Stingless Bee (Heterotrigona Itama) Honey and Its Phenolic-Rich Extract Ameliorate Oxidant-Antioxidant Balance via KEAP1-NRF2 Signalling Pathway.

Diabetes is associated with an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, leading to oxidative stress. This imbalance contributes to the development and progression of diabetic complications. Similarly, renal and liver diseases are characterised by oxidative stress, where an excess of oxidants overwhelms the antioxidant defense mechanisms, causing tissue damage and dysfunction. Restoring the oxidant-antioxidant balance is essential for mitigating oxidative stress-related damage under these conditions. In this current study, the efficacy of stingless bee honey (SBH) and its phenolic-rich extract (PRE) in controlling the oxidant-antioxidant balance in high-fat diet- and streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats was investigated. The administration of SBH and PRE improved systemic antioxidant defense and oxidative stress-related measures without compromising liver and renal functioning. Analyses of the liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissues revealed differences in their capacities to scavenge free radicals and halt lipid peroxidation. Transcriptional alterations hypothesised tissue-specific control of KEAP1-NRF2 signalling by upregulation of Nrf2, Ho1 and Sod1 in a tissue-specific manner. In addition, hepatic translational studies demonstrated the stimulation of downstream antioxidant-related protein with upregulated expression of SOD-1 and HOD-1 protein. Overall, the results indicated that PRE and SBH can be exploited to restore the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance generated by diabetes via regulating the KEAP1-NRF2 signalling pathway.

Inhibitory evaluation of Curculigo latifolia on α-glucosidase, DPP (IV) and in vitro studies in antidiabetic with molecular docking relevance to type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The inhibition of α-glucosidase and DPP enzymes capable of effectively reducing blood glucose level in the management of type 2 diabetes. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the inhibitory potential of α-glucosidase and DPP (IV) activity including with the 2-NBDG uptake assay and insulin secretion activities through in vitro studies. The selected of active compounds obtained from the screening of compounds by LC-MS were docked with the targeted enzyme that involved in the mechanism of T2DM. From the results, root extracts displayed a better promising outcome in α-glucosidase (IC50 2.72 ± 0.32) as compared with the fruit extracts (IC50 3.87 ± 0.32). Besides, root extracts also displayed a better activity in the inhibition of DPP (IV), enhance insulin secretion and glucose uptake activity. Molecular docking results revealing that phlorizin binds strongly with α-glucosidase, DPP (IV) and Insulin receptor (IR) enzymes with achieving the lowest binding energy value. The present work suggests several of the compounds have the potential that contribute towards inhibiting α-glucosidase and DPP (IV) and thus effective in lowering post-prandial hyperglycaemia.

Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Activities of Curculigo latifolia Fruit:Root Extract in High Fat Fed Diet and Low Dose STZ Induced Diabetic Rats.

Curculigo latifolia fruit is used as alternative sweetener while root is used as alternative treatment for diuretic and urinary problems. The antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of C. latifolia fruit:root aqueous extract in high fat diet (HFD) and 40 mg streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats through expression of genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolisms were investigated. Diabetic rats were treated with C. latifolia fruit:root extract for 4 weeks. Plasma glucose, insulin, adiponectin, lipid profiles, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), urea, and creatinine levels were measured before and after treatments. Regulations of selected genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolisms were determined. Results showed the significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight, high density lipoprotein (HDL), insulin, and adiponectin levels and decreased glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), urea, creatinine, ALT, and GGT levels in diabetic rats after 4 weeks treatment. Furthermore, C. latifolia fruit:root extract significantly increased the expression of IRS-1, IGF-1, GLUT4, PPAR α , PPAR γ , AdipoR1, AdipoR2, leptin, LPL, and lipase genes in adipose and muscle tissues in diabetic rats. These results suggest that C. latifolia fruit:root extract exerts antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects through altering regulation genes in glucose and lipid metabolisms in diabetic rats.