Lactuca serriola L. has traditionally been used in folkloric medicine to manage respiratory, gastrointestinal, and multiple other ailments. The present study was undertaken to explore the effect of methanol extract of L. serriola on isolated rabbit tissue preparations, that is, jejunum, trachea, and aorta in an attempt to validate its folkloric use in traditional medicine for gastrointestinal, respiratory, and vascular ailments. The application of the methanol extract to isolated rabbit jejunum preparations exhibited concentration-dependent spasmogenic effect (0.03 to 3.0 mg/mL), but interestingly further increase in concentration (5.0 mg/mL) resulted in complete spasmolytic effect. The pretreatment of the tissue preparations with atropine (0.1 μM) caused the suppression of the contractile response. Moreover, the same extract also caused relaxation of K+-(80 mM) induced spastic contractions of isolated rabbit jejunum preparations (5.0 mg/mL) and shifted the Ca++ dose response curves towards right at concentration range of 0.3–1.0 mg/mL. Similarly, the extract application to isolated rabbit tracheal preparations relaxed the carbachol-(1 μM) induced (0.3–1.0 mg/mL) as well as K+-(80 mM) induced contractions (3.0 mg/mL). Furthermore, it relaxed the phenylephrine (1 μM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit aorta preparations (3.0 mg/mL) and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions (1.0 mg/mL). These effects were found comparable to that of dicyclomine, as an antagonist of muscarinic receptors as well as a possible Ca++ channel blocker. The previously mentioned findings may partially justify the folkloric use of Lactuca serriola in the management of conditions pertaining to spasm of intestine, bronchioles, and vasculature.

Type II diabetes mellitus and its related complications are growing public health problems. Many natural products present in our diet, including polyphenols, can be used in treating and managing type II diabetes mellitus and different diseases, owing to their numerous biological properties. Anthocyanins, flavonols, stilbenes, curcuminoids, hesperidin, hesperetin, naringenin, and phenolic acids are common polyphenols found in blueberries, chokeberries, sea-buckthorn, mulberries, turmeric, citrus fruits, and cereals. These compounds exhibit antidiabetic effects through different pathways. Accordingly, this review presents an overview of the most recent developments in using food polyphenols for managing and treating type II diabetes mellitus, along with various mechanisms. In addition, the present work summarizes the literature about the anti-diabetic effect of food polyphenols and evaluates their potential as complementary or alternative medicines to treat type II diabetes mellitus. Results obtained from this survey show that anthocyanins, flavonols, stilbenes, curcuminoids, and phenolic acids can manage diabetes mellitus by protecting pancreatic β-cells against glucose toxicity, promoting β-cell proliferation, reducing β-cell apoptosis, and inhibiting α-glucosidases or α-amylase. In addition, these phenolic compounds exhibit antioxidant anti-inflammatory activities, modulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, optimize oxidative stress, reduce insulin resistance, and stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin. They also activate insulin signaling and inhibit digestive enzymes, regulate intestinal microbiota, improve adipose tissue metabolism, inhibit glucose absorption, and inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end products. However, insufficient data are available on the effective mechanisms necessary to manage diabetes.

Background: Dryopteris ramosa is used as an old treatment for several diseases. D. ramose fronds are eaten to treat gastrointestinal (GIT) issues and as an antibiotic. However, there is a dearth of literature justifying its traditional use. Aims and objectives: the current work used biological and molecular docking studies to support traditional usage and elucidate D. ramosa’s multitarget mechanism. Materials and methods: Bioactive compounds were docked in silico. Force displacement transducers coupled with a power lab data gathering system examined the effects of compounds on rabbit jejunum, trachea, and aorta tissues. Albino mice and rats were used for in vivo studies. Results: Bioactive compounds interacted with inflammation, asthma, and diarrhea genes, according to in silico studies. D. ramosa crude extract (Dr.Cr) calmed impulsive contractions and K+ (80 mM)-provoked contractions in the jejunum and tracheal tissue dose-dependently, showing the presence of the Ca++ channel-blocking (CCB) effect, further verified by the rightward parallel shift of CRCs equivalent to verapamil. Polarity-based fractionation showed spasmolytic activity in Dr.DCM and muscarinic receptors mediated spasmogenic activity in the Dr.Aq fraction. Dr.Cr vasoconstricted the aortic preparation, which was totally blocked by an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. This suggests that Dr. Cr’s contractile effect is mediated through angiotensin receptors. In rats and mice, it showed anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal action. Conclusion: This study supports the traditional medicinal uses of D. ramosa against GIT disorders and may be an important therapeutic agent in the future.