RESUMO
Several medicinal plants have drawn the attention of researchers by its phytochemical composition regarding their potential for treating chronic complications of diabetes mellitus. In this context, plants of the Myrtaceae family popularly used in Brazil for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, including Eugenia sonderiana, have shown beneficial effects due to the presence of phenolic compounds and saponins in their chemical constitution. Thus, the present work aimed to perform the phytochemical characterization of the hydroethanolic extract of E. sonderiana leaves using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), along with in vitro and in vivo studies of antidiabetic activity. The chemical characterization revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, neolignans, tannins, and saponins. In addition, the extract exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations of alpha-amylase and alpha-glycosidase higher than the acarbose in the in vitro tests. Also, the in vivo tests revealed a slight increase in body mass in diabetic rats, as well as a significant decrease in water and feed consumption provided by the extract. Regarding serum biochemical parameters, the extract showed significant activity in decreasing the levels of glucose, hepatic enzymes, and triglycerides, in addition to maintaining HDL cholesterol levels within normal ranges, protecting the cell membranes against oxidative damage. Thus, the extract of E. sonderiana leaves was considered promising pharmaceutical ingredient in the production of a phytotherapy medication.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Experimental , Eugenia , Saponinas , Ratos , Animais , Hipoglicemiantes/uso terapêutico , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêutico , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/metabolismo , Compostos Fitoquímicos/uso terapêutico , Fenóis/farmacologia , Folhas de Planta/química , Saponinas/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
Phoenix dactylifera is known for medicinal importance due to its antioxidant, antidiabetic, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of P. dactylifera seeds to cure Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD was induced in the rats with streptozotocin + aluminium chloride followed by treatment of methanolic extract of P. dactylifera seeds. The blood glucose levels were determined at regular intervals, which showed a prominent decrease in the extracts treated group. Behavior tests, including the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) test and Morris Water Maze (MWM) test, were used to evaluate memory patterns in rats. The results indicated that extract-treated rats significantly improved memory behavior compared to the diseased group. After dissection, the serum electrolytes, antioxidant enzymes, and choline esterase enzymes were measured in different organs. The serum parameters creatinine, urea, and bilirubin increased after extract treatment. Similarly, the level of antioxidant enzymes like peroxidases (POD), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in the extract-treated group showed improved results that were close to the normal control group. The enzyme (lipase, insulin, amylase, and acetylcholine) levels were found enhanced in extract groups as compared to diseased rats. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the level of dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters, which were increased significantly for P. dactylifera seeds with values of 0.18 µg/mg tissue and 0.56 µg/mg tissue, respectively. Overall, results showed that P. dactylifera seeds proved to be quite efficient in improving the memory and behavior of treated rats. The antioxidants and enzymes were also increased; therefore, it may be a potential candidate for treating AD.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer , Phoeniceae , Ratos , Animais , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Phoeniceae/química , Estreptozocina/farmacologia , Cloreto de Alumínio/farmacologia , Ratos Wistar , Doença de Alzheimer/induzido quimicamente , Doença de Alzheimer/tratamento farmacológico , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/química , Glutationa/metabolismo , Estresse OxidativoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Borage (Borago officinal L.) is an annual herbaceous plant of great interest because its oil contains a high percentage of γ-linolenic acid (GLA). The present work was carried out to detect fatty acids composition of the oil extracted from borage seeds (BO) and its potential effectiveness against γ-irradiation- induced hepatotoxicity in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GC-MS analysis of fatty acids methyl esters of BO was performed to identify fatty acids composition. Sixty rats were divided into five groups (12 rats each): Control, irradiated; rats were exposed to (6.5 Gy) of whole body γ-radiation, BO (50 mg/kg b.wt), irradiated BO post-treated and irradiated BO prepost-treated. Six rats from each group were sacrificed at two time intervals 7 and 15 days post-irradiation. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels, lipids profile, as well as serum and hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde) (MDA) levels were assessed. Histopathological examination of liver sections were also carried out. RESULTS: The results showed that the high contents of BO extracted by cold pressing, were linoleic acid (34.23%) and GLA (24.79%). Also, oral administration of BO significantly improved serum levels of liver enzymes, lipids profile, as well as serum and hepatic GSH and MDA levels (p<0.001) as compared with irradiated rats after 15 days post irradiation. Moreover, it exerted marked amelioration against irradiation-induced histopathological changes in liver tissues. The improvement was more pronounced in irradiated BO prepost-treated group than irradiated BO post-treated. CONCLUSION: BO has a beneficial role in reducing hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by radiation exposure. Therefore, BO may be used as a beneficial supplement for patients during radiotherapy treatment.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes/química , Borago/química , Raios gama/efeitos adversos , Hepatopatias/tratamento farmacológico , Fígado/efeitos da radiação , Óleos de Plantas/química , Ácido gama-Linolênico/química , Animais , Antioxidantes/administração & dosagem , Ácidos Graxos/química , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Glutationa/metabolismo , Humanos , Fígado/lesões , Fígado/metabolismo , Hepatopatias/etiologia , Masculino , Malondialdeído/metabolismo , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos da radiação , Óleos de Plantas/administração & dosagem , Ratos , Sementes/química , Ácido gama-Linolênico/administração & dosagemRESUMO
Diabetes mellitus is regarded as a serious chronic disease that carries a high risk for considerable complications. In folk medicine, the edible Grewia asiatica fruit is used in a number of pathological conditions. This study aimed to investigate the possible curative effect of G. asiatica fruit ethanolic extract against streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced hyperglycemia in rats. Furthermore, mechanism of antihyperglycemic action is investigated. Hyperglycemic rats are either treated with 100 or 200 mg/kg/day G. asiatica fruits extract. Serum glucose, liver glycogen, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), interleukin- (IL-) 1ß, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α are measured. G. asiatica fruits extract reduces blood glucose and pancreatic MDA levels. It increases liver glycogen and pancreatic GSH contents and SOD enzyme activity. Furthermore, Grewia asiatica fruits extract decreases serum IL-1ß and TNF-α. The treatment also protects against STZ-induced pathological changes in the pancreas. The results of this study indicated that G. asiatica fruit extract exerts antihyperglycemic activity against STZ-induced hyperglycemia. The improvement in the pancreatic ß-cells and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of G. asiatica fruit extract may explain the antihyperglycemic effect.