Effect of Homoharringtonine as a Combined Regimen for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Homoharringtonine (HHT), a cephalotaxus alkaloid has shown promising results in the treatment of several hematological disorders such as chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and myelodysplastic syndrome. It is known for its unique mechanism of action by which it prevents the initial elongation step of protein biosynthesis. Hence, it is used in hematological malignancies where it synergistically potentiates the action of other drugs and induces apoptosis. The relevant studies published were searched using an electronic database from 2002 to 2019. The articles published in English were only considered. Search engines such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Semantic scholar were used. In this review, we have discussed the effect of HHT in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents for AML with or without genetic mutation specification and the future perspective of these regimens. Although standard treatment options exist for most of these diseases, still cure rates are low with reported morbidity and the drug resistance emergence is pervasive. Thus, novel treatment approaches are crucial for better outcome. Alternative regimens together with HHT have not been a standard practice, although they have shown a very good potential in AML patients. Many of the combinations were also proved to be safe and effective with very low toxic potential. All these data outcomes of various combinations under different scenarios exhibit that HHT has promising results in the treatment of AML which may lead to its approval in the upcoming years.

Antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activity of leaves extracts of Sapindus emarginatus Vahl

Objectives: To identify the antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activities of various extracts of Sapindus emarginatus.Materials and methods: The antihyperglycemic effects of various extracts of Sapindus emarginatus were studied in glucose-loverloaded hyperglycemic rats at a dose of 400 mg/kg. The biochemical parameters (glucose, urea, creatinine, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, hemoglobin and glycosylated hemoglobin) of the ethanol extract S apindus emarginatus were assessed in glucose-overloaded hyperglycemic diabetic rats at two dose levels (200 and 400 mg/kg).Results: The aqueous, crude aqueous and petroleum ether extracts showed significant activity, but this activity was not as significant as the ethanol extract in the oral glucose-tolerance test. The ethanolic extract of Sapindus emarginatus also exhibited a significant hypoglycemic effect in fasted normal rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with the ethanolic extract restored the elevated biochemical parameters significantly. The activity was dose-dependent.Conclusion: The antidiabetic activity of ethanolic extract of this plant could be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins present in the extract.