-amylase system and non-enzymatic glycation system. Especially, fraction D showed the best anti-diabetic activity compared with the other fractions, which also displayed a good dose-effect relationship. The anti-diabetic activities of Frs. C and D were both obvious and Fr. D showed more significance. Conclusion: The leaves of O. europaea show the potential anti-diabetic activity and the most effective fraction is ascribed to Fr. D.

Comparison of antioxidant, alpha-glucosidase inhibition and anti-inflammatory activities of the leaf and root extracts of Smilax china L / 한국영양학회지

This study was conducted in order to compare the biological activities of leaf and root water extracts of Smilax china L. (SC) by measuring the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, anti-oxidant activity, inhibitory effect on alpha-glucosidase, and anti-inflammatory gene expression. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of SC leaf (SCLE) and root (SCRE) water extracts were 127.93 mg GAE/g and 39.50 mg GAE/g and 41.99 mg QE/g and 1.25 mg QE/g, respectively. The anti-oxidative activities of SCLE and SCRE were measured using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity assay and reducing power assay. Both SCLE and SCRE scavenged radicals in a concentration-dependent manner, and SCLE showed stronger radical scavenging activity and reducing power than SCRE; however, both SCLE and SCRE exhibited lower activities than ascorbic acid. Compared to the anti-diabetic drug acarbose, which was used as a positive control, SCLE and SCRE exhibited low alpha-glucosidase inhibition activities; nevertheless, the activity of SCLE was 3.7 fold higher than that of SCRE. Finally, SCLE caused significantly decreased expression of the LPS-induced cytokines, iNOS, and COX-2 mRNA in RAW264.7 cells, indicating anti-inflammatory activity. These results indicate that SCLE might be a potential candidate as an anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory agent.