Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus Extract Alleviates Impairment of Lipid and Glucose Homeostasis in Liver of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Mice.

The present study investigated the activities of Raphanus sativus L. var. caudatus extract (RS) on abnormal lipid and glucose homeostasis in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and insulin resistance in a mouse model. Institute of Cancer Research mice were rendered obese by 16-week HFD feeding. Obese mice were administered with 100 or 200 mg/kg/d RS orally during the last 8 weeks of diet feeding. Then, the biochemical parameters were determined. The gene and protein expressions regulating lipid and glucose homeostasis in the liver were measured. This study revealed that the state of hyperglycemia, hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia was reduced after 8 weeks of RS treatment (100 or 200 mg/kg). Administration of RS also improved insulin sensitivity and increased serum adiponectin. The liver total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were decreased by both doses of RS. Notably, a decrease in the expression of liver-specific genes, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, was found in the RS-treated groups. Moreover, administration of RS showed a significant increase in the expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and sirtuin1 (Sirt1) proteins. These findings indicated that RS improved abnormal lipid and glucose homeostasis in the liver of obesity-associated insulin resistance mouse model, possibly through the stimulation of the AMPK/Sirt1 pathway.

Mentha cordifolia Leaf Extract Improves Hepatic Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Obese Mice Fed with High-Fat Diet.

Mentha cordifolia (MC) is a popular herb used to flavor food in Thailand that exhibits several biological effects. The present study aimed to determine the role of MC in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). ICR obese mice were fed an HFD (45 kcal% lard fat) for 12 weeks, with MC (100 and 200 mg/kg/d) treatment from Week 7. After treatment with MC for 6 weeks, mice showed significantly lower rates of hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, and hyperlipidemia, and increased amounts of serum adiponectin. Furthermore, in mice treated with MC, serum interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were significantly inhibited and liver histology results showed decreased lipid accumulation and liver triglyceride content vs. untreated mice. In addition, MC treatment was associated with smaller fat cells and lower gene expression of liver sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase. However, MC treatment was associated with higher carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a gene expression and significantly higher rates of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in liver, but lower levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase. These results indicate MC regulates glucose and lipid metabolism in a HFD-induced obese mouse model, possibly via activation of AMPK signaling pathway.

Effect of Thunbergia laurifolia water extracts on hepatic insulin resistance in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Objective: To examine the effect of water extract of Thunbergia laurifolia on hepatic insulin resistance in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Methods: High-fat diet with 45 kcal％ lard fat was used for obesity induction in ICR mice. The mice were fed with high-fat diet for 16 weeks, and during the last 8 weeks, they were treated with 200 mg/kg/day of water extracts from Thunbergia laurifolia leaf, stem and flower. Serum biochemistry, liver histology, and protein expression were examined after the treatment. Results: Extracts from all of the three parts of Thunbergia laurifolia significantly alleviated hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperleptinemia. The stem and flower extracts improved glucose tolerance. All of the extracts significantly reduced serum TNFα and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels. Liver weight, triglyceride levels, and lipid accumulation were also decreased. Moreover, hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase level was significantly decreased, while the levels of PPARα, phosphorylated AMPK, and phosphorylated Akt were significantly increased with treatment of Thunbergia laurifolia extracts. Conclusions: Thunbergia laurifolia extracts can ameliorate hepatic insulin resistance in high-fat diet-induced obese mice by improving glucose and lipid homeostasis, which may be associated with stimulating phosphorylation of AMPK and Akt pathways.

Effects of Brassica oleracea extract on impaired glucose and lipid homeostasis in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Objective: To examine the effect of Brassica oleracea extract (BO) on impaired glucose and lipid homeostasis in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Methods: Obesity of ICR mice was induced by feeding a HFD (45 kcal％ lard fat) for 16 weeks. During the last 8 weeks of study period, obese mice were additionally administered with BO (100 and 200 mg/kg/day). The metabolic parameters were determined. The gene expressions of hepatic lipogenesis were also studied. Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, BO (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced hyperglycemia and improved insulin sensitivity (P < 0.05). The serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglyceride, and non-esterified fatty acid) and hepatic triglyceride and non-esterified fatty acid were decreased (P < 0.05). The levels of insulin and leptin in serum were also decreased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expressions of hepatic lipogenic genes including sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase were decreased by BO treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that BO is a new therapeutic agent for improving the homeostasis of glucose and lipid in HFD-induced obese mice probably by suppression of lipogenic genes in liver tissue.

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity of Tri-sa-maw recipe in rats.

BACKGROUND: Tri-sa-maw recipe is a botanical preparation comprised of equal proportions ofthe three herbalfruits, namely Terminalia chebula Retz., Tenninalia sp. and Terminalia bellirica Roxb. This recipe is used for antipyretic, expectorant, periodic maintenance, and relieving stomach tight. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acute and sub-chronic toxicities of Tri-sa-maw recipe extract in rats. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In the present study of acute toxicity, a single oral dose 5,000 mg/kg of Tri-sa-maw recipe extract was administered to rats. Sub-chronic toxicity was studied by the daily oral administration ofthe extract at the doses of 600, 1,200 and 2,400 mg/kg body weight for consecutive 90 days. RESULTS: Tri-sa-maw recipe extract at the dose of 5,000 mg/kg showed no signs of differences as compared to the control rat. No abnormalities were found in the sub-chronic toxicity study; none of the parametersfor body and organ weights, hematol- ogy, blood chemistry, necropsy, and histopathology showed any differences between the control and all treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Tri-sa-maw recipe extract did not significantly cause acute toxicity or sub-chronic toxicity in rats.

Analgesic and antipyretic activity of Tri-sa-maw recipe.

BACKGROUND: Tri-sa-maw recipe is composed of equal proportions of the three fruits including Terminalia chebula Retz., Terminalia sp. and Terminalia bellirica Roxb. In Southeast Asia, these fruits are used as both food and medicine. In Thai traditional medicine, Tri-sa-maw recipe is well known for treating fever, expectorant, periodic maintenance, and tight stomach relief OBJECTIVE: To study anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of Tri-sa-maw recipe in experimental animals. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The anti-inflammatory study was conducted by two experimental models; ethyl phenylpropiolate- induced ear edema and carrageenin-induced paw edema. For analgesic activity, the pain was induced by acetic acid or heat. In addition, yeast-induced hyperthermia was performedfor the study of antipyretic activity. RESULTS: The results showed that Tri-sa-maw recipe extract reduced ear edema ofrat induced by EPP but did not inhibit acute inflammation in the carrageenin-inducedpaw edema. However the extract at the doses of 300-1,200 mg/kg was able to inhibit the acetic acid-induced writhing response, but not the heat-induced pain. This result suggests the peripheral effect of its analgesic activity, which inhibits the biosynthesis, and/or release of some pain mediators. Finally, oral administration ofthe extract at the dose of 1,200 mg/kg body weight effectively reduced the hyperthermia, which possibly is due to the inhibition of prostaglandins. CONCLUSION: The present study has clearly demonstrated both analgesic and antipyretic activities of Tri-sa-maw recipe.

Acute and chronic toxicity studies of the water extract from dried fruits of Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb. In Spargue-Dawley rats.

Acute and chronic toxicities of the water extract from the dried fruits of Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb. were assessed in both female and male rats. For the study of acute toxicity, a single oral administration of the water extract at a dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight (10 female, 10 male) was performed and the results showed no signs of toxicity such as general behavior changes, morbidity, mortality, changes on gross appearance or histopathological changes of the internal organs of rats. The study of chronic toxicity was determined by oral feeding both female and male rats (10 female, 10 male) daily with the test substance at the dose of 300, 600 and 1,200 mg/kg body weight continuously for 270 days. The examinations of signs of toxicity showed no abnormalities in the test groups compared to the controls. In addition, these rats were analyzed for final body and organ weights, necropsy, as well as hematological, blood chemical and histopathological parameters. Taken together, the water extract from the dried fruits of T. bellerica did not cause acute or chronic toxicities in either female or male rats.

Evaluation of Acute and Chronic Toxicities of the Water Extract from Ziziphus attopensis Pierre.

We studied an acute and chronic oral toxicity of the extract from Ziziphus attopensis (ZA) in male and female SD rats according to the OECD guidelines. After a single oral administration of ZA 5 g/kg body weight, measurement of the body and organs, necropsy, and health monitoring were performed. The body and organ weights and behavior were not changed relative to the control rats indicating that ZA does not produce acute toxicity. The chronic toxicity was determined by oral feeding both male and female rats daily with ZA at the doses of 1, 2, 4, and 8 g/kg body weight for 180 days. Body weight changes, hematological and biochemical parameters, organ weights, gross finding, and histopathology examination were monitored during the experimental period. The results did not show any differences from the control groups. Analyses of these results with the information of signs, behavior, and health monitoring can lead to a conclusion that the long-term oral administration of ZA for 180 days does not cause chronic toxicity.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic activities of Chantaleela recipe.

Chantaleela recipe is indicated for relieving fever in Thai traditional folk medicine. In the present study, Chantaleela recipe was investigated for anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic and anti-ulcerogenic activities. In preliminary investigation Chantaleela recipe was found to exert an inhibitory activity on the acute phase of inflammation as seen in ethyl phenylpropiolate-induced ear edema as well as in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats. The results suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of Chantaleela recipe may be due to an inhibition via cyclooxygenase pathway. In the analgesic test, Chantaleela recipe showed a significant analgesic activity in both the early and late phases of formalin test, but exerted the most pronounced effect in the late phase. The analgesic activity of Chantaleela recipe may act via mechanism at peripheral and partly central nervous system. In antipyretic test, Chantaleela recipe significantly decreased rectal temperature of brewer's yeast-induced hyperthermia rats, probably by inhibiting synthesis and/or release of prostaglandin E2 in the hypothalamus. Therefore, the key mechanism of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activity of the Chantaleela recipe likely involves the inhibition of the synthesis and/or release of inflammatory or pain mediators, especially prostaglandins. The oral administration of the Chantaleela recipe reduced ulcer formation in acute gastric ulcer models (EtOH/HCl-, indomethacin-, and stress-induced gastric lesions). In contrast, this recipe did not reduce the secretory rate, total acidity, and increase pH in rat stomach. These results indicated that Chantaleela seem to possess anti-ulcerogenic effect. This activity may be due to the increase of gastric mucosal resistance or potentiation of defensive factors and/or the decrease of aggressive factors but did not associate the anti-secretory activity. Moreover, the high oral doses treated did not cause acute toxicity in rats and the long term oral administration did not produce gastric and ileum lesions.

Anti-diarrheal activity and toxicity of Learng Pid Samud recipe.

Learng Pid Samud (LPS) recipe is a traditional remedy in Thai folk medicine to ease the common diarrhea. The anti-diarrheal potential of LPS recipe was herein examined in vitro using a guinea-pig ileum model. The LPS exerted an inhibitory effect on acetylcholine-induced smooth muscle contraction in the guinea pig ileum. Significantly, not only did the LPS reduce the total amount of feces in the induced diarrhea rats, but also the intestinal transit in the charcoal meal test. A single oral administration with the recipe at 5,000 mg/kg did not cause acute toxicity and the daily oral administration (1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 mg/kg) for 90 days in rats did not produce any toxic signs and symptoms. In conclusion, the Learng Pid Samud recipe remedy is evidently safe and effective for the anti-diarrheal treatment which supports its therapeutic uses in the alternative medicine.

Acute and subchronic toxicity of Chantaleela recipe in rats.

Acute and subchronic toxicities of Chantaleela recipe were studied in both male and female rats. Oral administration of the extract at a single dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight (5 females, 5 males) did not produce signs of toxicity, behavioral changes, mortality or differences on gross appearance of internal organs. The subchronic toxicity was determined by oral feeding the test substance at the doses of 600, 1,200 and 2,400 mg/kg body weight for 90 days (10 females, 10 males). No signs of abnormalities were observed in the test groups as compared to the controls. The test and control groups (on the 90(th) day) and the satellite group (on the 118(th) day) were analyzed by measuring their final body and organ weights, taking necropsy, and examining hematological parameters, blood clinical chemistry and histopathology features. The results suggest that Chantaleela recipe did not cause acute or subchronic oral toxicities to female and male rats.

Acute and subchronic toxicity study of tud-rak-ka-sai-puu recipe in rats.

Acute and subchronic toxicities of Tud-Rak-Ka-Sai-Puu (TR) recipe were studied in male and female rats. After 14 days of a single oral administration of test substance (5,000 mg/kg body weight), measurement of the body and organs weights, necropsy and health monitoring were performed. No signs and differences in the weights and behavior were observed relative to the control rats, suggesting that TR recipe in the dose of 5,000 mg/kg body weight does not produce acute toxicity. The subchronic toxicity was determined by oral feeding in male and female rats daily with the test substance at 2, 20, 200 and 2,000 mg/kg body weight for 90 days. No defects of animal behavior were observed in the test groups. Both test and control groups (on the 90(th) day) as well as the satellite group (on the 118(th) day) were analyzed by measuring their final body and organ weights, taking necropsy, and examining hematology, blood clinical chemistry, and microanatomy. These results together with the information of signs, behavior and health monitoring can lead to a conclusion that an oral administration of TR recipe at 2, 20, 200 and 2,000 mg/kg body weight for 90 days did not cause subchronic toxicity.