Exploration of the anti-diabetic potential of hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Koenigia polystachya L.: an edible wild plant from Northeastern India.

BACKGROUND: Globally, medicinal plants are used to treat diseases like diabetes. The present study evaluates the possible antioxidant, acute oral toxicity, the in-vitro and in-vivo antidiabetic potential of the hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Koenigia polystachya (HELeKP) against beta-cell damage in experimentally induced diabetes mellitus. The DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine), ABTS [2,2'-azino bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)], H2O2 (Hydrogen peroxide), superoxide radical scavenging activity and NO (Nitric oxide) assay estimated the in-vitro antioxidant assay of HELeKP. The acute oral toxicity study was evaluated per the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) test guidelines 425. Diabetes was stimulated in rats with a single dose of Streptozotocin (STZ), and after confirmation of diabetes, HELeKP was given orally for 21 days. Blood/serum samples were gathered and examined for biochemical changes, while tissue samples were evaluated for histopathological alterations. RESULTS: The IC50 value of the HELeKP for all the anti-oxidant assays confirms the free radical scavenging activity. The data on acute oral toxicity revealed that the HELeKP used in the study was comparatively very safe. The outcomes of the in-vivo study suggested that the extract significantly reduced (p < 0.001) the fasting glucose level in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, the lipid profile level was significantly normalized (p < 0.01, p < 0.001) in diabetic rats. The histopathological observation of the pancreas in HELeKP-treated rats showed significant beta-cell restoration. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the outcomes of this study, the HELeKP-treated rats have significant free radical scavenging and anti-diabetic potential. Therefore, it can be recommended as a beneficial functional vegetable for consumption.

A delve into the pharmacological targets and biological mechanisms of Paederia foetida Linn.: a rather invaluable traditional medicinal plant.

Drug development from herbal medicines or botanical sources is believed to have a prominent role in the exploration of novel counteractive drugs that has sparked much interest in recent times. Paederia foetida is one such medicinal plant used in both traditional and folkloric medicine. Several parts of the herb are locally utilised as a natural curative agent for several ailments since time immemorial. Paederia foetida indeed possesses anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidaemic, antioxidant, nephro-protective, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antitussive, thrombolytic, anti-diarrhoeal, sedative-anxiolytic, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective activity, anthelmintic and anti-diarrhoeal activity. Furthermore, growing evidence shows many of its active constituents to be effective in cancer, inflammatory diseases, wound healing and spermatogenesis as well. These investigations shed light on possible pharmacological targets and attempts to establish a mechanism of action for these pharmacological effects. These findings contrast the significance of this medicinal plant for further research and for the exploration of novel counteractive drugs to establish a mechanism of action before being employed to healthcare. Pharmacological activities of Paederia foetida and their mechanism of action.

Altered gut microbiota in hepatocellular carcinoma: Insights into the pathogenic mechanism and preclinical to clinical findings.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. It is usually the result of pre-existing liver damage caused by hepatitis B and/or C virus infection, alcohol consumption, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), aflatoxin exposure, liver cirrhosis, obesity, and diabetes. A growing body of evidence suggests that gut microbes have a role in cancer genesis. More research into the microbiome gut-liver axis has recently contributed to understanding how the gut microbiome facilitates liver disease or even HCC progression. This review focuses on the preclinical results of gut-related hepatocarcinogenesis and probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics as therapeutic interventions to maintain gut microbial flora and minimize HCC-associated symptoms. Understanding the mechanistic link between the gut microbiota, host, and cancer progression could aid us in elucidating the cancer-related pathways and drive us toward preventing HCC-associated gut microbiota dysbiosis.

Experimental evidence for use of Acorus calamus (asarone) for cancer chemoprevention.

Cancer is one of the major non-communicable diseases posing substantial challenges in both developing and developed countries. The options available for treatment of different cancer are associated with various limitations, including severe toxicity, drug resistance, poor outcomes and a high risk of relapse. Hence, an increased attention and necessity for screening of various phytochemicals from natural sources for superior and safer alternative has been ongoing for several decades. In recent years, phytochemicals like galantamine, erwinaze, rivastigmine, resveratrol from natural sources have been found to be important therapeutic targets for the treatment of various diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, diabetes, and cardiovascular effects. Acorus calamus (Sweet flag), and/or its bioactive phytochemical alpha (α)-and beta (ß)-asarone, is a well-known drug in the traditional system of medicine which possesses anti-tumor and chemo-preventive activities as evident from numerous pre-clinical studies both in-vitro and in-vivo. In this article, we critically review the current available scientific evidences of A. calamus and/or asarone for cancer chemoprevention based on preclinical in-vitro and in-vivo models. In addition, we also have compiled and discussed the molecular targets of mechanism(s) involved in the anti-cancer activity of A. calamus/asarone. Still, extensive in-vivo studies are necessary using various animal models to understand the molecular mechanism behind the pharmacological activity of the bioactive phytochemicals derived from A. calamus. It is strongly believed that the comprehensive evidence presented in this article could deliver a possible source for researchers to conduct future studies pertaining to A. calamus and/or its bioactive phytochemicals asarone for cancer chemoprevention.

Asarone and metformin delays experimentally induced hepatocellular carcinoma in diabetic milieu.

AIMS: The evidence suggests that the hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia of diabetes mellitus (DM) are risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM on promoting diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced HCC in male wistar rats. Further, we investigated the administration of (α)-and (ß)-asarone and metformin HCl on experimentally induced diabetic-hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced by single dose of STZ (55 mg/2 ml/kg b.w. i.p.) and HCC by single dose of DEN (200 mg/ml/kg b.w. i.p.). Another group received the STZ followed by DEN two weeks later to mimic diabetic-HCC. The combined dose of (α)-and (ß)-asarone (50 µg/1.5 ml/kg b.w. p.o. in the ratio of 1:1) and metformin HCl (250 mg/1.5 ml/kg b.w. p.o.) treatment was compared with the STZ + DEN group. The blood and liver samples were collected at the end of 12 and 18-weeks to study biochemical and histopathological changes in liver. KEY FINDINGS: The STZ induced diabetes promoted the tumor progression due to administration of DEN. The treatment of asarones and metformin significantly reduced the levels of glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, liver dysfunction markers and tumor biomarkers along with an increase in level of insulin when compared to diabetic-HCC group. Histopathological examination indicated that asarones and metformin attenuate the inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and development of spontaneous HCC. SIGNIFICANCE: The STZ can be used to promote the DEN induced HCC. Treatment with (α)-and (ß)-asarone attenuates the effect of STZ + DEN induced HCC akin to metformin.

Diabetes and hepatocellular carcinoma: A pathophysiological link and pharmacological management.

Both diabetes mellitus (DM) and cancer are multifarious, dissimilar, and long-lasting, fatal diseases with a remarkable influence on health worldwide. DM is not only related to cardiovascular diseases, neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy, but also related to a number of liver diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis, and liver cirrhosis. Recently, it is hypothesized that DM has a greater risk for many forms of cancer, such as breast, colorectal, endometrial, pancreatic, gallbladder, renal, and liver cancer including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Both DM and cancer have many common risk factors, but the association between these two is poorly stated. Several epidemiologic studies have revealed the association between pathogenic and prognostic characteristics of DM and a higher incidence of HCC, thus representing DM as an independent risk factor for HCC development. The etiological and pathophysiological relationship between DM and HCC has been presented in this review by linking hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and activation of insulin-like growth factor signaling pathways and pharmacological management of HCC associated with DM.

The effect of methanolic extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng seeds on hematological indices.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the current study was carried out to investigate the effects of methanolic extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng seeds on hematological indices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen male albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups, six in each. Group I animals received distilled water, Group II and III were treated with an oral dose of 1000 mg oil/kg and 2000 mg oil/kg of extract, respectively, for 7 days. At the end of the study, blood was collected and evaluated for packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts. RESULTS: There was a significant dose-dependent increase in the hematological indices such as PCV, Hb, RBC, and WBC count in the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement of PCV, Hb, and RBC values is an indication of the anti-anemic effect which may be due to the stimulation of RBC production in bone marrow. Further, stimulated production of WBC could be as a result of possible stimulus of the immune system. Hence, this study confirms that the extract of B. lanzan could be useful for the treatment of anemia.