Antihyperglycemic activity of Caralluma quadrangula in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes of type 2 is a worldwide epidemic disease of global prevalence. Caralluma quadrangula is wild Saudi plant used by traditional healers as antidiabetic, in case of hunger, and many other diseases. Nothing was reported to justify the use of the plant in case of diabetes. The plant material was extracted with water and with methanol, the methanol fraction was further fractionated into chloroform, n-butanol, in addition to the remaining mother liquor. The water and methanolic extracts as well as different methanolic fractions were evaluated in STZ-induced diabetic rats for their antihyperglycaemic activity. The results showed a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic treated rats after the administration of most of the extracts and fractions of C. quadrangula and glibenclamide. The most potent activity was shown by administration of the methanolic extract (200 mg/kg), chloroform, n-butanol fraction at dose of 100 mg/kg, as well as the major pregnane glycoside russelioside B isolated from C. quadrangula. In conclusion, this study proved the traditional use of C. quadrangula in diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Asclepiadaceae, Caralluma quadrangula, Antihyperglycemic, Fast blood glucose, G-6-Pase, Insuli

Natural anti-obesity agents

Obesity is a complex disease caused by the interaction of a myriad of genetic, dietary, lifestyle, and environmental factors, which favors a chronic positive energy balance, and leads to increased body fat mass. The incidence of obesity is rising at an alarming rate and is becoming a major public health concern with incalculable social costs. Indeed, obesity facilitates the development of metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases in addition to chronic diseases such as stroke, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, some cancers, and inflammation-based pathologies. Recent researches demonstrated the potential of natural products to counteract obesity. Multiple-natural product combinations may result in a synergistic activity that increases their bioavailability and action on multiple molecular targets, offering advantages over chemical treatments. In this review, we discuss the anti-obesity potential of natural products and analyze their mechanisms

P-glycoprotein inhibitors of natural origin as potential tumor chemo-sensitizers: A re

Resistance of solid tumors to treatment is significantly attributed to pharmacokinetic reasons at both cellular and multi-cellular levels. Anticancer agent must be bio-available at the site of action in a cytotoxic concentration to exert its proposed activity. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a member of the ATP-dependent membrane transport proteins; it is known to pump substrates out of cells in ATP-dependent mechanism. The over-expression of P-gp in tumor cells reduces the intracellular drug concentrations, which decreases the cytotoxicity of a broad spectrum of antitumor drugs. Accordingly, P-gp inhibitors/blockers are potential enhancer for the cellular bioavailability of several clinically important anticancer drugs such as, anthracyclines, taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and podophyllotoxins. Besides several chemically synthesized P-gp inhibitors/blockers, some naturally occurring compounds and plant extracts were reported for their modulation of multidrug resistance; however, this review will focus only on major classes of naturally occurring inhibitors viz., flavonoids, coumarins, terpenoids, alkaloids and saponins

Exploring the Biological and Phytochemical Potential of Jordan’s Flora: A Review and Update of Eight Selected Genera from Mediterranean Region

Jordan’s flora is known for its rich diversity, with a grand sum of 2978 plant species that span 142 families and 868 genera across four different zones. Eight genera belonging to four different plant families have been recognized for their potential natural medicinal properties within the Mediterranean region. These genera include Chrysanthemum L., Onopordum Vaill. Ex. L., Phagnalon Cass., and Senecio L. from the Asteraceae family, in addition to Clematis L. and Ranunculus L. from the Ranunculaceae family, Anchusa L. from the Boraginaceae family, and Eryngium L. from the Apiaceae family. The selected genera show a wide variety of secondary metabolites with encouraging pharmacological characteristics including antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-ulcer, and neuroprotective actions. Further research on these genera and their extracts will potentially result in the formulation of novel and potent natural pharmaceuticals. Overall, Jordan’s rich flora provides a valuable resource for exploring and discovering new plant-based medicines

Triterpenes as uncompetitive inhibitors of α-glucosidase from flowers of <i>Punica granatum</i> L.

<div><p>The α-glucosidase and maltase inhibitory effects of <i>Punica granatum</i> L. flowers (PGF) were investigated. The methanol extract (PGFMe), <i>n</i>-hexane extract (PGFH), chloroform extract (PGFC) and the remaining water fraction (PGFW) were assayed for their α-glucosidase and maltase inhibitory effects. PGFW showed potent α-glucosidase inhibition with IC₅₀ of 0.8 μg/mL followed by PGFMe (IC₅₀ of 4.0 μg/mL) then PGFC (IC₅₀ of 5.21 μg/mL) in comparison to acarbose (0.9 μM). Due to its selectivity towards α-glucosidase, PGFC was subjected to bioactivity-guided isolation of its main active constituents. Five known compounds (<b>1</b>–<b>5</b>) were identified as β-sitosterol (<b>1</b>), oleanolic acid (<b>2</b>), ursolic acid (<b>3</b>), <i>p</i>-coumaric acid (<b>4</b>) and apigenin (<b>5</b>). Ursolic and oleanolic acids showed potent α-glucosidase inhibition (IC₅₀ of 39.0 and 35.0 μM, respectively), while they did not show significant maltase inhibition. Kinetic study using the double Lineweaver–Burk plot revealed that ursolic acid uncompetitively inhibited α-glucosidase in comparison with acarbose as a competitive inhibitor.</p></div

Natural Reno-Protective Agents against Cyclosporine A-Induced Nephrotoxicity: An Overview

CA (cyclosporine A) is a powerful immunosuppressing agent that is commonly utilized for treating various autoimmune illnesses and in transplantation surgery. However, its usage has been significantly restricted because of its unwanted effects, including nephrotoxicity. The pathophysiology of CA-induced kidney injury involves inflammation, apoptosis, tubular injury, oxidative stress, and vascular injury. Despite the fact that exact mechanism accountable for CA’s effects is inadequately understood, ROS (reactive oxygen species) involvement has been widely proposed. At present, there are no efficient methods or drugs for treating CA-caused kidney damage. It is noteworthy that diverse natural products have been investigated both in vivo and in-vitro for their possible preventive potential in CA-produced nephrotoxicity. Various extracts and natural metabolites have been found to possess a remarkable potential for restoring CA-produced renal damage and oxidative stress alterations via their anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative potentials. The present article reviews the reported studies that assess the protective capacity of natural products, as well as dietary regimens, in relation to CA-induced nephrotoxicity. Thus, the present study presents novel ideas for designing and developing more efficient prophylactic or remedial strategies versus CA passive influences