Hypoglycemic and antidiabetic activities on the stem bark aqueous and ethanol extracts of Musanga cecropioides in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Daily oral administration of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Musanga cecropioides stem bark in normal and diabetic rats at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day, for 14 days significantly lowered the fasting plasma glucose levels in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats in dose-dependent fashion. The ethanol extract induced more significant antidiabetic effect than the aqueous extract.     

Antihyperglycemic effect of Cucurbita ficifolia fruit extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

In the present study, the antihyperglycemic effects of Cucurbita ficifolia fruit extract were investigated on streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetes in rats. Oral administration of the extract (300 and 600 mg/kg body weight, day) for 30 days resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, and an increase in plasma insulin and total haemoglobin. The effect was compared with 150 mg/kg b.w. tolbutamide.     

Antidiabetic properties of aqueous barks extract of Parinari excelsa in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The aqueous extract of the Parinari excelsa barks at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg/day for 7 days has a significant antihyperglycemic effect on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. At the same dose the acute oral administration of aqueous extract of the P. excelsa barks (100 and 300 mg/kg) induced a significant decrease of blood glucose on glucose-loaded normoglycaemic rats. Our results seem to confirm the rational bases for its use in traditional medicine.     

Antidiabetic potential of Phyllanthus reticulatus in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

The plant Phyllanthus reticulatus is claimed to have antidiabetic activity in tribal area. To validate the tribal claim, the petroleum ether and ethanolic extracts of leaves of the P. reticulatus were orally tested at 500 and 1000 mg/kg for hypoglycemic effect in alloxan induces diabetic mice. It shows antidiabetic activity at the dose of 1000 mg/kg. The phytochemical screening of the residues revealed the presence of terpenoids glycosides, protein, carbohydrates and absence of alkaloids and steroids.     

Bauhinia candicans stimulation of glucose uptake in isolated gastric glands of normal and diabetic rabbits

A butanol extract of dried leaves of Bahuinia candicans showed, in vitro, a stimulatory effect of glucose uptake in isolated gastric glands of normal and alloxan-diabetic rabbits. The extract (0.001-0.07 mg/mg protein) produced a dose-dependent effect and was similar to the effect of insulin (1-100 nM). These findings suggest that the extract contains compound(s) that efficiently increase glucose transport at the basolateral side of isolated gastric glands.     

Antidiabetic activity of hydro-ethanolic extract of Cyperus rotundus in alloxan induced diabetes in rats

In light of the traditional claim of Cyperus rotundus in the treatment of diabetes, investigations were carried out to evaluate its effect on alloxan induced hyperglycemia in rats. Oral daily administration of 500 mg/kg of the extract (once a day for seven consecutive days) significantly lowered the blood glucose levels. This antihyperglycemic activity can be attributed to its antioxidant activity as it showed the strong DPPH radical scavenging action in vitro.     

Mitogenic effect of Carthamus lanatus extracts, fractions and constituents

Extracts, fractions and constituents of Carthamus lanatus were tested for their mitogenic effect on bone marrow cells in mice. Most of the studied samples inhibited cell proliferation and only the flavonoid glycoside rutin caused increasing of mitotic activity.     

Antitussive effect of Asparagus racemosus root against sulfur dioxide-induced cough in mice

The methanol extract of Asparagus racemosus root (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant antitussive activity on sulfur dioxide-induced cough in mice, the cough inhibition (40.0 and 58.5%, respectively) being comparable to that of 10–20 mg/kg of codeine phosphate (36.0 and 55.4%, respectively).     

Biochemical studies on the hepatoprotective effect of Picrorrhiza kurroa on changes in liver mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation in -galactosamine-induced hepatitis in rats

Oral pre-treatment with alcoholic extract of Picrorrhiza kurroa rhizomes and roots (50 mg/kg/day for 10 days) significantly prevented the -galactosamine-induced alterations in respiration and oxidative phosphorylation of liver mitochondria.     

The bifidogenic effect of Taraxacum officinale root

The infusion of dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) stimulated in vitro the growth of 14 strains of bifidobacteria. The utilization of oligofructans, glucose, fructose and total saccharides was determined by enzymatic and phenol-sulfuric methods. Dandelion oligofructans were important source of carbon and energy for bifidobacteria tested.     

Beneficial effect of Embelia ribes ethanolic extract on blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

Embelia ribes (common name, Vidanga) is extensively used in traditional system of medicine for treatment of various disorders. It is described in Ayurveda, as a powerful anthelmintic, antifertility and antihyperlipidemic agent. The present study was undertaken to investigate modulatory effect of 6 weeks' chronic oral administration of E. ribes ethanolic extract on diabetes mellitus induced by a diabetogen, streptozotocin (STZ) with special reference to changes in glucose levels, glycated haemoglobin status and cardiac toxicity. STZ treatment (40 mg/kg iv) resulted in significant increase in blood glucose levels, glycated haemoglobin levels, heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Oral administration of E. ribes ethanolic extract in dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in animals when compared with diabetic rats.     

Effects of treatment with St. John's Wort on blood glucose levels and pain perceptions of streptozotocin-diabetic rats

This present study was undertaken to examine treating effects of St. John's Wort (SJW) extract on nociceptive perception of STZ-diabetic animals based on its potential antidiabetic and antinociceptive activities. One week administrations of SJW extract (125 and 250 mg/kg) induced significant decrease in high blood glucose levels of three weeks STZ-diabetic rats and improved their dysregulated metabolic parameters. In addition, SJW extract treatment caused restoration in the mechanical hyperalgesia of diabetic animals. These findings provide a rationale for the traditional use of SJW against diabetes and display the potential of this plant as a new drug candidate/source for the treatment of diabetic pain.     

Hypoglycemic activity of Nymphaea stellata leaves ethanolic extract in alloxan induced diabetic rats

The ethanolic extract of leaves of Nymphaea stellata given by oral route to diabetic rats at dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day for seven days reduced significantly by 31.6 and 42.6 % the plasma glucose level increased by intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/day of alloxan. Moreover, the treatment significantly affected the plasma level of cholesterol and triglyceride.     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Onosma argentatum and Rubia peregrina

The n-hexane-dichloromethane (1:1) extract of the roots of Onosma argentatum and the methanol extract (partitioned between water and chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, respectively), of the underground parts (roots and rhizomes) of Rubia peregrina were tested in vitro for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The highest antioxidant activity (98%) was observed at 0.1% concentration for the roots of O. argentatum. It was 96% at 0.25% concentration on the ethyl acetate fraction of R. peregrina. O. argentatum extract was effective on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. The ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions of R. peregrina were effective on S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. These two species did not have any antifungal activity.     

Anti-leishmanial and immunomodulatory activities of extracts from Portulaca hirsutissima and Portulaca werdermannii

Ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts from aerial parts of Portulaca werdermannii and P. hirsutissima were tested in lymphoproliferation assays and axenic cultures of Leishmania amazonensis and Trypanosoma cruzi. Both extracts of P. werdermannii and P. hirsutissima had a potent inhibitory activity on lymphocyte proliferation. On the contrary, only the chloroformic extract of both plants inhibited L. amazonensis growth, without effect on T. cruzi cultures. These results indicate these Portulaca species as potential sources of new active molecules for the treatment of leishmaniasis and immune-mediated pathologies.     

Chemical constituents of Kigelia pinnata twigs and their GLUT4 translocation modulatory effect in skeletal muscle cells

Phytochemical investigation of the ethanolic extract of twigs of Kigelia pinnata DC. afforded one new iridoid 7-hydroxy eucommiol (1), and nine known compounds (2-10). The structure of compounds was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, including 1D, 2D NMR experiments and MS analysis. All these compounds were evaluated for GLUT4 translocation modulatory effect in skeletal muscle cells. Four of the tested compounds 1, 5, 6 and 7 showed significant stimulation of GLUT4 translocation to cell surface in skeletal muscle cells without any adverse effect on cell viability. Effect of these four compounds was concentration-dependent and comparable to standard drug rosiglitazone. These findings indicate that constituents of K. pinnata may provide leads for the therapeutics for insulin resistance and diabetes.     

Antibacterial activity of Alstonia scholaris and Leea tetramera

The crude methanolic extracts of the leaves, stem and root barks of Alstonia scholaris and Leea tetramera on partitioning (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol) gave fractions exhibiting improved and broader spectrum of antibacterial activity. Especially the butanol fractions of A. scholaris and the root bark of L. tetramera. None of the fractions were active against the fungi tested.     

Antibacterial activity of Cuscuta reflexa stem and Corchorus olitorius seed

The methanol extracts of Cuscuta reflexa stem and Corchorus olitorius seed showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.     

Leishmanicidal activity of Maytenus illicifolia roots

In vitro evaluation of leishmanicidal activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Maytenus illicifolia against three species of Leishmania. The root extracts showed differential activity against parasites, whereas the aerial part of the extracts was inactive.     

Morphological evidences for onion-induced growth inhibition of Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes

The antifungal activity of onion (Allium cepa L.) on two important dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, with special reference to morphological aspects was studied. Growth of both fungi was found to be strongly inhibited by aqueous onion extract (AOE) as a dose-dependent manner. The extract showed fungicidal effect for both fungi at concentrations >3.12% (v/v). The fungus T. mentagrophytes was more affected by the onion as compared to T. rubrum at all concentrations used. Morphological effects of onion exposure were examined in correlation with fungal growth. Corresponding to the growth inhibition, light and electron microscopy observations revealed morphological anomalies in hyphal compartments. The results demonstrated that AOE targets the cell membrane of the fungi as breaking down of both inner and outer membranes with consequent extrution of materials into the surrounding medium. Cytoplasmic membranes and other membranous structures of organelles, such as nuclei and mitochondria, were also disrupted. In correlation to the fungal growth, morphological alterations occurred to a less content for T. rubrum compared with T. mentagrophytes. The hyphae of T. rubrum were found to be mainly affected by converting to resistant forms, i.e., chlamidospores as a consequence of phenotype switching response to AOE. Plasmolysis accompanied by an almost complete depletion and disorganization of cytoplasmic structures were found to be the final event which led to cell death. Ultrastructural evidences obtained from this study strongly support that morphological changes of T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes caused by AOE are associated with its fungistatic and fungicidal activities. With respect to the morphological results and the preliminary data on fungal biochemistry, a mechanism of action by interacting of AOE with thiol (-SH) groups present in essential compartments of the fungal cells was postulated.