Experimental approaches for induction of diabetes mellitus and assessment of antidiabetic activity: An in vitro and in vivo methodological review.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus poses a global health challenge, driving the need for innovative therapeutic solutions. Experimental methods play a crucial role in evaluating the efficacy of potential antidiabetic drugs, both in vitro and in vivo. Yet concerns about reproducibility persist, necessitating comprehensive reviews. OBJECTIVES: This review aims to outline experimental approaches for inducing diabetes and evaluating antidiabetic activity, synthesizing data from authoritative sources and academic literature. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of prominent databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus, to identify relevant articles spanning from 1943 to the present. A total of 132 articles were selected for inclusion in this review, focusing on in vitro and in vivo experimental validations of antidiabetic treatments. RESULTS: Our review highlights the diverse array of experimental methods employed for inducing diabetes mellitus and evaluating antidiabetic interventions. From cell culture assays to animal models, researchers have employed various techniques to study the effectiveness of novel therapeutic agents. CONCLUSION: This review provides a comprehensive guide to experimental approaches for assessing antidiabetic activity. By synthesizing data from a range of sources, we offer valuable insights into the current methodologies used in diabetes research. Standardizing protocols and enhancing reproducibility are critical for advancing effective antidiabetic treatments.

Antibacterial Effect of Allium ampeloprasum and Allium porrum Extracts on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Objectives: The most prominent microorganisms that cause hospital infections and acquire antibiotic resistance are Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The present study aimed to compare the phenolic and flavonoid compounds of various Allium ampeloprasum and Allium porrum extracts and evaluate the antibacterial effects of these extracts against these two microorganisms. Methods: The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the acetone, methanol, aqueous, and hexane leeks extracts from A. ampeloprasum and A. porrum were measured. The antibacterial activity of these extracts against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was tested using the disk diffusion method for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Further, the minimum inhibitory concentrations and the minimum bactericidal concentrations of these extracts for these two bacteria were evaluated and compared with those of common antibiotics. Results: The aqueous extracts showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents and at concentrations of 35 and 40 mg per disk, showed the most antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa; P. aeruginosa showed more sensitivity to the aqueous extracts than S. aureus. Conclusion: Aqueous A. ampeloprasum and A. porrum extracts may prevent the growth of hospital pathogens, especially P. aeruginosa; our findings will aid the discovery of new antimicrobial substances against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Cytotoxic Activity of Herbal Medicines as Assessed in Vitro: A Review.

Since time immemorial, human beings have sought natural medications for treatment of various diseases. Weighty evidence demonstrates the use of chemical methodologies for sensitive evaluation of cytotoxic potentials of herbal agents. However, due to the ubiquitous use of cytotoxicity methods, there is a need for providing updated guidance for the design and development of in vitro assessment. The aim of this review is to provide practical guidance on common cell-based assays for suitable assessment of cytotoxicity potential of herbal medicines and discussing their advantages and disadvantages Relevant articles in authentic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar and SID, from 1950 to 2022 were collected according to selection criteria of in vitro cytotoxicity assays and protocols. In addition, the link between cytotoxicity assay selection and different factors such as the drug solvent, concentration and exposure duration were discussed.

Lead and Zinc Uptake and Toxicity in Maize and Their Management.

Soil contamination with heavy metals is a global problem, and these metals can reach the food chain through uptake by plants, endangering human health. Among the metal pollutants in soils, zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) are common co-pollutants from anthropogenic activities. Thus, we sought to define the accumulation of Zn and Pb in agricultural soils and maize. Concentrations of Pb in agricultural soil (in Namibia) could reach 3015 mg/Kg, whereas concentrations of Zn in soil (in China) could reach 1140 mg/Kg. In addition, the maximum concentrations of Zn and Pb were 27,870 and 2020 mg/Kg in maize roots and 4180 and 6320 mg/Kg in shoots, respectively. Recent studies have shown that soil properties (such as organic matter content, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), texture, and clay content) can play important roles in the bioavailability of Zn and Pb. We also investigated some of the genes and proteins involved in the uptake and transport of Zn and Pb by maize. Among several amendment methods to reduce the bioavailability of Zn and Pb in soils, the use of biochar, bioremediation, and the application of gypsum and lime have been widely reported as effective methods for reducing the accumulation of metals in soils and plants.

Comparative effect of propolis of honey bee and some herbal extracts on Candida albicans.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of propolis on Candida albicans and to compare it with the effects of some other herbal extracts and antibiotics on this pathogenic fungi. METHODS: The extracts of propolis, Thymus vulgaris, Caryophillium aromaticus, Echinophora platyloba, Allium cepa and Cinnamomum zeylanicum were prepared and the antifungi effects of the extracts were examined on Candida albicans ATCC10231 using disc-diffusion assay and micro-broth dilution. The minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) as well as inhibition zone were evaluated and the anti fungi effects of herbal extracts were compared with amphotricin B and nystatin at the times of 24, 48 and 72 h. Data analysis was performed using t test. RESULTS: Obtained results showed that propolis extract with MIC90 and MFC equal to 39 and 65 µg/mL, respectively, possess the highest antifungal activity when compared with other studied extracts. The extracts of Allium cepa and Thymus vulgaris, with MFC of 169 and 137 µg/mL, respectively, showed the lowest effects on the fungi. Also nystatin and amphotricin B yielded better effects on the tested fungi compared with the effects of all studied extracts on Candida albicans. CONCLUSION: Propolis extract is effective in controlling Candida albicans. However, the issue requires further investigation on samples in animals and performing toxicological examinations.

Comparative efficacy of herbal essences with amphotricin B and ketoconazole on Candida albicans in the in vitro condition.

BACKGROUND: The Candida species are the most important factors of fungal infections in humans and animals. It is necessary to prepare antifungal or antimicrobial drugs because of increasing drug resistance. The natural treatment of diseases of bacterial origin using medicinal plants is important. In this study the effect of antimicrobial medicinal herbal essential oils and conventional antifungal drugs were evaluated on Candida albicans in vitro. METHODS: Disc diffusion assay and the microbroth dilution method were used to investigate the anticandidal effects of Foeniculum vulgare Mill, Satureja hortensis L, Cuminum cyminum, and Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oils. The anticandidal effect of these essential oils was compared with that of amphotricin B and ketoconazole in vitro. We then measured the chemical composition of the studied essential oils using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. RESULTS: Z. multiflora Boiss essential oil at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 34 µg/mL and minimal lethal concentration [i.e., minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC)] of 64 µg/mL had more powerful anti-Candida activity than the other essential oils. C. cyminum essential oil showed the least effect on the tested fungus. A comparison of the effect of the studied essential oils and antifungal drugs showed that the antifungal effect on the C. albicans fungus was better with the fungicides than with the essential oils. CONCLUSION: In the present study, essential oils with different components showed antifungal activity (especially Z. multiflora Boiss essential oil). They can therefore be used as new antifungal substances.

Porous starch/cellulose nanofibers composite prepared by salt leaching technique for tissue engineering.

Starch/cellulose nanofibers composites with proper porosity pore size, mechanical strength, and biodegradability for cartilage tissue engineering have been reported in this study. The porous thermoplastic starch-based composites were prepared by combining film casting, salt leaching, and freeze drying methods. The diameter of 70% nanofibers was in the range of 40-90 nm. All samples had interconnected porous morphology; however an increase in pore interconnectivity was observed when the sodium chloride ratio was increased in the salt leaching. Scaffolds with the total porogen content of 70 wt% exhibited adequate mechanical properties for cartilage tissue engineering applications. The water uptake ratio of nanocomposites was remarkably enhanced by adding 10% cellulose nanofibers. The scaffolds were partially destroyed due to low in vitro degradation rate after more than 20 weeks. Cultivation of isolated rabbit chondrocytes on the fabricated scaffold proved that the incorporation of nanofibers in starch structure improves cell attachment and proliferation.

The effect of extract of Punica granatum var. pleniflora for treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

BACKGROUND: Herbal drugs are considered alternative agents and have been used for several years around the world. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common problems recognized by dentists and skin specialists. This problem is characterized by recurring, painful, small oral mucosal ulcers with a round or oval aspect that mostly appear in keratinized mucosa, cheeks, and on the surface of the mouth under the tongue. METHODS: In our experiment, the alcoholic and water extracts of Punica granatum var. pleniflora, P. granatum var. Sweet Alak, and P. granatum var. Saveh Black were tested on minor RAS. The study was carried out using the double-blind method. The study population consisted of 210 participants, of whom 69 were females (32%) and 141 were males (68%). In addition to checking several factors, the pain and the degree of the participant's satisfaction had been determined based on visual analog scale. Data analysis was done in the form of a nonparametric method using Kruskal-Wallis test and SPSS version 20 software. RESULTS: The results show that the alcoholic and water extracts of P. granatum var. pleniflora have a meaningful therapeutic effect on minor RAS. Results from the antioxidant activity and its relation to total phenolics show that P. granatum var. pleniflora and P. granatum var. Sweet Alak are rich in phenols. CONCLUSION: The water and alcoholic extracts of P. granatum varpleniflora decreased the entire time of complete treatment, and the treatment was meaningfully satisfactory for patients who participated in this experiment.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic evaluation of some herbal essential oils in comparison with common antibiotics in bioassay condition.

BACKGROUND: Since ancient times, various infectious diseases have been treated using herbal drugs. Today, efforts regarding the discovery of the effectual components of plants possessing antimicrobial properties are advanced. Herbal essential oils are widely used for treatment of various diseases, and they play an important role in health care considerations. METHODS: The antibacterial activity of Artemisia kermanensis, Lavandula officinalis, and Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oils against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PTCC 1310), and Klebsiella pneumonia (PTCC 1053) was evaluated using the disk diffusion method as well as determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration. The composition of the three essential oils was determined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Variable amounts of different components (such as oxygenated monoterpenes, thymol, carvacrol, and 1,8-cineol) were found in all three oils. Among the tested bacteria, S. aureus was the most sensitive to the three essential oils. RESULTS: The obtained results showed that each of the three essential oils has an inhibitory effect on pathogenic strains. Of these three oils, Z. multiflora Boiss essential oil showed the highest inhibitory effect on microbial strains. Furthermore, comparison of the antibacterial effects of these three essential oils with ampicillin and tetracycline revealed that these antibiotics have a better effect in controlling pathogenic strains. CONCLUSION: The essential oils used in the present study with different components showed antibacterial activity (especially Z. multiflora Boiss essential oil), and therefore they can be used as a new antibacterial substance.