The lipid lowering effect of an anti-diabetic plant extract

Summary An antidiabetic plant extract, in common use by Kuwaiti diabetics, was investigated for its hypolipidemic effect using both streptozotocin-induced diabetic and normal rats. The extract significantly decreased blood triglycerides under diabetic conditions only (p<0.01), while it decreased cholesterol in both normal (p<0.01) and diabetic rats (p<0.05). The hypolipidemia was accompanied by significant lowering of ketone bodies both in fasted normal and diabetic animals, in addition to decreasing free fatty acids in treated diabetic rats (p<0.005). Moreover, the extract prevented reduction in body weight observed in diabetic animals. In contrast to some other antidiabetic plant extracts, the present preparation seems to offer the additional benefit of lipid-lowering property.     

Antidiabetic activity of aqueous leaf extract of Atriplex halimus L. (Chenopodiaceae) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective

To investigate the antidiabetic effect of A. halimus leaf in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Methods

The aqueous extract of the plant leaf was tested for its efficacy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The extract was evaluated for its acute and short term general toxicity in male mice and for its antihyperglycemic activity using glucose tolerance test in rats. The aqueous extract was subjected to phytochemical screening and determination of total phenolic contents.

Results

The statistical data indicated the significant increase in the body weight and decrease in the blood glucose and hepatic levels. The total protein level was significantly increased when treated with the extract.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the aqueous leaf extract of A. halimus has beneficial effects in reducing the elevated blood glucose level and hepatic levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.     

Evaluation of traditional plant treatments for diabetes: Studies in streptozotocin diabetic mice

Summary Seven plants and a herbal mixture used for traditional treatment of diabetes were studied in streptozotocin diabetic mice. The treatments were supplied as 6.25% by weight of the diet for 9 days. Consumption of diets containing bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis), mistletoe (Viscum album) and tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) significantly reduced the hyperphagia and polydipsia associated with streptozotocin diabetes, but bayberry (Cinnamomum tamala), meadowsweeet (Filipendula ulmaria), senna (Cassia occidentalis) and the herbal mixture did not alter these parameters. Bearberry, mistletoe and tarragon retarded the body weight loss but none of the eight treatments significantly altered plasma glucose or insulin concentrations. These studies suggest that bearberry, golden seal, mistletoe and tarragon may counter some of the symptoms of streptozotocin diabetes without, however, affecting glycemic control.     

实验性链脲佐菌素糖尿病动物模型的研究

采用腹腔内１次注射６０ｍｇ／ｋｇ体重ＳＴＺ方法，建立了速发型链脲佐菌素Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠糖尿病模型。采用每周１次连续３周腹腔内注射（ＣＦＡ０．５ｍｌ和ＳＴＺ（２５ｍｇ／ｋｇ）方法，建立了迟发型Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠糖尿病模型。结果提示：速发型模型建立的机制与ＳＴＺ直接损伤胰β细胞有关，迟发型大鼠糖尿病模型胰β细胞损伤可能与Ｔ淋巴细胞介导的免疫机制有关。     

Effects of Dracaena arborea(Dracaenaceae) on sexual dysfunction in 4 weeks hyperglycemic male rats

Objective:To investigate the effects of Dracaena arborea(D.arborea) on the sexual behavior parameters in experienced type-1 diabetic rats.Methods:Aqueous and ethanol(100 and 500mg/kg respectively)extracts of dried root barks of D.arborea.sildenafil citrate(1.44 mg/kg),trimethylamine-N-oxide(TMAO,20 mg/kg)and distilled water(110 mL/kg.were orally administered to 4 weeks streptozolocin-induced diabetic rats.Mount latency and frequency(ML.MF),intromission latency and frequency(IL,IF) and post-ejaculatory interval(PEI) were measured by ejaculating series during 90 min once a week for 4 weeks.Glycemia was determined at the beginning and at the end of the treatment Results:D.arborea did not show any major antihvperglycemic effects.Compared to the control group,a significant(P0.05-0.001)increase in MF and IF was noticed in rats treated with sildenafil citrate(89.71% and 90.07% respectively),aqueous(500 mg/kg.88.08%and 88.749;respectively) and ethanol(100 mg/kg;89.53%and 89.17respectively) extracts of D.arborea after two weeks(series 1) of treatment.ML,IL and PEI were significantly(P0.05-0.001) decreased after 4 weeks of daily treatment[sildenafil citrate(96.31.96.31%and 34.98%),and D.arborea aqueous 500 mg/kg(94.33.94.33% and 66.609;i and ethanol extracts 100 mg/kg(96.98.97.089;and 64.26%)].Conclusions:These aphrodisiac potentials of D.arborea in experienced diabetic rats could be due to the antioxidant and androgenic properties of phenols,flavonoids.saponins and sterols revealed in the plant extracts.     

银杏叶提取物对活性氧诱导的血管平滑肌细胞增殖的影响

目的观察银杏叶提取物（EGB）对活性氧诱导的血管平滑肌细胞（VSMC）增殖的影响。方法用含100 g/L小牛血清的DMEM体外培养大鼠主动脉平滑肌细胞,用不同浓度的过氧化氢（H2O2）作为外源性活性氧刺激VSMC增殖,应用3H-胸腺嘧啶脱氧核苷（3H-TdR）掺入和细胞周期时相测定等方法观察给予不同浓度的EGB预处理后,EGB对H2O2作用后VSMC的增殖的影响。结果H2O2对VSMC的增殖活性具有剂量依赖性促进作用,EGB可以抑制H2O2诱导的VSMC增殖,且具有剂量依赖性。结论EGB对于动脉粥样硬化形成及经皮腔内冠状动脉介入治疗后再狭窄的防治可能具有应用前景。     

Gastroprotective effect of the aqueous leaf extract of Guiera senegalensis in Albino rats

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Guiera senegalensis (G. senegalensis) on gastric mucosal damage using different ulcer models.MethodsConsidering the above claims, the present study was undertaken to validate the gastroprotective potential of the aqueous leaf extract of this plant against ethanol, water immersion and Aspirin induced ulcer models.ResultsThe leaf extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P<0.05) decreased the ulcer index in all assays used.ConclusionsThe results obtained, provide strong evidence of antiulcer activity of the leaf extract of G. senegalensis and support the traditional uses of the plant for the treatment of ulcer.     

银杏叶提取物对窒息后血清诱导人近曲肾小管上皮细胞损伤的影响

目的研究银杏叶提取物（EGb）对新生儿窒息后血清攻击人近曲肾小管上皮细胞（HK-2）损伤模型的影响。方法以人近曲肾小管上皮细胞（HK-2）为研究对象,200ml／L窒息血清作为攻击因素。实验共分为两阶段,均设对照组、模型组和EGb干预组（EGb预处理24h）。第一阶段EGb干预组设立5个质量浓度亚组。观察三组细胞形态学,乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）漏出率和细胞存活（MTT法）变化。第二阶段以第一阶段选出的EGb最适质量浓度预处理细胞,观察三组NF-κB p65蛋白（免疫组化）和抑制亚基I-κBα（western blot）的变化。结果与对照组相比,模型组细胞形态发生改变,LDH漏出率增加,细胞活力降低（P〈0．05）;与模型组比较,EGb预处理组细胞形态明显得到改善,LDH漏出率降低,细胞活力增加（P〈0．05）,在5—50mg／L保护效应逐渐增加,50mg／L时保护效果最强,而〉50mg／L时保护效应反而下降。与对照组相比,模型组细胞NF-κB p65蛋白表达明显增加,I-κBα量减少（P〈0．05）;与模型组比较,EGb干预组细胞NF-κB p65蛋白表达明显减少,I-κBα量增加（P〈0．05）。结论EGb具有减轻窒息血清所致HK-2细胞损伤的作用,其作用可能与抑制窒息血清所致NF—κB激活有关。     

Neuromodulatory effects of green coffee bean extract against brain damage in male albino rats with experimentally induced diabetes

Metabolic Brain Disease - Diabetes mellitus is an increasing metabolic disease worldwide associated with central nervous system disorders. Coffee is a widely consumed beverage that enriched with...     

白萝卜提取物对胃动力的影响

目的探讨萝卜提取物（Crude radish extract,Ecr）对胃动力的作用,为开发中药提供新的途径。方法在前期工作的基础上,采用灌胃给药方法,给大鼠以最有效剂量的萝卜提取物按60mg/kg灌胃后,经胃电记录,观察其对胃运动的影响,并对其对中枢支配胃运动的迷走复合体（dorsal vagal complex,DVC）中神经元放电频率的变化以及c-Fos表达的情况为标志,观察上述两个核团中神经元被激活状况,来探讨萝卜提取物促胃动力的作用机制。结果给药30min大鼠的胃电变化最为明显,给药45min后药物的作用逐渐降低,给药60min后胃电的变化基本接近于正常对照组。神经元的放电和Fos的表达情况与胃电变化情况相近。结论萝卜提取物对胃有较为明显的动力作用,而且按60mg/kg给药后的30min其促动力作用最为明显。     

Effects of ecabet sodium on experimentally induced reflux esophagitis

We investigated the effects of ecabet sodium on experimentally induced reflux esophagitis in rats. Three groups of rats, i.e., a control group, esophagitis group, and an ecabet sodium group (25 mg/kg given twice daily) were used. The number of animals which developed esophagitis, the extent of the lesions, and the esophagitis lesion index were assessed 3 weeks after the start of the experiment, and the lesions were evaluated histopathologically. All nine surviving rats in the esophagitis group developed esophagitis, and the esophagitis lesion index was 32.6 ± 7.2 (mean ± SE) per animal. Histopathologically, thickening of the epithelium, elongation of papillae of the lamina propria into the epithelium, and infiltration of the lamina propria by lymphocytes, eosinophils, plasmacytes, and neutrophils, were observed. Interruption of the lamina of the muscularis mucosae was also observed, and there was marked proliferation of collagen fibers in the submucosa and lamina propria. In the ecabet sodium group, esophagitis developed in five of the nine surviving animals (55.6%), but the esophagitis lesion index was 1.89 ± 0.73 per animal, which was significantly lower than that in the esophagitis group. The histopathological changes in the rats which developed esophagitis were milder in the ecabet sodium group than in the esophagitis group. These results suggest that ecabet sodium could be useful for the prevention of reflux esophagitis. Received: July 29, 1999 / Accepted: January 28, 2000     

Effects of estrogen on cartilage and experimentally induced osteoarthritis

Estradiol valerate did not ameliorate experimentally induced osteoarthritis in the rabbit. Both normal and osteoarthritic cartilage were susceptible to estradiol suppression of proteoglycan synthesis. Proteoglycan concentration was not diminished with estradiol, suggesting estradiol suppression of proteoglycan catabolism. The severity of osteoarthritis was unchanged despite markedly decreased proteoglycan synthesis in the estrogen treated animals. Osteophyte proteoglycan metabolism differed from other osteoarthritic lesions. Differences in the metabolism of femoral and tibial articular cartilage were observed.     

烟酰胺对链脲佐菌素引致糖尿病的防治作用

３０只ＳＤ大鼠随机分成三组，在给在鼠腹腔注射链脲佐菌素为３天，分别予以生理盐水喂服、烟酰胺喂服和肌注，并连续用药两周。结果表明烟酰胺对链脲佐菌素引致糖尿病有较好的防治作用。     

血管紧张素转化酶2在香烟提取物诱导的大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖中的作用

目的探讨血管紧张素转化酶2(angiotensin-converting enzyme2,ACE2)在香烟提取物(cigarette smoke extract,CSE)诱导的大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞(pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells,PASMCs)增殖中的作用。方法分离大鼠PASMCs并培养,加入1μmol/L或10μmol/L氯沙坦(一种特异性的血管紧张素II受体拮抗剂)预处理30min,加入2%CSE处理24h,用CCK-8检测试剂盒检测细胞增殖,Western blotting法检测细胞ACE2蛋白含量。结果 2%CSE能显著诱导大鼠PASMCs增殖,2%CSE处理后细胞表达ACE2水平较对照组明显降低;经过10μmol/L氯沙坦预处理的大鼠PASMCs增殖较单纯用2%CSE处理的细胞增殖减慢,但细胞ACE2表达水平相对升高。结论 CSE能诱导大鼠PASMCs增殖,这可能与CSE降低细胞ACE2表达水平有关,因此ACE2在吸烟引起的肺血管重构中可能具有保护作用。     

α-硫辛酸对链脲菌素诱发的大鼠胰岛β细胞损伤的保护作用

目的 研究α-硫辛酸(ALA)对链脲菌素(STZ)诱导的糖尿病大鼠胰岛β细胞损伤的保护作用.方法 30只SD大鼠按数字随机法分为正常对照组(NC组)、STZ组和ALA+STZ组(ALA组),各10只.后2组以STZ(70 mg/kg体重)一次性腹腔内注射诱发糖尿病,ALA组在注射前8 d开始给予ALA(50 mg·kg-1·d-1,强饲)直至实验结束(4周).STZ注射后每3天监测血糖、体重一次.测定胰腺匀浆中丙二醛(MDA)含量及还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)水平,免疫组化方法检测胰岛β细胞内胰岛素水平.结果 STZ使大鼠血糖明显升高,STZ和ALA组制模成功率分别为90%(9/10)和70%(7/10),相差显著(P<0.05).实验结束时NC组、STZ组和ALA组平均体重分别为(368±3)g、(301±2)g和(341±26)g,3组间相差显著(P<0.05).STZ组胰腺组织内MDA水平为(1.22±0.14)nmol/mg prot,NC组为(0.57±0.04)nmol/mg prot,相差显著(P<0.05);STZ组胰腺组织内GSH含量为(16.54±1.10)mg/g prot,NC组为(25.46±0.62)mg/g prot(P<0.05);STZ组胰岛细胞呈退行性变.ALA组血糖较STZ组明显降低(P<0.05),胰腺组织匀浆MDA含量为(0.72±0.23)nmol/mg prot,较STZ组明显降低(P<0.05),GSH含量为(35.33 4±2.66)ms/s prot,较STZ组明显升高(P<0.05),胰岛的胰岛素分泌增强,较STZ组显著(P<0.05),胰岛β细胞损伤减轻.结论 ALA可通过减轻氧化应激来保护胰岛β细胞结构和功能的完整性.     

Effects of antioxidant therapy in experimentally induced heart infarcts

Summary Experiments were performed on dog hearts following coronary ligation and treatment with synthetic antioxidant of dihydroquinoline type. Experimental groups were: (i) control dogs, (ii) dogs with ligation of descendens anterior coronary branch, (iii) coronary ligated dogs with antioxidant pretreatment and (iv) dogs with coronary ligation and simultaneous antioxidant infusion therapy. The heart infarctionper se is accompanied by the disintegration of membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids expressed by increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and the impairment of natural scavenging characterized by the decrease of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content. The oral pretreatment with antioxidant for 8 days prevented or decreased the unfavourable pathobiochemical responses. The acute infusion therapy exerted no immediate protection, nonetheless, it could decrease the severity of pathological signs.     

Effect of experimentally induced diabetes on swine vascular prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis

Repeated administration of streptozotocin to G?ttingen miniature swine led to the development of a mild form of diabetes. The amount of PGI2 generated by the vessels (abdominal aorta, thoracic aorta, pulmonary artery), as estimated by reference to inhibition of ADP-induced platelet aggregation, was lower in the treated animals than in the controls. The decrease in the synthesis of PGI2 may contribute to the prethrombotic state in diabetes mellitus.     

Evaluation of in-vitro anthelmintic activity of Heliotropium indicum Linn. leaves in Indian adult earthworm

ObjectiveTo carry out an exhaustive study with a view to substantiate the therapeutic potential of the plant in terms of its anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma using mebendazole as a reference standard.MethodsForty five worms were collected and were divided into nine groups and were washed in normal saline before they were released into 10 mL of respective drug solutions using distilled water as vehicle. Different concentrations (25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL) of the test (MEHI and AEHI) and standard solution were prepared before the commencement of the experiment. Time for paralysis and time for death were recorded for each group.ResultsCrude methanolic extract with concentrations of 25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, 100 mg/mL produced dose-dependent paralysis. Time of paralysis and death increased with concentration of 25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL as compared with that of standard drug mebendazole. Methanolic extract of Heliotropium indicum Linn. (H. indicum) gave shorter paralysis and death time at 100 mg/mL as compared to aqueous extract H. indicum Linn. Results are expressed as mean±SEM (P<0.05) of 5 worms in each group.ConclusionsFrom the investigation, conclusion can be drawn that the methanolic extract of H. indicum (Boraginaceae) showed better activity than aqueous extract of the same to treat intestinal worm infections. In comparison with the standard drug mebendazole, methanolic extract of H. indicum showed significant anthelmintic efficacy.