Pharmaceutical Food Science: Search for Bio-Functional Molecules Obtained from Natural Resources to Prevent and Ameliorate Lifestyle Diseases.

In this review, our resent pharmaceutical food science research for bio-functional molecules obtained from natural resources that contribute to i) suppression of postprandial blood glucose elevation and/or improvement of glucose tolerance and ii) reduction of visceral fat accumulation and improvement of lipid metabolism were summarized. Based on studies using MONOTORI science, salacinol (1), neokotalanol (4), and trans-tiliroside (20) have been approved or notified by the Consumer Affairs Agency in Japan as functional substances in food with health claims, Food for Specified Health Use and Food with Functional Claims.

Euphylonoids A and B, Two Highly Modified Jatrophane Diterpenoids with Potent Lipid-Lowering Activity from Euphorbia hylonoma.

Euphylonoids A (1) and B (2), two highly modified jatrophane diterpenoids, were isolated from Euphorbia hylonoma. 1 represents a new 9(10→18)-abeo-8,12-cyclojatrophane skeleton containing a cage-like 3,8-dioxatricyclo[5.1.2.04,9]decane core, while 2 is a 14(13→20)-abeo-8,12-cyclojatrophane featuring an unusual 17-oxatetracyclo[12.2.1.01,5.09,13]heptadecane framework. Their structural elucidation was completed by spectroscopic, chemical, computational, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction means. 2 significantly inhibited early adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via activating AMP-activated protein kinase signaling.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Epigynum auritum in high fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Epigynum auritum is mainly distributed in Southwest China, and has been used as a "dai" folk medicine with promising Besides, the leaves and barks of E. auritum have detoxifying, analgesic and relieving swelling effects. Previous studies evidenced that E. auritum was rich in pregnanes and their glycosides. However, the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the extract from E. auritum (EAE) and its molecular mechanism are still not studied. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of EAE on high-fat diet and streptozocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The high-fat diet and streptozocin induced type 2 diabetic model was established. The diabetic rats were treated with 70% ethanol extract of E. auritum (100 and 300 mg/kg/d) or metformin (DMBG, 100 mg/kg/d) every day for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose was recorded weekly. The phenotypic changes were evaluated by the measurement of biochemical indexes and immunohistochemical. The expressions of signaling-related proteins were explored by western blotting. RESULTS: EAE could effectively regulate the metabolism of glucose and lipids in diabetic rats by increasing insulin sensitivity. In addition, EAE ameliorated the oxidative stress damage and further mitigated the liver, kidney, and pancreatic damage. Mechanism research results show that EAE treatment increased the phosphorylation of Akt, AMPK and GSK-3ß, up-regulated the expression of GLUT-2, GLUT-4 and PPAR-α, and reduced PPAR-γ and FAS expressions. CONCLUSION: EAE exhibited significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in HFD/STZ-induced diabetes rats. The mechanism may be related to the effective upregulation of AMPK/Akt/GSK-3ß pathway and the decreased expression of PPAR-γ and FAS. It could be a promising natural product with potential value for the development of drugs to prevent or treat type 2 diabetic.

Structurally diverse Monascus pigments with hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective activities from highland barley Monascus.

Highland barley Monascus has historically been used in solid state fermentation and traditional fermented foods in Tibet. It is possessed of the characteristics of medicine and food. Three new 8,13-unsaturated benzocyclodiketone-conjugated Monascus pigments (1-3), three new benzofuran Monascus pigments (4-6), three new butylated malonyl Monascus pigments (7-9), and eleven known Monascus pigment derivatives (10-20) were isolated from highland barley Monascus for the first time. Their structures were determined by analyzing NMR, MS, UV, and IR spectral data and compared with relevant references. Among them, compounds 2, 4, 6 showed important inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity, and decreased significantly FFA-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 liver cells. Additionally, compounds 1, 10, 14, 16, 18 exhibited certain hepatoprotective activities against the damage in acetaminophen-induced HepG2 cells. The plausible biogenetic pathway and preliminary structure activity relationship of the selected compounds were scientifically summarized and discussed in this work.

Comparison of the Efficiency of Lepidium sativum, Ficus carica, and Punica granatum Methanolic Extracts in Relieving Hyperglycemia and Hyperlipidemia of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels that occurs either due to insufficient insulin production or mounting resistance to its action. The purpose of this study was to investigate if methanolic extracts of Lepidium sativum seeds, Ficus carica, and Punica granatum leaves had any effect on blood sugar levels in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats, as well as to explore the most effective extract. METHOD: Healthy male albino rats weighing 185-266 g were divided into nine groups of eight rats each: normal control, diabetic control, diabetic rats with dietary supplements of L. sativum, F. carica, and P. granatum methanolic extracts, and diabetics treated with insulin. All of the rats were fed on ordinary diet with nutritional pellets and were given water ad libitum. To induce diabetes, all animals were administered with STZ intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 60 mg/kg body weight. For five weeks, the crude plant extracts were given orally to various groups of rats at doses of one hundred and two hundred mg/kg body weight. After that, animal groups were sacrificed and blood samples were taken. RESULTS: Phytochemical analysis revealed that the highest amounts of polyphenolic compounds were present in L. sativum seeds and P. granatum leaves, while leaves of F. carica showed the highest amounts of alkaloid and flavonoid content compared to other extracts. Oral administration of F. carica and L. sativum extracts at the dosage of 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly reduced glucose, lipid profile, kidney, and liver enzyme levels. A significant increase in HbAlc levels was also observed with L. sativum extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg compared to diabetic controls. Mellitus rats supplemented with 100 and 200 mg/kg methanolic extracts of P. granatum had higher serum triglycerides and lower serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) than normal control rats. F. carica extract is more effective than L. sativum and P. granatum extracts in the prevention and control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its consequences.

Structurally diverse biflavonoids from the fruits of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle and their hypolipidemic and immunosuppressive activities.

The fruit of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle is not only used as a traditional medicinal plant, but also served as a delicious food. Six new (3'→7″)-biflavonoids (1-6), and twelve known biflavonoid derivatives (7-18) were isolated and characterized from the fruits of C. medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle for the first time. Their structures were determined by extensive and comprehensive analyzing NMR, HR-ESI-MS, UV, and IR spectral data coupled with the data described in the literature. Compounds (1-18) were evaluated for their hypolipidemic activities with Orlistat as the positive control, and assayed for their immunosuppressive activities with Dexamethasone as the positive control, respectively. Among them, compounds (1-3) exhibited moderate inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity by inhibiting 68.56 ± 1.40%, 56.18 ± 1.57%, 53.51 ± 1.59% of pancreatic lipase activities at the concentration of 100 µM, respectively. Compounds (4-6) and 8 showed potent immunosuppressive activities with the IC50 values from 16.83 ± 1.32 to 50.90 ± 1.79 µM. The plausible biogenetic pathway and preliminary structure activity relationship of the selected compounds were scientifically summarized and discussed in this study.

An insight on the future therapeutic application potential of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a native plant to Paraguay. The extracts have been used as a famous sweetening agent, and the bioactive components derived from stevia possess a broad spectrum of therapeutical potential for various illnesses. Among its medicinal benefits are anti-hypertensive, anti-tumorigenic, anti-diabetic, and anti-hyperlipidemia. Statins (3-hydro-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor) are a class of drugs used to treat atherosclerosis. Statins are explicitly targeting the HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme in the rate-limiting step of cholesterol biosynthesis. Despite being widely used in regulating plasma cholesterol levels, the adverse effects of the drug are a significant concern among clinicians and patients. Hence, steviol glycosides derived from stevia have been proposed as an alternative in replacing statins. Diterpene glycosides from stevia, such as stevioside and rebaudioside A have been evaluated for their efficacy in alleviating cholesterol levels. These glycosides are a potential candidate in treating and preventing atherosclerosis provoked by circulating lipid retention in the sub-endothelial lining of the artery. The present review is an effort to integrate the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, involvement of lipid droplets biogenesis and its associated proteins in atherogenesis, current approaches to treat atherosclerosis, and pharmacological potential of stevia in treating the disease.

Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Leaves Extract and Its Modified Arginine Preparation for the Management of Metabolic Syndrome-Chemical Analysis and Bioactivity in Rat Model.

Growing blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L., Highbush blueberry) as a berry crop is developing dynamically, especially in warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of the world. When blueberry is cultivated on plantations, the bushes are pruned annually, and tons of leaves become waste. Thus, the aim of the present study was to create a preparation from blueberry leaves, study their chemical composition and determine their potential as a dietary supplement for the prophylactic and correction of the metabolic syndrome. Several schemes for obtaining extracts from blueberry leaves have been developed, including one with addition of arginine. A total of 18 phenolic substances were identified and quantified in the extracts by TLC and HPLC methods. Chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and rutin were shown to be dominating constituents. Quantitative determination of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids and other phenolics in the extracts was performed by spectrophotometric method. The extracts administration led to a significant decrease in the level of glucose, insulin and triacylglycerols in blood serum of adult mature inbred rats with insulin resistance induced by the fructose-enriched diet. The most promising one was the extract modified with arginine. The determined hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of chemically standardized extracts from highbush blueberry leaves indicate the potential of this crop residue in utilization as a dietary supplement recommended in prevention of ailments associated with metabolic syndrome.

Antioxidant compounds from Annona crassiflora fruit peel reduce lipid levels and oxidative damage and maintain the glutathione defense in hepatic tissue of Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic mice.

Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for the pathogenesis of several diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. In addition to interfering with serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides, hyperlipidemia is involved in oxidative stress increase and reduction of the endogenous antioxidant defenses. The fruit peel of Annona crassiflora crude extract (CEAc) and its polyphenols-rich fraction (PFAc) were investigated against hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and hepatic oxidative stress in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic mice. Lipid parameters in serum, feces and liver, as well as hepatic oxidative status, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems were analyzed. Pre-treatment with CEAc for 12 days decreased hepatic triglycerides and total cholesterol, and similar to PFAc, increased the high-density lipoprotein level. There were reductions in lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation, as well as restoration of the glutathione defense system and total thiol content in the liver of the hyperlipidemic mice treated with PFAc. The fruit peel of A. crassiflora, a promising natural source of bioactive molecules, showed a potential lipid-lowering action and hepatoprotective activities triggered by reduction of oxidative damage and maintenance of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems impaired by the hyperlipidemic state.

Targeting dyslipidemia by herbal medicines: A systematic review of meta-analyses.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The worldwide increasing prevalence of dyslipidemia has become a global health concern. Various herbal remedies have been claimed to be effective for the treatment of dyslipidemia in traditional and folkloric medicine of different regions clinical trials have been conducted to investigate their efficacy. The aim of the current systematic review is to critically assess the meta-analyses of controlled trials (CT) evaluated herb medicines for dyslipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant studies from Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist until January 2021 have been searched. All meta-analyses which pooled studies on the effect of herbal medicines on lipid profile including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low- or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, HDL-C) were also included. Meta-analyses of in vitro, animal or observational studies were excluded. RESULTS: The overall of 141 meta-analyses were revealed. Vegetable oils, phytosterols, tea, soy protein, nuts, and curcumin have been studied frequently among the herbal medicines. Among 13 meta-analyses on vegetable oils, the greater reduce of TC (18.95 mg/dl), LDL-C (16.24 mg/dl) and TG (13.69 mg/dl) were exhibited from sunflower oil. Furthermore, rice bran oil (6.65 mg/dl) increased HDL-C significantly. Phytosterols in 12 meta-analyses demonstrated significant improvements in reducing TC, LDL-C and TG as 16.4, 23.7, and 8.85 mg/dl, respectively, and rise in HDL-C as 10.6 mg/dl. The highest reduction in serum level of TC, LDL-C and TG was reported while intake Green tea; 27.57, 24.75, and 31.87 mg/dl, accordingly within 9 meta-analyses. Average improvement of lipid profiles by 6 meta-analyses on plant proteins were 23.2, 21.7, 15.06, and 1.55 mg/dl for TC, LDL-C, TG, and HDL-C, respectively. Among 11 meta-analyses on nuts, almond showed better and significant alleviations in TC (10.69 mg/dl), walnut in LDL-C (9.23 mg/dl), pistachio in TG (22.14 mg/dl), and peanut in HDL-C (2.72 mg/dl). Overall, Curcumin, Curcuminoid, and Turmeric have resulted in the reduction of TC (25.13 mg/dl), LDL-C (39.83 mg/dl), TG (33.65 mg/dl), and an increase in the HDL-C (4.31 mg/dl). CONCLUSION: The current systematic review shed light on the use of herbal medicines for the management of dyslipidemia. However, more well-conducted CTs are required to determine effective doses of herbal medicines.

The lipid lowering and antioxidative stress potential of polysaccharide from Auricularia auricula prepared by enzymatic method.

An efficient extraction method of Auricularia auricula polysaccharides (AAPs) by neutral protease was developed and optimized by response surface methodology. AAPs were graded by stepwise ethanol precipitation, the fraction with high recovery rate and strong radical scavenging rate were obtained, then its antioxidant and lipid lowering effect were studied using Caenorhabditis elegans as model organism. The extract yield and ABTS+ scavenging rates of AAPs could reach 14.90% and 86.0% at 50 °C, 75 mL/g of liquid-to-material ratio and pH 9.0. AAP3 obtained by 15% ethanol was a heteropolysaccharide comprised of mannose, glucose, glucuronic acid, xylose, galactose and glucosamine. AAP3 could significantly prolong the lifespan of C. elegans and enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalases (CAT) at 0.25 mg/mL (p < 0.05). The qRT-PCR results showed that AAP3 could up regulate mRNA expression levels of daf-16 and skn-1 (>1.6 fold) at 0.25 mg/mL. Besides, AAP3 could significantly reduce the level of body fat and triglyceride in C. elegans (p < 0.05). These studies demonstrated that A. auricula polysaccharides prepared by neutral protease had a prominent protective effect to the damage induced by the intracellular free radical generating agents.

Plant/algal polysaccharides extracted by microwave: A review on hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, prebiotic, and immune-stimulatory effect.

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is an emerging technology to obtain polysaccharides with an extensive spectrum of biological characteristics. In this study, the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, prebiotic, and immunomodulatory (e.g., antiinflammatory, anticoagulant, and phagocytic) effects of algal- and plant-derived polysaccharides rich in glucose, galactose, and mannose using MAE were comprehensively discussed. The in vitro and in vivo results showed that these bioactive macromolecules with the low digestibility rate could effectively alleviate the fatty acid-induced lipotoxicity, acute hemolysis, and dyslipidemia status. The optimally extracted glucomannan- and glucogalactan-containing polysaccharides revealed significant antidiabetic effects through inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase, improving dynamic insulin sensitivity and secretion, and promoting pancreatic ß-cell proliferation. These bioactive macromolecules as prebiotics not only improve the digestibility in gastrointestinal tract but also reduce the survival rate of pathogens and tumor cells by activating macrophages and producing pro-inflammatory biomarkers and cytokines. They can effectively prevent gastrointestinal disorders and microbial infections without any toxicity.

Modulation of Renal Function in a Metabolic Syndrome Rat Model by Antioxidants in Hibiscus sabdariffa L.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is the association of three or more pathologies among which obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and diabetes are included. It causes oxidative stress (OS) and renal dysfunction. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (HSL) is a source of natural antioxidants that may control the renal damage caused by the MS. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of a 2% HSL infusion on renal function in a MS rat model induced by the administration of 30% sucrose in drinking water. 24 male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: Control rats, MS rats and MS + HSL rats. MS rats had increased body weight, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, insulin, HOMA index, and leptin (p ≤ 0.04). Renal function was impaired by an increase in perfusion pressure in the isolated and perfused kidney, albuminuria (p ≤ 0.03), and by a decrease in clearance of creatinine (p ≤ 0.04). The activity of some antioxidant enzymes including the superoxide dismutase isoforms, peroxidases, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase was decreased (p ≤ 0.05). Lipoperoxidation and carbonylation were increased (p ≤ 0.001). The nitrates/nitrites ratio, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione levels and vitamin C were decreased (p ≤ 0.03). The treatment with 2% HSL reversed these alterations. The results suggest that the treatment with 2% HSL infusion protects renal function through its natural antioxidants which favor an improved renal vascular response. The infusion contributes to the increase in the glomerular filtration rate, by promoting an increase in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems leading to a decrease in OS and reestablishing the normal renal function.

Sphenostylis stenocarpa Seed Extract Attenuates Dyslipidemia in Testosterone Propionate-induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent disease among older men caused by abnormal proliferation of the prostatic cells. Findings indicate an association between dyslipidemia and BPH. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of ethanol extract of Sphenostylis stenocarpa seed on the lipid profile of rats with testosterone propionate-induced BPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 25 male Wistar rats randomized into five groups of five rats each were used. BPH was induced in the rats by subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate in olive oil for 28 days. The test rats (after BPH induction) were treated with ethanol extract of the plant seed at doses of 200 and 400 mg kg-1 b.wt. The concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triacylglycerol were evaluated on the sera of the rats. RESULTS: The BPH control rats (model group) showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-C, triacylglycerol, with a significant decrease in HDL-C compared to the normal control. Oral administration of the seed extract to the rats significantly reversed these dyslipidemia indicators when compared to the model group. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that ethanol extract of S. stenocarpa seed ameliorated dyslipidemia in testosterone propionate-induced BPH in rats. This suggests that the plant seed may be useful in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

In vivo, Lipid Profile Efficacy of Ethanol Extracts of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in Rabbits.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Contraceptive pills are chemical substances used as a means to prevent pregnancy, but they have several effects, including high lipid profile and in many cases, patients with heart and blood diseases cannot use it as a contraceptive helps in increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). A Stevia extract with high sweetening capacity due to its content of glycosides is used to reduce lipid profile and this study aimed to decrease lipid profile levels and lowering the risk factor in women using contraceptive drugs by stevia extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen rabbits have been used as a case-control study design due to their anatomical and physiological similarity to humans. The stevia leaves are extracted using Soxhlet apparatus of ethanol solvent. Statistical package (SPSS), were used for data analysis and management using independent sample t-test, test, comparison of means for lipid profile of Triglyceride (TG), Cholesterol, High-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), Low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) between (di-contraceptive, mono-contraceptive and control groups). RESULTS: The results showed increasing cholesterol and LDL-C during the combined oral contraceptive (COCP) and progesterone-only pills with decreased HDL-C level. A comparison of means before and after stevia used explains the elevated HDL-C and decreased LDL-C. CONCLUSION: The lipid profile levels should continuously be monitored during oral contraceptive intake and Stevia leaf powder extraction is suggested to reduce the risk of CVD.

Optimization of Porphyran Extraction from Pyropia yezoensis by Response Surface Methodology and Its Lipid-Lowering Effects.

Macroalgae polysaccharides are phytochemicals that are beneficial to human health. In this study, response surface methodology was applied to optimize the extraction procedure of Pyropia yezoensis porphyran (PYP). The optimum extraction parameters were: 100 °C (temperature), 120 min (time), and 29.32 mL/g (liquid-solid ratio), and the maximum yield of PYP was 22.15 ± 0.55%. The physicochemical characteristics of PPYP, purified from PYP, were analyzed, along with its lipid-lowering effect, using HepG2 cells and Drosophila melanogaster larvae. PPYP was a ß-type sulfated hetero-rhamno-galactan-pyranose with a molecular weight of 151.6 kDa and a rhamnose-to-galactose molar ratio of 1:5.3. The results demonstrated that PPYP significantly reduced the triglyceride content in palmitic acid (PA)-induced HepG2 cells and high-sucrose-fed D. melanogaster larvae by regulating the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes, reducing lipogenesis and increasing fatty acid ß-oxidation. To summarize, PPYP can lower lipid levels in HepG2 cells and larval fat body (the functional homolog tissue of the human liver), suggesting that PPYP may be administered as a potential marine lipid-lowering drug.

Effects of Rhus coriaria L. hydroalcoholic extract on the lipid and antioxidant profile in high fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis in rats.

Oxidative stress is related to increased fat deposition in the liver, known as hepatic steatosis. The present study is an evaluation of the anti-oxidative and antihyperlipidemic effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Rhus coriaria L. (HARE) in rats on a high-fat diet (HFD). Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, HFD, HFD + HARE 50 mg/kg/day, and HFD + HARE 250 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks. Animals were weighed weekly and treated with the HARE extract for 12 weeks by gavage. Subsequently, the histopathological changes, oxidative markers, and lipid profile were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for multiple comparisons. First, the active ingredients of the extract were determined by HPLC. Then, the levels in the serum lipid profile (TG, cholesterol, HDL, and LDL) in rats fed with the HFD + HARE were analyzed where a significant reduction was observed. The HFD proved to increase the activity of the liver enzymes, the serum lipid levels, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) level. The ferric-reducing antioxidant activity power (FRAP), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalytic activity were reduced in the liver homogenate of HFD rats compared to the controls. Additionally, the aforementioned liver enzymes activities were reduced in response to HARE. Evaluation of oxidative stress determined a reduction in the MDA level while a raised FRAP was confirmed. In accordance with the present results, histopathological observations have also demonstrated that HARE ameliorated grade-1 hepatic steatosis induced by HFD. Taken together, the findings of this study introduce HARE as a future potential therapeutic agent in treating hepatic steatosis and reducing oxidative damages of an HFD in the liver.

Clearing the Clutter: Antiatherosclerotic activity of Eucalyptus camaldulensis crude extract.

Plant components have been extensively evaluated for their pharmacological activities. This study provides scientific rationale towards the therapeutic effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis aqueous bark extract against induced atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia in pigeons. Phytochemical components of Eucalyptus bark extract possess a great antioxidant activity that potentially reduced the risk of heart diseases. A total of 42 Pigeons of both sexes were distributed into negative control (fed normal grain diet), hyperlipidemic control (fed HFD 1% animal fat oil and 0.1% cholesterol for 3 months), test groups of variable doses (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 to 0.4 gms/kg BW for 21 days) and the group received atorvastatin daily after induction used. At the end of the experiment biochemical and histological evaluation has been performed. After HFD induction the serum levels of liver enzyme AST, glucose, urea, cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, and TG were significantly increased with the reduction in HDL levels. The atherogenic index was also found significantly raised. Microscopic examination of the liver and aorta showed the appearance of lipid-filled foam cells all over the liver parenchyma and intima after the HFD induction. Thus it was concluded that Eucalyptus aqueous bark extract can be effective against atherosclerosis and hyperlipidemia.

Antihyperglycemic and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Lippia citriodora in Rats.

AIM: The study was conducted to assess the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Lippia citriodora. BACKGROUND: Lippia citriodora Kunth (Verbenaceae) is a medicinal plant with many traditional uses. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of Lippia citriodora and its capacity to improve the lipid profile in diabetic rats. METHODS: Normal and diabetic rats were treated orally for 15 days by the leaves aqueous extract of Lippia citriodora (LCLAE) (100 mg/kg). The whole glucose utilization and liver architecture were also evaluated. The in vitro antioxidant activity of LCLAE was also assessed. RESULTS: LCLAE lowered blood glucose and lipid levels in all groups. Moreover, LCLAE ameliorated the liver structure and exhibited antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study demonstrates the hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of LCLAE in rats.

Dual mechanisms of a Sri Lankan traditional polyherbal mixture in the improvement of pancreatic beta cell functions and restoration of lipoprotein alterations in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional polyherbal preparations have been utilized in Sri Lanka since ancient times and have gained a wide acceptance throughout the country. Although an extensive body of evidence supports the use of traditional herbal mixtures in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, only a few polyherbal mixtures have been subjected to systematic scientific investigations and their mechanisms for long-term glucose control remain unclear. In general, scientific evaluations of the effectiveness of antidiabetic formulations which are prescribed by traditional practitioners have received great attention, and therefore uncovering their mechanism of action would be beneficial. AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy, in terms of antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic activities, of a well-known traditional polyherbal mixture composed of leaves of Murraya koenigii L., -cloves of Allium sativum L., - fruits of Garcinia quaesita Pierre and seeds of Piper nigrum L. in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Equal amounts from each of the above plant parts (100 g) were mixed together and extracted into cold water, hot water (3 h, refluxed) and water-acetone (1:1) separately. Dose response study of cold water, hot water, and water-acetone extracts of the polyherbal mixture at three selected doses of 0.5 g/kg, 1.0 g/kg and 1.5 g/kg was conducted in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Based on the dose response data, hot water and water-acetone extracts at the therapeutic dose of 1.0 g/kg were administered to STZ induced diabetic rats (n = 6/group) daily for 30 days in the long-term study. Glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg) was used as the positive control. Glycaemic parameters, pancreatic ß cell restoration, and lipid profile were evaluated in diabetic rats treated with the plant extract mixture. HPLC fingerprints of hot water and water-acetone extracts of the polyherbal mixture were compared with those of extracts of individual plants with the respective solvents, in the standardisation protocol. RESULTS: The hot water and water-acetone extracts were shown to be active in the dose response study and 1.0 g/kg was selected for the long term study. Treatment with the hot water and water-acetone extracts of the polyherbal mixture and glibenclamide significantly lowered the glycated haemoglobin by 19%, 26%, and 43%, respectively, at the end of the intervention (p < 0.05). The serum insulin concentration was significantly increased (p < 0.05) upon the plant treatment, corroborating the evidence of ß-cell restoration in the pancreas of H and E stained sections. Moreover, the above extracts reported an impressive restoration of lipoproteins in diabetic rats compared to the diabetic control rats. The homeostatic assessment of ß-cell functions (HOMA-ß) was also improved in rats treated with the hot water and water-acetone extracts of the polyherbal mixture. The HPLC fingerprints of the polyherbal mixture and the individual plants showed shifts in some peaks and formation of new peaks. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that the aforementioned polyherbal mixture possesses potent antihyperglycaemic and antihyperlipidaemic effects with considerable restoration of pancreatic ß-cells, justifying the traditional use of the mixture in diabetes associated dyslipidaemia.