Nutraceutical activities of Trigonella foenum-graecum and Nigella sativa seeds in the management of diabetes-induced in albino rats.

Diabetes causes elevated blood sugar levels, and it has been categorized as one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide. This work aimed to analyze and compare the nutraceutical and therapeutic efficacy of fenugreek seeds (FSs) (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and black cumin seeds (BCSs) (Nigella sativa) against streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in albino rats. FS and BCSs were evaluated for proximate analysis, phytochemicals, and antioxidant activities. Male albino rats were used to evaluate the in vivo antidiabetic activities of these medicinal plants for 42 days. Blood samples were drawn at regular intervals of 1 week to analyze blood glucose, plasma insulin, and cholesterol levels and to determine the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA IR) index. At the end of the trial, pancreas tissue was also collected for histological examination. Results of the proximate analysis showed the significant presence of moisture, ash, fat, protein, and fiber. Antioxidant parameters like 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content were found to be significant. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose level, serum cholesterol level, and insulin resistance in treatment groups T3-T5. Insulin and body weight results of treatment groups were significant (p < 0.05) compared to streptozotocin-intoxicated animals. Histological examination revealed the nutraceutical impact of selected herbal plants due to enhancing impact on the size and the number of ß-cells in the pancreas. Findings of current research work explore the antidiabetic capacity of selected nutraceutical and medicinal plants.

Antiulcerative potential of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) against aspirin-induced gastric ulcers in a rabbit model.

OBJECTIVES: Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is accredited as a functional food because of its nutraceutical compounds. These dietary components may help heal lesions and ulcer scars in the stomach. This research was designed to examine the antioxidant and antiulcerative potential of sweet potato (red skin, white flesh) against aspirin-induced gastric ulcers in a rabbit model. METHODS: Sweet potato samples were analyzed for in vitro analysis, such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content. In a bioefficacy study, rabbits were divided into five groups (n = 6) in which G0 received the standard diet only, G1 150 mg/kg aspirin, G2 20 mg/kg omeprazole, G3 1000 mg/kg aqueous extract of sweet potato, and G4 1000 mg/kg ethanolic extract of sweet potato. After completion of the trial, the animals were decapitated and examined for antiulcer parameters, serum analysis, and hematologic parameters. RESULTS: The mean values for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, total phenolic content, and total flavonoid content were 57%, 927 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g, and 1901 µg quercetin equivalent/g, respectively. The values for gastric volume, acid output, ulcer scores and index, total oxidant status, white blood cell count, and lymphocyte count were increased significantly (P < 0.05) for the positive control group compared with G2, G3, and G4. Gastric pH and body weight at the end of the experiment were significantly reduced for the positive control group (P < 0.05) compared with G2, G3, and G4. Histology test results of gastric tissues in G1 depicted severe epithelial damage compared with G2, G3, and G4. CONCLUSIONS: The results for the antiulcer parameters ascertained the antiulcer activity of sweet potato in aspirin-induced gastric ulcer models.

Exploring the anticancer activities of novel bioactive compounds derived from endophytic fungi: mechanisms of action, current challenges and future perspectives.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death all around the world. The natural compounds derived from the endophytic flora of fungi are possible solutions to cancer treatment because they are safe for health, cost-effective, biocompatible and have fewer toxicity issues. The active ingredients in endophytic fungi that are responsible for anti-cancer activities are alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, saponin, peptides, steroids, phenols, quinones, and flavonoids. This review highlights the anti-cancer activities of entophytic fungus against human papillary thyroid carcinoma (IHH4), human pancreatic (PANC-1), ovarian (OVCAR-3), hepatic (HepG2), lung (A-549), human lymphoma (U937), human skin carcinoma (A431), breast (MCF-7), and Kaposi's sarcoma. The emerging evidence suggested that bioactive compounds isolated from endophytic fungi showed their anti-cancer activities by revealing the disturbance of the microtubule network caused by increased levels of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins that triggers cell cycle arrest at the G2-M phase, by inhibiting the DNA replication via binding with topoisomerase II, by regulating the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and NF-kB, by evaluating the levels of p21, p27, and cyclins B/D1/E that led to cell death by apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. This review will assist readers in better comprehending bioactive chemicals and the beneficial interaction between the fungal endophytes and medicinal plants.