Beneficial effect of honokiol and magnolol on polyol pathway and oxidative stress parameters in the testes of diabetic rats.

In diabetes hyperglycemia, excessive production of free radicals and present oxidative stress lead to many complications in the body, including male reproductive system disorders. To prevent the development of diabetic complications in the testes resulting from them, it seems beneficial to include compounds considered as natural antioxidants. Honokiol and magnolol are neolignans obtained from magnolia bark, which possess proven antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of honokiol and magnolol on the parameters of oxidative stress, polyol pathway and glycation products in the testes as well as on selected biochemical parameters in the blood serum of rats with type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted on mature male Wistar rats with high fat diet and streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes. Neolignans-treated rats received honokiol or magnolol orally at the doses of 5 or 25 mg/kg, respectively, for 4 weeks. Parameters related to glucose and lipid homeostasis, basic serological parameters and sex hormones level in the serum as well as polyol pathway parameters, antioxidant enzyme activity, endogenous antioxidants level, sumaric parameters for oxidative stress and oxidative damage in the testes were estimated. Oral administration of honokiol and magnolol turned out to be beneficial in combating the effects of oxidative stess in the testes, but showed no favorable effects on serum biochemical parameters. Additionally, magnolol compared to honokiol revealed more advantageous impact indicating the reversal of the effects of diabetic complications in the male reproductive system and counteracted oxidative stress damages and polyol pathway disorders in the testes.

Hibiscus sabdariffa in Diabetes Prevention and Treatment-Does It Work? An Evidence-Based Review.

Diabetes is currently a global health problem that is already reported as an epidemic. This metabolic disease, characterized by a disturbance in the carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism, is often accompanied by disorders of several organs. Its treatment is expensive and often difficult to control. Therefore, it seems necessary to search for new drugs and solutions to facilitate therapy and reduce treatment costs. Herbal medicines are becoming more and more popular. Hibiscus sabdariffa (roselle) is a plant that grows wild in a tropical climate. It has been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. Thanks to the numerous active compounds, including polyphenols, polysaccharides, organic acids, or pectins, it is reported to exhibit hypoglycemic, antioxidant, hypotensive, and anti-lipidemic activities and numerous indirect effects that are related to them. The aim of this review was to update the knowledge about the therapeutic effects of roselle in diabetes and its comorbidities based on in vitro, animal, and human studies. After a careful analysis of the scientific literature, it can be stated that roselle is a promising product that can be used either on its own or as an addition to the conventional treatment regimens to prevent or treat diabetes and its accompanying diseases.

Silymarin from Milk Thistle Fruits Counteracts Selected Pathological Changes in the Lenses of Type 1 Diabetic Rats.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease affecting many tissues and organs. The main etiological factor for diabetic complications is hyperglycemia and subsequent pathologies, such as oxidative stress. One of the organs susceptible to the development of diabetic complications is the eye with all of its elements, including the lens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silymarin, an extract obtained from milk thistle fruit husks, on the oxidative stress markers in the lenses of type 1 diabetic rats. The study was performed on male rats in which type 1 diabetes was induced with 60 mg/kg streptozotocin injection. Diabetic animals were treated via an intragastric tube with silymarin at 50 and 100 mg/kg doses for four weeks. Multiple oxidative stress and polyol pathway-related parameters were measured in the lenses, and auxiliary biochemical tests in the serum were conducted. Diabetes induced severe pathological changes both in the lenses and the serum, and silymarin counteracted several of them. Nevertheless, the qualitative analyses encompassing all tested parameters indicate that silymarin slightly improved the overall state of diabetic animals. Upon the obtained results, it can be concluded that silymarin reveals a faint positive effect on the lenses in type 1 diabetic rats.

Impact of dorzolamide, benzalkonium-preserved dorzolamide and benzalkonium-preserved brinzolamide on selected biomarkers of oxidative stress in the tear film.

BACKGROUND: Long-term use of topical, especially benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-preserved, antiglaucoma medications can cause a negative impact on the ocular surface. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) on selected oxidative stress biomarkers in the tear film. METHODS: The patients were divided into four sex-matched groups: group C (n = 25) - control group - subjects who did not use topical antiglaucoma medications, group DL (n = 14) - patients using preservative-free dorzolamide, group DL + BAC (n = 16) - patients using topical BAC-preserved dorzolamide, group BL + BAC (n = 17) - patients using BAC-preserved brinzolamide. Subjects in all the study groups have been using the eye drops two times daily for 6-12 months. The oxidative stress biomarkers in the tear film samples were measured: total protein (TP) concentration, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) content, total sulfhydryl (-SH) groups content, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as Total Oxidant Status (TOS), Total Antioxidant Response (TAR), and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI). RESULTS: The advanced oxidation protein products content, Total Oxidant Status as well as superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the group DL + BAC and BL + BAC were higher in comparison with the group C. The total sulfhydryl groups content was lower in the group DL + BAC and BL + BAC when compared to group C. Oxidative Stress Index was higher in the groups DL + BAC and BL + BAC in comparison with the groups DL and C. CONCLUSIONS: Use of topical benzalkonium chloride-preserved carbonic anhydrase inhibitors increases oxidative stress in the tear film.

Effectiveness of Magnolol, a Lignan from Magnolia Bark, in Diabetes, Its Complications and Comorbidities-A Review.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by disturbances in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism, often accompanied by oxidative stress. Diabetes treatment is a complicated process in which, in addition to the standard pharmacological action, it is necessary to append a comprehensive approach. Introducing the aspect of non-pharmacological treatment of diabetes allows one to alleviate its many adverse complications. Therefore, it seems important to look for substances that, when included in the daily diet, can improve diabetic parameters. Magnolol, a polyphenolic compound found in magnolia bark, is known for its health-promoting activities and multidirectional beneficial effects on the body. Accordingly, the goal of this review is to systematize the available scientific literature on its beneficial effects on type 2 diabetes and its complications. Taking the above into consideration, the article collects data on the favorable effects of magnolol on parameters related to glycemia, lipid metabolism, or oxidative stress in the course of diabetes. After careful analysis of many scientific articles, it can be concluded that this lignan is a promising agent supporting the conventional therapies with antidiabetic drugs in order to manage diabetes and diabetes-related diseases.

Assessment of consumer awareness on the consumption of phytoestrogens in diet and their supplementation - survey studies.

INTRODUCTION: Phytoestrogens are plant-derived compounds with structural similarity to 17-ß-estradiol. They are considered safer substitutes for synthetic drugs, especially in the treatment of menopause related symptoms. They are delivered to the body with diet or as dietary supplements. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to assess consumer awareness of taking phytoestrogens with diet and supplements, as well as the benefits and risks of such supplementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An original survey form was created for the purpose of the study, 133 questionnaires were completed online, and 100 were distributed to random respondents in the Silesian Voivodship. The vast majority of the respondents (84.5%) was represented by women. The study group was diverse in terms of age, education and place of residence. RESULTS: Most of the respondents (67.4%) encountered the concept of phytoestrogens. Common plants as: flax, sunflower, pumpkin, European olive and hops were indicated as phytoestrogen main sources. A small group of respondents (6%) was convinced of the effectiveness of phytoestrogens and indicated their specific health-promoting activities, 49.4% said that not every therapy with their use would improve health and 42.9% declared lack of knowledge in this area. According to the survey outcomes, 16.7% of respondents unambiguously confirmed beneficial effect of phytoestrogens on menopause symptoms. Half of the respondents had no opinion whether phytoestrogens could be an effective replacement for synthetic drugs based therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Incomplete knowledge of society regarding the use of phytoestrogens indicates the need for raising awareness of patients/consumers in this area by medical staff and dietitians. Phytoestrogens, when taken responsibly, can have many benefits for human health.