In Vivo Subacute Toxicity and Antidiabetic Effect of Aqueous Extract of Nigella sativa

Context. Nigella sativa seeds are usually used as traditional medicine for a wide range of therapeutic purposes. Objective. To investigate the subacute toxicity of NS aqueous extract and select its lowest dose to study its antidiabetic effect. Methods. 5 AqE.NS doses (2, 6.4, 21, 33, and 60 g/Kg) were daily administered to mice by gavage. Biochemical parameters measurements and histological study of the liver and the kidney were performed after 6 weeks of supplementation. Thereafter, and after inducing diabetes by alloxan, rats were treated by 2 g/Kg of AqE.NS during 8 weeks. Metabolic parameters were measured on sera. A horizontal electrophoresis of plasmatic lipoprotein was conducted. Glycogen, total lipids, and triglycerides were measured in the liver. TBARS were evaluated on adipose tissue, liver, and pancreas. Results. AqE.NS showed no variation in urea and albumin at the 5 doses, but hepatotoxicity from 21 g/Kg was confirmed by histopathological observations of the liver. In diabetic rats, AqE.NS significantly decreased glycemia, TG, T-cholesterol, LDL-c, and TBARS and showed a restored insulinemia and a significant increase in HDL-c. Results on the liver indicated a decrease in lipids and a possible glycogenogenesis. Conclusion. AqE.NS showed its safety at low doses and its evident antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant effect

Effet thérapeutique de l’extrait aqueux de Globularia alypum suite à une insulinotoxicité induite in vitro sur les cardiomyocytes de Rattus norvegicus. [Therapeutic effect of aqueous extract of Globularia alypum following in vitro insulin induced toxicity on Rattus norvegicus cardiomyocytes]

Introduction. L’insulino‐résistance, marquée par une réaction inflammatoire via la production de TNF‐α et par l’hyperinsulinémie compensatoire, conduit à long terme à l’installation d’une glucolipotoxicité et du diabète de type 2. Objectif. Dans cette étude, les effets d’un extrait aqueux de Globularia alypum (Ga) a été analysé in vitro, suite à un stress induit sur le cardiomyocyte de Rattus norvegicus. Matériel et Méthodes. Le stress a été induit par addition d’une dose élevée d’insuline (10 UI/ mL). Les taux de prolifération ont été déterminés par comptage et les contenus cellulaires en monoxyde d’azote (NO), en malondialdéhyde (MDA) et en catalase ont été évalués. Résultats. En présence de la dose élevée d’insuline, les cardiomyocytes ont montré une diminution de la survie cellulaire, un déséquilibre du statut redox en faveur d’une augmentation de NO et de MDA et d’une diminution d’une enzyme du système antioxydant, la catalase. Suite à l’action de l’extrait de Ga, il a été noté une amélioration du taux de prolifération cellulaire, une diminution du taux de No et de MDA ainsi qu’une augmentation de l’activité de la catalase. Conclusion. L’état de stress induit sur le cardiomyocyte par l’insulino‐résistance, mimé par la dose élevée d’insuline, entraîne des altérations physiologiques et biochimiques. Ces dernières, précurseurs de mort cellulaire par apoptose sont atténuées après addition d’un extrait de Globularia alypum, lequel pourrait constituer une cible thérapeutique en aval de l’installation du DT2

Glucotoxicity Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammation In Vivo

Context. Brassica rapa is considered as natural source of antioxidants and is used to treat diabetes. Objective. Our study carried the impact of glucotoxicity induced in vivo and in vitro in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in Psammomys and the therapeutic effect of Brassica rapa (AEBr). Materials and Methods. We administered a hyperglucidic diet (30% sucrose) for 9 months and a treatment for 20 days with AEBr at 100 mg/kg. VSMCs were submitted to D-Glucose (0.6%) for 48 hours and treated with AEBr (2100 μg/mL) for 24 hours. We measured, in blood metabolic parameters, the redox statues and inflammatory markers in adipose tissue. Histological study was effectuated in liver. In VSMCs, we measured markers of glucotoxicity (IRS1p Serine, AKT) inflammation (NO, MCP1, TNFα, and NF-κB) and oxidative stress (oxidants and antioxydants markers). Cell viability and apoptosis were estimated by the morphological study. Results. AEBr corrects the metabolic parameters and inflammatory and oxidative markers in blood and homogenate tissue and reduces lipid droplets in liver. It induces, in VSMCs, a significant decrease of IRS1p serine, cyt c, NO, MCP1, TNFα, NF-κB, protein, and lipid oxidation and increases cell viability, AKT, ERK1/2, catalase, and SOD activity. Conclusion. Brassica enhanced the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant defense leading to the protection of cardiovascular diseases