Gongronema latifolium leaf extract modulates hyperglycaemia, inhibits redox imbalance and inflammation in alloxan-induced diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Gongronema latifolium leaf is used traditionally to treat diabetes and other diseases. The present study aimed to provide the modulatory effect of G. latifolium on hyperglycemia, inhibitory effect of redox imbalance and inflammation in alloxan-induced nephropathy in Wistar rats. METHODS: Alloxan monohydrate was used to induce diabetes by an intraperitoneal injection of (150 mg/kg). Three diabetic groups were administered aqueous leaf extract of G. latifolium at 6.36, 12.72 and 25.44 mg/kg bodyweight (BW) respectively; a group was administered with metformin (5 mg/kg BW), while the other two were served as positive and negative control. Thereafter, fasting blood glucose, antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, interleukin 2 and 6 were determined. RESULTS: G. latifolium leaf significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the alloxan-induced increases in blood glucose, MDA, interleukin 2 and interleukin 6 level and increased the alloxan-induced decreases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reduced and glutathione transferase activity. All these changes compared with those of metformin-treated diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: The data from this study suggest that G. latifolium modulates glucose homeostasis as well as inhibiting redox imbalance and inflammation in diabetic rats, which may be attributed to the effects of its phytochemical constituents such as saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids. It also indicated that inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and redox imbalance are likely mechanisms by which G. latifolium leaf exert its antidiabetic action.

Gongronema latifolium Benth. leaf extract attenuates diabetes-induced neuropathy via inhibition of cognitive, oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

BACKGROUND: Gongronema latifolium (G. latifolium) Benth. leaves are traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus (DM) and other diseases in Nigeria and West Africa. This study was performed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of aqueous extract of G. latifolium leaf against DM. Antidiabetic activity of G. latifolium extracts (6.36, 12.72 and 25.44 mg kg-1 , i.p.) was determined in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Fasting blood glucose level and oxidative stress markers catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured. Cognitive biomarkers acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), dopamine (DOPA), serotonin, epinephrine and norepinephrine and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) were measured in the brain of controls and of G. latifolium-treated diabetic rats. RESULTS: Administration of G. latifolium leaf extract to diabetic rats significantly restored the alterations in the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG). The MDA and NO levels were significantly reduced with an improvement in CAT, SOD, and GPx activity in the kidneys and brains of diabetic rats treated with G. latifolium. Gongronema latifolium also significantly decreased the levels of AChE, BChE, DOPA, serotonin, epinephrine, and nor-epinephrine in diabetic rats. G. latifolium effectively ameliorated COX-2 in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: This study showed that leaf extract of G. latifolium improved antioxidant defense against oxidative stress. It displays a neuroprotective effect resulting in the modulation of brain neurotransmitters, which could be considered as a promising treatment therapy. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Mill.) I. M. Johnst leaf extract prevents oxidative hepatic injury and improves muscle glucose uptake ex vivo.

Total phenol, total flavonoid, and ameliorative potentials of aqueous leaf extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius in Fe2+ -induced oxidative stress in hepatic tissue and muscle glucose uptake using ex vivo models were assessed. These were carried out using standard procedures. The results revealed that the extract showed the presence of total phenol and total flavonoid, as well as free radicals scavenging abilities in a dose-dependent manner. Also, the aqueous leaf extract of C. aconitifolius enhanced Fe2+ -induced oxidative injury in hepatic tissue by considerably reducing the concentration of lipid peroxidation, with improvement in the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the extract enhanced glucose uptake in psoas muscle. It can be deduced from this study that the extract might be beneficial to people with diabetes mellitus. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Aqueous leaf extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius displayed the presence of total phenol and total flavonoid, as well as an increase in free radical scavenging activities in a dose-dependent manner. The plant extract also improved Fe2+ -induced oxidative injury in hepatic tissue by decreasing lipid peroxidation concentration, improved the activities of catalase as well as superoxide dismutase, with enhancement in glucose uptake of psoas muscle in a dose-dependent manner.