Effectiveness of Gum Arabic in Diabetes and its Complications: A Narrative Review

Gum Arabic (GA) is a gummy exudation from Acacia species, rich in soluble fibers. It is a dietary fiber used traditionally by the natives of many countries of the Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan, and India as therapeutic natural product for treating various diseases including kidney diseases, impotence, obesity, and epilepsy. Diabetes represent a global health problem causing many complications and health risk to people of different ages. The current study aimed at identifying the role of Gum Arabic in treating diseases especially diabetes. Many studies have been conducted on the role of Gum Arabic in experimentally induced diabetes as well as randomized clinical studies. This narrative review was written based on a database search in common libraries such as PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus. The libraries were searched for English articles published between 1995 and 2020 focusing on the role of Gum Arabic in different preclinical and clinical trials of early and advanced level of diabetes. Keywords: Gum Arabic, diabetes, animals, human, nanoparticle

Evaluation of hepatoprotective effects of Boesenbergia Rotunda and Curcuma Longa rhizomes extracts in thioacetamide-induced liver damage in rats / Suzy Munir Salama Fanous

Researchers focused on developing traditional therapies as pharmacological medicines to treat liver cirrhosis that is accompanied by abnormality in liver functions. This study evaluated the mechanisms of hepatoprotective activity of Boesenbergia rotunda and Curcuma longa rhizome ethanolic extract on liver damage induced by thioacetamide in rats. The crude extracts of Boesenbergia rotunda and Curcuma longa were tested for acute toxicity and antioxidant properties evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), the antioxidant power of reducing iron (FRAP) and total phenolic content (TPC) The hepatoprotective effect of the plant extracts was evaluated in a rat model of thioacetamide-induced liver damage over 8 weeks. Male Sprague Dawley rats were intraperitonealy injected with 200 mg/kg thioacetamide (TAA) 3 times/week for 8 weeks and daily oral administration of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 8 weeks. Silymarin was used as a reference drug that was orally administered to the animals at a daily dose of 50 mg/kg. At the end of the 8 weeks, liver damage was evaluated by weight changes, liver gross and histopathology and biochemical measurements of liver parameters, (AP, ALT, AST, GGT and LDH), prothrombin time ratio, total protein, albumin and bilirubin and lipid profile. The degree of liver fibrosis was measured by Masson’s Trichrome staining. Hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1, Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2 and MMP 9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) were measured. Serum levels of transforming growth factor TGF-β1, nuclear transcription factor NF-ĸB, pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and caspase-3 were evaluated. Stress due to oxidation was evaluated by liver malondialdehyde, nitrotyrosine and urinary hydroxyl deoxyguanosine levels. The hepatoprotective activity of B. rotunda and C. longa extracts was evaluated through the liver level of antioxidant iii enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Protein expression of pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins in the animal blood sera was determined and confirmed by immunohistochemistry of Bax, Bcl-2 proteins and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Panduratin A and Germacrone compounds of B. rotunda and C. longa rhizomes respectively were tested for their cytotoxicity and protective activity against TAA-induced oxidative damage in embryonic normal liver cell line WRL-68. The compounds were isolated from the ethanolic crude extracts by Column chromatography, thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography and their mass was determined by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) (m/z = 407.22 for Panduratin A and 219.17 for Germacrone). The hepatoprotective activity of the isolated Panduratin A was evaluated in vivo in a similar rat model for a period of 4 weeks using 3 different doses 5, 10 and 50 mg/kg. The effect of Panduratin A on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activity was measured by alpha-smooth muscle actin staining. B. rotunda and C. longa treatment improved liver histopathology, immunohistochemistry and biochemistry, triggered apoptosis, inhibited serum cytokines, extracellulat matrix proteins and hepatocytes proliferation, but C. longa had no impact on hepatic CYP2E1, MMP-2 or TIMP-1 levels. Moreover, Panduratin A showed significant improvement in the liver biochemistry, histopathology and inhibited HSCs activity. The development of liver fibrosis can be attenuated by the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of C. longa and B. rotunda ethanolic extracts and its active compound Panduratin A while the normal status of the liver can be preserved

The Efficacy of Processing Strategies on the Gastroprotective Potentiality of Chenopodium quinoa Seeds

The current study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of different processing techniques on the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity and the gastroprotective potential of Chenopodium quinoa red seeds in acute gastric injury induced by absolute ethanol in rats. Seven groups of female Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to normal and absolute ethanol (absolute EtOH) groups, given distilled water, reference control omeprazole (OMP, 20 mg/kg), pressure-cooked quinoa seeds (QP, 200 mg/kg), first stage-germinated quinoa seeds (QG, 200 mg/kg), Lactobacillus plantarum bacteria-fermented quinoa seeds (QB, 200 mg/kg), and Rhizopus oligosporus fungus-fermented quinoa seeds (QF, 200 mg/kg). One hour after treatment, all groups were given absolute ethanol, except for the normal control rats. All animals were sacrificed after an additional hour, and the stomach tissues were examined for histopathology of hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Stomach homogenates were evaluated for oxidative stress parameters and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Gene expression was performed for gastric tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa of B cells (NF-kB). QB and QG recorded the highest DPPH scavengers compared to QF and QP. The gastroprotective potential of QB was comparable to that of OMP, followed by QF, then QG, and QP as confirmed by the histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression assessments. In conclusion, differently processed red quinoa seeds revealed variable antioxidant capacity and gastroprotective potential, while the bacterial fermented seeds (QB) showed the highest potential compared to the other processing techniques. These results might offer promising new therapy in the treatment of acute gastric injury

Efficacy and Safety of Gum Arabic on Renal Failure Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Background: Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is a long-term disease caused by progressive kidney dysfunction due to many reasons leading to a significant rise in serum levels of creatinine and urea reaching the advanced stage where the patient goes for frequent hemodialysis. This study aims to discuss the evaluation of the efficacy of gum Arabic (GA) supplementation on the serum level of creatinine, urea, sodium, and potassium in CRF patients. Methods: Four databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched for clinical trials assessment of gum Arabic intervention in CRF patients. Animal trials and experimental protocols were excluded. Screening of data and data extraction were done by two reviewers independently of each other. Meta-analysis was conducted on the selected studies using RevMan and the resulting description was summarized through the Forest plot tool on the efficacy of GA on 4 variables, creatinine, urea, sodium, and potassium in CRF patients. Results: From 574 studies searched, only 4 studies were included in this systemic review and meta-analysis. Although one of the studies had proved the objectives of the review but it was removed from the meta-analysis due to the heterogeneity caused by its inclusion. Conclusion: The few studies included in the current review revealed significant efficacy of GA treatment on the serum level of creatinine, urea, and sodium, but not potassium

<em>Ipomoea aquatica</em> Extract Shows Protective Action Against Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity

In the Indian system of traditional medicine (Ayurveda) it is recommended to consume <em>Ipomoea </em><em>aquatica</em> to mitigate disorders like jaundice. In this study, the protective effects of ethanol extract of <em>I. aquatica</em> against liver damage were evaluated in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced chronic hepatotoxicity in rats. There was no sign of toxicity in the acute toxicity study, in which Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were orally fed with <em>I. aquatica</em> (250 and 500 mg/kg) for two months along with administration of TAA (i.p injection 200 mg/kg three times a week for two months). The results showed that the treatment of <em>I. aquatica</em> significantly lowered the TAA-induced serum levels of hepatic enzyme markers (ALP, ALT, AST, protein, albumin, bilirubin and prothrombin time). The hepatic content of activities and expressions SOD and CAT that were reduced by TAA were brought back to control levels by the plant extract supplement. Meanwhile, the rise in MDA level in the TAA receiving groups also were significantly reduced by <em>I. aquatica</em> treatment. Histopathology of hepatic tissues by H&E and Masson trichrome stains displayed that <em>I. aquatica</em> has reduced the incidence of liver lesions, including hepatic cells cloudy swelling, infiltration, hepatic necrosis, and fibrous connective tissue proliferation induced by TAA in rats. Therefore, the results of this study show that the protective effect of <em>I. aquatica</em> in TAA-induced liver damage might be contributed to its modulation on detoxification enzymes and its antioxidant and free radical scavenger effects. Moreover, it confirms a scientific basis for the traditional use of <em>I. aquatica</em> for the treatment of liver disorders

Potential Antitumor Effect of α-Mangostin against Rat Mammary Gland Tumors Induced by LA7 Cells

In this study, the chemotherapeutic effect of α-mangostin (AM) was assessed in rats injected with LA7 cells. Rats received AM orally at 30 and 60 mg/kg twice a week for 4 weeks. Cancer biomarkers such as CEA and CA 15-3 were significantly lower in AM-treated rats. Histopathological evaluations showed that AM protects the rat mammary gland from the carcinogenic effects of LA7 cells. Interestingly, AM decreased lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant enzymes when compared to the control. Immunohistochemistry results of the untreated rats showed abundant PCNA and fewer p53-positive cells than AM-treated rats. Using the TUNEL test, AM-treated animals had higher apoptotic cell numbers than those untreated. This report revealed that that AM lessened oxidative stress, suppressed proliferation, and minimized LA7-induced mammary carcinogenesis. Therefore, the current study suggests that AM has significant potential for breast cancer treatment

Effectiveness of Gum Arabic in Diabetes and its Complications: A Narrative Review

Gum Arabic (GA) is a gummy exudation from Acacia species, rich in soluble fibers. It is a dietary fiber used traditionally by the natives of many countries of the Arabian Peninsula, Pakistan, and India as therapeutic natural product for treating various diseases including kidney diseases, impotence, obesity, and epilepsy. Diabetes represent a global health problem causing many  complications and health risk to people of different ages. The current study aimed at identifying the role of Gum Arabic in treating diseases especially diabetes. Many studies have been conducted on the role of Gum Arabic in experimentally induced diabetes as well as randomized clinical studies. This narrative review was written based on a database search in common libraries such as PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus. The libraries were searched for English articles published between 1995 and 2020 focusing on the role of Gum Arabic in different preclinical and clinical trials of early and advanced level of diabetes

Hepatoprotectivity of Panduratin A against liver damage: In vivo demonstration with a rat model of cirrhosis induced by thioacetamide

This experiment evaluated Panduratin A (PA), a chalcone isolated from Boesenbergia rotunda rhizomes, for its hepatoprotectivity. Rats were subjected to liver damage induced by intra-peritoneal injection of thioacetamide (TAA). PA was tested first for its acute toxicity and then administered by oral gavage at doses 5, 10, and 50 mg/kg to rats. At the end of the 8th week, livers from all rats were excised and evaluated ex vivo. Measurements included alkaline phosphatase (AP), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), serum platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF-β1), and hepatic metalloproteinase enzyme (MMP-2) and its inhibitor extracellular matrix protein (TIMP-1). Oxidative stress was measured by liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrotyrosine levels, urinary 8-hydroxy 2- deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), and hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities. The immunohistochemistry of TGF-β1 was additionally performed. PA revealed safe dose of 250 mg/kg on experimental rats and positive effect on the liver. The results suggested reduced hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activity as verified from the attenuation of serum PDGF and TGF-β1, hepatic MMP-2 and TIMP-1, and oxidative stress. The extensive data altogether conclude that PA treatment could protect the liver from the progression of cirrhosis through a possible mechanism inhibiting HSCs activity

Effects of <i>E. pulchrum</i> extracts on glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO).

<p>Groups 1–3 represent negative control of Tween80, ethanol 95% and positive control (omeprazole, 20 mg/mL), respectively. The experimental groups from 4–7 received 150 and 300 mg/kg of stem extract and the same dosage of leaf extract. All values are expressed as standard error of mean where p<0.05 is considered significant (one between groups ANOVA with post-hoc analysis). *<i>P</i><0.05 compared to group 2 and ^#<i>P</i><0.05 compared to group 3. All values represent mean ± S.E.M (n = 6) and the biological assays were done in triplicate.</p

Effects of <i>E. pulchrum</i> extracts on the immunohistochemistry analysis of the expression of the Bax protein in the gastric mucosa of rats in the groups (n = 6).

<p>(A) Normal control group; (B) ulcer control group; (C) positive control group, omeprazole (20 mg/kg); (D–E) Rats pre-treated with 150 and 300 mg/kg stem extract; (F–G) Rats pre-treated with 150 and 300 mg/kg leaf extract of <i>E. pulchrum</i>. Bax protein expression (red arrow) was downregulated in rats pre-treated with postive control and <i>E. pulchrum</i> extracts (magnification 20×).</p