Amelioration of Abnormalities Associated with the Metabolic Syndrome by Spinacia oleracea

The present study evaluates the protective effects of an antioxidant-rich extract of Spinacea oleracea (NAOE) in abnormalities associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in rats. HPTLC of NAOE revealed the presence of 13 total antioxidants, 14 flavonoids, and 10 phenolic acids. Rats administered with fructose (20% w/v) in drinking water for 45 days to induce abnormalities of MetS received NAOE (200 and 400 mg/kg, po), the standard drug gemfibrozil (60 mg/kg, po), aerobic exercise (AE), and a combination of NAOE 400 mg/kg and AE (NAOEAE) daily for 45 days. All treatments significantly altered the lipid profile and attenuated the fructose-elevated levels of uric acid, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and marker enzymes (AST, LDH, and CK-MB) in serum and malondialdehyde in the heart and restored the fructose-depleted levels of glutathione and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase). A significant decrease in blood glucose and insulin levels decreased insulin resistance, and improved glucose tolerance was observed in the treatment animals when compared with the fructose-fed animals. The best mitigation of MetS was shown by the NAOEAE treatment indicating that regular exercise along with adequate consumption of antioxidant-rich foods such as spinach in diet can help control MetS

A herbal premix containing Macrotyloma uniflorum, ginger and whey curtails obesity in high fat diet fed rats by a novel mechanism

The present study designed and evaluated a polyherbal premix comprising Macrotyloma uniflorum, whey protein, Zingiber officinale, and Mentha piperita. Animals were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 30 days and were daily administered the premix (1.5 g/kg) in milk (PM) and water (PW), aerobic exercise (AE), premix in milk and water along with AE (PMAE and PWAE), ferulic acid (100 mg/kg), and the reference drug fluoxetine (6 mg/kg). All treatments showed significant reduction in food intake, weight gain, abdominal circumference, and body mass index compared with their initial values. All treatments generated a faster peak of the satiety marker cholecystokinin compared with the HFD group and control groups; PMAE and PWAE exhibited sustained satiety. The HFD-elevated blood glucose levels were significantly attenuated on the 30th day by all treatments when compared with their 15th day and basal values; PMAE exhibited the best results. All treatments significantly attenuated the HFD-elevated serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, triglycerides, total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein levels and significantly restored the HFD-depleted high-density lipoprotein and adiponectin levels. HFD-elevated thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values were attenuated successfully and the HFD-depleted reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels were significantly restored by all treatments. The histological findings corroborated the biochemical results. Novelty The polyherbal premix brought about appetite regulation and induction of satiety to control obesity in HFD-fed rats through homeostasis of energy metabolism. The premix along with exercise is a complete way to combat obesity.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Evaluation of the wound healing effect of Nishamalaki, an Ayurvedic formulation comprising Curcuma longa and Phyllanthus emblica in aging rats

Abstract Background There are very few drugs available for healing wounds in the aged population, which is more prone to chronic cutaneous wounds that are particularly hard to heal and require a long healing process. This study which deals with age-related wound healing, investigates the healing effect of Nishamalaki, a classic antidiabetic Ayurvedic formulation comprising turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), on cutaneous wounds in aging rats. Methods Rats with excision wounds of 7 mm created on their dorsal side received Nishamalaki (500 mg/kg p.o) daily, or a combination of Nishamalaki (500 mg/kg p.o) with 1% Nishamalaki gel applied on the wound or the reference standard metformin (2 μmol) applied on the wound daily till the scabs fell off. Results All treatments enhanced the rate of formation of granulation tissue and wound contraction. All treated rats showed lower blood glucose levels compared with their 1st-day values and significantly lower blood glucose levels when compared with the Aged Control rats. A significant restoration of the aging-depleted L-hydroxyproline, hexosamine, ascorbic acid, PDGF, AMPK, and mTOR levels, and attenuation of the aging-elevated IL-6 and TNF-α levels was elicited by all treatments. The treatments significantly restored the aging-depleted endogenous antioxidants. The Nishamalaki combination treatment of the oral extract and topical gel displayed a better wound-healing effect than the oral treatment alone. The histopathological studies on skin ulceration, hair follicles, granulation tissue, and collagen fiber formation of the wound tissues corroborated the biochemical findings. Conclusion Curcumin and other antioxidant polyphenolic components of Nishamalaki may be responsible for its wound-healing effect. For the first time, the present study has investigated the action of PDGF, AMPK, and mTOR on cutaneous wounds. They seem to be acting together to promote wound healing and repair. Graphical Abstrac

An experimental evaluation of the antidiabetic and antilipidemic properties of a standardized Momordica charantia fruit extract

Abstract Background The MCE, Momordica charantia fruit extract Linn. (Cucurbitaceae) have been documented to elicit hypoglycemic activity on various occasions. However, due to lack of standardization of these extracts, their efficacy remains questionable. The present study was undertaken by selecting a well standardised MCE. This study reports hypoglycemic and antilipidemic activities of MCE employing relevant animal models and in vitro methods. Methods Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by a s.c., subcutaneous injection of alloxan monohydrate (100 mg/kg) in acetate buffer (pH 4.5). MCE and glibenclamide were administered orally to alloxan diabetic rats at doses of 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg & 600 mg/kg, and 4 mg/kg respectively for 30 days, blood was withdrawn for glucose determination on 0, 7, 14, 21 and 30th days. On the 31st day, overnight fasted rats were sacrificed and blood was collected for various biochemical estimations including glycosylated haemoglobin, mean blood glucose, serum insulin, cholesterol, triglcerides, protein and glycogen content of liver. The hemidiaphragms and livers were also isolated, carefully excised and placed immediately in ice cooled perfusion solution and processed to study the glucose uptake/transfer processes. Hypolipidemic activity in old obese rats was evaluated by treating two groups with MCE (150 mg/kg & 300 mg/kg) orally for 30 days and determining total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-CH, LDL-CH and VLDL-CH levels from serum samples. Results Subchronic study of MCE in alloxan induced diabetic rats showed significant antihyperglycemic activity by lowering blood glucose and GHb%, percent glycosylated haemoglobin. Pattern of glucose tolerance curve was also altered significantly. MCE treatment enhanced uptake of glucose by hemidiaphragm and inhibited glycogenolysis in liver slices in vitro. A significant reduction in the serum cholesterol and glyceride levels of obese rats following MCE treatment was also observed. Conclusion Our experimental findings with respect to the mechanism of action of MCE in alloxan diabetic rats suggest that it enhances insulin secretion by the islets of Langerhans, reduces glycogenesis in liver tissue, enhances peripheral glucose utilisation and increases serum protein levels. Furthermore, MCE treatment restores the altered histological architecture of the islets of Langerhans. Hence, the biochemical, pharmacological and histopathological profiles of MCE clearly indicate its potential antidiabetic activity and other beneficial effects in amelioration of diabetes associated complications. Further, an evaluation of its antilipidemic activity in old obese rats demonstrated significant lowering of cholesterol and triglyceride levels while elevating HDL-cholesterol levels. Also, the extract lowered serum lipids in alloxan diabetic rats, suggesting its usefulness in controlling metabolic alterations associated with diabetes.</p

An experimental evaluation of the antidiabetic and antilipidemic properties of a standardized Momordica charantia fruit extract-1

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "An experimental evaluation of the antidiabetic and antilipidemic properties of a standardized Momordica charantia fruit extract"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/7/29</p><p>BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2007;7():29-29.</p><p>Published online 24 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2048984.</p><p></p>Significant difference of treated groups from diabetic control on the corresponding days: P < 0.001

An experimental evaluation of the antidiabetic and antilipidemic properties of a standardized Momordica charantia fruit extract-0

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "An experimental evaluation of the antidiabetic and antilipidemic properties of a standardized Momordica charantia fruit extract"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/7/29</p><p>BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2007;7():29-29.</p><p>Published online 24 Sep 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2048984.</p><p></p> 0.001. Significant difference of treated groups from diabetic control on the corresponding days: P < 0.001, P < 0.005, P < 0.01, P < 0.05