Scientific evidence for traditional claim of anti-obesity activity of Tecomella undulata bark

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The bark of Tecomella undulata is traditionally claimed in the treatment of various disease ailments including obesity and cancer. Till now there are no studies about anti-obesity activity of Tecomella undulata bark.

Aim of the study

The present study was aimed to establish a scientific evidence for anti-obesity efficiency of ethyl acetate extract of Tecomella undulata bark (EATUB). Further to standardize the active fractions of EATUB using different biomarkers.

Materials and methods

We investigated activity of EATUB fractions (F1–F7) using 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. Further, F1-mediated effects were characterized by determining mRNA and protein levels of SIRT1, one of the key targets for the treatment of obesity, using semi-quantitative RT-PCR (sqRT-PCR) and western blot analysis. The consequences of modulation of SIRT1 on mRNA and protein levels of various adipogenesis mediators like PPARγ, C/EBPα, E2F1, leptin, adiponectin and LPL were also studied. In vivo studies were performed using High Fat Diet (HFD) obese mice.

Results

Our data showed that compared to controls, preadipocytes and adipocytes incubated with F1 exhibited a significant decrease in adipogenesis and lipogenesis. In addition, sqRT-PCR and western blot analysis showed significant increase in SIRT1 and adiponectin levels and decrease in PPARγ, C/EBPα, E2F1, leptin and LPL levels in preadipocytes and adipocytes. In vivo studies of F1 in HFD induced obese mice showed significant improvement in lipid profile and glucose levels. The bioactive fraction (F1) was determined to possess 4.95% of ferulic acid.

Conclusion

Thus, our findings signified the beneficial effects of Tecomella undulata bark in pharmacologic interventions related to obesity and metabolic disorders. Ferulic acid and rutin are being reported and quantified for the first time from the bark of Tecomella undulata.     

血脂分析注意的几个问题

现代医学研究表明,血脂代谢异常与动脉粥样硬化（AS）的发生和发展有密切的关系,而且对冠心病急性事件（不稳定型心绞痛、急性心肌梗塞和冠脉猝死）的发作起重要作用。近年来一系列大规模的临床试验业已肯定,降低血浆胆固醇水平是冠心病一级和二级预防有关测定项目日益增多,血脂、脂蛋白、载脂蛋白测定已广泛应用于心血管病流行病学与l临床。测定血脂的目的是评估血脂水平对AS性疾病发生的危险程度,而不是用于AS性疾病（如冠心病）的诊断。但对于高脂蛋白血症与异常脂蛋白血症,血脂测定则为必要的诊断指标。在血脂的认识上常存在一些误区,一些影响测定结果的因素常被忽视,往往会造成治疗上的错误应用。     

Sost downregulation and local Wnt signaling are required for the osteogenic response to mechanical loading

Sclerostin, the Wnt signaling antagonist encoded by the Sost gene, is secreted by osteocytes and inhibits bone formation by osteoblasts. Mechanical stimulation reduces sclerostin expression, suggesting that osteocytes might coordinate the osteogenic response to mechanical force by locally unleashing Wnt signaling. To investigate whether sclerostin downregulation is a pre-requisite for load-induced bone formation, we conducted experiments in transgenic mice (TG) engineered to maintain high levels of SOST expression during mechanical loading. This was accomplished by introducing a human SOST transgene driven by the 8 kb fragment of the DMP1 promoter that also provided osteocyte specificity of the transgene. Right ulnae were subjected to in vivo cyclic axial loading at equivalent strains for 1 min/day at 2 Hz; left ulnae served as internal controls. Endogenous murine Sost mRNA expression measured 24 h after 1 loading bout was decreased by about 50% in TG and wild type (WT) littermates. In contrast, human SOST, only expressed in TG mice, remained high after loading. Mice were loaded on 3 consecutive days and bone formation was quantified 16 days after initiation of loading. Periosteal bone formation in control ulnae was similar in WT and TG mice. Loading induced the expected strain-dependent increase in bone formation in WT mice, resulting from increases in both mineralizing surface (MS/BS) and mineral apposition rate (MAR). In contrast, load-induced bone formation was reduced by 70-85% in TG mice, due to lower MS/BS and complete inhibition of MAR. Moreover, Wnt target gene expression induced by loading in WT mice was absent in TG mice. Thus, downregulation of Sost/sclerostin in osteocytes is an obligatory step in the mechanotransduction cascade that activates Wnt signaling and directs osteogenesis to where bone is structurally needed.     

六味能消胶囊联合脂必泰胶囊治疗高脂血症的临床研究

目的探讨六味能消胶囊联合脂必泰胶囊治疗高脂血症的临床效果。方法选取2017年5月—2018年10月东营市东营区人民医院收治的64例高脂血症患者,随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组各32例。对照组口服脂必泰胶囊,1粒/次,2次/d。治疗组在对照组治疗基础上口服六味能消胶囊,1粒/次,3次/d。两组均连续治疗8周。观察两组的临床疗效,比较两组治疗前后血脂指标、血流变学指标、血小板参数及血清学指标的变化情况。结果治疗后,对照组和治疗组的总有效率分别是75.0%、96.9%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组总胆固醇(TC)、非-HDL-C、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平均较治疗前显著降低,而高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)显著升高,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,治疗组TC、非-HDL-C、TG、LDL-C水平低于对照组,而HDL-C高于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组血浆黏度(PV)、红细胞比容(HCT)、聚集指数(RCAI)、平均血小板体积(MPV)、血小板最大聚集率(MAR)均显著降低,而变形指数(RDI)值均显著升高,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,PV、HCT、RCAI、MPV、MAR值均显著低于对照组,而RDI值高于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、内皮素(ET)水平较治疗前均显著降低,而一氧化氮(NO)水平显著增高,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,治疗组CRP、ET水平低于对照组,而NO水平高于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论六味能消胶囊联合脂必泰胶囊治疗高脂血症具有较好的临床疗效,综合调脂作用显著,可明显纠正患者体内血流变学异常,改善血小板功能及微炎症状态,保护血管内皮功能,具有一定的临床推广应用价值。     

A beverage of Asiatic plantain extracts alleviated postprandial oxidative stress in overweight hyperlipidemic subjects challenged with a high-fat meal: a preliminary study

There is emerging interest in the potential of the phenolic compounds of Asiatic plantain (Plantago asiatica L.) to attenuate in vitro and in vivo oxidative stress. We hypothesized that a single administration of Asiatic plantain beverage may exert protective effects against postprandial oxidative stress. This preliminary study was designed to compare the ability of different doses of Asiatic plantain beverage to mitigate the postprandial effects of a high-fat meal on the oxidation of lipids and DNA in overweight hyperlipidemic subjects. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel design (n = 10/group), 40 subjects were administered a single high-fat meal with either a placebo or 1 of 3 Asiatic plantain extract beverages (low, intermediate, or high dose). Blood samples were obtained at fasting and 60, 120, 240, and 360 minutes (total of 5 samples) after intervention. The data showed a tendency for plasma free fatty acid levels to decrease in response to high-dose Asiatic plantain at all time points. Plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly reduced with high-dose Asiatic plantain at 120 minutes (P = .0251 vs placebo). A comet assay revealed that DNA damage in lymphocytes was significantly decreased by Asiatic plantain at 360 minutes (P = .0225 vs placebo). There were no treatment differences in triglyceride or malondialdehyde levels. The maximum suppression was achieved with a high dose (20 g Asiatic plantain extract/80 mL). These results suggest that by protecting low-density lipoprotein and DNA, an Asiatic plantain beverage may be useful to enhance antioxidant.     

血脂异常诊治中的几个问题

国内外大规模临床研究表明血清胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）升高和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）降低是动脉粥样硬化、冠心病和脑血管疾病的重要致病因素。医学专家称其为导致心脑血管疾病的“导火线”，对人体的危害非常大。不论是心脑血管病的一级预防或二级预防均显示，规范有效的调脂治疗可明显降低心脑血管病的的患病率和死亡率。然而在血脂异常诊治中，尤其在基层，仍然存在一些问题一直困惑着一些医生和患者，下面谈谈自己的看法。     

Antihyperglycemic activity of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring

Aim of the study

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the EtOH and H₂O extracts of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring on hyperglycemia in diabetic rats and HepG2 cells, and to confirm the active fractions of EtOH extract in HepG2 cells.

Materials and methods

HepG2 cells and type II diabetic rats induced by low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) and high-fat diet (HFD) were used to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of EtOH and H₂O extracts of Selaginella tamariscina. HepG2 cells were used to evaluate the promotive effect of different fractions of EtOH extract obtained from a polyamide column on glucose utilization.

Results

The results in HepG2 cells indicated that the EtOH extract had a better hypoglycemic effect than the H₂O extract. The results in diabetic rats indicated that both EtOH extract and H₂O extract were able to ameliorate the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level and improve oral glucose tolerance (OGTT). Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), free fatty acids (FFA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum were lowered. High density lipoprotein (HDL-c), insulin and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in serum were elevated as well as the hepatic glycogen content in diabetic rats. Compared with H₂O extract, the effects of EtOH extract were more marked. The 80% ethanol fraction exhibited a stronger hypoglycemic effect than the aqueous and 50% ethanol fractions, but the 95% ethanol fraction did not show any appreciable effects in HepG2 cells.

Conclusions

The results suggested that the EtOH extract had a better hypoglycemic effect than the H₂O extract; the 80% ethanol fraction from polyamide column had a strong hypoglycemic activity in HepG2 cells.     

Transfer of lipids to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is altered in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia

Objective

In familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), the metabolism and anti-atherogenic functions of HDL can be affected by the continuous interactions with excess LDL amounts. Here, lipid transfers to HDL, an important step for HDL intravascular metabolism and for HDL role in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) were investigated in FH patients.

Methods

Seventy-one FH patients (39 ± 15 years, LDL-cholesterol = 274 ± 101; HDL-cholesterol = 50 ± 14 mg/dl) and 66 normolipidemic subjects (NL) (38 ± 11 years, LDL-cholesterol = 105 ± 27; HDL-cholesterol = 52 ± 12 mg/dl) were studied. In vitro, lipid transfers were evaluated by incubation of plasma samples (37 °C, 1 h) with a donor lipid nanoemulsion labeled with 3H-triglycerides (TG) and 14C-unesterified cholesterol (UC) or with 3H-cholesteryl ester (EC) and 14C-phospholipids (PL). Radioactivity was counted at the HDL fraction after chemical precipitation of apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins and the nanoemulsion. Data are % of total radioactivity measured in the HDL fraction.

Results

Transfer of UC to HDL was lower in FH than in NL (5.6 ± 2.1 vs 6.7 ± 2.0%, p = 0.0005) whereas TG (5.5 ± 3.1 vs 3.7 ± 0.9%, p = 0.018) and PL (20.9 ± 4.6 vs 18.2 ± 3.7 %, p = 0.023) transfers were higher in FH. EC transfer was equal. By multivariate analysis, transfers of all four lipids correlated with HDL-cholesterol and with apo A-I.

Conclusion

FH elicited marked changes in three of the four tested lipid transfers to HDL. The entry of UC into HDL for subsequent esterification is an important driving force for RCT and reduction of UC transfer to HDL was previously associated to precocious coronary heart disease. Therefore, in FH, HDL functions can be lessened, which can also contribute to atherogenesis.     

Influence of chrysin on hepatic marker enzymes and lipid profile against d-galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity rats

Chrysin is a flavonoid that exists in nature and is the major component of some traditional medicinal herbs. We investigated the hepatoprotective and antihyperlipidaemic potential of chrysin against d-galactosamine (a single intraperitoneal injection 400 mg/kg BW) induced hepatotoxicity in male albino Wistar rats. d-GalN rats exhibited an increased hepato and nephro toxicity marker activities aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and total bilirubin level while urea, uric acid and creatinine and lipid profile. It also negatively affected the serum total protein, albumin and A/G ratio. Rats treated with chrysin at different concentrations (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg BW) caused a significant improvement in serum protein level, decreased hepato and nephro toxicity markers. It also decreased the levels of very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol while high density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly increased. It also decreased the levels of total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, free fatty acids in the plasma and tissues of liver and kidney. The effect of chrysin (25 mg/kg) is comparable with silymarin, a known hepatoprotective drug. Chrysin thus exhibits hepatoprotective and antihyperlipidaemic activity.     

山葡萄籽油(EPC)调节血脂作用的研究

对长白山地区山葡萄籽油调节血脂作用进行了研究.建立Wistar大鼠高脂血症模型后,观察葡萄籽油调节血脂功能.结果15天后高剂量组具有很好的降脂作用,TC下降达17.5%.30天后小剂量和大剂量组均具有调节血脂的作用,TC、TG两项指标均下降15%以上,特别是大剂量组TC下降24.6%(P＜0.001),TG下降23%(P＜0.01).通过对大鼠的试验研究证实,EPC油具有调节血脂作用,且给药时间越长,效果越明显.