Effects of colocynth alkaloids and glycosides on Wistar rats fed high-fat diet. A biochemical and morphological study

Introduction. In traditional medicine, Citrullus colocynthis is used to treat diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and oxidative stress, all of which can appear when a diet rich in vegetable fats, such as palm oil, is continuously consumed. Such high-fat diets are chronic stressors of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The objective of our study was to analyze and evaluate the effects of colocynth total alkaloids and glycosides on metabolic, hormonal, and structural disorders of the adrenal medulla in Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet. Material and methods. Twenty six Wistar rats were distributed as follows: six control animals received a standard laboratory diet; twenty experimental rats received the standard laboratory diet supplemented with palm oil — the high-fat diet (HFD). After seven months of this diet, the HFD group was subdivided into rats treated for the next 2 months with either alkaloid extract (HFD-ALk group) or ethanol extract of glycosides (HFD-GLc) or animals on HFD only. Plasma metabolites and ACTH concentrations were measured by standard methods. Sections of adrenal medulla were stained by Heidenhain-Azan method and Sudan Black. Results. The adrenal medulla of the HFD rats showed prominent structural changes, such as hypertrophy of chromaffin and ganglion cells, vacuolation, inflammatory foci, and fibrosis. The biochemical and hormonal parameters were significantly improved in the HFD rats treated with alkaloid and glycoside extracts of Citrullus colocynthis. Moreover, the morphological changes of the adrenal medulla were attenuated in HFD-ALk and HFD-Glc rats. Conclusions. The results of the study indicate that phytotherapy using Citrullus colocynthis alkaloids may correct metabolic and hormonal perturbations as well as adrenal medulla structure of rats maintained on HFD.

Differenciation de la membrane basale glomerulaire : etude cytoimmunologique

CNRS T 58495 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueSIGLEFRFranc

In vitro evaluation of α-amylase inhibitory activity of some medicinal plants used in treatment of diabetes mellitus in Algeria and their effect on postprandial hyperglycemia in normal rats

Postprandial hyperglycemia is an early defect of type 2 diabetes, it is responsible of secondary complication which can affect many organs: heart, kidney, nervous system, and impaired their function. In this type of diabetes mellitus, the inhibition of digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidases) is a useful treatment to attenuate postprandial hyperglycemia. In this study we investigate in vitro, the α-amylase inhibitory potential of aqueous extract of leaves or roots of five selected plants recommended to treat diabetes in traditional Algerian medicine. They are also tested for their effect on reduction of postprandial hyperglycemia induced by starch loading in normal rats. The plant extracts showed a variable degree of inhibition of α-amylase. The most active sample is the aqueous extract of Phylleria angustofolia (PaE) with an IC50=0.61mg/ml followed by extract of Olea europea (OeE), Juniperus oxydrus (JoE), Olea europea var. Sylvestris (OsE) and Salvia officinalis (SoE). Acarbose (Acb), a standard inhibitor, exhibited an IC50 value of 0.07mg/ml. In an animal study, two plant extracts and acarbose exhibited an anti-hyperglycemic activity: SoE and PaE suppress significantly postprandial hyperglycemia response induced by starch loading in rats, as shown by the significant attenuation of the value of AUC0-180min by 60٪ (p<0.05) for PaE, 48٪ (p<0.05) for SoE and34٪ (p<0.05) for Ac, compared to control group. These findings suggest that among the five medicinal plants studied, Phylleria angustifolia and Salvia officinalis exert their antidiabetic effect by inhibition the digestion of complex carbohydrates, retarding glucose absorption and hence suppress postprandial hyperglycemia

Investigation of Hammada scoparia antidiabetic activity and toxicity in rat

Abstract Objective To investigate Hammada scoparia claimed antidiabetic effect, and to search for potential nontoxic active principles. Methods Aqueous and methanol extracts were prepared from H. scoparia areal parts, and their phytochemical constitution was defined. Then they were subjected to three procedures to check their antidiabetic effect. The first (acute effect on fasting glycemia) and the second (oral glucose tolerance test, OGTT) were carried out in normal rats, while the third procedure (7 days treatment) was carried out in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Methanol extract was also subjected to further studies; sub-chronic oral toxicity test (21days), effect on postprandial glycemia in normal rats and effect on intra-tissue glycogen concentrations. Finally methanol extract was fractionated on chromatography column; each fraction was thoroughly analysis using phytochemical tests and subjected to OGTT in normal rats. Results Using the three procedures, only the methanol extract (containing flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins) showed an antidiabetic effect similar to glibenclamide effect, and this was only when hyperglycemia was induced by oral glucose charge. On the other hand methanol extract had no toxicity in rats; it had no effect on postprandial glycemia or on intra-tissue glycogen concentrations. Four fractions were obtained using chromatography column, FA (containing flavonoids), FB (alkaloids, saponins), FC (alkaloids), and FD (saponins). Unlike the antihyperglycemic effect observed with methanol extract in normal rats, none of these fractions were effective. Conclusion Hammada scoparia could be a promising source of new antidiabetic agents, further studies are necessary to find its active principles and to understand its mechanism of action

Effects of colocynth alkaloids and glycosides on Wistar rats fed high-fat diet. A biochemical and morphological study

Introduction. In traditional medicine, Citrullus colocynthis is used to treat diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and oxidative stress, all of which can appear when a diet rich in vegetable fats, such as palm oil, is continuously consumed. Such high-fat diets are chronic stressors of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The objective of our study was to analyze and evaluate the effects of colocynth total alkaloids and glycosides on metabolic, hormonal, and structural disorders of the adrenal medulla in Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet. Material and methods. Twenty six Wistar rats were distributed as follows: six control animals received a standard laboratory diet; twenty experimental rats received the standard laboratory diet supplemented with palm oil — the high-fat diet (HFD). After seven months of this diet, the HFD group was subdivided into rats treated for the next 2 months with either alkaloid extract (HFD-ALk group) or ethanol extract of glycosides (HFD-GLc) or animals on HFD only. Plasma metabolites and ACTH concentrations were measured by standard methods. Sections of adrenal medulla were stained by Heidenhain-Azan method and Sudan Black. Results. The adrenal medulla of the HFD rats showed prominent structural changes, such as hypertrophy of chromaffin and ganglion cells, vacuolation, inflammatory foci, and fibrosis. The biochemical and hormonal parameters were significantly improved in the HFD rats treated with alkaloid and glycoside extracts of Citrullus colocynthis. Moreover, the morphological changes of the adrenal medulla were attenuated in HFD-ALk and HFD-Glc rats. Conclusions. The results of the study indicate that phytotherapy using Citrullus colocynthis alkaloids may correct metabolic and hormonal perturbations as well as adrenal medulla structure of rats maintained on HFD. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2017, Vol. 55, No. 2, 74–85