Cr and Mn total, accessible species, and protein-fraction contents in plants used for traditional anti-diabetes treatment.

BACKGROUND: Our survey has found eleven plants that have being consumed for traditional treatment of diabetes mellitus, particularly in Saudi Arabia and generally in many countries across the world. The literature reported about trace elements such as Cr and Mn positively affecting diabetes mellitus. The aim of this work is to determine the total, accessible element species, and protein-fraction contents of Cr and Mn in the edible parts of those plants. METHODS: The total contents of Mn were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), while the total contents of Cr was determined by ICP-sector field (sf)-mass spectrometry (MS) due to lower concentration. The protein-fraction contents were determined in accessible element species by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)-ICP-MS. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The separation was successfully carried out to quantify Cr and Mn bound up to 11 protein fractions. The examined plants recorded wide ranges of total contents (Cr 44.7-1880.0 µg/kg and Mn 3.7-59.0 mg/kg) and accessible element species contents (Cr 0.93-29.40 µg/kg and Mn 0.82-35.85 mg/kg). Also wide ranges of percentages of accessible element species contents to total contents of Cr (0.65-4.21%) and Mn (5.43-68.42%) were obtained. The hazardous indices of both trace elements Cr and Mn for all examined plants consumed by both children and adults were all < 1, indicating no probability of health risk to occur. Moreover, Cr as carcinogen element reported no probability of cancer risk to occur from the consumption of all examined plants. Irrespective of plant species, Cr was quantified in all SEC fractions (mainly protein fractions), with the exception of 1.9-3.7 kDa, while Mn was quantified in all SEC fractions with the exception of 100-120 and 1.3-3.7 kDa. Nevertheless, the majority of accessible Cr species contents bound to the 10-14 and 0.05-0.40 kDa fractions, while that of Mn bound to 0.05-0.40 kDa fraction. To gather, the benefits of specific plant species in terms of accessible Cr and Mn species contents, in addition to accessible Zn species contents reported in our previous study, Haloxylon Salicornicum, Olea Europaea Momordica and Charantia are recommended to be consumed for traditionally controlling T2DM.

Investigation of total zinc contents and zinc-protein profile in medicinal plants traditionally used for diabetes treatment.

This study aims at the assessment of total zinc contents, water zinc extract contents and zinc-protein profile in medicinal plants traditionally used for diabetes treatment. While zinc-protein profile was screened in plant samples using the online coupling of size exclusion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SEC-ICP-MS), total zinc contents and zinc water extract contents were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The analysis of two certified reference materials with similar matrix for total zinc content revealed recovery values of 97.1% and 100.5% while the average of recovery of the summed Zn concentrations from protein fractions compared to total Zn was 103.0 ± 4.8%. Based on the FAO/WHO classification, Sesamum indicum, Nigella sativa, Trigonella Foenum-graecum and Pennisetum glaucum are classified as highest Zn-content. For protein profile, zinc was quantified in 330-430 and 50-60 kDa fractions of all examined plants while no contents were quantified in the inorganic fraction 0.05-0.4 kDa of all plant species. Also, only three plant species recorded Zn contents in the phytate fraction (0.9-1.5 kDa fraction). The fruits of the Momordica Charantia and the Citrullus colocynthis were with the highest extractable zinc concentration; 13.55 ± 0.45 and 10.08 ± 0.63 mg/kg, respectively. The highest Zinc capturing capacity was reported for the 50-60 and 70-87 KDa protein fractions.

PIXE as a complement to ICP-OES trace metal analysis in Sudanese medicinal plants.

This paper compares trace element concentrations (Ca, K, Sr, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cu, Co and Cr) in 27 Sudanese medical plants determined in parallel by PIXE and ICP-OES to get information on which technique is preferable at different matrices and element concentrations. PIXE correlates well to ICP-OES for Sr, Mn, Ca, K, Zn and Fe determinations. ICP-OES seems to be the superior technique over PIXE when measuring low concentrated elements (chromium, cobalt, nickel and copper) in the medicinal plants.

Effects of gum arabic (Acacia senegal) on renal function in diabetic mice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gum arabic (GA) is a Ca(2+)-, Mg(2+)- and K(+)-rich dietary fiber used for the treatment of patients with chronic kidney disease in Middle Eastern countries. In healthy mice, GA treatment increases creatinine clearance, renal ADH excretion, as well as intestinal and renal excretion of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+). GA decreases plasma Pi concentration, urinary Pi and Na(+) excretion. The present study explored the effects of GA on renal function in diabetic mice. METHODS: Metabolic cage experiments were performed on Akita mice (akita(+/-)), which spontaneously develop insulin deficiency and thus hyperglycemia. Plasma and urinary concentrations of Na(+), K(+) and Ca(2+) were measured by flame photometry (AFM 5051, Eppendorf, Germany), creatinine by the Jaffé method, phosphate photometrically, urea by an enzymatic method, glucose utilizing a glucometer and an enzymatic kit, aldosterone using an RIA, urinary albumin fluorometrically, and blood pressure by the tail-cuff method. RESULTS: GA (10% in drinking water) significantly increased urinary excretion of Ca(2+) and significantly decreased plasma phosphate and urea concentrations, urinary flow rate, urinary Na(+), phosphate and glucose excretion, blood pressure and proteinuria. CONCLUSIONS: GA treatment decreases blood pressure and proteinuria in diabetic mice and may thus prove beneficial in diabetic nephropathy.

Study on selected trace elements and heavy metals in some popular medicinal plants from Sudan.

This study reports on the determination of 11 elements in 33 medicinal plants from Sudan and discusses a possible correlation between their curative effects and their trace elements content. Further, a possible accumulation of adverse heavy metals could be excluded. A total of 11 elements (cadmium, lead, mercury, tin, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, chromium, selenium and magnesium) were determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), ICP-sector field-mass spectrometry (ICP-sf-MS) and hydride generation (HG)-ICP-OES techniques. The results of the present study showed no heavy metal accumulation in any of the plants. Cd, Pb, Hg and Sn were found only in trace concentrations significantly below the global limits. This indicates the possibility of a safe use of these medicinal plants. Elevated chromium concentrations were found in those phytopharmaca which are employed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Sudanese traditional medicine. Cr was detected in the same range as in other plants reported to be applied for diabetes mellitus treatment. Aside from these medicinal plants, some others were identified which could be potential sources for providing reasonable amounts of Cr, Zn, Mn, Se and Mg for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, smooth muscle relaxation and/or against gastro-intestinal cramps.

Study on some trace element contents in serum and nail samples obtained from Sudanese subjects.

This study was performed to investigate trace elements and arsenic contents among Sudanese inhabitants living in the north, east, and west of Sudan. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry was used to determine the contents of Zn and Cu. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine Se in serum samples. It was found that Se and Cu are in the normal range. Zinc showed discrepancies among all studied groups. Acute Zn deficiency was detected in the northern and eastern regions of Sudan. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy was operated in the dynamic reaction cell mode to determine the arsenic content in the nail samples of the northern inhabitants of Sudan. High values of arsenic were found in the northern people compared with the control group. This elevation could be linked to the misuse of insecticides and herbicides which might be associated with the high rate of cancer incidence in this region.

Downregulation of angiogenin transcript levels and inhibition of colonic carcinoma by gum arabic (Acacia senegal).

Gum Arabic (GA), a nutrient from dried exudate of Acacia senegal, is widely used as emulsifier and stabilizer. It stimulates sodium and water absorption in diarrhea. This study explored the effects of GA in colonic tissue. Mice were treated with GA (10% wt/vol) in drinking water and gene array was performed. As GA modified several tumor-relevant genes, chemical cancerogenesis (intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg 1,2-dimethylhydrazine followed by 3 cycles of 3% dextrane sodium sulphate in drinking water) was induced with or without GA treatment. Within 4 days, GA treatment decreased the colonic transcript levels of the angiogenetic factors angiogenin 1, angiogenin 3, and angiogenin 4 by 78 +/- 18%, 88 +/- 15%, and 92 +/- 13%, respectively (n = 5 each), and of further genes including CD38 antigen, aquaporin4, interleukin18, vav-3-oncogene, gamma(+)-amino acid transporter, sulfatase1, ubiquitinD, and chemokine ligand5. According to Western blotting, GA treatment similarly decreased angiogenin protein expression, and according to immunohistochemistry, it decreased ss-catenin expression. Chemical cancerogenesis resulted in multiple colonic tumors within 12 wk. GA treatment (10% wt/wt) in drinking water significantly decreased the number of tumors by 70%. The observations disclose a powerful anticarcinogenic effect of GA. The nutrient could thus be used for the prophylaxis against colon carcinoma particularly in individuals at enhanced risk.

Downregulation of mouse intestinal Na(+)-coupled glucose transporter SGLT1 by gum arabic (Acacia Senegal).

Intestinal Na(+)-coupled glucose transporter SGLT1 determines the rate of glucose transport, which in turn influences glucose-induced insulin release and development of obesity. The present study explored effects of Gum Arabic (GA), a dietary polysaccharide from dried exudates of Acacia Senegal, on intestinal glucose transport and body weight in wild-type C57Bl/6 mice. Treatment with GA (100 g/l) in drinking water for four weeks did not affect intestinal SGLT1 transcript levels but decreased SGLT1 protein abundance in jejunal brush border membrane vesicles. Glucose-induced jejunal short-circuit currents revealed that GA treatment decreased electrogenic glucose transport. Drinking a 20% glucose solution for four weeks significantly increased body weight and fasting plasma glucose concentrations, effects significantly blunted by simultaneous treatment with GA. GA further significantly blunted the increase in body weight, fasting plasma glucose and fasting insulin concentrations during high fat diet. In conclusion, the present observations disclose a completely novel effect of gum arabic, i.e. its ability to decrease intestinal SGLT1 expression and activity and thus to counteract glucose-induced obesity.

Responses to diuretic treatment in gene-targeted mice lacking serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) stimulates the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), renal outer medullary K(+) channel 1, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and presumably the Na(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter (NCC). SGK1-deficient mice (sgk(-/-)) show a compensated salt-losing phenotype with secondary hyperaldosteronism. The present experiments explored the role of SGK1 in the response to diuretics. METHODS: sgk1(-/-) mice and their wild-type littermates (sgk1(+/+)) were treated with the ENaC blocker triamterene (200 mg/l), the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransport inhibitor furosemide (125 mg/l), the NCC blocker hydrochlorothiazide (400 mg/l) and the mineralocorticoid receptor blocker canrenoate (800 mg/l) for 8 days. Renal SGK1 expression was studied using quantitative RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Diuretic treatment increased SGK1 mRNA and protein expression in the kidney of wild-type sgk1(+/+) mice. The responses to furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide or canrenoate were not different between sgk1(+/+) and sgk1(-/-) mice, and were accompanied by moderate increases in plasma aldosterone and urea concentrations. However, treatment with triamterene in sgk1(-/-) mice (but not in sgk1(+/+) mice) led to severe, eventually lethal, body weight loss as well as increases in plasma aldosterone, urea and K(+) concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: SGK1 is required for diuretic tolerance to triamterene. The observations confirm the impaired kaliuretic potency of sgk1(-/-) mice and point to a role of SGK1 in renal Na(+) reabsorption by mechanisms other than ENaC.

Study of selected trace elements in cancerous and non-cancerous human breast tissues from Sudanese subjects using instrumental neutron activation analysis.

This study was performed to investigate the influence of cancer on selected trace elements among Sudanese patients with confirmed breast cancer. Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to estimate contents of Se, Zn, Fe, Cr, Rb, Cs, Co and Sc in 40 subjects. Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used to examine if there was any difference in the concentrations of elements from normal and malignant tissues. It was found that Se, Zn and Cr elements from the malignant tissues are significantly elevated (P < 0.05) compared to the normal tissue. The results obtained have shown consistency with results obtained by some previous studies.