Identification of Multiple Pancreatic and Extra-Pancreatic Pathways Underlying the Glucose-Lowering Actions of Acacia arabica Bark in Type-2 Diabetes and Isolation of Active Phytoconstituents

Acacia arabica is used traditionally to treat a variety of ailments, including diabetes. This study elucidated the antidiabetic actions of A. arabica bark together with the isolation of bioactive molecules. Insulin secretion and signal transduction were measured using clonal β cells and mouse islets. Glucose uptake was assessed using 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and in vitro systems assessed additional glucose-lowering actions. High-fat-fed (HFF) obese rats were used for in vivo evaluation, and phytoconstituents were isolated and characterised by RP-HPLC followed by LC-MS and NMR. Hot-water extract of A. arabica (HWAA) increased insulin release from clonal β cells and mouse islets by 1.3–6.8-fold and 1.6–3.2-fold, respectively. Diazoxide, verapamil and calcium-free conditions decreased insulin-secretory activity by 30–42%. In contrast, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), tolbutamide and 30 mM KCl potentiated the insulin-secretory effects. The mechanism of actions of HWAA involved membrane depolarisation and elevation of intracellular Ca2+ together with an increase in glucose uptake by 3T3-L1 adipocytes, inhibition of starch digestion, glucose diffusion, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) enzyme activity and protein glycation. Acute HWAA administration (250 mg/5 mL/kg) enhanced glucose tolerance and plasma insulin in HFF obese rats. Administration of HWAA (250 mg/5 mL/kg) for 9 days improved glucose homeostasis and β-cell functions, thereby improving glycaemic control, and circulating insulin. Isolated phytoconstituents, including quercetin and kaempferol, increased insulin secretion in vitro and improved glucose tolerance. The results indicate that HWAA has the potential to treat type 2 diabetes as a dietary supplement or as a source of antidiabetic agents, including quercetin and kaempferol

Pharmacologically Active Phytomolecules Isolated from Traditional Antidiabetic Plants and Their Therapeutic Role for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic complication that affects people of all ages. The increased prevalence of diabetes worldwide has led to the development of several synthetic drugs to tackle this health problem. Such drugs, although effective as antihyperglycemic agents, are accompanied by various side effects, costly, and inaccessible to the majority of people living in underdeveloped countries. Medicinal plants have been used traditionally throughout the ages to treat various ailments due to their availability and safe nature. Medicinal plants are a rich source of phytochemicals that possess several health benefits. As diabetes continues to become prevalent, health care practitioners are considering plant-based medicines as a potential source of antidiabetic drugs due to their high potency and fewer side effects. To better understand the mechanism of action of medicinal plants, their active phytoconstituents are being isolated and investigated thoroughly. In this review article, we have focused on pharmacologically active phytomolecules isolated from medicinal plants presenting antidiabetic activity and the role they play in the treatment and management of diabetes. These natural compounds may represent as good candidates for a novel therapeutic approach and/or effective and alternative therapies for diabetes

Identification of Multiple Pancreatic and Extra-Pancreatic Pathways Underlying the Glucose-Lowering Actions of Acacia arabica Bark in Type-2 Diabetes and Isolation of Active Phytoconstituents

Acacia arabica is used traditionally to treat a variety of ailments, including diabetes. This study elucidated the antidiabetic actions of A. arabica bark together with the isolation of bioactive molecules. Insulin secretion and signal transduction were measured using clonal β cells and mouse islets. Glucose uptake was assessed using 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and in vitro systems assessed additional glucose-lowering actions. High-fat-fed (HFF) obese rats were used for in vivo evaluation, and phytoconstituents were isolated and characterised by RP-HPLC followed by LC-MS and NMR. Hot-water extract of A. arabica (HWAA) increased insulin release from clonal β cells and mouse islets by 1.3–6.8-fold and 1.6–3.2-fold, respectively. Diazoxide, verapamil and calcium-free conditions decreased insulin-secretory activity by 30–42%. In contrast, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), tolbutamide and 30 mM KCl potentiated the insulin-secretory effects. The mechanism of actions of HWAA involved membrane depolarisation and elevation of intracellular Ca2+ together with an increase in glucose uptake by 3T3-L1 adipocytes, inhibition of starch digestion, glucose diffusion, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) enzyme activity and protein glycation. Acute HWAA administration (250 mg/5 mL/kg) enhanced glucose tolerance and plasma insulin in HFF obese rats. Administration of HWAA (250 mg/5 mL/kg) for 9 days improved glucose homeostasis and β-cell functions, thereby improving glycaemic control, and circulating insulin. Isolated phytoconstituents, including quercetin and kaempferol, increased insulin secretion in vitro and improved glucose tolerance. The results indicate that HWAA has the potential to treat type 2 diabetes as a dietary supplement or as a source of antidiabetic agents, including quercetin and kaempferol

Prevalence and barriers to early initiation of breastfeeding among urban poor full-time readymade garments working mothers: a mixed-methods study in Bangladesh

Abstract Background Early initiation of breastfeeding is the initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth, which plays a significant role in a born baby’s growth and survival, however its prevalence and predictors among urban full-time readymade garments (RMG) working mothers are not investigated. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and factors affecting early initiation of breastfeeding among urban RMG working mothers. Methods A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study was conducted between March 2023 and December 2023 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 452 full-time female RMG workers were included for the quantitative study. Qualitative study was carried out among 30 full-time female RMG workers, four female physicians who were employed in the RMGs, four RMG factory managers, and four local pediatricians. Results The prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding was 40% among the women. It was significantly associated with various factors, including socio-cultural barriers, the advanced age of the mother (AOR 3.93, 95%CI 1.18, 13.04), lack of education (AOR 6.86, 95%CI 1.11, 42.49), lack of awareness, and cultural practices such as initiating goat milk and honey instead of breast milk. The absence of colostrum feeding (AOR 8.96, 95%CI 4.30, 18.70) and pre-lacteal feeding (AOR 0.06, 95%CI 0.03, 0.11) were significant baby feeding practice-related barriers to early initiation of breastfeeding. Maternal health factors, notably post-delivery sickness, cesarean delivery, and lack of breastmilk production, were revealed as a significant hindrance to the early initiation of breastfeeding explored from qualitative analysis. In addition, RMG factory-related factors that significantly affect early initiation of breastfeeding include a strong focus on production, a busy schedule, and a lack of initiative regarding the early initiation of breastfeeding. Conclusions The prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding among RMG working women is poor. This study emphasizes the need for interventions that address specific challenges of early initiation of breastfeeding faced by working mothers in RMG sectors, including improved lactation education, increased awareness to mitigate cultural barriers, RMG factory-based initiatives to empower female workers early initiation of breastfeeding, and preparing early initiation of breastfeeding -friendly post-cesarean unit at the health care facility