Comparative evaluation of hypoglycaemic activity of some Indian medicinal plants in alloxan diabetic rats

In our experiments 30 hypoglycaemic medicinal plants (known and less known) have been selected for thorough studies from indigenous folk medicines, Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha systems of medicines. In all the experiments with different herbal samples (vacuum dried 95% ethanolic extracts), definite blood glucose lowering effect within 2 weeks have been confirmed in alloxan diabetic albino rats. Blood glucose values are brought down close to normal fasting level using herbal samples at a dose of 250 mg/kg once, twice or thrice daily, as needed. While evaluating comparative hypoglycaemic activity of the experimental herbal samples, significant blood glucose lowering activities are observed in decreasing order in the following 24 samples-Coccinia indica, Tragia involucrata, G. sylvestre, Pterocarpus marsupium, T. foenum-graecum, Moringa oleifera, Eugenia jambolana, Tinospora cordifolia, Swertia chirayita, Momordica charantia, Ficus glomerata, Ficus benghalensis, Vinca rosea, Premna integrifolia, Mucuna prurita, Terminalia bellirica, Sesbenia aegyptiaca, Azadirachta indica, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Zingiber officinale, Aegle marmelos, Cinnamomum tamala, Trichosanthes cucumerina and Ocimum sanctum. Present studies besides confirming hypoglycaemic activities of the experimental herbal samples, help identify more potent indigenous hypoglycaemic herbs (in crude ethanolic extract) from the comparative study of the reported experimental results.     

黄精属植物抗糖尿病本草学、物质基础及其作用机制研究进展

黄精属(Polygonatum)隶属于百合科(Liliaceae),多数植物为"药食同源"类中药材,多具有养阴润燥、生津止渴等功效,民间常用于治疗"口干食少、内热消渴"等证,临床广泛用于糖尿病、高血脂及肿瘤康复。随着黄精属基础研究不断深入及产业化开发的发展,其防治糖尿病的效应成分群与作用机制不断被揭示。该文通过梳理古代本草及现代文献,对黄精属植物抗糖尿病的本草学、物质基础及其作用机制的研究进行综述,结果表明黄精属在古代本草文献和现代研究中的相关证据支持其用于糖尿病的治疗,其物质基础主要为多糖、黄酮和皂苷类成分。其中,多糖类成分是其降血糖的主要化学成分,其在抗糖尿病领域具有巨大的开发潜力。虽然目前已有学者对黄精属植物抗糖尿病药效和物质基础开展了相关研究,但缺乏系统性,且药效、作用机制、代谢途径等尚不清楚。因此,进一步加强黄精属植物相关研究,特别是从中筛选出显著的活性物质,并对其物质基础、药效学和作用机制开展研究,将对抗糖尿病药物的研发和黄精属植物的开发利用具有重要的现实意义。     

Pharmacological actions and potential uses of Momordica charantia: a review

Since ancient times, plants and herbal preparations have been used as medicine. Research carried out in last few decades has certified several such claims of use of several plants of traditional medicine. Popularity of Momordica charantia (MC) in various systems of traditional medicine for several ailments (antidiabetic, abortifacient, anthelmintic, contraceptive, dysmenorrhea, eczema, emmenagogue, antimalarial, galactagogue, gout, jaundice, abdominal pain, kidney (stone), laxative, leprosy, leucorrhea, piles, pneumonia, psoriasis, purgative, rheumatism, fever and scabies) focused the investigator's attention on this plant. Over 100 studies using modern techniques have authenticated its use in diabetes and its complications (nephropathy, cataract, insulin resistance), as antibacterial as well as antiviral agent (including HIV infection), as anthelmintic and abortifacient. Traditionally it has also been used in treating peptic ulcers, interestingly in a recent experimental studies have exhibited its potential against Helicobacter pylori. Most importantly, the studies have shown its efficacy in various cancers (lymphoid leukemia, lymphoma, choriocarcinoma, melanoma, breast cancer, skin tumor, prostatic cancer, squamous carcinoma of tongue and larynx, human bladder carcinomas and Hodgkin's disease). There are few reports available on clinical use of MC in diabetes and cancer patients that have shown promising results.     

Toxic studies on biochemical parameters carried out in rats with Serankottai nei, a siddha drug-milk extract of Semecarpus anacardium nut

Tinospora cordifolia is widely used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for treating diabetes mellitus. Oral administration of an aqueous T. cordifolia root extract (TCREt) to alloxan diabetic rats caused a significant reduction in blood glucose and brain lipids. The extract caused an increase in body weight, total haemoglobin and hepatic hexokinase. The root extract also lowers hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase and serum acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase in diabetic rats. Thus TCREt has hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effect.     

石斛属植物抗糖尿病本草学、 物质基础及作用机制研究进展

石斛属Dendrobium Sw.隶属于兰科，该属多数植物的新鲜或干燥茎均作为中药石斛使用，民间用于“热病伤津，口干烦渴”等证，临床广泛用于糖尿病及其并发症治疗。随着研究的深入，石斛属植物抗糖尿病的物质基础及作用机制不断被揭示。在梳理古代本草和现代文献的基础上，对近年来国内外石斛属植物抗糖尿病的本草学、物质基础及其作用机制的研究进行综述。结果显示，石斛属植物具有良好的降血糖活性，在抗糖尿病药物及功能食品研发方面具有极大的开发潜力。尽管已有学者对石斛属植物抗糖尿病药效和物质基础开展了相关研究，但所关注的物种较为分散，且缺乏临床证据支撑，今后应进一步基于古代本草、民间经验和临床应用，选择抗糖尿病药效显著的物种，从物质基础和作用机制等多角度深入展开研究，尤其是新作用靶点、新机制的关注，对抗糖尿病药物的研发和石斛属植物的开发利用具有重要的意义。     

Trigonella foenum graecum (fenugreek) seed extract as an antineoplastic agent

The antineoplastic effect of Trigonella foenum graecum seed extract has been evaluated in the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model in Balb-C mice. Intra-peritoneal administration of the alcohol extract of the seed both before and after inoculation of EAC cell in mice produced more than 70% inhibition of tumour cell growth with respect to the control. Treatment with the extract was found to enhance both the peritoneal exudate cell and macrophage cell counts. The extract also produced a significant antiinflammatory effect. We report here the antiinflammatory and antineoplastic effects, of Trigonella foenum graecum seed extract.     

不同产地胡芦巴种子中胡芦巴碱的含量测定

目的 测定不同产地胡芦巴中胡芦巴碱的含量，并以此为指标对胡芦巴进行质量归类和分析。方法 HPLC定量分析法；系统聚类分析法对质量进行归类。结果 各产地胡芦巴碱的含量差异较大。结论 本法简便，准确，重现性好，对胡芦巴药材的质量控制有一定的意义。     

Hypoglycaemic activity of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb

The antidiabetic activity of various subfractions of the alcohol extract of the bark of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. was evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The effect of these extracts on lipid profile and liver function tests were also assessed to evaluate their activity in controlling diabetes related metabolic alterations. The parameters measured were plasma glucose, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, SGOT and SGPT. The results indicate the effective role of Pterocarpus marsupium on the above mentioned parameters indicating that Pterocarpus marsupium can also control the diabetes related metabolic alterations apart from controlling the glucose levels. Among the fractions tested the butanol subfraction was found to be more active in comparison with other subfractions. It can be concluded that the butanol subfraction of the alcohol extract of Pterocarpus marsupium exhibits significant antidiabetic activity and corrects the metabolic alterations in diabetic rats and this activity may resemble insulin-like properties.     

Leads from Indian medicinal plants with hypoglycemic potentials

Diabetes mellitus is caused due to deficiency in production of insulin by the pancreas, or by the ineffectiveness of the insulin produced. It is a global problem and number of those affected is increasing day by day. The plants provide a potential source of hypoglycemic drugs because many plants and plant derived compounds have been used in the treatment of diabetes. Several medicinal plants have found potential use as hypoglycemic in the Indian system of medicines, including ayurveda. Many Indian plants have been investigated for their beneficial use in different types of diabetes and reports occur in numerous scientific journals. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on various plant species from Indian biosphere and their constituents, which have been shown to display potent hypoglycemic activity. The use of herbs as hypoglycemic is a major avenue in Indian perspectives particularly for treating diabetes, which require to be explored more effectively as there are so many literatures available on these aspects. This paper describes the chemistry, activity and usage of the constituents isolated from these plants from India for the treatment of diabetes.     

Ethanolic extract of Ocimum sanctum leaves partially attenuates streptozotocin-induced alterations in glycogen content and carbohydrate metabolism in rats

Ocimum sanctum (OS) has been mentioned in Indian system of traditional medicine to be of value in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. We have previously shown that OS shows a dose-dependent hypoglycemic effect and prevented rise in plasma glucose in normal rats. It also showed significant antihyperglycemic effect in STZ-induced diabetes. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of OS on three important enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism [glucokinase (GK) (EC 2.7.1.2), hexokinase (HK) (EC 2.7.1.1) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) (EC 2.7.1.11)] along with glycogen content of insulin-dependent (skeletal muscle and liver) and insulin-independent tissues (kidneys and brain) in STZ (65 mg/kg) induced model of diabetes for 30 days. Administration of OS extract 200mg/kg for 30 days led to decrease in plasma glucose levels by approximately 9.06 and 26.4% on 15th and 30th day of the experiment. Liver and two-kidney weight expressed as percentage of body weight significantly increased in diabetics (P<0.0005) versus normal controls. OS significantly decreased renal (P<0.0005) but not liver weight. Renal glycogen content increased by over 10 folds while hepatic and skeletal muscle glycogen content decreased by 75 and 68% in diabetic controls versus controls. OS did not affect glycogen content in any tissue. Activity of HK, GK and PFK in diabetic controls was 35, 50 and 60% of the controls and OS partially corrected this alteration.     

Antioxidant action of Tinospora cordifolia root extract in alloxan diabetic rats

Tinospora cordifolia is widely used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Oral administration of 2.5 g and 5.0 g/kg body weight of the aqueous extract of the roots for 6 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and an increase in reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in alloxan diabetic rats. The effect of Tinospora cordifolia root extract (TCREt) was most prominently seen in the case of rats given 5.0 g/kg body weight. The effect of TCREt was more effective than glibenclamide. Thus our study shows that TCREt exhibits antioxidant action in alloxan diabetes.     

Upregulation of Glut-4 and PPAR gamma by an isoflavone from Pterocarpus marsupium on L6 myotubes: a possible mechanism of action

The purpose of the present study is to analyse the influence of Pterocarpus marsupium methanolic extract and isolated Pterocarpus marsupium isoflavone on a battery of cellular targets Glut-4, PPAR gamma and PI3 kinase. Pterocarpus marsupium is an anti-diabetic plant indigenous to South India. Sequential extraction performed with different solvents were analysed for glucose uptake activity at each step. Fraction-9 showing maximum glucose activity on glucose uptake was purified by column chromatography and the structure was elucidated as 7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl oxy-4'-methoxy-5-hydroxy isoflavone using NMR and mass spectroscopy. The significant glucose uptake showed by Pterocarpus marsupium crude and pure was comparable with insulin and rosiglitazone. Elevation of Glut-4 and PPARgamma gene expression in parallel with glucose uptake supported the in vitro glucose uptake activity of Pterocarpus marsupium methanolic extract and Pterocarpus marsupium isoflavone. The inhibitory effect of cycloheximide on Pterocarpus marsupium methanolic extract and Pterocarpus marsupium isoflavone-mediated glucose uptake suggested that new protein synthesis is required for elevated Glut-4 protein expression. PI3 kinase plays an important role in glucose transport and activated by Pterocarpus marsupium methanolic extract but not the isolated pure isoflavone. Therefore, we postulate that the isoflavone from Pterocarpus marsupium may activate glucose transport by a PI3 kinase independent pathway, which require further analysis.     

Natural medicines used in the traditional Chinese medical system for therapy of diabetes mellitus

The rapidly increasing diabetes mellitus is becoming a serious threat to mankind health in all parts of the world. The control and treatment of diabetes and its complications mainly depend on the chemical or biochemical agents, but the fact is that it has never been reported that someone had recovered totally from diabetes. With the distinctive traditional medical opinions and natural medicines mainly originated in herbs, the traditional Chinese medicine performed a good clinical practice and is showing a bright future in the therapy of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Based on a large number of chemical and pharmacological research work, numerous bioactive compounds have been found in Chinese medicinal plants for diabetes. The present paper reviews 86 natural medicines with regards to their origin, anti-diabetic active principles and/or pharmacological test results, which are commonly used in the traditional Chinese medical system and have demonstrated experimental or/and clinical anti-diabetic effectiveness. Among these natural medicines, 82 originate from plants and 4 from animals or insects, which covers 45 families. It is strongly significant to pay close attention to traditional Chinese medical therapeutics and natural medicines for treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications.     

Review on some plants of Indian traditional medicine with antioxidant activity

A lot of medicinal plants, traditionally used for thousands of years, are present in a group of herbal preparations of the Indian traditional health care system (Ayurveda) named Rasayana proposed for their interesting antioxidant activities. Among the medicinal plants used in ayurvedic Rasayana for their therapeutic action, some of these have been throughly investigated. In the present paper seven plants (Emblica officinalis L., Curcuma longa L., Mangifera indica L., Momordica charantia L., Santalum album L., Swertia chirata Buch-Ham, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) are viewed for their historical, etymological, morphological, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects. The plants described contain antioxidant principles, that can explain and justify their use in traditional medicine in the past as well as the present. In order to identify the plants with antioxidant activity in Ayurveda, a formulation of some rasayanas with well defined antioxidant properties has been examinated. For this purpose, we have considered Sharma's work on the preparation MAK4, MAK5, MA631, MA 471, MA Raja's Cup, MA Student Rasayana, MA Ladies Rasayana.     

Screening of antioxidant activity of three Indian medicinal plants,traditionally used for the management of neurodegenerative diseases

A number of Indian medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years in the traditional system of medicine (Ayurveda). Amongst these are plants used for the management of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, loss of memory, degeneration of nerves and other neuronal disorders by the Ayurvedic practitioners. Though the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases remains enigmatic, there is evidence, which indicates that defective energy metabolism, excitotoxicity and oxidative damage may be crucial factors (Ann. Neurol. 38 (3) (1995) 357). The part of the Ayurvedic system that provides an approach to prevention and treatment of degenerative diseases is known as Rasayana, and plants used for this purpose are classed as rejuvenators. This group of plants generally possesses strong antioxidant activity (Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 43 (1992) 1175), but only a few have been investigated in detail. In the present study, three such rasayana plants were tested for the first time for their toxicity and free radical scavenging activity both in vitro and ex vivo. All the three plant infusions (up to 1 mg/ml) showed no toxic effects on the viability of PC12 cell line as judged by MTT-test. Both ethanolic extracts and water infusions of the plants were tested for their antioxidant activity in the 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS*(+)) radical cation decolorization assay; inhibition of lipid peroxidation by plant infusions was carried out using spontaneous lipid peroxidation of rat brain homogenate, and IC50 values were determined. The results from the ABTS assay showed that the ethanolic extract of Sida cordifolia was found to be most potent (IC50 16.07 microg/ml), followed by Evolvulus alsinoides (IC50 33.39 microg/ml) and Cynodon dactylon (IC50 78.62 microg/ml). The relative antioxidant capacity for the water infusions was observed in the following order: E. alsinoides (IC50 172.25 microg/ml)>C. dactylon (IC50 273.64 microg/ml)>S. cordifolia (IC50 342.82 microg/ml). The results of water infusions of the plants on lipid peroxidation were as follows: E. alsinoides (IC50 89.23 microg/ml)>S. cordifolia) (IC50 126.78 microg/ml)>C. dactylon (IC50 608.31 microg/ml).     

The effect of Trigonella foenum‐graecum extract on prostate‐specific antigen,and prostate function in otherwise healthy men with benign prostate hyperplasia

The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of a standardised Trigonella foenum‐graecum (Fenugreek) extract on the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) using a double‐blind randomised placebo controlled design. The study recruited 100 healthy males aged between 45 and 80 years with symptoms of BPH who recorded a minimum score of eight on the International Prostate Symptom Score. Participants were randomised to an oral dose of either 600mg Trigonella foenum‐graceum per day or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the International Prostate Symptom Score total and subdomain scores. The secondary outcomes were serum levels of the hormones (testosterone, free testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin) prostate‐specific antigen, and safety markers. The results indicated that Trigonella foenum‐graceum did not have an effect on improving the symptoms of BPH. Hormone levels, safety markers, and prostate‐specific antigen remained unchanged and within normal limits after 12 weeks, which adds to the safety profile of this specialised extract.     

Anti-inflammatory compounds from leaves and root bark of Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Müll. Arg

Alchornea cordifolia is one of the most widely-used plants in traditional medicine throughout Africa, principally for inflammatory, antimicrobial and parasitic diseases. In continuation of our investigations on its anti-inflammatory activity, we fractionated the leaf and root bark extracts and isolated six compounds which exhibited significant topical anti-inflammatory activity in the mouse ear oedema model using croton oil at a dose of 90 microg/cm2. Daucosterol (2), acetyl aleuritolic acid (4), N1,N2-diisopentenyl guanidine (5) and N1,N2,N3-triisopentenyl guanidine (6) were shown to be more active than indomethacin, while beta-sitosterol (1) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (3) were less effective. This is the first report on the presence of compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 in this plant and of the anti-inflammatory activity of 3, 5 and 6. These compounds may account, at least in part, for the use of A. cordifolia in folk medicine to treat inflammation.     

Antimicrobial evaluation of some medicinal plants for their anti-enteric potential against multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi

Screening was done of some plants of importance in the Ayurvedic system of traditional medicine used in India to treat enteric diseases. Fifty four plant extracts (methanol and aqueous) were assayed for their activity against multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi. Strong antibacterial activity was shown by the methanol extracts of Aegle marmelos, Salmalia malabarica, Punica granatum, Myristica fragrans, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Terminalia arjuna and Triphal (mixture of Emblica of fi cinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia belerica). Moderate antimicrobial activity was shown by Picorhiza kurroa, Acacia catechu, Acacia nilotica, Cichorium intybus, Embelia ribes, Solanum nigrum, Carum copticum, Apium graveolens, Ocimum sanctum, Peucedanum graveolens and Butea monosperma.     

CNS pharmacological effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Sida cordifolia L. leaves

Sida cordifolia L. (Malvaceae), known as "malva branca", is a plant used in the popular medicine for the treatment stomatits, of asthma and nasal congestion. This work researched the acute toxicity of Sida cordifolia and its action on the central nervous system (CNS) because no data in the literature have been found about of pharmacological activity of this plant in the CNS. The hydroalcoholic extract of Sida cordifolia leaves (HESc) was used and the psychopharmacology approach began with the determination of LD(50), where a low toxicity was observed in mice. Depressive activity on CNS was demonstrated by several alterations in mice's behavior in the pharmacological screening. In the motility test, the HESc showed significant reduction of spontaneous activity at a dose of 1000 mg/kg (i.p.) at 30 and 60 min. The same form the HESc also decreased the ambulation and rearing in open-field test at 30, 60 and 120 min at a dose of 1000 mg/kg (i.p.).     

Anti-cataract activity of Pterocarpus marsupium bark and Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds extract in alloxan diabetic rats

Long-term complications are frequently encountered in diabetes mellitus and are difficult to treat. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of three antidiabetic plants on the development of cataract in rats. An aqueous extract of Pterocarpus marsupium Linn bark (PM, Hindi name: Vijaysar) (1 g kg(-1) day(-1)), Ocimum sanctum Linn leaves (OS, Hindi name, Tulsi) (200 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) and alcoholic extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn seeds (FG, Hindi name, Methi) (2 g kg(-1) day(-1)) were given to alloxan (120 mg kg(-1)) diabetic rats until the development of cataract. Serum glucose and body weight were monitored at regular intervals while cataract was examined through naked eye as well as slit lamp at 75, 100 and 115 days after alloxan administration. Administration of all the three plant extracts exerted a favorable effect on body weight and blood glucose, the effects were best with PM followed by FG and OS. On the course of cataract development, PM followed by FG exerted anti-cataract effect evident from decreased opacity index while OS failed to produce any anti-cataract effect in spite of significant antihyperglycemic activity.