A review on the traditional uses, nutritive importance, pharmacognostic features, phytochemicals, and pharmacology of Momordica cymbalaria Hook F.

Momordica cymbalaria Hook F. (MC), belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, is a plant with several biological activities. This detailed, comprehensive review gathers and presents all the information related to the geographical distribution, morphology, therapeutic uses, nutritional values, pharmacognostic characters, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activities of MC. The available literature showed that MC fruits are utilized as a stimulant, tonic, laxative, stomachic, and to combat inflammatory disorders. The fruits are used to treat spleen and liver diseases and are applied in folk medicine to induce abortion and treat diabetes mellitus. The phytochemical screening studies report that MC fruits contain tannins, alkaloids, phenols, proteins, amino acids, vitamin C, carbohydrates, ß-carotenes, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, α-eleostearic acid, and γ-linolenic acid. The fruits also contain calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper, manganese, zinc, and phosphorus. Notably, momordicosides are cucurbitacin triterpenoids reported in the fruits of MC. Diverse pharmacological activities of MC, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, anticancer, antiangiogenic, antifertility, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal and anthelmintic, have been reported by many investigators. M. cymbalaria methanolic extract is safe up to 2,000 mg/kg. Furthermore, no symptoms of toxicity were found. These pharmacological activities are mechanistically interpreted and described in this review. Additionally, the microscopic, powder and physiochemical characteristics of MC tubers are also highlighted. In summary, possesses remarkable medicinal values, which warrant further detailed studies to exploit its potential benefits therapeutically.

Hydroalcoholic Extract of Sechium edule Fruits Attenuates QT Prolongation in High Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemic Mice.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Sechium edule (S.E.) fruits on lipid profile and electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters in high fat-diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemic mice. In this study, grouping of animals was done as described below (n = 6), where group 1 is normal control, group 2 is HFD control, group 3 is HFD + atorvastatin (10 mg/kg), group 4 is HFD + S.E. extract (200 mg/kg), and group 5 is HFD + S.E. extract (400 mg/kg). The first 3 weeks animals were supplemented with HFD, and the last 3 weeks animals were supplemented with HFD along with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) or S.E. extract (200 and 400 mg/kg). It was observed that mice of the HFD control group showed a significant rise in the total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and VLDL-C levels and a notable decrease in HDL-C levels. In addition, a consequential increment in ECG parameters such as QT or QTc and RR interval and a noteworthy decline in the heart rate were observed in HFD control mice. Treatment with S.E. extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed a significant improvement in the lipid profile. Moreover, the extract also significantly normalized the prolonged QT or QTc and RR interval and the heart rate in HFD-challenged mice. Hence, we can conclude that S.E. extract encumbers the prolongation of QT or QTc and RR interval and increased the heart rate in HFD-challenged mice.

Evaluation of the effects of Ipomoea staphylina on ovarian cancer cell line.

Ovarine cancer is a common woman malignancy in the world. Majority of the ovarian cancers are originated in the epithelial region which are lack of symptomps and this type of cancer is often get localized, when the tumour has spread outside the pelvis. Based on this context, the present study evaluated the effects of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Ipomoea staphylina leaves on ovarian cancer cell line. The SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell line was used for evaluation of the effects of both extracts. Both extracts showed IC50 effects on ovarian cancer cell lines as sensitivity index (SI) for both extracts were recorded to above 1.iFurther, ethanol extract was more effective in the moderation of gene expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in comparison to aqueous extract. Further, morphological changes of SKOV-3 cells after treatment with both extracts also confirmed the results. The study, therefore, concludes that the ethanolic extract of Ipomoea staphylina leaves is more effective against ovarian cancer cell line.

Hepatoprotective activity of Ipomoea staphylina againsts d-glan/lps-induced acute hepatic failure in experimental rats.

The goal of this study was to see ethanolic extract of Ipomoea staphylina leaves could protect rats from D-GalN/LPS-induced AHF. Five groups (n=6) of male Wistar rats were created. Group I was given a normal control (1ml/kg); Group II was given D-GalN/LPS; Group III was given D-GalN/LPS + silymarin (100 mg/kg; p.o. ); Group IV was given D-GalN/LPS+ ethanolic extract of I. staphylina (100mg/kg); and Group V was given D-GalN/LPS+ ethanolic extract of I. staphylina (200mg/kg). All animals in groups II-V were given D-GalN/LPS (400mg/kg; and 30g/kg) on the 15th day after being treated with silymarin or I. staphylina extract for 15 days. Blood was collected from all groups of animals 24 hours after D-GalN/LPS administration to conduct biochemical analysis. The levels of SGOT, SGPT, ALP, GGT and total bilirubin in animals pretreated with the extract were all considerably lower. In addition, the total protein content was considerably greater in the extract-treated mice. The extract led to a considerable decrease in LPO levels as well as a notable increase in SOD, CAT and GSH levels in liver tissue. The extract dramatically lowered TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, NO and MPO levels in the liver tissue.

A syndrome of congenital hyperinsulinism and rhabdomyolysis is caused by KCNJ11 mutation.

BACKGROUND: Congenital hyperinsulinism is a genetically heterogeneous disorder, but mutations in the components of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel K(ATP) account for more than a third of all isolated congenital hyperinsulinism cases. The association between congenital hyperinsulinism and rhabdomyolysis has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: To describe significant skeletal muscle manifestations in a family with a novel mutation in KCNJ11 (encoding the Kir6.2 component of K(ATP)). METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of members of a large multiplex consanguineous family with congenital hyperinsulinism and rhabdomyolysis using autozygosity mapping and exome sequencing. RESULTS: Five affected members of an extended consanguineous Saudi family were recruited along with relevant unaffected relatives. We were able to map an apparently novel syndrome of congenital hyperinsulinism and severe rhabdomyolysis leading to acute renal failure to a single locus that harbours KCNJ11 in which we identified a novel homozygous mutation. CONCLUSIONS: This study expands the phenotype associated with KCNJ11 loss of function in humans and calls for increased awareness of rhabdomyolysis as a potential late-onset life-threatening complication of KCNJ11-related congenital hyperinsulinism.