Chemical characterization, antioxidant evaluation, and antidiabetic potential of Pinus gerardiana (Pine nuts) extracts

Abstract

Methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of pine nuts were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant and inhibition of alpha‐amylase activities. Pine nut extracts were orally administered to alloxan monohydrate‐induced diabetes in mice at 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg. Both extracts showed a significant antioxidant and inhibition of alpha‐amylase activities. Animal studies showed a decline in fasting blood glucose, hyperlipidemia, and weight loss in diabetic mice. The administration of plant extracts decreased the blood glucose level during the oral glucose tolerance test. Histopathological examination showed a decrease in alloxan‐induced lesions in the pancreas, liver, and kidney of animals treated with pine nut extracts. Furthermore, pine nut extract ameliorated oxidative stress‐induced hepatotoxicity in diabetic mice. The presence of quercetin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, benzoic acid, syringic acid, m‐coumaric acid, and other phenolic compounds might be related to hypoglycemic, alpha‐amylase inhibitory, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic potential of pine nut extracts. Practical applications Dry fruits are rich in dietary nutrients, minerals, and phytochemicals that can be used to treat and prevent lifestyle disease. Pine nuts are edible and have economic importance in addition to several traditional uses such as diuretic, antiseptic, expectorant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antihypertensive, and antineuralgic properties. This study was conducted to investigate the pine nut extracts for their antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials using in vitro methods and animal disease model. The findings of the present study suggest that the extracts of Pine nuts may be helpful in treating hyperglycemia during diabetes and prevent its complications such as hepatic damage, nephrotoxicity, weight loss, and hyperlipidemia.

A Pilot Survey on Hygienic–Sanitary Characteristics of Ready-To-Eat Sauces and Pesto

“…Besides Salmonella , neither Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli nor C. perfringens were found, but this must not lead to underestimating the antibacterial power of some ingredients of the pesto and sauces examined. Although a parameter for the selection of the examined foods was the absence of garlic, a food with demonstrated antibacterial activity [ 12 , 13 ], numerous scientific studies also demonstrated the antibacterial power of basil essential oil against these microorganisms [ 48 , 49 ] and of pine nuts [ 50 ], which are included in pesto; walnuts [ 51 ] and pore mushroom [ 52 ] also showed antibacterial properties.…”

Cyperus iria aqueous-ethanol extract ameliorated hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and regulated inflammatory cytokines in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

“…The absorbance was measured at 415 nm using UV-visible spectrophotometer. Flavonoid contents were measured as quercetin equivalent (QE) and expressed as (QE mg/g of Cyperus iria aqueous-ethanol extract) (Zulfqar et al 2020).…”

Maternotoxicity and fetotoxicity in Rattus norvegicus albinus exposed to tramadol during the late phase of pregnancy

“…Blood samples were taken on 20th day of pregnancy or the corresponding day in nonpregnant rats by cardiac puncture for the evaluation of complete blood count (CBC), liver function biomarkers including bilirubin, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase (ALT), alanine transaminase (AST), and renal function tests such as urea and creatinine. Lipid profile including low density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were also determined by previous methods (Zulfqar et al, 2020).…”