Semecarpus anacardium (Bhallataka) Alters the Glucose Metabolism and Energy Production in Diabetic Rats

Glucose produced by gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis plays an important role in aggravating hyperglycemia in diabetes, and altered mitochondrial function is associated with impaired energy production. The present study focuses on the effect of Semecarpus anacardium on carbohydrate metabolism and energy production in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by the administration of Streptozotocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg.b.wt. Three days after the induction, Semecarpus anacardium at a dose of 300 mg/kg.b.wt was administered for 21 days. After the experimental duration, the activities of the enzymes involved in Glycolysis, TCA cycle, gluconeogenesis, and glycogen were assayed in the liver and kidney of the experimental animals. In addition, to the complexes the protein expression of AKT and PI3K were assayed. The levels of the enzymes involved in Glycolysis and TCA cycle increased, while that of gluconeogensis decreased. The activities of the mitochondrial complexes were also favorably modulated. The expressions of PI3K and AKT also increased in the skeletal muscle. These effects may be attributed to the hypoglycemic and the antioxidative activity of Semecarpus anacardium. The results of the study revealed that Semecarpus anacardium was able to restore the altered activities of the enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and energy production

Potential Antioxidant Role of Tridham in Managing Oxidative Stress against Aflatoxin-B1-Induced Experimental Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most fatal cancers due to delayed diagnosis and lack of effective treatment options. Significant exposure to Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin, plays a major role in liver carcinogenesis through oxidative tissue damage and p53 mutation. The present study emphasizes the anticarcinogenic effect of Tridham (TD), a polyherbal traditional medicine, on AFB1-induced HCC in male Wistar rats. AFB1-administered HCC-bearing rats (Group II) showed increased levels of lipid peroxides (LPOs), thiobarbituric acid substances (TBARs), and protein carbonyls (PCOs) and decreased levels of enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants when compared to control animals (Group I). Administration of TD orally (300 mg/kg body weight/day) for 45 days to HCC-bearing animals (Group III) significantly reduced the tissue damage accompanied by restoration of the levels of antioxidants. Histological observation confirmed the induction of tumour in Group II animals and complete regression of tumour in Group III animals. This study highlights the potent antioxidant properties of TD which contribute to its therapeutic effect in AFB1-induced HCC in rats

CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF TRIDHAM AND 1,2,3,4,6-PENTA-O-GALLOYL-β-DGLUCOSE ON ANTIOXIDANTS STATUS AND TUMOR MARKERS IN EXPERIMENTAL MAMMARY CARCINOMA IN SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

Objective: To study the restorative effect of Tridham (TD) and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-o-galloyl-β-D-glucose (PGG) on 7,12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene(DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma in female Sprague-Dawley rats.Methods: Rats were divided into seven groups of six animals each. Group I rats served as control. Group II - mammary carcinoma was inducedby DMBA. Group III and Group IV were induced with DMBA and subsequently treated with TD and PGG, respectively, for 48 days. Group V wastreated with DMBA and subsequently with a standard drug, cyclophosphamide (CYC). Group VI and Group VII were given TD and PGG alone,respectively, for 48 days. After the experimental period, the levels of lipid peroxides (LPO), activities of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidantssuch as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, reduced glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E wereevaluated in the breast tissue of control and experimental rats. Levels of LPO, marker enzymes such as 5'-nucleotidase and lactate dehydrogenase,were also evaluated.Results: The levels of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants were decreased in DMBA-induced rats when compared to control rats. The levels oftumor markers were increased in DMBA-induced rats when compared to control rats. These parameters were restored to near normal levels ontreatment with TD and PGG.Conclusions: The results suggest that TD and PGG have a cytoprotective role in DMBA-induced breast cancer-bearing rats. The effect of TD and PGGwas found to be more pronounced than CYC, a standard drug.Keywords: Breast cancer, Tridham, Penta galloyl glucose, Antioxidants, Tumor markers, Sprague-Dawley rats

EFFICACY OF TRIDHAM AND 1,2,3,4,6-PENTA-O-GALLOYL-β-D-GLUCOSE IN REVERSING LIPID PEROXIDATION LEVELS AND MITOCHONDRIAL ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN 7,12-DIMETHYLBENZENEANTHRACENE (DMBA) INDUCED BREAST CANCER IN SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

Objective: To determine the effect of Tridham (TD) and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose(PGG) on lipid peroxidation levels and mitochondrial antioxidants status in experimental mammary carcinoma.Methods: Elaecoarpus ganitrus (fruits), Terminalia chebula (seed coats), Prosopis cineraria (leaves), adult female albino rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing 170–190 g and 7,12-dimethylbenzeneanthracene (DMBA) were used for this study. Group I control rats, Group II rats mammary carcinoma induced with DMBA (25 mg in 1 ml olive oil) by gastric intubation. Group III, IV and V DMBA induced rats were treated with TD (400 mg/kg. b. wt/day), PGG (30 mg/kg. b. wt/day) and standard drug, Cyclophosphamide (30 mg/kg. b. wt/day), respectively for 48 d by gastric intubation. Group VI and VII rats served as TD and PGG treated controls, respectively for 48 d by gastric intubation. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were anaesthetized and sacrificed. Mammary glands were isolated and used for biochemical assays and histopathological evaluation.Results: In rats with cancer, the lipid peroxide levels (LPO) were significantly increased and mitochondrial antioxidant levels were decreased. Treatment with TD and PGG decreased LPO levels and increased mitochondrial antioxidant status in mammary carcinoma bearing rats. Histopathological analysis also confirmed the therapeutic effect of TD and PGG. No significant adverse effect was observed in sole drug treated group of rats.Conclusion: TD and PGG have definite therapeutic effect in experimental mammary carcinoma and inhibit growth of cancer cells by restoring mitochondrial antioxidant status and energy metabolism to normal states

THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF TRIDHAM AND 1,2,3,4,6-PENTA-O-GALLOYL-Î’-D-GLUCOSE ON ALTERED ENERGY METABOLISM IN MAMMARY CARCINOMA BEARING RATS

ABSTRACTObjective: Emerging evidence indicates that cancer is primarily a metabolic disease involving disturbances in energy production, and hence,reprogramming of cellular energy metabolism is deemed to be one of the principal hallmarks of cancer. Tridham (TD) has been used by traditionalpractitioners of Siddha medicine against various ailments. Hence, the present study has been designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of TD onaltered energy metabolism in mammary carcinoma-bearing rats.Methods: Adult female albino rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing 170-190 g were used and 7,12-dimethylbenzeneanthracene (DMBA) was used forinduction of mammary carcinoma and rats were divided into seven groups. Group I - control rats, Group II - DMBA-induced rats, Group III - DMBA- andTD-treated rats, Group IV - DMBA- and 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (PGG)-treated rats, Group V - DMBA- and cyclophosphamide-treated rats,Groups VI and VII are TD and PGG control rats.Results: Significant (p<0.05) increase in the glycolytic enzymes, hexokinase, phosphoglucoisomerase and aldolase, was observed in tumor-bearingrats whereas gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-biphosphatase, were significantly decreased. The activities of themitochondrial Krebs cycle enzymes, isocitrate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase,and respiratory chain enzymes, nicotinamide dinucleotide dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase, were significantly reduced in tumor tissue ofthe mammary carcinoma-bearing rats. These biochemical disturbances were effectively counteracted by TD and PGG which restore the activities of allthese enzymes to the respective control levels.Conclusion: TD and PGG effectively ameliorated the altered glucose metabolism resulting in the regression of breast cancer.Keywords: Breast cancer, Cancer cachexia, Carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, Krebs cycle

Acute and sub acute studies of catechol derivatives from Semecarpus anacardium

The present study was aimed at evaluating the acute and subacute toxicity of catechol derivatives (I–IV, isolated from Semecarpus anacardium nuts) in Wistar Albino rats. In acute study (14 days), catechol derivatives I–IV 800 mg/kg caused no behavioral adverse effects and mortality. Fifty percent (LD50) of mortality was observed in catechol derivatives I–III (1600 mg/kg b.wt) and catechol derivative IV (1250 mg/kg b.wt). In subacute study, daily oral administration of catechol derivatives I–IV (300 mg/kg b.wt) for 30 days did not result in death or significant changes in the body weight and organ weight, In hematological and some biochemical analysis showed few beneficial effects particularly in catechol derivatives I and IV treated rats that is transient rise in WBC count and HDL cholesterol and decrease in LDL, plasma and tissue lipid profile. These results indicate the impact of catechol derivatives in boosting the immune system and reducing cardiovascular risk factors and thereby they possess cardio protective and immunopotentiating effect. Further, histopathological examination of liver and kidney showed normal architecture that suggests no morphological disturbances. Based on the results obtained, it may be concluded that the catechol derivatives are potentially toxic but therapeutically effective. Keywords: Semecarpus anacardium, Catechol derivatives, Toxicity, Hematolog

Ameliorating effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn. nut milk extract on altered glucose metabolism in high fat diet STZ induced type 2 diabetic rats

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the protective effect of the drug Semecarpus anacardium (S. anacardium)on altered glucose metabolism in diabetic rats.MethodsType 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by feeding rats with high fat diet followed by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (35 mg/kg b.w.). Seven days after STZ induction, diabetic rats received nut milk extract of S. anacardium Linn. nut milk extract orally at a dosage of 200 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks. The effect of nut milk extract of S. anacardium on blood glucose, plasma insulin, glucose metabolising enzymes and GSK were studied.ResultsTreatment with SA extract showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels and increase in plasma insulin levels and also increase in HOMA – β and decrease in HOMA -IR. The drug significantly increased the activity of glycolytic enzymes and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and increased the glycogen content in liver of diabetic rats while reducing the activities of gluconeogenic enzymes. The drug also effectively ameliorated the alterations in GSK-3 mRNA expression.ConclusionsOverall, the present study demonstrates the possible mechanism of glucose regulation of S. anacardium suggestive of its therapeutic potential for the management of diabetes mellitus