Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most widespread form of diabetes, characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, and inefficient insulin secretion and action. Primary care in T2DM is pharmacological, using drugs of several groups that include insulin sensitisers (e.g., biguanides, thiazolidinediones), insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulphonylureas, meglinides), alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and the newest incretin-based therapies and sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors. However, their long-term application can cause many harmful side effects, emphasising the importance of the using natural therapeutic products. Natural health substances including non-flavonoid polyphenols (e.g., resveratrol, curcumin, tannins, and lignans), flavonoids (e.g., anthocyanins, epigallocatechin gallate, quercetin, naringin, rutin, and kaempferol), plant fruits, vegetables and other products (e.g., garlic, green tea, blackcurrant, rowanberry, bilberry, strawberry, cornelian cherry, olive oil, sesame oil, and carrot) may be a safer alternative to primary pharmacological therapy. They are recommended as food supplements to prevent and/or ameliorate T2DM-related complications. In the advanced stage of T2DM, the combination therapy of synthetic agents and natural compounds with synergistic interactions makes the treatment more efficient. In this review, both pharmaceutical drugs and selected natural products, as well as combination therapies, are characterized. Mechanisms of their action and possible negative side effects are also provided.
Osteoporosis is considered an age-related disorder of the skeletal system, characterized primarily by decreased bone mineral density (BMD), microstructural quality and an elevated risk of fragility fractures. This silent disease is increasingly becoming a global epidemic due to an aging population and longer life expectancy. It is known that nutrition and physical activity play an important role in skeletal health, both in achieving the highest BMD and in maintaining bone health. In this review, the role of macronutrients (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates), micronutrients (minerals—calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, as well as vitamins—D, C, K) and flavonoid polyphenols (quercetin, rutin, luteolin, kaempferol, naringin) which appear to be essential for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, are characterized. Moreover, the importance of various naturally available nutrients, whether in the diet or in food supplements, is emphasized. In addition to pharmacotherapy, the basis of osteoporosis prevention is a healthy diet rich mainly in fruits, vegetables, seafood and fish oil supplements, specific dairy products, containing a sufficient amount of all aforementioned nutritional substances along with regular physical activity. The effect of diet alone in this context may depend on an individual’s genotype, gene-diet interactions or the composition and function of the gut microbiota.
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) is a medicinal plant with a range of biological features. It is often used as a nutritional supplement in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Our study was aimed to first investigate the effects of Cornelian cherry pulp on bone quality parameters in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Moreover, lipid-lowering properties of this fruit were also evaluated. Adult rats (n = 28) were assigned into four groups of seven individuals each: L group (non-diabetic lean rats), C group (diabetic obese rats), and E1 and E2 groups (diabetic obese rats receiving 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of Cornelian cherry pulp, respectively, for 10 weeks). Significantly lower levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase activity were determined in the E2 group versus the C group. A higher dose of Cornus mas also had a beneficial impact on femoral weight, cortical bone thickness, relative volume of trabecular bone and trabecular thickness. We observed elevated density of Haversian systems and accelerated periosteal bone apposition in both treated groups (E1 and E2). Our results clearly demonstrate that Cornelian cherry pulp has a favorable effect on lipid disorder and impaired bone quality consistent with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a suitable animal model.
This study examined for the first time whether bee bread (BB, consisting of monofloral rape bee pollen) could alleviate lipid derangements and reduced bone quality in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, which are considered an appropriate animal model for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) investigation. Adult ZDF rats were segregated into four groups: lean non-diabetic rats (L group), obese diabetic rats untreated (C group), and those treated with the BB at two doses (500 and 700 mg/kg body weight, respectively, B1 and B2 groups) for 10 weeks. Significantly reduced levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride were recorded in the B2 group versus the C group. In both BB-treated groups, significantly increased relative volume of trabecular bone and trabecular thickness, enhanced density of secondary osteons, accelerated periosteal bone apposition, and improved blood flow were observed. A positive effect of higher dose of BB on femoral weight and cortical bone thickness was also demonstrated. Our results suggest a promising potential of BB to ameliorate T2DM-related complications associated with lipid and bone damages.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of eggshell calcium (Biomin H® dietary supplement) and its combinations with alfacalcidol (1α‐hydroxyvitamin D3) and menaquinone‐7 (vitamin K2) on ovariectomy‐induced bone loss in rats. Adult female rats (n = 48) were divided into 6 groups of 8 individuals each: sham‐operated rats (SHAM); ovariectomized (OVX) rats untreated; OVX rats treated with Biomin H® (BIO); OVX rats simultaneously receiving Biomin H®, vitamin D3 (BIO + D3); OVX rats simultaneously treated with Biomin H®, vitamin K2 (BIO + K2) and OVX rats treated with Biomin H®, vitamin D3, vitamin K2 (BIO + D3 + K2) during 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters, bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and femoral bone microstructure were determined. Plasma calcium and phosphate were increased in BIO + D3 and BIO + D3 + K2 groups as compared to OVX. Alkaline phosphatase was elevated in OVX, BIO versus SHAM, BIO + D3 + K2 groups. When compared to OVX group, decreased urine deoxypyridinoline was observed in all treated groups and femoral BMD, BMC were higher in BIO, BIO + D3, BIO + D3 + K2 groups. The BIO + K2 rats had similar densitometrical values than OVX individuals. Microcomputed tomography revealed increased trabecular relative bone volume (due to an increase in trabecular number) in BIO + D3, BIO + D3 + K2 as compared to OVX. The higher relative bone volume in BIO + D3, BIO + D3 + K2 groups was also accompanied by an increase in bone surface. In the cortical bone, an enhanced periosteal bone apposition was identified in BIO, BIO + D3, BIO + K2, BIO + D3 + K2 groups. The rats from BIO + D3 + K2 group had a higher area of primary osteon's vascular canals. In BIO + D3, BIO + K2, BIO + D3 + K2 groups, an increased area of secondary osteons was determined in comparison with OVX. Our results indicate the beneficial effect of triple application of Biomin H®, vitamin D3, vitamin K2, as well as simultaneous administration of Biomin H®, vitamin D3 on the inhibition of ovariectomy‐induced bone loss in a rat model of osteoporosis.
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