Molecular Docking of Flindersine with some targets related to β-cells Protection

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most widespread metabolic disorder affecting millions worldwide. Molecular docking studies are useful in identifying some useful ligands which could be used to target proteins related to β-cell protection.  Flindersine isolated from the plant Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. (Rutaceae) has been shown by us to possess antidiabetic property. With a view to identify in silico the possible mode of docking with different target proteins like PPARγ and GLUT4 which play important roles in protecting β-cells from damage. Chemical characteristics of Flindersine were retrieved from pubchem database http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The docking analysis in the active sites of 2PRG and Homology modeled protein structure of GLUT4 were performed by the Auto dock program. The docking results showed good binding interactions of the ligand with both the targets at very low energy level. In our in silico analysis, flindersine isolated from Toddalia asiatica clearly demonstrated that it could improve  diabetic condition by increasing insulin secretion from remnant or regenerated pancreatic beta cells and could promote insulin sensitization and glucose uptake activities. When compared with standard drug Rosiglitazone that is commercially available flindersine can further diminish the degree of shrinkage and necrosis of beta cells of pancreas. Thus flindersine can be considered for developing into a potent antidiabetic drug

Hypolipidemic activity of friedelin isolated from Azima tetracantha in hyperlipidemic rats

The hypolipidemic activity of friedelin isolated from Azima tetracantha Lam., Salvadoraceae, was studied in Triton WR-1339 and high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. In Triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipidemic rats, treatment with friedelin (50 and 70 mg/kg) showed a significant (p < 0.01) lipid-lowering effect as assessed by reversal of plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). In high-fat diet fed hyperlipidemic rats, treatment with friedelin (50 and 70 mg/kg) caused lowering of lipid levels in plasma and liver. The hypolipidemic activity of friedelin was compared with fenofibrate, a known lipid-lowering drug, in both models. Keywords: Friedelin, High-fat diet model, Triton WR-1339, Hyperlipidemia, Fenofibrat

Protective effects of Ficus carica leaves on glucose and lipids levels, carbohydrate metabolism enzymes and β-cells in type 2 diabetic rats

Context: The decoctions of Ficus carica Linn. (Moraceae) leaves are used in the folklore treatment of diabetes. Objective: To evaluate the effect of F. carica on glucose and lipids levels, carbohydrate metabolism enzymes and β-cells protective effects in type 2 diabetes. Material and methods: Diabetes was induced in 15 days high-fat diet (HFD)-fed Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg). The ethyl acetate extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) of F. carica leaves was administered for 28 days. Oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were evaluated on 15th and 25th days, respectively. Results: The ethyl acetate extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) of n F. carica leaves showed significant effect (p < 0.005) in the levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), body weight and hepatic glycogen. In OGTT, F. carica (250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.005) detained the increase in blood glucose levels at 60 and 120 min and in ITT, F. carica enhanced the glucose utilization significantly (p < 0.005) over 30 and 60 min compared to diabetic control. Further, the altered activities of key carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and hexokinase in the liver tissue of diabetic rats were significantly (p < 0.005) reverted to near normal levels upon treatment with F. carica. Immumohistochemical studies of islets substantiated the cytoprotective effect on pancreatic β-cells. Discussion and conclusions: F. carica leaves exerted significant effect on carbohydrate metabolism enzymes with promising hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities in type 2 diabetic rats