Enhancing glycaemic control and promoting cardiovascular health: the therapeutic potential of Trigonella foenumgraecum in diabetic patients - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The antidiabetic potential of fenugreek has been highlighted in past literature, and various in-vitro and in-vivo studies have validated its glucose-lowering effects; however, very limited data are available on its effects on diabetic patients. Objective: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials that assessed patients who were administered fenugreek. Methods: The PRISMA guidelines (Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/MS9/A361) were followed when conducting this meta-analysis. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and MEDLINE were searched from inception until June 2023, for randomized control trials that compared fenugreek with control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and reported the following outcomes of interest: fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and postprandial glucose levels. The findings were presented as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and were pooled using a random effects model. Results: Fenugreek significantly (P<0.001) reduced the fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1c levels and postprandial glucose levels in diabetic patients when compared to the control. Conclusion: Among patients with type 2 DM, our comparisons demonstrated a reduction in FBS, HbA1c levels and postprandial glucose levels with the administration of fenugreek seed at 2-5 mg dose in powder form.

Apigenin potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion through the PKA-MEK kinase signaling pathway independent of K-ATP channels.

AIM: Apigenin, a natural bioflavonoid, is reported as an anti-diabetic agent since it possesses the ability to inhibit α-glucosidase activity, cause stimulation of insulin action and secretion, manage ROS, and prevent diabetes complications. Apigenin was identified as a new insulin secretagogue that enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and seems like a better antidiabetic drug candidate. Here we explored the insulinotropic mechanism(s) of apigenin in vitro in mice islets and in vivo in diabetic rats. METHODS: Size-matched pancreatic islets were divided into groups and incubated in the presence or absence of apigenin and agonists or antagonists of major insulin signaling pathways. The secreted insulin was measured by ELISA. The intracellular cAMP was estimated by cAMP acetylation assay. The acute and chronic effects of apigenin were evaluated in diabetic rats. RESULTS: apigenin dose-dependently enhanced insulin secretion in isolated mice islets, and its insulinotropic effect was exerted at high glucose concentrations distinctly different from glibenclamide. Furthermore, apigenin amplified glucose-induced insulin secretion in depolarized and glibenclamide-treated islets. Apigenin showed no effect on intracellular cAMP concentration; however, an additive effect was observed by apigenin in both forskolin and IBMX-induced insulin secretion. Interestingly, H89, a PKA inhibitor, and U0126, a MEK kinase inhibitor, significantly inhibited apigenin-induced insulin secretion; however, no significant effect was observed by using ESI-05, an epac2 inhibitor. Apigenin improved glucose tolerance and increased glucose-stimulated plasma insulin levels in diabetic rats. Apigenin also lowered blood glucose in diabetic rats upon chronic treatment. CONCLUSION: Apigenin exerts glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by modulating the PKA-MEK kinase signaling cascade independent of K-ATP channels.

Genome-wide identification of heavy-metal ATPases genes in Areca catechu: investigating their functionality under heavy metal exposure.

Heavy-metal ATPases (HMAs) play a vital role in plants, helping to transport heavy metal ions across cell membranes.However, insufficient data exists concerning HMAs genes within the Arecaceae family.In this study, 12 AcHMA genes were identified within the genome of Areca catechu, grouped into two main clusters based on their phylogenetic relationships.Genomic distribution analysis reveals that the AcHMA genes were unevenly distributed across six chromosomes. We further analyzed their physicochemical properties, collinearity, and gene structure.Furthermore, RNA-seq data analysis exhibited varied expressions in different tissues of A. catechu and found that AcHMA1, AcHMA2, and AcHMA7 were highly expressed in roots, leaves, pericarp, and male/female flowers. A total of six AcHMA candidate genes were selected based on gene expression patterns, and their expression in the roots and leaves was determined using RT-qPCR under heavy metal stress. Results showed that the expression levels of AcHMA1 and AcHMA3 genes were significantly up-regulated under Cd2 + and Zn2 + stress. Similarly, in response to Cu2+, the AcHMA5 and AcHMA8 revealed the highest expression in roots and leaves, respectively. In conclusion, this study will offer a foundation for exploring the role of the HMAs gene family in dealing with heavy metal stress conditions in A. catechu.

Mental Nerve Neurectomy: A Comparison of Titanium Screw Versus Gutta-Percha Oburation of the Mental Foramen.

OBJECTIVE:  This study aims to compare the two mental foramen obturating techniques in parameters like operator's ease, postoperative displacement of obturation material, and remission of pain after peripheral neurectomy in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. STUDY DESIGN:  This study adopts a single-centered comparative analytical approach. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: This study was performed in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry (AFID), from October 1, 2023, to February 10, 2024. METHODOLOGY: Sixty patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included and divided into two groups (30 each), and peripheral neurectomy was performed under local anesthesia. In one group, gutta-percha sticks were used to obturate the foramina, and in the other group, titanium screws were used. Postoperatively, the operator's ease, postoperative displacement, and relapse of pain were recorded. RESULTS:  Titanium screws were easy to handle, and there was no relapse of pain because of no displacement postoperatively when compared with gutta-percha sticks, which were hard to manipulate and showed a relapse of pain. CONCLUSIONS:  Titanium screws have better postoperative outcomes when compared with gutta-percha sticks in terms of the operator's ease, relapse of pain, and postoperative displacement.

Screening and Characterization of Phenolic Compounds from Selected Unripe Fruits and Their Antioxidant Potential.

The food sector's interest in sustainability and the demand for novel bioactive compounds are increasing. Many fruits are wasted every year before ripening due to various climatic conditions and harsh weather. Unripe mangoes, grapes, and black lemons could be rich sources of phenolic compounds that need to be fully elucidated. Using fruit waste as a source of bioactive chemicals has grown increasingly appealing as it may have significant economic benefits. Polyphenols are beneficial for human health to inhibit or minimize oxidative stress and can be used to develop functional and nutraceutical food products. In this context, this study aimed to characterize and screen unripe mangoes, grapes, and black lemons for phenolic compounds using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS and their antioxidant activities. Unripe mangoes were quantified with higher total phenolic content (TPC, 58.01 ± 6.37 mg GAE/g) compared to black lemon (23.08 ± 2.28 mg GAE/g) and unripe grapes (19.42 ± 1.16 mg GAE/g). Furthermore, unripe mangoes were also measured with higher antioxidant potential than unripe grapes and black lemons. A total of 85 phenolic compounds (70 in black lemons, 49 in unripe grapes, and 68 in unripe mango) were identified, and 23 phenolic compounds were quantified using LC-MS/MS. Procyanidin B2, gallic acid, epicatechin, caffeic acid, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid were measured with higher concentration in these selected unripe fruits. A positive correlation was found between phenolic contents and the antioxidant activities of unripe fruits. Furthermore, chemometric analysis was conducted to validate the results. This study will explore the utilization of these unripe fruits to develop functional and therapeutic foods.