Effect of 'antidiabetis' herbal preparation on serum glucose and fructosamine in NOD mice

The antihyperglycemic effect of the Antidiabetis herbal preparation ((Myrtilli folium (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), Taraxaci radix (Taraxacum officinale Web.), Cichorii radix (Cichorium intybus L.), Juniperi fructus (Juniperus communis L.), Centaurii herba (Centaurium umbellatum Gilib.), Phaseoli pericarpium (Phaseolus vulgaris), Millefollii herba (Achillea millefolium L.), Morii folium (Morus nigra L.), Valeriane radix (Valleriana officinalis L.), Urticae herba et radix (Urtica dioica L.)), patent No. P-9801091 Zagreb, Croatia was investigated. Two extracts were prepared: ethanol extract (extract 1), and ethanol extract from which ethanol was evaporated on a rotatory evaporator at a temperature of 45 degrees C (extract 2). Extract 1 and extract 2 were administered (in experiment 1) to alloxan-induced non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice in the same dose of 20 mg/kg. Blood glucose was determined before, and 10, 30, 60 and 120 min after the preparation administration. Extract 1 and extract 2 decreased the level of blood glucose by 10 and 20%, respectively, of the initial value (at 0 min, mean = 22.6 +/- 8.3 mmol/l). Serum levels of glucose and fructosamine were determined in NOD mice, NOD mice administered extract 2 in a dose of 20 mg/kg of extract 2, and NOD mice administered acarbose in a dose of 25 mg/100 g chow, in order to verify the hypoglycemic action of extract 2 (in experiment 2). Extract 2 and acarbose were admixed to the chow. The duration of treatment was 7 days. Significantly lower glucose (P < 0.05) and fructosamine (P < 0.001) levels were recorded in extract 2 treated NOD mice as compared with NOD mice. Study results showed extract 2 to significantly decrease the level of glucose and fructosamine in alloxan induced NOD mice. Our future studies will be focused on the search of active principles of the extracts.     

The antidiabetic activity of the herbal preparation ADD-199 in mice: a comparative study with two oral hypoglycaemic drugs

The antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of the herbal preparation ADD-199 were investigated in STZ-induced diabetic C(3)H mice and results were compared with two allopathic hypoglycaemic drugs, glibenclamide and metformin. Plasma glucose, insulin and lipids as well as liver glycogen, lipids and lipid peroxidation were measured following treatment for 8 weeks. The results indicated that plasma insulin levels in normal controls at termination were about 76 micromol/L compared to trace levels in untreated diabetic mice. Glibenclamide and ADD-199 increased insulin levels in diabetic mice up to 70% of levels in untreated non-diabetic mice whilst metformin had no effect. Basal plasma glucose levels in diabetic controls (18.8 mM) were reduced to 14.0 mM by 100 mg/kg ADD-199 in <2 weeks compared to 4 and 6 weeks for glibenclamide and metformin, respectively. This hypoglycaemic effect of ADD-199 appeared to be associated with the alkaloidal content of the extract. Treatment with ADD-199 or the hypoglycaemic agents reversed the observed elevation in plasma lipids but increased hepatic glycogen, triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels. Treatment also increased glucose uptake by isolated diaphragms and attenuated hepatic lipid peroxidation. These antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant actions of ADD-199 at a dose of 100mg/kg/day are comparable to those of the maximum daily therapeutic doses of glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg) and metformin (50 mg/kg). These could explain the basis for use of this plant extract to manage diabetes mellitus (DM).     

In-vivo assessment of antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of grapevine leaves (Vitis vinifera) in diabetic rats

The acute and the subacute (15 days) hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic effect of the two different doses (250, 500 mg/kg) of the aqueous extract from the leaves of Vitis vinifera L. were evaluated in this study. The aqueous extract was further fractionated through successive solvent extractions and the acute effect of different doses of its subfractions, 25 mg/kg for ethylacetate fraction, 80 mg/kg for n-butanol fraction and 375 mg/kg for remaining aqueous fraction were investigated using normal, glucose-hyperglycaemic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Blood glucose levels were measured according to the glucose oxidase method. Tolbutamide was used as a reference drug at a dose of 100 mg/kg. The antioxidant activity of the test samples was studied in the liver, kidney and heart tissues of diabetic rats by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathion (GSH) levels. All results were compared to the diabetic control groups. The results showed that EtOAc Fr. was rich in polyphenolics and possessed a significant antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant activity equipotent with the reference hypoglycaemic agent (tolbutamide), when evaluated in diabetic rats.     

Evaluation of the hypoglycemic effect and antioxidant activity of three Viscum album subspecies (European mistletoe) in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

The acute hypoglycaemic effect of water and ethanolic extracts of three Viscum album subspecies, ssp. album, ssp. austriacum, ssp. abietis, were investigated in normoglycaemic and streptozotozocin-induced diabetic rats. Blood glucose level was measured according to glucose oxidase method. The antioxidant activity of these extracts was also studied in the liver, kidney and heart tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after subacute administration. In order to determine antioxidant activity of extracts, tissue MDA and GSH levels were measured by using spectrophotometric methods. All results were compared with the diabetic control groups. The findings obtained in the experiments demonstrated that European mistletoe (Viscum album L.) subspecies possess potent antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant activity depending on host plant.     

三金排石汤治疗尿石症用药规律研究

目的研究三金排石汤治疗尿石症的用药规律。方法通过维普期刊数据库,检索出采用三金排石汤治疗尿石症的有效方剂,分析其用药规律。结果在551首三金排石汤所涉及的中药中,利水通淋和化瘀消积药的使用比例较高,除金钱草、海金砂、鸡内金外,石韦、滑石、车前子(车前草)、牛膝的使用率最高。结论目前三金排石汤辅助使用的药物以利水通淋和化瘀消积药为主。在金钱草、海金砂、鸡内金的基础上,联合石韦、滑石、车前子(车前草)、牛膝构成了排石汤的核心部分。     

Effect of ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale on dyslipidaemia in diabetic rats

The lipid lowering and antioxidant potential of ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (family, Zingiberaceae) was evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale (200 mg/kg) fed orally for 20 days produced, significant antihyperglycaemic effect (P < 0.01) in diabetic rats. Further, the extract treatment also lowered serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and increased the HDL-cholesterol levels when compared with pathogenic diabetic rats (P < 0.01). STZ-treatment also induced a statistically significant increase in liver and pancreas lipid peroxide levels (P < 0.01) as compared to normal healthy control rats. Zingiber officinale extract treatment lowered the liver and pancreas thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values (P < 0.01) as compared to pathogenic diabetic rats. The results of test drug were comparable to gliclazide (25 mg/kg, orally), a standard antihyperglycaemic agent. The results indicate that ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale Roscoe can protect the tissues from lipid peroxidation. The extract also exhibit significant lipid lowering activity in diabetic rats. The present study is the first pilot study to assess the potential of Zingiber officinale in diabetic dyslipidaemia.     

Hypoglycaemic Effects of Shokatsu-Cha (Xiao-Ke-Ca ) in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes Mellitus

Shokatsu-cha is a novel formula for diabetic mellitus based on the traditional Chinese medicine and composed of Dioscoreae rhizoma, Adenophorae radix, Rehmanniae radix, Anemarrhenae rhizoma, Platycodi radix, Salviae miltiorrhizae radix, Epimedii folium and Lycii fructus . The hypoglycaemic effect of Shokatsu-cha was evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and rats. When orally administered once a day for 10 days to the mice intraperitoneally injected with STZ, the Shokatsu-cha extract suppressed the increase of the blood glucose level during administration. In the in situ intestine circulation method, the Shokatsu-cha extract and its ethanol-eluted fraction inhibited the glucose absorption in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The ethanol-eluted fraction also inhibited the increase of blood glucose level in an oral glucose tolerance test using diabetic mice. This study indicates that a part of the hypoglycaemic effect of Shokatsu-cha is based on its inhibitory action on intestinal glucose absorption in diabetes.     

阳桃根醇提物对糖尿病小鼠血糖及脂质过氧化反应的影响

目的 研究阳桃根醇提物对链脲佐菌素(streptozocin, STZ)致糖尿病模型小鼠的血糖及抗脂质过氧化反应的影响.方法 采用一次性腹腔注射STZ建立糖尿病小鼠模型,将成模小鼠随机分成:模型组,格列本脲组,阳桃根醇提物高、低剂量组.另选10只小鼠作为正常对照组,各组小鼠分别灌胃给药14 d,在第0,7,14天时测定小鼠的空腹血糖值,并于第14天处死小鼠,测定小鼠肝脏中的SOD及MDA值.结果 阳桃根醇提物高、低剂量组均能显著降低糖尿病模型小鼠的空腹血糖(P＜0.01);阳桃根醇提物高剂量能提高小鼠肝脏中的SOD活性(P＜0.05),降低MDA含量(P＜0.01).结论 阳桃根醇提物能够减轻STZ诱导的糖尿病小鼠脂质过氧化反应,降低血糖,是一种具潜在开发意义的治疗糖尿病及其并发症的药物.     

中药饮片对多重抗生素耐药细菌的抑菌作用

目的:检测常见的28种清热解毒类中药饮片是否对抗生素抗性菌株与敏感菌株存在差别抑菌效果。方法:采用琼脂稀释法分别测定所选中药的水煎液对大肠杆菌和溶血葡萄球菌的敏感菌株和多重抗药突变菌株的抑菌情况。结果:大部分中药对抗生素抗性菌与敏感菌没有表现出明显的差别抑菌效果,表现差别抑菌效果的中药只有:连翘、厚朴、决明子、甘草。其中,抗生素抗性菌株往往比敏感菌株对中药更敏感。此外,不同中药的抑菌效果差别较大,对两种菌都有较好抑菌效果的是:黄连、黄芩、大黄、地榆、山茱萸、金银花、板蓝根、枸杞等。对两者抑菌效果都较差的中药包括:鱼腥草、桑白皮、山豆根、柴胡、蒲公英、防风、枇杷叶等。结论:只有少数中药对抗生素抗性菌与敏感菌存在差别抑菌效果,且抗性菌株往往比敏感菌株对中药更敏感。此结果提示中西医联合用药在治疗细菌感染性疾病分布可能更具优越性。     

Restoration of antioxidant defence by ethanolic Tinospora cordifolia root extract in alloxan-induced diabetic liver and kidney

The present study investigates the effect of oral administration of an alcoholic extract of Tinospora cordifolia roots on antioxidant defence in alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. A significant increase in the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liver and kidney was observed in diabetic rats. Decreased concentration of glutathione (GSH) and decreased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase in liver and kidney of diabetic rats were also noted. Alcoholic Tinospora cordifolia root extract (TCREt) administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight to diabetic rats orally for six weeks normalized the antioxidant status of liver and kidney. The effect of Tinospora cordifolia root extract was more potent than glibenclamide (600 microg/kg body weight). Insulin (6 units/kg) restored all the parameters to normal status.     

Evaluation of the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. stem-bark aqueous extract in mice and rats

In order to appraise some of the ethnomedical uses of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst., subspecies caffra (Sond.) Kokwaro [family: Anacardiaceae], the present study was undertaken to investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties of the plant's stem-bark aqueous extract in experimental models of pain, inflammation and diabetes mellitus. The analgesic effect of Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract was evaluated in mice, while its anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects were investigated in rats. Diclofenac (DIC, 100 mg/kg p. o.) and chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg p. o.) were used respectively as reference analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic agents for comparison. Like diclofenac (DIC, 100 mg/kg p. o.), Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract (SBE, 100-800 mg/kg p. o.) produced dose-dependent, significant protection (p < 0.05-0.001) against electrical heat-induced pain. The plant extract (SBE, 25-800 mg/kg p. o.) also produced dose- and time-related, sustained and significant reductions (p < 0.05-0.001) in the fresh egg albumin-induced acute inflammation of the rat hind paw oedema. However, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the plant's extract were found to be approximately 10-15 times less than that of diclofenac. In one set of experiments involving hypoglycaemic/antidiabetic evaluation of the plant's extract, graded doses of Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract (SBE, 25-800 mg/kg p. o.) were separately administered to groups of fasted normal and fasted diabetic rats. In another set of experiments, a single dose of the plant's aqueous extract (SBE, 800 mg/kg p. o.) was used. The hypoglycaemic effect of this single dose of Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract (SBE, 800 mg/kg p. o.) was compared with that of chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg p. o.) in both fasted normal and fasted streptozotocin (STZ)-treated diabetic rats. Following acute treatment, relatively moderate to high doses of Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract (SBE, 25-800 mg/kg p. o.) produced dose-dependent, significant reductions (p < 0.05-0.001) in the blood glucose concentrations of both fasted normal and fasted diabetic rats. Chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg p. o.) also produced significant reductions (p < 0.05-0.001) in the blood glucose concentrations of the fasted normal and fasted diabetic rats. Administration of the single dose of Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract (SBE, 800 mg/kg p. o.) significantly reduced (p < 0.01-0.001) the blood glucose levels of both fasted normal (normoglycaemic) and fasted STZ-treated, diabetic rats. The results of this experimental animal study indicate that Sclerocarya birrea stem-bark aqueous extract possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycaemic properties. These experimental findings lend pharmacological support to the suggested folkloric uses of the plant's stem-bark in the management and/or control of pain, inflammatory conditions, and adult-onset, type-2 diabetes mellitus in some communities of South Africa.     

Hepatoprotective effects of Arctium lappa on carbon tetrachloride- and acetaminophen-induced liver damage

The root of Arctium lappa Linne (A. lappa) (Compositae), a perennial herb, has been cultivated for a long time as a popular vegetable. In order to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of A. lappa, male ICR mice were injected with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 32 microl/kg, i.p.) or acetaminophen (600 mg/kg, i.p.). A. lappa suppressed the SGOT and SGPT elevations induced by CCl4 or acetaminophen in a dose-dependent manner and alleviated the severity of liver damage based on histopathological observations. In an attempt to elucidate the possible mechanism(s) of this hepatoprotective effect, glutathione (GSH), cytochrome P-450 (P-450) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were studied. A. lappa reversed the decrease in GSH and P-450 induced by CCl4 and acetaminophen. It was also found that A. lappa decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in CCl4 or acetaminophen-intoxicated mice. From these results, it was suggested that A. lappa could protect the liver cells from CCl4 or acetaminophen-induced liver damages, perhaps by its antioxidative effect on hepatocytes, hence eliminating the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites from CCl4 or acetaminophen.     

Pancreatic islet regeneration by ephedrine in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

In this experiment, we investigated the effects of crude Ephedrae herba, alkaloid extract of Ephedrae herba and 1-ephedrine, a major alkaloid component, on diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ). The alkaloid extract and 1-ephedrine showed suppression on the hyperglycemia. The suppression by Ephedrae herba of hyperglycemia may therefore be due to 1-ephedrine. Furthermore, we found that Ephedrae herba, alkaloid and 1-ephedrine promoted the regeneration of pancreas islets following atrophy induced by STZ. It is therefore suggested that Ephedrae herba may regenerate atrophied pancreatic islets, restore the secretion of insulin, and thus correct hyperglycemia.     

Hypoglycemic activity of Artemisia herba alba

Artemisia herba alba has been widely used in Iraqi folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Oral administration of an aqueous extract (0.39 g/kg) of the aerial parts of this plant to normoglycemic and to alloxan-diabetic rabbits produced significant hypoglycemic activity, which was consistent and time-dependent.     

红花等10种中药的植物雌激素活性研究

目的：评价红花、川牛膝、丹参、女贞子、枸杞、甘草、肉苁蓉、淫羊藿、补骨脂、菟丝子等10味中药的植物雌激素活性。方法：选用昆明种雌性乳鼠,随机分为A,B二组：A组又分为12组（溶剂对照组、己烯雌酚组和10个中药组）；B组也分为12组（溶剂对照组、己烯雌酚组和10个中药拮抗组）,其中中药拮抗组每天同时灌胃中药和己烯雌酚；各组给药4 d后分离血清。利用雌激素受体（ER）阳性MCF-7细胞,以MTT法检测中药含药血清对细胞增殖的影响。结果：A组中,红花、川牛膝、丹参、枸杞、肉苁蓉、淫羊藿、补骨脂和菟丝子等中药含药血清可显著促进MCF-7细胞增殖；而女贞子组可见细胞增殖受到明显抑制。B组中,红花、川牛膝、丹参、甘草、淫羊藿、补骨脂和菟丝子组可见己烯雌酚促细胞增殖的作用受到了显著抑制；而肉苁蓉可协同并显著增强己烯雌酚促细胞增殖的作用。结论：红花、川牛膝、丹参、淫羊藿、补骨脂、菟丝子等6种中药在单独用药时具有拟雌激素作用,在与雌激素同时用药时具有抗雌激素作用,其双向调节效应依赖于体内雌激素水平的高低。     

Hypoglycaemic effect of Artemisia herba alba. I. Effect of different parts and influence of the solvent on hypoglycaemic activity

Artemisia herba alba is widely used in Iraqi folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Oral administration of 0.39 g/kg body weight of the aqueous extract of the leaves or barks produced a significant reduction in blood glucose level, while the aqueous extract of roots and the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of the plant produce almost no reduction in blood glucose level. The extract of the aerial parts of the plant seem to have minimal adverse effect and high LD₅₀ value.     

Pharmacological studies on anti-hyperglycemic effect of folium eriobotryae

Folium eriobotryae, dried leaves of Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. is a traditional Chinese medicine with rich resources in China. This research investigated the anti-hyperglycemic effect of folium eriobotryae on normal and alloxan-diabetic mice. The 70% ethanol extract of folium eriobotryae (EJA-0) in doses of 15, 30 and 60 g (crude drug)/kg exerted a significant hypoglycemic effect on alloxan-diabetic mice, among which 30 g/kg of EJA-0 was more effective than 100 mg/kg of phenformin. The total sesquiterpenes (EJA-1) 30 g (crude drug)/kg had significant effect on lowering blood glucose level in normal or/and alloxan-diabetic mice. The tests of maximum dosage and acute toxicity showed that EJA-1 was safe (MD = 360 g/kg, LD(50) = 400.1 g/kg). The pharmacological tests on anti-hyperglycemic effects of EJA-0 and EJA-1 prove that folium eriobotryae is an outstanding material to develop medicine for treatment of diabetes mellitus.     

Antihypercholesterolaemic and antioxidant activity assessment of some plants used as remedy in Turkish folk medicine

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts from five plant species used in Turkish traditional medicine were evaluated for in vivo hypercholesterolaemic and antioxidant activities: Agrostemma githago L., Potentilla reptans L., Thymbra spicata var. spicata L., Urtica dioica L. and Viscum album var. album L. We assayed the effects of the administration of plant extracts on serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, glucose, AST and ALT concentrations in mice fed with cholesterol-rich diet. In addition, plasma TAA, MDA and NO(x) levels in the same animals were assayed. All the aqueous plant extracts did not affect the serum cholesterol concentration. However, the ethanolic extracts of Agrostemma githago, Thymbra spicata and Viscum album decreased the serum cholesterol concentration in the mice fed with high-cholesterol diet without inducing any gastric damage. The ethanolic extracts of Thymbra spicata, Viscum album, Potentilla reptans and Urtica dioica and the aqueous extract of Agrostemma githago increased the serum HDL concentration, whereas the ethanolic extracts of Agrostemma githago, Thymbra spicata, Viscum album and Urtica dioica decreased the serum LDL-C concentration. Thymbra spicata and Viscum album were observed to decrease the serum triglyceride concentration. Among the plant extracts studied, the ethanolic extracts of Thymbra spicata significantly decreased the MDA level in mice. The ethanolic extract of Potentilla reptans increased in NO(x). None of these plants showed statistically prominent activity on plasma TAA. Results of the present study indicated that the ethanolic extracts of Agrostemma githago, Thymbra spicata and Viscum album showed potent hypocholesterolaemic activity in the mice fed with a diet containing high-cholesterol.     

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats

The present study was conducted to determine whether lyophilized aqueous extract of alfalfa, or Medicago sativa L. could exert antioxidant activity against carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress and liver injury in rats. The hepatoprotective activity of alfalfa extract was determined by assessing the levels of serum transaminases, ALP, bilirubin and lipid profile. Further, the effect of the test substance on malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation; antioxidant liver enzyme non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH); and total protein (TP) were also studied. Serum transaminase, ALP, bilirubin level, lipid profile and liver MDA were significantly elevated and the antioxidant status in liver NP-SH and TP contents were declined in animals treated with CCl (4) alone. Pretreatment with alfalfa and silymarin for three weeks prior to the administration of CCl (4) significantly prevented the increase in the serum levels of hepatic marker, LDL, VLDL levels enzymes and reduced oxidative stress indicated by elevated NP-SH and TP concentration. The histopathological examination of the livers also showed that the alfalfa extract reduced the incidence of liver lesions induced by CCl (4). The in vitro antioxidant assessment of alfalfa extract on DPPH and carotene-linoleic assays demonstrated a moderate antioxidant potential. Results suggest that the alfalfa extract possesses hepatoprotective and antioxidative stress properties possibly through its antioxidant phytochemical constituents and substantiates its use in various liver disorders as a hepatoprotector.     

血管康袋泡茶抗氧化作用机理探讨

目的探讨血管康袋泡茶抗氧化作用机理。方法血管康袋泡茶给大鼠连续灌胃15 d,观察大鼠肝组织血清中丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果肝组织血清中MDA含量明显降低(P<0.01)。结论血管康袋泡茶抗氧化作用机理是降低MDA含量。