Anti-Diabetic Effect of Aster sphathulifolius in C57BL/KsJ-db/db Mice.

In this study, we investigated the anti-diabetic effect of Aster sphathulifolius (AS) extract in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice. The db/db mice were orally administered with AS 50% ethanol extract at concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day (db/db-AS50, db/db-AS100, and db/db-AS200, respectively) for 10 weeks. Food and water intake, fasting blood glucose concentrations, blood glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and plasma insulin levels were significantly lower in the db/db-AS200 group than in the vehicle-treated db/db group; whereas glucose tolerance was significantly improved in the db/db-AS200 group. Moreover, AS dose dependently increased both insulin receptor substrate 1 and glucose transporter type 4 expression in skeletal muscle, significantly increased glucokinase expression, and decreased glucose 6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase expressions in the liver. The expressions of transcription factors, such as sterol-regulatory element-binding protein, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and adipocyte protein 2, were upregulated in adipose tissue. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis showed that AS upregulated insulin production by increasing pancreatic ß-cell mass. In summary, AS extract normalized hyperglycemia by multiple mechanisms: inhibition of glyconeogenesis, acceleration of glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism, and increase of glucose uptake. Using in vivo assays, this study has shown the potential of AS as a medicinal food and suggests the efficacy of AS for the use of prevention of diabetes.

Isothiocyanate-rich Moringa oleifera extract reduces weight gain, insulin resistance, and hepatic gluconeogenesis in mice.

SCOPE: Moringa oleifera (moringa) is tropical plant traditionally used as an antidiabetic food. It produces structurally unique and chemically stable moringa isothiocyanates (MICs) that were evaluated for their therapeutic use in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS: C57BL/6L mice fed very high fat diet (VHFD) supplemented with 5% moringa concentrate (MC, delivering 66 mg/kg/d of MICs) accumulated fat mass, had improved glucose tolerance and insulin signaling, and did not develop fatty liver disease compared to VHFD-fed mice. MC-fed group also had reduced plasma insulin, leptin, resistin, cholesterol, IL-1ß, TNFα, and lower hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P) expression. In hepatoma cells, MC and MICs at low micromolar concentrations inhibited gluconeogenesis and G6P expression. MICs and MC effects on lipolysis in vitro and on thermogenic and lipolytic genes in adipose tissue in vivo argued these are not likely primary targets for the anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects observed. CONCLUSION: Data suggest that MICs are the main anti-obesity and anti-diabetic bioactives of MC, and that they exert their effects by inhibiting rate-limiting steps in liver gluconeogenesis resulting in direct or indirect increase in insulin signaling and sensitivity. These conclusions suggest that MC may be an effective dietary food for the prevention and treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Umbelliferone ß-D-galactopyranoside from Aegle marmelos (L.) corr. an ethnomedicinal plant with antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative activity.

BACKGROUND: Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. (Rutaceae), commonly known as bael, is used to treat fevers, abdomen pain, palpitation of the heart, urinary troubles, melancholia, anorexia, dyspepsia, diabetes and diarrhea in Indian traditional systems of medicine. The object of the present study was to evaluate the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant oxidative stress of umbelliferone ß-D-galactopyranoside (UFG) from stem bark of Aegle marmelos Correa. in STZ (streptozotocin) induced diabetic rat. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in rat by single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). The rat was divided into the following groups; I - normal control, II - diabetic control, III - UFG (10 mg/kg), IV - UFG (20 mg/kg), V - UFG (40 mg/kg), VI - Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg, p.o., once a daily dose). Diabetes was measured by change the level blood glucose, plasma insulin and the oxidative stress were assessed in the liver by estimation of the level of antioxidant markers i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) and antihyperlipidemic effect was measured by estimation of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol, HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol, VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) cholesterol. However in a study, the increased body weight was observed and utilization of glucose was in the oral glucose tolerance test. RESULT: Daily oral administration of different dose of UFG for 28 days showed significantly (P < 0.001) decreased in fasting blood glucose level and improve plasma insulin level as compared to the diabetic control group. Also it significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the level of glycated hemoglobin, glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1-6-biphosphate and increased the level of hexokinase. UFG treatment decreased liver MDA and increased the level of SOD, GPx and CAT. UFG treatment of lipids it's increased the level of cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL, LDL cholesterol and decreased the level of HDL cholesterol. Histologically, inflammatory cell in blood vessels, intercalated disc, fat degeneration and focal necrosis observed in diabetic rat organ but was less obvious in UFG treated groups. The mechanism of action of UFG may be due to the increased level of pancreatic insulin secretion and effect on the antioxidant marker. CONCLUSION: UFG posses an antidiabetic, antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic effect on the STZ induced diabetic rat. Hence it could be the better choice to cure the diabetes.

Improved glycemic control, pancreas protective and hepatoprotective effect by traditional poly-herbal formulation "Qurs Tabasheer" in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective effect of a traditional unani formulation "Qurs Tabasheer" in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic wistar rats. Up till now no study was undertaken to appraise the efficacy of "Qurs Tabasheer" in the diabetic rats. Qurs Tabasheer is a unani formulation restraining preparations from five various herbs namely Tukhme Khurfa (Portulaca oleracea seed), Gule Surkh (Rosa damascena flower), Gulnar (Punica granatum flower), Tabasheer (Bambusa arundinasia dried exudate on node), Tukhme Kahu (Lactuca sativa Linn seed). METHODS: Effect of Qurs Tabasheer was assessed in STZ (60 mg/kg, i.p single shot) induced diabetic wistar rats. STZ produced a marked increase in the serum glucose, Total Cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides and trim down the HDL level. We have weighed up the effect of Qurs Tabasheer on hepatic activity through estimating levels of various liver enzymes viz. Hexokinase, Glucose-6-Phosphatase and Fructose-1-6-biphosphatase in STZ diabetic wistar rats. RESULTS: In STZ-induced diabetic wistar rats level of Hexokinase, and Glucose-6-Phosphatase was decreased to a significant level while the level of fructose-1-6-biphophatase was augmented. Therapy with Qurs Tabasheer for 28 days to STZ-induced diabetic rats significantly reduces the level of serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1-6-biphosphatase, while magnitude of HDL cholesterol and hexokinase was amplified. CONCLUSION: Antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic activity of Qurs Tabasheer extract in STZ- induced wistar rats was found to be more effective than standard oral hypoglycemic drug Glimepiride.

Arginine rich coconut kernel protein modulates diabetes in alloxan treated rats.

Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome characterized by the loss of glucose homeostasis due to several reasons. In spite of the presence of known anti-diabetic medicines in the pharmaceutical market, remedies from natural resources are used with success to treat this disease. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of coconut kernel protein (CKP) on alloxan induced diabetes in Sprague-Dawley rats. Diabetes was induced by injecting a single dose of alloxan (150mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally. After inducing diabetes, purified CKP isolated from dried coconut kernel was administered to rats along with a semi synthetic diet for 45 days. After the experimental period, serum glucose, insulin, activities of different key enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, liver glycogen levels and the histopathology of the pancreas were evaluated. The amount of individual amino acids of CKP was also determined using HPLC. Results showed that CKP has significant amount of arginine. CKP feeding attenuated the increase in the glucose and insulin levels in diabetic rats. Glycogen levels in the liver and the activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes in the serum of treated diabetic rats were reverted back to the normal levels compared to that of control. Histopathology revealed that CKP feeding reduced the diabetes related pancreatic damage in treated rats compared to the control. These results clearly demonstrated the potent anti-diabetic activity of CKP which may be probably due to its effect on pancreatic ß cell regeneration through arginine.

Hypoglycemic and other related effects of Boswellia glabra in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

The hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of the leaves and roots of Boswellia glabra was examined using alloxan-induced diabetic rats. A single oral administration of Boswellia glabra leaf and root extract decreased the blood glucose level. The continued use of leaf and root extract for 28 days produced significant hypoglycemic effects; also there was a decrease in serum glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea and creatinine levels and enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase). Ultra structural studies of beta cell of alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with root extract showed numerous granulated sacs in comparison to rats treated with leaf extract. Thus, rats treated with root extract showed less degranulated sacs and more number of filled secretory granules in comparison to diabetic rats. Thus the use of aqueous extract of Boswellia glabra increased the synthesis of secretory granules in the beta-cell.

Annona squamosa seed extract in the regulation of hyperthyroidism and lipid-peroxidation in mice: possible involvement of quercetin.

Annona squamosa (Custard apple) seeds are generally thrown away as waste materials. The extract of these seeds was evaluated for its possible ameliorative effect in the regulation of hyperthyroidism in mouse model. Serum triiodothyronine (T(3)), thyroxine (T(4)) concentrations, hepatic glucose-6-phospatase (G-6-Pase) and 5'-mono-deiodinase (5'DI) activity were considered as the end parameters of thyroid function. Simultaneously hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were investigated to observe its hepatotoxic effect, if any. L-T(4) administration (0.5 mg/kg/d for 12 days, i.p.) increased the levels of serum T(3) and T(4), activity of hepatic G-6-Pase, 5'DI and LPO with a parallel decrease in SOD and CAT activities. However, simultaneous administration of the Annona seed extract (200 mg/kg) or quercetin (10 mg/kg) to T(4)-induced hyperthyroid animals for 10 days, reversed all these effects indicating their potential in the regulation of hyperthyroidism. Further, the seed extract did not increase, but decreased the hepatic LPO suggesting its safe and antiperoxidative nature. Quercetin also decreased hepatic LPO. When relative efficacy was compared with that of propyl thiouracil (PTU), a standard antithyroidic drug, experimental seed extract appeared to be more effective. Phytochemical analyses including HPLC revealed the presence of quercetin in the seed extract and the results on the effects of quercetin suggested the involvement of this phytochemical in the mediation of antithyroidal activity of Annona squamosa seed extract.

Effect of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Linn. ethanol flower extract on blood glucose and lipid profile in streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats.

Blood glucose and total lipid levels were determined in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats after oral administration of an ethanol flower extract of Hibiscus rosa sinensis. A comparable hypoglycemic effect was evidenced from the data obtained after 7 and 21 days of oral administration of the extract and glibenclamide. Maximal diminution in blood glucose (41-46%) and insulin level (14%) was noticed after 21 days. The extract lowered the total cholesterol and serum triglycerides by 22 and 30%, respectively. The increase in HDL-cholesterol was much higher (12%) under the influence of the extract as compared to that of glibenclamide (1%). The hypoglycemic activity of this extract is comparable to that of glibenclamide but is not mediated through insulin release. Other possible mechanisms are discussed.

Antihyperglycaemic effect of Casearia esculenta root extracts in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the antihyperglycaemic effect of Casearia esculenta root extract and to study the activities of liver hexokinase and gluconeogenic enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase in liver and kidney of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of aqueous extract of root (300 mg/kg body weight) for 45 days resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose from 250.79 +/- 12.65 to 135.70 +/- 8.90 and in a decrease in the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bishosphatase and an increase in the activity of liver hexokinase. However, in the case of 200 mg/kg body weight of extract, less activity was observed. The study clearly shows that the root extract of C. esculenta possesses potent antihyperglycaemic activity but weaker than that of glibenclamide.

Effect of olean-9(11), 12-diene-3 beta, 30-diol 3 beta, o-hemisuccinate Na salt, a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative, on peroxidation in CCl4 induced mouse acute hepatitis.

Anti-hepatitis effect of the olean-9(11),12-diene-3 b, 30-diol 3 b, o-hemisuccinate Na Salt (III b), a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative, was studied in CCl4 induced mouse. The mouse was administered i.p. with 0.1 mole/kg or 0.2 mole/kg of III b, then followed by 31.4 microliters/kg of CCl4. III b was shown to promote the activity of the glucose-6-phosphatase, lower the content of malondialdehyde, and prevent the activity from the soluble enzyme(i.e. GPT, GOT, LDH) from flowing out in the serum enzyme and liver homogenate. III b had the similar anti-peroxidation effect as vitamin E and can maintain the liver function.