The antidiabetic effects of Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian-Tang decoction (GQD) have been proven clinically. In a pharmacological study conducted on STZ-induced diabetic rats, the constitutive aggregates/sediments of Ge-Gen-Qin-Lian-Tang decoction exhibited stronger hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities compared to the soluble compositions. This study aims to demonstrate the pharmacological properties of aggregates derived from GQD by measuring permeability of the active monomer phytochemicals (e.g., baicalin) in a Caco-2 cell monolayer and determine the cellular viability, intracellular redox status (MDA and SOD), and insulin secretion of pancreatic β-cell line, INS-1, following STZ-induced oxidative stress. The aggregates were separated into three fractions, namely, “MA (microaggregates),” “400 g supernatant,” and “MNA (micro-/nanoaggregates),” by centrifugation at 400 ×g and 15000 ×g, respectively. Aggregates in the sediment increased baicalin absorption, showed little toxicity to β-cells, elevated intracellular SOD levels, and significantly suppressed oxidative damage effects on cellular viability and functions. The “MA” fraction had a larger particle size and provided higher antioxidant cellular protection than “MNA” in vitro, implying that the sediments may be the active components in the herbal decoction. The actions of these micro-/nanoaggregates may provide a new perspective for understanding the antidiabetic effects of herbal decoctions and aid in interpretation of synergistic actions between the multiple components.
Introduction: Anti-oxidants are vital substances which possess the ability to protect the body from damage caused by free radical induced oxidative stress. There is an increasing interest in natural anti-oxidants, e.g., polyphenols, present in medicinal and dietary plants, which might help prevent oxidative damage. Methods: In this present study we investigated preliminary phytochemical, total phenolic, alkaloid content and In-vitro antioxidant activity of hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol (70%) and methanol extracts of Thespesia populnea Seeds. Results: Thespesia populnea Seeds revealed the presence of steroids, flavonoids and alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, quinones and carbohydrates. The extracts do not contain the amino acids, oils and the hexane fraction do not contain triterpenes and tannins. The ethyl acetate extract have more phenolic content than other extracts and the methanolic extract has more alkaloidal than other extracts. The selected plant extracts were produced concentration dependent percentage inhibition of superoxide radical and produced maximum activity at a concentration of 160 µg and there after the percentage inhibition were raised gradually to its maximum level with higher concentrations. Conclusion: Among the four types of T.populnea seeds extracts, the methanolic extract showed better activity than aqueous extracts at 160 µg concentrations.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.