Effects of resistant starch on glycemic response, postprandial lipemia and appetite in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

PURPOSE: Resistant starch (RS) content has exhibited beneficial effects on glycemic control; however, few studies have investigated the effects of this substance on postprandial responses and appetite in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we aimed to examine the effects of RS from two sources on glycemic response (GR), postprandial lipemia, and appetite in subjects with T2D. METHODS: In a randomized and crossover study, 17 subjects with T2D consumed native banana starch (NBS), high-amylose maize starch (HMS) or digestible maize starch (DMS) for 4 days. On day 5, a 6-h oral meal tolerance test (MTT) was performed to evaluate glycemic and insulinemic responses as well as postprandial lipemia. Besides, subjective appetite assessment was measured using a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: NBS induced a reduction on fasting glycemia, glycemia peak and insulinemic response during MTT. However, no modifications on postprandial lipemia were observed after RS treatments. Both NBS and HMS reduced hunger and increased satiety. CONCLUSION: NBS supplementation induced more beneficial effects on glycemic metabolism than HMS even when all interventions were matched for digestible starch content. RS intake did not modify postprandial lipemia, however, positively affected subjective appetite rates. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was retrospectively registered at www.anzctr.org.au (ACTRN12621001382864) on October 11, 2021.

Effects of high rosuvastatin doses on hepatocyte mitochondria of hypercholesterolemic mice.

Statins are the cornerstone of therapy for individuals with hyperlipidemia. The aim of this study was to analyze the undesirable effects of mild, moderate and high doses of rosuvastatin in CD-1 male mice who received a cholesterol-rich diet, focusing on the morphological and functional changes on hepatocyte mitochondria. In a mouse model we studied the combined administration of a cholesterol-rich diet along with mild and moderate doses of rosuvastatin (1, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg/day) during several days. After the animals were sacrificed, liver mitochondria were isolated for microscopic studies and to analyze the respiratory function. The respiratory control (state-3/state-4) was evaluated in mice who received high doses of rosuvastatin. Rosuvastatin doses higher than 20 mg/kg/day induced premature death in mice with a hypercholesterolemic diet, but not in mice with a cholesterol-free diet. Doses from 2.5 to 5 mg/kg/day also induced morphological and functional alterations in mitochondria but these hypercholesterolemic animals survived longer. Giving 1 mg/kg/day, which is close to the maximal therapeutic dose for humans, did not affect mitochondrial architecture or respiratory function after two months of treatment. We analyzed the effect of rosuvastatin on hepatic tissue because it is where statins are mainly accumulated and it is the main site of endogenous cholesterol synthesis. Our results contribute to understand the side effects of rosuvastatin in hypercholesterolemic mice, effects that could also affect humans who are intolerant to statins.

Higher risk of depression in individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity: Results of a meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to determine the risk of having significant depressive symptoms in subjects with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus through a meta-analysis. Our results showed that individuals with obesity and diabetes have an increased risk of having significant symptoms of depression. In subgroup analyses, we observed that Caucasian populations have an increased risk of having these symptoms. Our meta-analysis suggests that obesity is associated with an increased risk of having significant depressive symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes, and they could be even higher in Caucasian populations.

Effects of Resistant Starch Ingestion on Postprandial Lipemia and Subjective Appetite in Overweight or Obese Subjects.

Reports surrounding the role of resistant starch (RS) on postprandial lipemia in humans are scarce. The aim of the present study is to examine the effects of resistant starch on the postprandial lipemic response, subjective measures of appetite, and energy intake in overweight and obese subjects. In a randomized, single-blind, crossover study, 14 overweight/obese participants ate a high-fat breakfast (679 kcal, 58% from fat) and a supplement with native banana starch (NBS), high-amylose maize starch (HMS), or digestible maize starch (DMS) on three separate occasions. All supplements provided were matched by the available carbohydrate content, and the RS quantity in NBS and HMS supplements was identical. Appetite was estimated using visual analogue scale (VAS) and an ad libitum test meal. Postprandial glycemia, triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and insulin excursions did not differ between treatments. Subjective appetite measures of satiety were significantly increased after HMS; however, no effects on energy intake were observed during the ad libitum test meal. These findings suggest that a single acute dose of RS cannot be expected to improve postprandial lipemia in subjects with overweight or obesity on a high-fat meal. However, the potential benefits of long-term supplementation should not be ruled out based on these results.

Combined Effect of Diosgenin Along with Ezetimibe or Atorvastatin on the Fate of Labelled Bile Acid and Cholesterol in Hypercholesterolemic Rats.

We analyzed the effect of diosgenin, administered with atorvastatin or ezetimibe, on the fate of ³H(G)-taurocholic acid or 26-14C-cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rats. Male Wistar rats received a hypercholesterolemic diet (HD), HD + atorvastatin (HD+ATV), HD + ezetimibe (HD+EZT), HD + diosgenin (HD+DG), HD+ATV+EZT, or HD+ATV+DG for 40 days. We also included a control normal group (ND). The labelled compounds were administered on day 30. The animals were placed in metabolic cages for daily feces collection. At day 40 the rats were sacrificed. Lipid extracts from blood, liver, spinal cord, testicles, kidneys, epididymis, intestine, and feces were analyzed for radioactivity. Cholesterol activity was the highest in the liver in HD rats. DG diminished one half of this activity in HD+DG and HD+ATV+DG groups in comparison with the HD group. HD+ATV rats showed four to almost ten-fold cholesterol activity in the spinal cord compared with the ND or HD rats. Fecal elimination of neutral steroids was approximately two-fold higher in the HD+DG and HD+ATV+DG groups. Taurocholic acid activity was four to ten-fold higher in HD+DG intestine as compared to the other experimental groups. Taurocholic activity in the liver of HD and HD+DG groups was two and a half higher than in ND. Our results show that the combination of DG and ATV induced the highest cholesterol reduction in the liver and other tissues.

Vortioxetine versus sertraline in metabolic control, distress and depression in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Depression in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is often undiagnosed and remains untreated, leading to poor therapy adherence and ill health-related outcomes. We evaluated the effect of vortioxetine versus sertraline in the treatment of depression, distress and metabolic control in subjects with T2D and depression. METHODS: Participants were selected from the Clinic for Diabetes, diagnosed with depression when the score was ≥14 in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and verified by a psychiatrist in agreement with the DSM-5 instrument (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition). The criteria for recruitment also included glycosylated hemoglobin ≥7.5%, 18 to 60 years of age, and written informed consent. Pharmacological treatment for depression was assigned randomly: vortioxetine (10 mg/day) or sertraline (75 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters, anthropometric measures and depression symptoms were evaluated after antidepressant treatment. This was a randomized singled-blind study. RESULTS: Subjects that met the inclusion criteria were 50, of which only 21 patients with T2D and depression finished the treatment. Vortioxetine and sertraline showed partial remission of depression. Vortioxetine showed a major effect size in glycosylated hemoglobin and a moderate effect size on weight loss, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels. On the other hand, patients treated with sertraline presented a slight increase in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and in all biochemical markers. CONCLUSIONS: Vortioxetine may ameliorate depressive symptoms and metabolic control in patients with T2D and depression. Trial registration number: NCT03978286.

Association between reduced quality of life and depression in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cohort study in a Mexican population.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that requires attention and commitment on the part of patients; improving the quality of life of these patients reduces health costs, morbidity, and mortality. We focused on investigating the factors related with the quality of life and depression symptomatology in patients with type 2 diabetes. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A total of 173 Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited. An interview face-to-face, a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, the Short Form 36 (SF-36), and the Clinical Epidemiological Studies of Depression were applied. The biochemical parameters measured were blood glucose, cholesterol, triacylglycerol levels, and glycated hemoglobin. RESULTS: In all SF-36 subscales, female patients had lower scores in comparison with male patients; individuals ≥65 years of age showed less physical function. We observed that married patients presented a better quality of life than people who were widowed or divorced (P<0.05). Those with high rates of lipids showed decreased scores all the subscales of SF-36. Finally, we observed that depression was the major factor that decreased quality of life in patients with diabetes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that untreated and unrecognized depression can decrease the quality of life in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Therefore, health care professionals need to consider these findings when treating patients with diabetes. Due to the limited number of patients included in the present study, more studies are needed, studying larger samples in order to provide conclusive results.

Data on association of mitochondrial heteroplasmy and cardiovascular risk factors: Comparison of samples from Russian and Mexican populations.

Despite the fact that the role of mitochondrial genome mutations in a number of human diseases is widely studied, the effect of mitochondrial heteroplasmy in the development of cardiovascular disease has not been adequately investigated. In this study, we compared the heteroplasmy levels of mtDNA from leukocytes for m.3256C>T, m.3336T>C, m.12315G>A, m.5178C>A, m.13513G>A, m.14459G>A, m.14846G>A, m.15059G>A, m.652insG and m.1555A>G mutations in CVD-free subjects and CVD patients in samples derived from Russian and Mexican populations. It was demonstrated that heteroplasmy level of m.5178C>A was associated with CVD in Russian men, and m.14459G>A - in Russian women. Mitochondrial heteroplasmy level of m.13513G>A and m.652insG were associated with CVD in Mexican men, and only m.652insG- in Mexican women. The levels of heteroplasmy for mitochondrial mutations m.3336T>C, m.5178C>A, m.14459G>A, m.14846G>A and m.1555A>G were significantly higher in CVD-free Mexican men, and for m.3256C>T, m.3336T>C, and m.14459G>A - in CVD-free Mexican women.

Risk Factors and Prevalence of Suicide Attempt in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in the Mexican Population.

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that the risk of death by suicide is higher in patients with diabetes than in the general population. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the risk factors of suicidal behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of suicide attempt and determine the risk factors of suicide attempt, in patients with type 2 diabetes in a Mexican population. METHODS: Clinic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical levels, depression, and suicidal behavior were evaluated in 185 Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to find predictive factors of suicide attempt. RESULTS: 11.4% of patients reported previous suicide attempts n = 21). Younger patients (OR: 3.63, 95% CI: 1.29⁻10.19), having depression (OR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.13⁻9.76) and normal BMI (OR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.11⁻8.83), were predictive factors of suicide attempt. No other variables in the study showed statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed a high prevalence of suicidal behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes. We found that younger age, depression and normal BMI could be risk factors of suicide attempt in these patients. Therefore, psychiatric interventions to prevent depression and suicidal behavior in this population are necessary. New studies using larger samples are necessary to replicate and confirm these results.

Acute Consumption of Resistant Starch Reduces Food Intake but Has No Effect on Appetite Ratings in Healthy Subjects.

Previous studies have shown the benefits of native banana starch (NBS) supplementation in improving glucose metabolism and reducing body weight (BW) in humans. However, the effect of this starch on appetite regulation is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of NBS rich resistant starch on subjective measurements of appetite, energy intake, and appetite hormones in healthy subjects. Postprandial glucose and insulin responses were also assessed. In a randomized, single-blind, crossover study, 28 healthy young subjects consumed a beverage containing either 40 g of NBS or 40 g of digestible corn starch (DCS) on two separate occasions. Effects on appetite were estimated using visual analogue scales (VAS) and satiety hormone responses. At the end of the intervention, participants were provided with a pre-weighed ad libitum homogeneous test meal. After a washout period of 1 week, subjects received the alternative treatment. NBS supplementation induced a reduction in food intake, glucose area under the curve (AUC)-180 min, and insulin AUC-180 min. However, there was no associated effect on the subjective appetite ratings or gut hormones. NBS supplementation may help to reduce meal size and control BW.

Isobolographic Analyses of Proglumide-Celecoxib Interaction in Rats with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy.

Preclinical Research The aim of the present study was to analyze the antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic interaction between the non-selective cholecystokinin (CCK) antagonist receptor, proglumide, and the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, celecoxib in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Hyperalgesia was evaluated in the formalin test and tactile allodynia using von Frey filaments. Isobolographic analyses were employed to define the nature of the compound interactions, using a fixed dose ratio (0.5:0.5). Proglumide (20-160 mg/kg) and celecoxib (0.3-30 mg/kg) in these fixed dose ratio combinations induced dose-dependent antihyperalgesia and an antiallodynic effect in diabetic rats. ED40 values were calculated for the treatments and an isobologram was constructed. Theoretical ED40 values for combination proglumide-celecoxib estimated from the isobolograms for antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic activity (30.50 ± 1.90 mg/kg and 45.81 ± 4.55 mg/kg, respectively) were obtained, while experimental ED40 values for this antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic combined effect (13.83 ± 0.65 mg/kg and 17.74 ± 3.57 mg/kg; respectively) were significantly different. Coadministration of proglumide-celecoxib showed an interaction index value of 0.45 ± 0.03 for the antihyperalgesic effect and 0.39 ± 0.08 for the antiallodynic activity, indicating a synergistic interaction. These data suggest that proglumide and celecoxib can interact synergistically to reduce hyperalgesic and allodynic behaviors in diabetic neuropathy. This combination could be useful to treat neuropathic pain in diabetic patients. Drug Dev Res 78 : 116-123, 2017. ©2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Protective Action of Carica papaya on ß-Cells in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of C. papaya L. leaf extract (CPLE) on pancreatic islets in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, as well as on cultured normal pancreatic cells with STZ in the medium. CPLE (3-125 mg/Kg) was administered orally for 20 days, while a group of diabetic rats received 5 IU/Kg/day of insulin. At the end of the treatment the rats were sacrificed. Blood was obtained to assess glucose and insulin levels. The pancreas was dissected to evaluate ß cells by immunohistochemistry. In addition, normal pancreatic cells were cultured in a medium that included CPLE (3-12 mg). One half of the cultured cells received simultaneously CPLE and STZ (6 mg), while the other half received CPLE and five days later the STZ. After three days of incubation, insulin was assayed in the incubation medium. The CPLE administered to diabetic rats improved the fasting glycemia and preserved the number and structure of pancreatic islets. However, when CPLE was added to pancreatic cells in culture along with STZ, the insulin concentration was higher in comparison with the cells that only received STZ. In conclusion, the CPLE preserves the integrity of pancreatic islets, improves the basal insulin secretion and protects cultured cells from the adverse effects of STZ.

No association between ApoE and schizophrenia: Evidence of systematic review and updated meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Schizophrenia affects between 0.3% and 2% of the worldwide population. A genetic contribution has been postulated in the development of this disorder. Genes such as ApoE have been implicated in the neurodevelopment associated with schizophrenia in case-control and meta-analysis studies, but the results remain inconclusive. Due to this, the aim of the present study was to explore the association between ApoE and schizophrenia through a meta-analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We collected all relevant studies by searching PubMed and EBSCO databases. The pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to estimate the association. The following models were evaluated: A) ε4 vs ε3, B) ε4 vs ε2, C) ε4 vs ε3+ε2, D) Caucasian population and E) Asian population. Statistical analyses were performed using EPIDAT 3.1 software. RESULTS: The meta-analyses comprised 28 association studies, which included 4703 controls and 3452 subjects with schizophrenia. A significant protective effect was found for allele ε3 in the Asian population (OR=0.73, 95% CI=0.54-0.98). No significant associations were observed in the other models and populations analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggests a protective association between ApoE allele ε3 and schizophrenia in the Asian population.

Effects of Acute Ingestion of Native Banana Starch on Glycemic Response Evaluated by Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Obese and Lean Subjects.

An abnormal glycemic profile, including postprandial glycemia and acute glucose spikes, precedes the onset of overt diabetes in obese subjects. Previous studies have shown the beneficial effects of chronic native banana starch (NBS) supplementation. In this study, we examined the effects of acute ingestion of NBS on glycemic profiles by means of continuous glucose monitoring in obese and lean subjects. In a crossover study, obese and lean subjects consumed beverages containing either 38.3 g of NBS or 38.3 g of digestible corn starch (DCS) twice daily during 4 days. On day 5, a 3-h meal tolerance test (MTT) was performed to evaluate glucose and insulin responses. After 1 week of washout period, treatments were inverted. NBS supplementation reduced the 48-h glycemia AUC in lean, obese, and in the combined group of lean and obese subjects in comparison with DCS. Postprandial glucose and insulin responses at MTT were reduced after NBS in comparison with DCS in all groups. However, no changes were observed in glycemic variability (GV) indexes between groups. In conclusion, acute NBS supplementation improved postprandial glucose and insulin responses in obese and lean subjects during 48 h of everyday life and at MTT. Further research to elucidate the mechanism behind these changes is required.

Association analysis of TPH-1 and TPH-2 genes with suicidal behavior in patients with attempted suicide in Mexican population.

BACKGROUND: Suicidal behavior is a worldwide health problem. Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is a rate limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of serotonergic neurotransmission. TPH-1 and TPH-2 genes encode for TPH isoforms and have been implicated as candidate genes for suicidal behavior. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the genetic variants of the TPH-1 (rs21102 and 1607395) and TPH-2 (rs4290270, rs7305115 and rs1007023) genes and suicidal behavior in a Mexican population. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study including 200 cases with suicide attempt and 263 controls. Patients were evaluated by a trained psychiatrist or clinical psychologists. Five polymorphisms were genotyped and assessed for allele, genotype and haplotype association with suicide attempt. RESULTS: The rs7305115 polymorphism of the TPH-2 gene was associated with suicidal behavior in a Mexican population in genotype (χ(2)=6.02, df=2, p=0.04) and allele (OR=1.39, 95%IC=1.06-1.81, p=0.01) frequencies. The THP-2 haplotypes GTA (χ(2)=5.68, p=0.01) and ATT (χ(2)=5.0, p=0.02) were associated with risk for suicide attempt. CONCLUSION: Our results provide evidence for an association between the rs7305115 polymorphism of the TPH-2 gene and suicidal behavior in a Mexican population. However, more studies are necessary to replicate these results using larger samples.

Celecoxib reduces hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: In the present study we determined the antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effect of celecoxib in diabetic rats as well as the possible participation of opioid receptors in the mechanism of action of celecoxib in these rats. METHODS: Experimental diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. Formalin (0.5%) was used to produce hyperalgesia in non-diabetic and diabetic rats. von Frey filaments were used to determine the 50% withdrawal threshold in diabetic rats. RESULTS: Oral administration of celecoxib (0.3-30 mg/kg) reduced formalin-induced nociceptive behavior during phase 2. Systemic pre-treatment (-10 min) with naltrexone (3mg/kg) prevented celecoxib-induced antihyperalgesia in formalin-treated diabetic rats. Furthermore, naltrexone as well as the δ and κ opioid receptor antagonists naltrindole (3mg/kg) and 5'-guanidino naltrindole (1mg/kg), respectively, fully prevented celecoxib-induced antihyperalgesia (10mg/kg) in formalin-treated non-diabetic and diabetic rats. Furthermore, celecoxib (0.3-30 mg/kg) produced an antiallodynic effect in diabetic rats. Pre-treatment with naltrexone (3mg/kg) fully prevented the antiallodynic effect of celecoxib at 0.3, 3 and 10mg/kg. In contrast, this dose of naltrexone only partially prevented the antiallodynic effect of celecoxib 30 mg/kg. Naltrexone and naltrindole (3mg/kg), but not 5'-guanidino naltrindole (1mg/kg), fully prevented the antiallodynic effect of celecoxib in diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that celecoxib produces an antihyperalgesic and antiallodynic effect in diabetic rats. These effects seem to result from activation of µ, δ and κ opioid receptors for antinociception and µ and δ for antiallodynia. Celecoxib could be useful to treat neuropathic pain in diabetic patients.

Relationship between epicardial adipose tissue, coronary artery disease and adiponectin in a Mexican population.

BACKGROUND: The amount of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) around the heart has been identified as an independent predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD), potentially through local release of inflammatory cytokines. Ethnic differences have been observed, but no studies have investigated this relationship in the Mexican population. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether a relationship exist between EAT thickness assessed via echocardiography with CAD and adiponectin levels in a Mexican population. METHODS: We studied 153 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). EAT thickness on the free wall of the right ventricle was measured at the end of systole from parasternal long and short axis views of three consecutive cardiac cycles. Coronary angiograms were analyzed for the presence, extent and severity of CAD. Serum adiponectin, lipids, glucose, C-reactive protein and fibrinogen were determined. RESULTS: EAT thickness was greater in patients with CAD than in those without CAD from both parasternal long (5.39 ± 1.75 mm vs 4.00 ± 1.67 mm p<0.0001) and short-axis views (5.23 ± 1.67 vs 4.12 ± 1.77, p=0.001). EAT thickness measured from parasternal long and short-axis showed a statistically significant positive correlation with age (r=0.354, p<0.001; r=0.286, p<0.001 respectively), and waist circumference (r=0.189, p=0.019; r=0.217, p=0.007 respectively). A significant negative correlation between EAT thickness from the parasternal long axis with cholesterol-HDL was observed (r=-0.163, p=0.045). No significant correlation was found between epicardial fat thickness and serum adiponectin or with the severity of CAD. CONCLUSIONS: EAT thickness was greater in patients with CAD. However, no correlation was observed with the severity of the disease or with serum adiponectin levels. EAT thickness measured by echocardiography might provide additional information for risk assessment and prediction of CAD.

No effect of magnesium supplementation on metabolic control and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients with normomagnesemia.

There are limited and conflicting data from clinical trials concerning the beneficial effects of magnesium supplementation on diabetic patients. We investigated the effects of magnesium supplementation on metabolic control and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients with normomagnesemia. A total of 98 normomagnesemic subjects with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to receive magnesium lactate (360 mg elemental magnesium) or placebo for three months, followed by a three-month washout period. Treatment assignments were then reversed over an additional three months of follow-up. The primary endpoint was a reduction in fasting glucose and HbA1c. A total of 56 subjects completed the follow-up in the magnesium and placebo supplementation groups. Urinary magnesium excretion was increased following magnesium supplementation in the intervention group compared with the placebo group (p = 0.0002). Fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin and HOMA-IR, as well as lipid profile, did not change significantly during treatment. We concluded that magnesium supplementation does not improve metabolic control or insulin sensitivity in diabetic subjects with normomagnesemia.

Phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic activity of Carica papaya leaf in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The extraction of plant constituents is essential to isolate biologically active compounds, aimed to understand their role on the treatment of diabetes. This study was designed to explore the preliminary phytochemical and physicochemical analysis of Carica papaya L., Caricaceae, leaf, and further evaluation of its hypoglycemic effect on diabetic rats. C. papaya leaves were extracted using chloroform, n-hexane or ethanol. For each extract a phytochemical screening was performed. The tests were conducted in triplicate and the qualitative and quantitative determination of the various metabolites was done using analytical standards proposed by Mexican Herbal Pharmacopoeia. The chloroform extract, containing steroids and quinones as major components, was chosen to study C. papaya biological effects. The chloroform extract was evaporated to dryness, and doses 0, 31, 62, 125 mg/kg were orally administered in 300 µl polyethylene glycol to diabetic rats; and 0 and 62 mg/kg to non-diabetic rats. After a 20-day treatment with the chloroform extract, the animals were sacrificed and blood was obtained for biochemical studies. The main effect observed was a decrease in serum glucose, triglycerides and transaminases in diabetic rats after the administration of C. papaya chloroform extract. These results confirm the potential beneficial action of C. papaya to treat the symptoms of diabetic patients.

Hypoglycemic effect of Carica papaya leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Traditional plant treatment for diabetes has shown a surging interest in the last few decades. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of C. papaya leaves in diabetic rats. Several studies have reported that some parts of the C. papaya plant exert hypoglycemic effects in both animals and humans. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ). The aqueous extract of C. papaya was administered in three different doses (0.75, 1.5 and 3 g/100 mL) as drinking water to both diabetic and non-diabetic animals during 4 weeks. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of Carica papaya (0.75 g and 1.5 g/100 mL) significantly decreased blood glucose levels (p<0.05) in diabetic rats. It also decreased cholesterol, triacylglycerol and amino-transferases blood levels. Low plasma insulin levels did not change after treatment in diabetic rats, but they significantly increased in non-diabetic animals. Pancreatic islet cells were normal in non-diabetic treated animals, whereas in diabetic treated rats, C. papaya could help islet regeneration manifested as preservation of cell size. In the liver of diabetic treated rats, C. papaya prevented hepatocyte disruption, as well as accumulation of glycogen and lipids. Finally, an antioxidant effect of C. papaya extract was also detected in diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the aqueous extract of C. papaya exerted a hypoglycemic and antioxidant effect; it also improved the lipid profile in diabetic rats. In addition, the leaf extract positively affected integrity and function of both liver and pancreas.