ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Clerodendrum glandulosum Lindl. is an important ethnomedicinal shrub of Northeast India, used by traditional healers to control various ailments like diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, etc. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to explore the anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidative effects of the polyphenol-rich fraction (PRF) of C. glandulosum leaf extract and identification of its major bioactive compounds. Further, an in-silico molecular docking study was also performed to understand the molecular interactions of the identified major compounds with some target proteins associated with diabetic complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PRF was purified from the hydromethanolic (80% MeOH) extract of leaves and subjected to assessment of in-vitro antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. It was also subjected to evaluate the ameliorative effect during streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced hyperglycemia in Wistar albino rats. An in-silico molecular docking study was also performed to complement the in-vitro/in-vivo studies. RESULTS: Chemical analysis of PRF showed the presence of phenolics like caffeic acid, verbascoside, isoverbascoside, and apigenin, of which verbascoside (598.14 ± 1.24 mg/g) was found to be the principal compound. In-vitro studies showed potent antioxidant (IC50 of DPPH:32.45 ± 2.16 µg/mL; ABTS:39.08 ± 0.53 µg/mL) properties and excellent aldose reductase inhibition potential (IC50 2.18 ± 0.10 µg/mL). Treatment with PRF showed reduced blood glucose levels and increased plasma insulin levels. The results also indicate an improvement of endogenous antioxidants and suppression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) comparable to the standard. Molecular docking studies predicted promising interactions between the identified molecules and the crucial amino acid residues of the enzymes involved in the development of hyperglycemia. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant potential of partially purified fraction PRF of C. glandulosum leaves.
ABSTRACT
Flavonoids comprise a large group of structurally diverse polyphenolic compounds of plant origin and are abundantly found in human diet such as fruits, vegetables, grains, tea, dairy products, red wine, etc. Major classes of flavonoids include flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavanols, anthocyanidins, isoflavones, and chalcones. Owing to their potential health benefits and medicinal significance, flavonoids are now considered as an indispensable component in a variety of medicinal, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic preparations. Moreover, flavonoids play a significant role in preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which could be mainly due to their antioxidant, antiatherogenic, and antithrombotic effects. Epidemiological and in vitro/in vivo evidence of antioxidant effects supports the cardioprotective function of dietary flavonoids. Further, the inhibition of LDL oxidation and platelet aggregation following regular consumption of food containing flavonoids and moderate consumption of red wine might protect against atherosclerosis and thrombosis. One study suggests that daily intake of 100 mg of flavonoids through the diet may reduce the risk of developing morbidity and mortality due to coronary heart disease (CHD) by approximately 10%. This review summarizes dietary flavonoids with their sources and potential health implications in CVDs including various redox-active cardioprotective (molecular) mechanisms with antioxidant effects. Pharmacokinetic (oral bioavailability, drug metabolism), toxicological, and therapeutic aspects of dietary flavonoids are also addressed herein with future directions for the discovery and development of useful drug candidates/therapeutic molecules.
