Mechanisms of actions of some bioactive anti-diabetic principles from phytochemicals of medicinal plants: A review

Diabetes is both an endocrine and a metabolic disease affecting large numbers of individuals worldwide. The use of natural products such as herbs in the management of diseases dates back to the prehistoric era. Herbal therapy presents a less adverse side effect when compared with the synthetic orthodox counterpart. The phytochemical components of medicinal plants have been credited for the efficacy of herbal formulations. The aim of this study is to review some common anti-diabetic plants which have been tested experimentally using recent diabetes marker parameters and to highlight the bioactive anti-diabetic principles isolated from their phytochemicals. In addition, anti-diabetic compounds isolated in the process of research in our laboratory have been cited in the review. Such keywords like anti-diabetic medicinal plants, mechanism of actions, phytochemicals, alloxan, streptozotocin, glycosylated haemoglobin, were used on different search engines to generate secondary data used in this review. Data obtained indicated that various phytochemical components of anti-diabetic herbs such as the flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, terpenes, were responsible for the said anti-diabetic activities of the plants. The data equally revealed that these phytochemicals acted in diverse mechanisms to bring about their activities. From the data obtained, it was concluded that phytochemicals from anti-diabetic medicinal plants/herbs are pivotal in the production of marketable novel and efficacious anti-diabetic drug in future

Glycaemic, Lipidaemic and Antioxidant Profiles of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats Treated with Glibenclamide and Aqueous Extract of <i>Gongronema latifolium</i> (Benth)

The current study investigated the ameliorative effects of combined therapy of glibenclamide and G. latifolium (GL) on several biochemical parameters of alloxaized Wistar rats. Thirty adult male Wistar rats assigned into 5 groups of 6 rats each were used for the study. Groups 2-5 were intraperitoneally injected with 160 mg/kg of alloxan monohydrate and upon establishment of diabetes (Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) ≥ 126 mg/dl) were treated with 10 ml/kg distilled water (DW), 2 mg/kg glibenclamide, 200 mg/kg GL and 2 mg/kg glibenclamide and 200 mg/kg GL respectively. Rats in group 1 were not made diabetic and served as normal control. All the treatments were realized through daily oral route using gastric tube, for 21 days. Results indicated that the treatment of diabetic rats with a combination of glibenclamide and GL significantly reduced the elevated glucose levels, cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein and malondialdehyde levels, along with increases in the high density lipoprotein, glutathione values and catalase activities, when compared to diabetic untreated group. It was concluded that the combined therapy of glibenclamide and GL showed superior antihyperglycemic, hypolipidaemic and antioxidant effects compared to either of them used alone

Glycosylated haemoglobin values of alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with graded doses of Cussonia arborea extract

This study investigated glycosylated haemoglobin values and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels of diabetic rats treated with methanol extract of Cussonia arborea. A total of 72 male wistar rats were assigned into 6 groups of 12 rats per group. Groups 1–5 rats were made diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate at the dose of 160 mg/kg and treated with 62.5, 125, 250 mg/kg of the extracts, 2 mg/kg glibenclamide and 10 ml/kg distilled water (DW), respectively, while the non-diabetic group 6 rats received 10 ml/kg DW and served as normal control rats. The treatment was daily through the oral route for 84 days. The glycosylated haemoglobin values were measured on days 42, 56 and 84 post treatment while the FBG levels were determined on 2 weeks interval post treatment till the end of the experiment. The mean FBG level of rats treated with 125 mg/kg of the extract showed the most significant reduction (p < .05) in FBG from 315.33 ± 10.08 mg/dl to 93.00 ± 8.50 mg/dl and equally ameliorated haemoglobin glycosylation when compared to the negative control group. It was concluded that the methanol extract of C.arborea, at the dose of 125 mg/kg mitigated glycosylation of haemoglobin

Partial Purification and Characterisation of Alcohol Dehydrogenase from &lt;i&gt;Acetobacter aceti&lt;/i&gt; Isolated from Palm Wine

Palm wine is a very important alcoholic beverage whose consumption is limited because it spoils easily. The study was designed to isolate Acetobacter aceti from palm wine, then extract, purify and characterize alcohol dehydrogenase (AD) from the A. aceti. Muller Hilton agar was used as medium for the growth of A. aceti for 48 h. The cells were harvested and subjected to ultrasonication using 500 watt ultrasonicator. Enzyme assay was carried out in both the supernatant and pellet. The enzyme was precipitated by polyethelene glycol 6000 while gel filtration was used for purifying the enzyme. The effects of pH, temperature and substrate concentration on AD were evaluated. The isolated A. aceti was gram negative, rod shaped, catalase positive, oxidase negative and was able to oxidize acetic acid to CO2 and H2O. Triton X-100 (0.3%) was the most effective concentration in solubilizing the protein (AD), while 15% polyethelene glycol 6000 was the most effective concentration for the precipitation of AD. An optimal pH of 5 was obtained with an optimal temperature of 50 °C. The most appropriate to solubilize and precipitate AD were 0.3% triton X-100 and 15% polyethelene glycol 6000 respectively, while AD activity was reduced under acidic pH, as well as for low and high temperatures

EVALUATION OF SUB-ACUTE TOXICITY OF THE HYDRO-METHANOL STEM BARK EXTRACT OF BURKEA AFRICANA IN ALBINO RATS

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the sub-acute toxicity profile of hydro-methanol extract of Burkea africana &nbsp;(BA) stem bark in rats. Methods: The stem bark of BA was extracted by cold maceration using 80% methanol. Twenty female albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups of five rats each. Group 1 (only distilled water). Groups 2-4 received the extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) orally, once daily for 28 days. The rats were observed for signs of toxicity and the bodyweight (b.wt) of rats taken weekly. Blood samples were collected on day 28 for hematology and serum chemistry. Visceral organs were harvested for organ-somatic index and histopathology. Results: There were no toxicity signs observed and no significant (p&lt; 0.05) change in body weight but the pulmo-somatic index was significantly (p&lt; 0.05) higher at 400 mg/kg compared with the control and other treated groups. Significant (p&lt; 0.05) increase in PCV, RBC, and MCV and significant (p&lt; 0.05) decrease in MCHC, Total WBC count, neutrophils and lymphocytes were observed. Also, there were significant (p&lt; 0.05) decreases in ALT, total protein, globulin, total bilirubin of test groups when compared with the control group. Urea concentration of test groups significantly (p&lt; 0.05) increased when compared with that of the control group. Conclusions: BA stem bark extract can be said to have no deleterious effect on erythrocyte, but rather serve to improve erythropoiesis and also has no overt toxic effect on the visceral organs. Also the extract may have immunosuppressive and oxidative tendencies on prolong use. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Peer Review History: Received 12 January 2021; Revised 3 February; Accepted 25 February, Available online 15 March 2021 Academic Editor: Dr. DANIYAN Oluwatoyin Michael, Obafemi Awolowo University, ILE-IFE, Nigeria,&nbsp;[email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency.&nbsp; Received file:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Idoko Alexander, Caritas University, Enugu, Nigeria,&nbsp;[email protected] Taha A.I. El Bassossy, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Department, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt,&nbsp;[email protected] Similar Articles: PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF RUSSELIA EQUISETIFORMIS AGAINST PARACETAMOL-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS EFFECTS OF RAW AND COOKED AQUEOUS AND METHANOL EXTRACTS OF PHASEOLUS VULGARIS (KIDNEY BEANS) ON RENAL FUNCTION IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS EVALUATION OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF EUPHORBIA NERIIFOLIA STEM BARK ON BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS, SERUM AND TISSUE LIPIDS IN A PRECLINICAL MODE

Clinical chemistry and haematological assessment of quail egg-pretreated acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

This study investigated the possible hepatoprotective effect of quail egg solution on acetaminophen intoxicated rats. Thirty adult rats of mixed sexes were assigned into five groups of six per group. The rats in groups 2, 3, and 4 were pretreated with 30, 15, 7.5 mg/ml ad lib respectively of quail egg solution for 7 days before intoxication with 2000 mg/kg acetaminophen. Rats in group 5 were not pretreated but intoxicated with 2000 mg/kg acetaminophen (negative control) while the group 1 rats were neither pretreated nor intoxicated and served as positive control. Fourty eight hours post induction, blood for some biochemical and haematological analysis was collected and the remaining rats treated until 14th day when the rats were humanely sacrificed and vital organs (liver and kidney) collected for histopathology. The results showed that the ALT activity of 30 mg/ml pretreated rats were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than those of the negative control rats. Significant (p&lt;0.05) increases were seen in the RBC, WBC, PCV and Hb levels of quail egg pretreated rats when compared with the negative control. However no significant (p&gt;0.05) changes were seen in AST activity, MCHC and MCH levels of both the test groups and the controls. Histomorphometry examination revealed less severe vacuolar degenerative changes in the liver of 30 mg/ml pretreated rats when compared to the rats of other intoxicated groups. It was concluded that quail egg at the concentration of 30 mg/ml ameliorated hepatotoxicity and improved haematologic indices of acetaminophen-induced toxicity in rats.Keywords: Acetaminophen, Hepatotoxicity, Quail egg, Hematology, Histopathology, Liver enzyme