Ameliorative effect of Arabic gum Acacia and mori extracts in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: implications of Cas-3 and TGF-ß.

OBJECTIVE: Arabic gum Acacia (AG) is rich in fiber which improves lipid metabolism besides its antioxidant effect. Folium mori (FM) is a widely used herb due to its immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity. In the current study, we explore the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, as well as antioxidant activities of AG and FM in Streptozotocin (STZ), induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: STZ diabetic rats were orally administrated with metformin and/or a combination of AG and FM for 4 weeks. Glycemic levels, Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, and creatinine were determined. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also evaluated. Gene expression and profile as well as immunohistopathological were also evaluated. RESULTS: The results elicited no toxicological profile of both AG and FM. Plasma glucose level was decreased starting from 1st week to 4th week; besides, there was an improvement in glycated hemoglobin, insulin, and fructosamine. Liver and kidney damage markers were decreased in both AG and FM-treated rats. A significant increase in the antioxidant defense system and a decrease in oxidative stress markers were also observed. Gene expression analysis in brain tissues revealed a significant decrease in Interleukin beta 1 (IL-ß1), Caspase 3 (Cas-3), and Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß). CONCLUSIONS: Oral treatment of metformin with AG and FM in STZ-injected rats could ameliorate protective pathways and can be one of the promising oral anti-diabetic herbal agents.

Ethnopharmacological evaluation of Poppy seed oil in combination with Tramadol on behavioral paradigm and on dopamine, and cytokines levels.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was taken up to evaluate the combination of two drugs in the management of behavioral disorders such as locomotor activity, muscle relaxation, analgesic, and anxiolytic activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the methodology, Wistar rats weighing (150-180 g) were divided into six groups of 6 each (n=6). All the animals (groups II to VI) were subjected to stress and analyzed for anxiolytic activity using an elevated plus maze. The animals were treated for 28 days with poppy seed oil in lower and higher doses (1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg), tramadol in lower and higher doses (1.5 and 3 mg/kg) as individual groups, and one group with a combination of both drugs in lower doses. RESULTS: The results depicted showed that the combined treatment had significantly (**p <0.001) improvised behavior deficits, extemporized, and diminished anxiety-like attitude in rats, and showed the analgesic property in a significant manner. The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1ß were evaluated in the serum and were observed to be lessened the values of both in a significant manner with the co-administration of both the test drugs. The dopamine concentrations were also determined in the serum, which disclosed a decline (**p <0.001) significantly. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded from the results that a combined effect of drugs might be beneficial in the management of behavioral disorders and pain management.