Anticancer Potential of Dietary Natural Products: A Comprehensive Review.

Nature is a rich source of natural drug-like compounds with minimal side effects. Phytochemicals better known as "Natural Products" are found abundantly in a number of plants. Since time immemorial, spices have been widely used in Indian cuisine as flavoring and coloring agents. Most of these spices and condiments are derived from various biodiversity hotspots in India (which contribute 75% of global spice production) and form the crux of India's multidiverse and multicultural cuisine. Apart from their aroma, flavor and taste, these spices and condiments are known to possess several medicinal properties also. Most of these spices are mentioned in the Ayurveda, the indigenous system of medicine. The antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antihypertensive and antidiabetic properties of several of these natural products are well documented in Ayurveda. These phytoconstituemts are known to act as functional immunoboosters, immunomodulators as well as anti-inflammatory agents. As anticancer agents, their mechanistic action involves cancer cell death via induction of apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. The present review provides a comprehensive and collective update on the potential of 66 commonly used spices as well as their bioactive constituents as anticancer agents. The review also provides an in-depth update of all major in vitro, in vivo, clinical and pharmacological studies done on these spices with special emphasis on the potential of these spices and their bioactive constituents as potential functional foods for prevention, treatment and management of cancer.

Symplocos cochinchinensis enhances insulin sensitivity via the down regulation of lipogenesis and insulin resistance in high energy diet rat model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: This plant has been utilized in Indian system of medicine for treatment of diabetes. This is clearly evident from the composition of Ayurvedic preparation for diabetes 'Nisakathakadi Kashayam' where this is one of the main ingredients of this preparation AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aims in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the insulin sensitizing effects of Symplocos cochinchinensis ethanol extract (SCE) using a high fructose and saturated fat (HFS) fed insulin resistant rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental groups consisted of normal diet (ND), ND+SCE 500mg/kg bwd, HFS+vehicle, HFS+metformin 100mg/kg bwd, HFS+SCE 250/500mg/kg bwd. Initially the animals were kept under HFS diet for 8 weeks, and at the end of 8 week period, animals were found to develop insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Post-administration of SCE, metformin or vehicle were carried out for 3 weeks. Gene and protein expressions relevant to insulin signalling pathway were analysed. RESULTS: HFS significantly altered the normal physiology of animals via proteins and genes relevant to metabolism like stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1), sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), glucose 6 phosphatase (G6Pase), phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), protein tyrosine phosphatse 1B (PTP1B), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and glucokinase. SCE administration attenuates the insulin resistance in HFS rat by the down regulation of SCD1 gene expression that modulates SREBP-1c dependent and independent hepatic lipid accumulation. CONCLUSION: SCE enhances insulin sensitivity via the down regulation of lipogenesis and insulin resistance in HFS rat model.

Ethanolic extract of Allium cepa stimulates glucose transporter typ 4-mediated glucose uptake by the activation of insulin signaling.

The present work was undertaken to investigate the effects and the molecular mechanism of the standardized ethanolic extract of Allium cepa (onion) on the glucose transport for controlling diabetes mellitus. A. cepa stimulates glucose uptake by the rat skeletal muscle cells (L6 myotubes) in both time- and dose-dependent manners. This effect was shown to be mediated by the increased translocation of glucose transporter typ 4 protein from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane as well as the synthesis of glucose transporter typ 4 protein. The effect of A. cepa extract on glucose transport was stymied by wortmannin, genistein, and AI½. In vitro phosphorylation analysis revealed that, like insulin, A. cepa extract also enhances the tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor-ß, insulin receptor substrate-1, and the serine phosphorylation of Akt under both basal and insulin-stimulated conditions without affecting the total amount of these proteins. Furthermore, it is also shown that the activation of Akt is indispensable for the A. cepa-induced glucose uptake in L6 myotubes. Taken together, these findings provide ample evidence that the ethanolic extract of A. cepa stimulates glucose transporter typ 4 translocation-mediated glucose uptake by the activation of the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase/Akt dependent pathway.

In vitro anti-hyperglycemic activity of 4-hydroxyisoleucine derivatives.

The nonproteinogenic amino acid, 4-hydroxyisoleucine (1) has been isolated in large quantities from the fenugreek (T. foenum-graecum) seeds. Few novel derivatives (3-11 and 13-18) were prepared from the naturally occurring 4-hydroxyisoleucine (1) and screened for their in vitro glucose uptake stimulatory effect in L-6 skeletal muscle cells. The derivatives 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11 exhibited better glucose uptake stimulatory activity than parent compound, 4-hydroxyisoleucine at 5 and 10µM concentrations and compounds 7 and 11 enhanced translocation of insulin sensitive glucose transporters-4 in skeletal muscle cells.

Identification of novel PTP1B inhibitors by pharmacophore based virtual screening, scaffold hopping and docking.

Design and synthesis of protein tyrosine phosphatases-1B (PTP1B) inhibitors are important for the drugs targeted to treat diabetes and obesity. The pharmacophore modeling, docking and scaffold hopping techniques have been applied to discover the novel PTP1B inhibitors. The ten prioritized compounds (115-119, 120-121, 127, 130-131) from the library of 86 compounds were synthesized and found positive in the micro molar range for PTP1B in-vitro inhibitory assays as compared to Suramin (IC50 9.5 µM). Among these five active compounds (115-119) were tested in STZ-s induced diabetic rat model and the most active compound 115 in this test, was further tested in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice where it significantly improved OGTT along with the fasting and random blood glucose level. The treatment by the compound 115 significantly improved the insulin resistance and insulin signaling by restoring the insulin level and normalizing the serum lipid profile. Compound 115 also augmented the insulin action by modulating the expression of genes involved in insulin signaling like IRS 1-2, PI3K, PTPN1, Akt2, AMPK and PPAR-α. Western blot analysis of both skeletal muscle and liver demonstrated that proteins and intermediate enzymes of insulin signaling were also increased as compared to control group. The compound 115 was also investigated for anti-adipogenic effect on 3T3L-1 cells. The compound 115 inhibited MDI induced lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. The oral bioavailability of compound 115 was ∼10.29% after 30 mg/kg oral dosing assessed in rat.

Antidiabetic property of Symplocos cochinchinensis is mediated by inhibition of alpha glucosidase and enhanced insulin sensitivity.

The study is designed to find out the biochemical basis of antidiabetic property of Symplocos cochinchinensis (SC), the main ingredient of 'Nisakathakadi' an Ayurvedic decoction for diabetes. Since diabetes is a multifactorial disease, ethanolic extract of the bark (SCE) and its fractions (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and 90% ethanol) were evaluated by in vitro methods against multiple targets relevant to diabetes such as the alpha glucosidase inhibition, glucose uptake, adipogenic potential, oxidative stress, pancreatic beta cell proliferation, inhibition of protein glycation, protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B) and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV). Among the extracts, SCE exhibited comparatively better activity like alpha glucosidase inhibition (IC50 value-82.07 ± 2.10 µg/mL), insulin dependent glucose uptake (3 fold increase) in L6 myotubes, pancreatic beta cell regeneration in RIN-m5F (3.5 fold increase) and reduced triglyceride accumulation (22% decrease) in 3T3L1 cells, protection from hyperglycemia induced generation of reactive oxygen species in HepG2 cells (59.57% decrease) with moderate antiglycation and PTP-1B inhibition. Chemical characterization by HPLC revealed the superiority of SCE over other extracts due to presence and quantity of bioactives (beta-sitosterol, phloretin 2'glucoside, oleanolic acid) in addition to minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, zinc and manganese. So SCE has been subjected to oral sucrose tolerance test to evaluate its antihyperglycemic property in mild diabetic and diabetic animal models. SCE showed significant antihyperglycemic activity in in vivo diabetic models. We conclude that SC mediates the antidiabetic activity mainly via alpha glucosidase inhibition, improved insulin sensitivity, with moderate antiglycation and antioxidant activity.

Symplocos cochinchinensis attenuates streptozotocin-diabetes induced pathophysiological alterations of liver, kidney, pancreas and eye lens in rats.

The beneficial effects of hydroethanol extract of Symplocos cochinchinensis (SCE) has been explored against hyperglycemia associated secondary complications in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model. The experimental groups consist of normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), DC + metformin 100 mg kg(-1) bwd, DC + SCE 250 and DC + SCE 500. SCEs and metformin were administered daily for 21 days and sacrificed on day 22. Oral glucose tolerance test, plasma insulin, % HbA1c, urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, albumin, total protein etc. were analysed. Aldose reductase (AR) activity in the eye lens was also checked. On day 21, DC rats showed significantly abnormal glucose response, HOMA-IR, % HbA1c, decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes and GSH, elevated AR activity, hepatic and renal oxidative stress markers like malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls compared to NC. DC rats also exhibited increased level of plasma urea and creatinine. Treatment with SCE protected from the deleterious alterations of biochemical parameters in a dose dependent manner including histopathological alterations in pancreas. SCE 500 exhibited 46.28% of glucose lowering effect and decreased HOMA-IR (2.47), % HbA1c (6.61), lens AR activity (15.99%), and hepatic, renal oxidative stress and function markers compared to DC group. Considerable amount of liver and muscle glycogen was replenished by SCE treatment in diabetic animals. Although metformin showed better effect, the activity of SCE was very much comparable with this drug.

Antidiabetic activity of heart wood of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. and analysis of phytoconstituents.

The crude powder, ethanolic extract and aqueous, chloroform, hexane and n-butanol soluble fractions of ethanolic extract of heart wood of P. marsupium showed marked improvement on oral glucose tolerance post sucrose load in normal rats. All these fractions except aqueous fraction showed improvement on oral glucose tolerance post sucrose load on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The crude powder, ethanolic extract and hexane and n-butanol fractions showed marked decline in blood glucose level on STZ-induced diabetic rats. The ethanolic extract (100 mg/kg body weight) when given to STZ-induced diabetic rats for 10 consecutive days declined blood glucose, improved OGTT and increased their serum insulin levels. The ethanolic extract also showed marked improvement on oral glucose tolerance on high fat-low dosed STZ-induced diabetic rats and neonatally STZ treated rats. The ethanolic extract of P. marsupium also showed marked antidyslipidemic effects on high fat diet fed Syrian golden hamsters. Altered renal and hepatic function markers and serum insulin levels of high fat diet fed-low dosed STZ-treated diabetic rats were also found towards normalization when these animals were treated with ethanolic extract of P. marsupium for 28 consecutive days. The four out of five phenolic C-glycosides isolated from n-butanol fraction of ethanolic extract of P. marsupium enhanced glucose uptake by skeletal muscle cells (C2C12) in a dose dependent manner. It may primarily be concluded that phenolic-C-glycosides present in P. marsupium heart wood are the phytoconstituents responsible for the antihyperglycemic activity and validate the claim of antidiabetic activity of heart wood of P. marsupium.

Antihyperglycemic agents from Ammannia multiflora.

The serial chromatographic separation of chloroform and n-butanol fractions of Ammannia multiflora resulted in the isolation and characterization of 4-hydroxy-alpha-tetralone (1) and 3,3'-(2R,5R)-tetrahydrofuran-2,5-diyldiphenol (ammaniol, 2). Compound 1 was chemically modified into six semi-synthetic acyl and aryl derivatives (1A - 1F). The isolated compounds 1 and 2 along with semi-synthetic derivatives 1A - 1F were evaluated for in vitro antihyperglycemic activity employing 2-deoxyglucose uptake by L-6 rat muscle cell lines. The results indicated that both the isolates, as well as derivatives (1A - 1F), have the property to stimulate glucose uptake. Ammaniol (2) increased glucose uptake significantly (64.8%), while one of the aryl derivatives of 1, 4-O-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-alpha-tetralone (1D), showed potent antihyperglycemic activity and increased glucose uptake by 94.6%, even more than rosiglitazone (88.8%). Further, since 1D possesses better antihyperglycemic activity than rosiglitazone (standard), this might be a new safer antidiabetic drug of herbal origin.

4-Hydroxyisoleucine stimulates glucose uptake by increasing surface GLUT4 level in skeletal muscle cells via phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-dependent pathway.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of 4-Hydroxyisoleucine (4-HIL), an unusual amino acid isolated from the seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum, on glucose uptake and the translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to plasma membrane in skeletal muscle cells and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS: Rat skeletal muscle cells (L6-GLUT4myc) were treated with 4-HIL, and the effect on glucose uptake was determined by measuring the incorporation of radio-labeled 2-deoxy-[(3)H]-D-glucose (2-DG) into the cell. Translocation of GLUT4myc to plasma membrane was measured by an antibody-coupled colorimetric assay. RESULTS: The prolonged exposure (16 h) of L6-GLUT4myc myotubes to 4-HIL caused a substantial increase in the 2-DG uptake and GLUT4 translocation to the cell surface, without changing the total amount of GLUT4 and GLUT1. Cycloheximide treatment reversed the effect of 4-HIL on GLUT4 translocation to the basal level suggesting the requirement of new protein synthesis. The 4-HIL-induced increase in GLUT4 translocation was completely abolished by wortmannin, and 4-HIL significantly increased the basal phosphorylation of AKT (Ser-473), but did not change the mRNA expression of AKT, IRS-1, GLUT4, and GSK3ß. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that 4-HIL stimulates glucose uptake in L6-GLUT4myc myotubes by enhancing translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface in a PI-3-kinase/AKT-dependent mechanism.

Anti-diabetic and anti-oxidative effects of 4-hydroxypipecolic acid in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice.

Hypoglycemic effect of ethanol extracts of Peganum harmala (commonly known as 'Harmal') seeds has been reported on normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In the present study, the authors determine anti-diabetic and anti-oxidative properties of 4-hydroxypipecolic acid (4-HPA) isolated from seeds of P. harmala in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice. Twelve week old male mice were administered 50 mg/kg body weight (4-HPA suspension were made in 1% gum acacia) for the period of 10 days, and a significant reduction in the fasting blood glucose, plasma triglycerides (TG), cholesterol, free fatty acid, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was observed with respect to vehicle-treated db/db mice. The anti-oxidant activity of 4-hydroxypipecolic acid was studied in liver and kidney tissues by assessing malondialdehyde levels for lipid peroxidation and enzyme activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Treatment of 4-HPA significantly lowered the lipid peroxidation in hepatic and renal tissue and increased the activity of CAT, GSH-Px and SOD in treated mice.

Pongamol from Pongamia pinnata stimulates glucose uptake by increasing surface GLUT4 level in skeletal muscle cells.

Skeletal muscle is the major site of postprandial glucose disposal and augmenting glucose uptake into this tissue may attenuate insulin resistance that precedes type 2 diabetes mellitus. Here, we investigated the effect of pongamol, an identified lead molecule from the fruits of Pongamia pinnata, on glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle cells. In L6-GLUT4myc myotubes treatment with pongamol significantly promoted both glucose transport and GLUT4 translocation to the cell surface in a concentration-dependent manner, without changing the total amount of GLUT4 protein and GLUT4 mRNA, effects that were also additive with insulin. Cycloheximide treatment inhibited the effect of pongamol on GLUT4 translocation suggesting the requirement of new protein synthesis. The pongamol-induced increase in GLUT4 translocation was completely abolished by wortmannin, and pongamol significantly potentiated insulin-mediated phosphorylation of AKT (Ser-473). We conclude that pongamol-induced increase in glucose uptake in L6 myotubes is the result of an increased translocation of GLUT4 to plasma membrane, driven by a PI-3-K/AKT dependent mechanism.

Antihyperglycemic activity of compounds isolated from Indian medicinal plants.

Eleven antidiabetic Indian medicinal plants were investigated in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model and provided scientific validation to prove their antihyperglycemic activity. Antidiabetic principles from five plants were isolated. All the compounds isolated were evaluated for antihyperglycemic activity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model and activities were compared with standard drug metformin. Some compounds were also screened in db/db mice. Two compounds (PP-1 and PP-2) inhibited significantly the activity of PTPase-1B in an in vitro system. This might be the underlying mechanism of antihyperglycemic activity of these compounds.

Tectone, a new antihyperglycemic anthraquinone from Tectona grandis leaves.

A new anthraquinone (3,8-dihydroxy-2-methyl anthraquinone), named tectone (1), along with fourteen known compounds (2-15) comprised of five terpenoids (2-5, 15), four flavonoids (6-9), three flavone glycosides (10-12), and two phenolic glycosides (13-14) were isolated from the chloroform and n-butanol fractions of the ethanol extract of Tectona grandis leaves. Attempts were made to synthesize compound 1. This resulted in the synthesis of three additional anthraquinones (16-18), out of which compound 16 is new. The structures of all compounds were established by spectral analysis. The isolated and synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antihyperglycemic activity. Compounds 1, 2, 4 and 14 showed significant antihyperglycemic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, which is comparable to the standard drug metformin.

Phenolic glycosides from Dodecadenia grandiflora and their glucose-6-phosphatase inhibitory activity.

Phytochemical investigation of Dodecadenia grandiflora leaves led to the isolation and identification of three phenolic glycosides, designated 1-[(4'-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-oxy-2-phenol (1), 1-[(6'-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-oxy-2-phenol (2) and 1-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-oxy-2-phenol (3), along with nine known compounds. Compounds 1, 2, 5 and 9 exhibited significant glucose-6-phosphatase inhibitory activity (63.7, 66.9, 82.9 and 85.4%) with IC(50) values of 88.5, 81.0, 51 and 50 microM respectively. On the basis of biological results, a structure-activity relationship has been discussed.

Constituents from fruits of Cupressus sempervirens.

Two new phenolic glycosides (1, 2), along with fourteen known compounds (3-16) have been isolated from the fruit of Cupressus sempervirens. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis and were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against glycogen phosphorylase and glucose-6-phosphatase enzymes. Compounds 14 showed a moderate inhibition against glucose-6-phosphatase and 15 against glycogen phosphorylase enzymes.

Coagulanolide, a withanolide from Withania coagulans fruits and antihyperglycemic activity.

One new withanolide, (17S,20S,22R)-14alpha,15alpha,17beta,20beta-tetrahydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,5,24-trienolide) named coagulanolide (4) along with four known withanolides 1-3 and 5 have been isolated from Withania coagulans fruits and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. The compounds 1-5 showed significant inhibition on postprandial rise in hyperglycemia post-sucrose load in normoglycemic rats as well as streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The compound 5 also showed significant fall on fasting blood glucose profile and improved the glucose tolerance of db/db mice. Further compound 5 showed antidyslipidemic activity in db/db mice. The median effective dose of the compound 5 was determined to be around 25 mg/kg in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, which is comparable to the standard antidiabetic drug metformin. Our results provide further support to explain the traditional use of W. coagulans as antihyperglycemic cum antidyslipidemic agent by the traditional medical practitioners.

Identification of pongamol and karanjin as lead compounds with antihyperglycemic activity from Pongamia pinnata fruits.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To identify pongamol and karanjin as lead compounds with antihyperglycemic activity from Pongamia pinnata fruits. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and hyperglycemic, hyperlipidemic and hyperinsulinemic db/db mice were used to investigate the antihyperglycemic activity of pongamol and karangin isolated from the fruits of Pongamia pinnata. RESULTS: In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, single dose treatment of pongamol and karanjin lowered the blood glucose level by 12.8% (p<0.05) and 11.7% (p<0.05) at 50mg /kg dose and 22.0% (p<0.01) and 20.7% (p<0.01) at 100mg/kg dose, respectively after 6h post-oral administration. The compounds also significantly lowered blood glucose level in db/db mice with percent activity of 35.7 (p<0.01) and 30.6 (p<0.01), respectively at 100mg/kg dose after consecutive treatment for 10 days. The compounds were observed to exert a significant inhibitory effect on enzyme protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (EC 3.1.3.48). CONCLUSION: The results showed that pongamol and karangin isolated from the fruits of Pongamia pinnata possesses significant antihyperglycemic activity in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and type 2 diabetic db/db mice and protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B may be the possible target for their activity.

Preliminary studies on the hypoglycemic effect of Peganum harmala L. Seeds ethanol extract on normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Peganum harmala L. (Zygophyllaceae) is a traditional medicine used for the treatment of variety of human ailments, including antidepression, hallucination, antileishmaniasis etc. We report for first time the hypoglycemic activity of the ethanolic extract of this plant at two dose levels of 150 and 250mg/kg bw in sucrose challenged normal as well as in rats with streptozotocin induced diabetes. The oral administration of ethanolic extract causes maximum fall of blood glucose level to 22.9% (p<0.05) and 29.4% (p<0.01) respectively with the two doses in normal and 30.3% (p<0.01) and 48.4% (p<0.001) in diabetic rats. The standard drug metformin treated group showed 28.0% (p<0.01) and 45.5% (p<0.001) respectively in normal and diabetic rats. The above results show that the ethanolic extract of P. harmala is as effective as metformin in reducing the blood glucose levels of normoglycemic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of potential modulators of malarial glutathione-S-transferase(s).

Glutathione-S-transferase(s) (E.C.2.5.1.18, GSTs) have been investigated in parasitic protozoans with respect to their biochemistry and they have been identified as potential vaccine candidates in protozoan parasites and as a target in the synthesis of new antiparasitic agents. In a search towards the identification of novel biochemical targets for antimalarial drug design, the area of Plasmodium glutathione metabolism provides a number of promising chemotherapeutic targets. GST activity was determined in various subcellular fractions of malarial parasites Plasmodium yoelii and was found to be localized mainly in the cytosolic fraction (specific activity, c. 0.058 +/- 0.016 micromol/min/mg protein). Hemin, a known inhibitor of mammalian GST(s), maximally inhibited this enzyme from P. yoelii to nearly 86%. In a search towards synthetic modulators of malarial GST(s), 575 compounds belonging to various chemical classes were screened for their effect on crude GST from P. yoelii and 92 compounds belonging to various chemical classes were studied on recombinant GST from P. falciparum. Among all the compounds screened, 83 compounds inhibited/stimulated the enzyme from P. yoelii/P. falciparum to the extent of 40% or more.