Potential antidiabetic properties of G. mangostana Linn. on Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the biochemical effects and histopathological alterations of the ethanolic extracts of G. mangostana pericarps (GME) on STZ-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Oral administration of GME at doses of 50, 100 and 200mg/kg b.w. were given to STZ-induced diabetic and normoglycaemic albino rats. The serum biochemical parameters, enzymatic analysis and histopathological alterations were examined and compared to reference standard hypoglycamic drug, glibenclamide. Analytes including blood glucose, liver transminases viz. alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALT); lipid profile included triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL); creatinine, urea and total protein were checked using standard test kits and reagents. Histological changes in the liver, kidney and pancreas of the animals were also examined. Results: The results obtained revealed a significant reduction of glucose level in GME with doses of 100mg/kg (p<0.001) and 200mg/kg (p<0.001) compared to 50mg/kg. Total cholesterol, serum triglyceride, LDL, VLDL, urea and creatinine were reduced in the treatment group while total protein contents and HDL level mildly elevated. Histological assessment revealed a reduction in lesions associated with diabetic state in STZ-induced rats. Conclusion: The implications of the results obtained especially reduction of glucose and improved biochemical function by G.mangostana are their potential use in management of diabetes and apparent effects on the liver, kidney and pancreas when administered in dose-dependent manner

α-mangostin improves glucose uptake and inhibits adipocytes differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells via PPARgamma, GLUT4, and leptin expressions

Obesity has been often associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. The development of obesity is also accompanied by significant differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes. In this study, we investigated the activity of α-mangostin, a major xanthone component isolated from the stem bark of G. malaccensis, on glucose uptake and adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells focusing on PPARγ, GLUT4, and leptin expressions. α-Mangostin was found to inhibit cytoplasmic lipid accumulation and adipogenic differentiation. Cells treated with 50 μM of α-mangostin reduced intracellular fat accumulation dose-dependently up to 44.4% relative to MDI-treated cells. Analyses of 2-deoxy-D-[3H] glucose uptake activity showed that α-mangostin significantly improved the glucose uptake ( P < 0.05 ) with highest activity found at 25 μM. In addition, α-mangostin increased the amount of free fatty acids (FFA) released. The highest glycerol release level was observed at 50 μM of α-mangostin. qRT-PCR analysis showed reduced lipid accumulation via inhibition of PPARγ gene expression. Induction of glucose uptake and free fatty acid release by α-mangostin were accompanied by increasing mRNA expression of GLUT4 and leptin. These evidences propose that α-mangostin might be possible candidate for the effective management of obesity in future

Effects of garcinia mangostana on adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake regulation in 3T3-L1 cells

Background: Garcinia mangostana Linn. (GME) or mangosteen also known as ‘queen of fruits’ is a tropical plant and can be found in Southeast Asia region. The pericarps are utilized as traditional medicines to treat various ailments like abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, infected wounds, suppuration and chronic ulcer attributed to secondary metabolites like xanthones (crenelated and oxygenated), tannins, anthocyanins, triterpenes, phenolics, polysaccharides, vitamins B1, B2 and C. Aim: The present study was delineated to elucidate the effects of ethanolic extract (GME) on preadipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cell and the possible glucose uptake mechanism signifying the potential to lower plasma glucose concentration in vivo. Methods: Adipocyte cells were cultured in DMEM containing 1% penicillin–streptomycin (PS) and 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 37oC in a humidified 5% CO2 atmosphere. Differentiation was initiated after 2-day post-confluent in MDI inducer medium (0.25 μM dexamethasone, 0.5 mM IBMX, 1 μg/ml insulin) for 2 days. The cells were then maintained another 2 days in 100 nM insulin and media was replaced thereafter for every 2 days prior to lipid formation. To examine the effects of GME on the differentiation, cells were cultured in MDI differentiation medium in the presence of various concentrations of GME (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 μg/ml). Results: In 3T3-L1 cells, GME significantly enhanced adipogenic differentiation in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). GME also promoted glucose transport evidenced by uptake of Deoxy-D-glucose, 2- [1,2-3H (N)]-in GME-treated cells (p<0.05). However, uptake of glucose was inhibited by 62.9% at highest concentration (10 μg/ml), suggesting inhibition of IRS-1 phosphorylation. Conclusion: Our results suggested that mangosteen extract could be a potential therapeutic agent for managing diabetes via promotion of adipogenesis with mild improvement in glucose utilization in vitro. However, extensive study should be carried out to unravel the underlying molecular event lead to amelioration of diabetes complications

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity exploration of the leaves extracts of Borreria articularis (Linn. F.)

In this study the plant of Borreria articularies (Linn. F) (family Rubiaceae) were subjected for phytochemical, antibacterial and antifungal evaluations. The sample powder was subjected to cold maceration by ethanol and methanol for 48 h at room temperature, concentrated by using a rotary vacuum evaporator (BUCHI R-205) and drying at −50 °C using bench top freeze dryer (ALPHA 1-4LD-2) and then kept in the fridge (4°C). Compound identification by comparing the NIST library data of the peaks with those reported in mass spectra of the peaks with literature data. The in vitro antimicrobial activities were determined by disc diffusion method and poisoned food technique respectively. Mueller- Hinton and Sabouraud medium was used for culture of bacteria and fungi. 5% ethanolic solution of the crude extracts and pure compound were used as the test material. The studies revealed that alkaloids, glycosides, tanins, flavonoids, saponins and reducing sugars are present in both the extracts. The pure compound, 6-methyl-5-cyclodecen-1-ol, exhibited good antimicrobial activity against all the pathogens tested. The highest zone of inhibition 20 mm was exhibited by ethanol and 6-methyl-5-cyclodecen-1-ol at a concentration of 2,000 μg/disc against both Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholera. The highest inhibition observed was 55.17 and 53.33% of fungal radial mycelial growth at a concentration of (100 μg/ml) against Aspergillus ustus and Aspergillus ochraceus respectively. The extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity which could serve as an alternative traditional medicine for treatment as antimicrobial agent. Keywords: Borreria articularis (Linn. F), 6-methyl 5-cyclodecen-1-ol, phytochemical screening, antimicrobial activity

Isolation, characterization and cytotoxic effect exploration of methanolic extract of local medicinal plant clerodendrumn viscosum vent

Clerodendrumn viscosum vent. is a majestic and broadly used medicinal plant in Bangladesh and India. This research work was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical and biological activity of Clerodendrum viscosum vent. The powdered barks of the roots were extracted with ethanol by a soxhlet apparatus. Ethanol extract was subjected to TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) examination. A single spot was observed in n-hexane ethyl acetate (4:1) with Rf values 0.5. Phytochemical screening of the ethanol extract showed the presence of carbohydrates, steroids, tannins, flavonoids, saponines and alkaloids. The crude ethanol extract showed toxic behavior against brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The mortality rate of brine shrimp was found to be increased with the increase in concentration of the sample. From the result on the brine shrimp lethality bioassay it can be well predicted that the crude extracts have considerable cytotoxic potency

Flavonoids from Tetracera indica Merr. induce adipogenesis and exert glucose uptake activities in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells

Background: Tetracera indica Merr. (Family: Dilleniaceae), known to the Malay as ‘Mempelas paya’, is one of the medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes in Malaysia. However, no proper scientific study has been carried out to verify the traditional claim of T. indica as an antidiabetic agent. Hence, the aims of the present study were to determine the in vitro antidiabetic potential of the T. indica stems ethanol extract, subfractions and isolated compounds. Methods: The ethanol extract and its subfractions, and isolated compounds from T. indica stems were subjected to cytotoxicity test using MTT viability assay on 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Then, the test groups were subjected to the in vitro antidiabetic investigation using 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and differentiated adipocytes to determine the insulinlike and insulin sensitizing activities. Rosiglitazone was used as a standard antidiabetic agent. All compounds were also subjected to fluorescence glucose (2-NBDG) uptake test on differentiated adipocytes. Test solutions were introduced to the cells in different safe concentrations as well as in different adipogenic cocktails, which were modified by the addition of compounds to be investigated and in the presence or absence of insulin. Isolation of bioactive compounds from the most effective subfraction (ethyl acetate) was performed through repeated silica gel and sephadex LH-20 column chromatographies and their structures were elucidated through 1 H–and 13C–NMR spectroscopy. Results: Four monoflavonoids, namely, wogonin, norwogonin, quercetin and techtochrysin were isolated from the T. indica stems ethanol extract. Wogonin, norwogonin and techtochrysin induced significant (P < 0.05) adipogenesis like insulin and enhanced adipogenesis like rosiglitazone. Wogonin and norwogonin also exhibited significant (P < 0.05) glucose uptake activity. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the flavonoids isolated from the T. indica stems possess antidiabetic potential revealing insulin-like and insulin sensitizing effects which were significant among the compounds. This also rationalizes the traditional use of T. indica in the management of diabetes in Malaysia

Gallstones

The PBL module consists of 2 triggers; Trigger 1 was the description of a patient's complaint and Trigger 2 was the patient's history and physical examination. This PBL aims to expose the student to the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract (Gill and reproductive system; and discuss the pathophysiology, risk factors, and complications of gallstones

Orbital mucormycosis

The PBL module consists of 2 triggers; Trigger 1 was the description of a patient's complaint and Trigger 2 was the patient's history and physical examination. This PBL aims to expose the student to the general infections and body response; and discuss the fungal pathogen towards -Apophysomyces Elegans developing orbital mucormycosis; pathophysiology, risk factors, complications, symptoms, investigations, treatment, and management for orbital mucormycosis

Myocardial infarction

The PBL module consists of 2 triggers; Trigger 1 was the description of a patient's complaint and Trigger 2 was the patient's history and physical examination. This PBL aims to expose the student to the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system: and discuss the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction

Vitamin K

The PBL consists of 2 triggers; Trigger 1 was the description of a patient's complaint and Trigger 2 was the patient's history and physical examination. This PBL aims to expose the student to the possible causes lo uncontolled bleeding and discuss the pathology of blood clotting, risk factors, and complications that arise from inabiJity of blood to clots; and study the pharmacology related to blood clotting