Antidiabetic Activity of Elephant Grass (Cenchrus Purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone) via Activation of PI3K/AkT Signaling Pathway, Oxidative Stress Inhibition, and Apoptosis in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The management of diabetes over the years has involved the use of herbal plants, which are now attracting interest. We assessed the antidiabetic properties of aqueous extract of C. purpureus shoots (AECPS) and the mechanism of action on pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction.Methods: This study was conducted using Thirty-six 36) male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into six equal groups (n = 6) and treatment was performed over 14 days. To induce diabetes in the rats, a single dose of 65 mg/kg body weight of alloxan was administered intraperitoneal along with 5% glucose. HPLC analysis was carried out to identified potential compounds in the extract. In vitro tests α-amylase, and α-glucosidase were analyzed. Body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured. Biochemical parameters, such as serum insulin, liver glycogen, hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (F-1,6-BP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ĸB), were analyzed. Additionally, mRNA expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were each evaluated.Results: This in vitro study showed inhibitory potency of Cenchrus purpureus extract (AECPS) as compared with the positive controls. AECPS showed a gradual decrease in alloxan-induced increases in FBG, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL-c), G6P, F-1,6-BP, malondialdehyde (MDA), IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-ĸB and increased alloxan-induced decreases in liver glycogen, hexokinase, and high density lipoprotein (HDL-c). The diabetic control group exhibited pancreatic dysfunction as evidenced by the reduction in serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment of ß-cell function (HOMA-β), expressions of PI3K/AKT, Bcl-2, and PCNA combined with an elevation in homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed 3-O-rutinoside, ellagic acid, catechin, rutin, and kaempferol in AECPS.Conclusion: AECPS showed efficient ameliorative actions against alloxan-induced pancreatic dysfunction, oxidative stress suppression as well as, inflammation, and apoptosis via the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

Phytochemical Characterization, Functional Nutrition, and Anti-Diabetic Potentials of Leptadenia hastata (pers) Decne Leaves: In Silico and In Vitro Studies

“…48 Reports have shown that kaempferol inhibits gluconeogenesis and enhances glucose metabolism. 49 The anti-diabetic activity of anthocyanidins is mainly by promoting insulin secretion and improving insulin resistance by reducing the levels of triacylglycerol, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein levels. 40 Thus, the therapeutic efficacy of L hastata could be anchored on these phytoconstituents.…”

“… 59 Accordingly, the regulation of postprandial blood glucose is one of the most important therapeutic targets for DM treatment. 49 Its reduction using the inhibitors of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in T2D patients decreases glycated hemoglobin levels and prevents diabetic complications. 58 The results obtained in this study showed that L hastata extracts demonstrated the ability to reduce PPHG by inhibiting the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase.…”

Annona muricata L. peel extract inhibits carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes and reduces pancreatic β-cells, inflammation, and apoptosis via upregulation of PI3K/AKT genes

“…We isolated total RNA from the liver and pancreas following the procedure illustrated by Ojo et al . [ 24 , 44 ]. TRIzol reagent (Zymo Research, USA, Cat: R2050-1-50, Lot: ZRC186885) was used to homogenize the liver and pancreas at 4°C.…”

“…We used the protocol illustrated in Ojo et al . to perform PCR intensification for the evaluation of genes whose primers (Primer3 software) are listed below [ 24 , 44 ]. In a 25 μl volume mixture of 2 μl cDNA (10 ng), 2 μl primer (100 pmol), and 2 μl water, PCR enhancement was achieved.…”

Pregnancy and COVID-19: high or low risk of vertical transmission

“…However, an experimental study showed that chloroquine could cross the placenta and accumulate in the fetal eyes, and remained for up to five months after clearance from the body [ 75 ]. Similarly, a very high dose of ≥ 250 mg/kg of chloroquine during pregnancy was found to increase the risk of developing anophthalmia and microphthalmia in rats [ 75 – 77 ]. According to the current literature, the effectiveness of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine is of limited value in COVID-19 [ 78 , 79 ].…”