Phytochemicals, Health-Promoting Effects, and Enzyme Inhibition Traits of Phlomis stewartii Extracts.

Phlomis stewartii is a wild, perennial woody plant used for diverse therapeutic targets. The present work evaluated the influence of independent variables such as extraction time, solvent concentration, and speed in the range of (100 mL, 150 mL, and 200 mL), (2 h, 5 h, and 8 h), and (100 rpm, 150 rpm, and 200 rpm), respectively, on extraction yields, phytochemical components, total phenolic contents (TPC), and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of P. stewartii extract. In the present work, response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the extraction yield. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to detect the bioactive constituents of the extracts. The potent extracts were analyzed to study α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Under the optimized conditions of solvent concentration (200 mL), extraction time (8 h), and speed (150 rpm), the whole plant methanol extract (WPME) showed a maximum extraction yield of 13.5%, while the leaves methanol extract (LME) showed a maximum TPC of 19.5 ± 44 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram of extract and a maximum TFC of 4.78 ± 0.34 mg of quercetin equivalent (QE) per gram of extract. HPLC analysis showed the presence of p-coumaric, gallic acid, quercetin, salicylic acid, sinapic acid, and vanillic acid. LME showed the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 46.86 ± 0.21 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 value of 45.81 ± 0.17 µg/mL). Therefore, in conclusion, LME could be considered to fix the α-amylase and α-glucosidase-mediated disorders in the human body to develop herbal phytomedicine.

Anti-Diabetic and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Phlomis stewartii Plant Phytochemicals on Cigarette Smoke Inhalation and Alloxan-Induced Diabetes in Wistar Rats.

The generation of free radicals in body causes oxidative stress and consequently different metabolic disorders. There are numerous environmental and emotional factors that trigger free radical generation, cigarette smoke (CS) is one of them. In addition to free radical production, it also increases the risk of developing type II diabetes, cancer, and has adverse effects on other organs such as liver and kidneys. In the present study, extracts of leaves, flower, and whole plant of P. stewartii Hf. in methanol were analyzed using LC-ESI-MS and investigated for their cytotoxic properties against HepG2 cell line and CS alloxan-induced diabetes in Wistar albino rats model. A total of 24 rats were kept in aerated cage for eight weeks and exposed to CS following the administration of single dose of alloxan@140 mg/kg body weight at the end of six weeks to induce diabetes mellitus (DM). The cytotoxic activity of extracts against HepG2 was recorded in the order; leaves methanol (LM) > flower methanol (FM) and whole plant methanol (WPM). The IC50(1/4) values were in the order of 187 (LM) > 280 (FM) > 312 (WPM) µg/mL against HepG2. In positive control group, CS- and alloxan-induced diabetes significantly increased (p < 0.05) the level of alanine alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), low density lipoprotein (LDL), bilirubin, total protein, creatinine, uric acid, blood urea, globulin, total oxidant status (TOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as compared to negative control group. In conclusion, according to the results of this study, P. Stewartii methanol extracts showed good antioxidant, anticancer activity and worked well to recover the tested clinical parameters in CS/alloxan-induced diabetes animals, which indicated the extracts also possess good antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective potential.

A Mexican Honeymoon Marred by Gastrointestinal Upset: A Case of Dientamoeba fragilis Causing Post-infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Dientamoeba fragilis (D. fragilis) is an anaerobic intestinal protozoan parasite that has been associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms. We report a case of post-infectious IBS caused by D. fragilis treated successfully with metronidazole. A 33-year-old African American male with an unremarkable past medical history was seen in the office with a three-month history of intermittent, generalized, crampy abdominal pain with bloating and flatulence without associated weight loss. He visited Mexico for his honeymoon four months ago. Initial lab work was normal. Dietary changes including fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet and loperamide were prescribed with the presumptive diagnosis of IBS; however, his symptoms persisted. Three samples of stool for ova and parasites (O&P) were positive for D. fragilis. The patient was treated with metronidazole for 14 days. Repeat fecal O&P were negative. Upon follow-up, the patient' symptoms substantially improved with a resolution of abdominal pain and flatulence. Infection caused by D. fragilis may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. It is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and alteration of bowel movements, resembling IBS. The diagnosis is made via the detection of D. fragilis trophozoites in appropriately fixed and stained stool samples or by a polymerase chain reaction. Treatment options include tetracyclines, paromomycin, metronidazole, and Iodoquinol. Further epidemiologic studies may help in elucidating the association between D. fragilis and IBS.