Chemical Composition and Insulin-Resistance Activity of Arginine-Loaded American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton, Ericaceae) Leaf Extracts

Abstract

One of the key pathogenetic links in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the formation of insulin resistance (IR). Besides a wide selection of synthetic antidiabetic drugs, various plant-origin extracts are also available to support the treatment of T2DM. This study aimed to investigate and gain knowledge of the chemical composition and potential IR correction effect of American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) leaf extracts and formulate novel 3D-printed oral dosage forms for such extracts. The bioactivity and IR of L-arginine-loaded cranberry leaf extracts were studied in vivo in rats. The cranberry leaf extracts consisted of quinic, 3-caffeoylquinic (chlorogenic), p-coumaroylquinic acids, quercetin 3-O-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-xyloside, quercetin-3-O-arabino pyranoside, quercetin-3-O-arabinofuranoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside, and quercetin-O-p-coumaroyl hexoside-2 identified by HPLC. In vivo studies with rats showed that the oral administration of the cranberry leaf extracts had a positive effect on insulin sensitivity coefficients under the insulin tolerance test and affected homeostasis model assessment IR levels and liver lipid content with experimental IR. A novel 3D-printed immediate-release dosage form was developed for the oral administration of cranberry leaf extracts using polyethylene oxide as a carrier gel in semi-solid extrusion 3D printing. In conclusion, American cranberry leaf extracts loaded with L-arginine could find uses in preventing health issues associated with IR.

German Chamomile (<em>Matricaria chamomilla</em> L.) Flowers Extract, Its Amino Acids Preparations and 3D-Printed Dosage Forms: Phytochemical, Pharmacological, Technological and Molecular Docking Study

“…homogenised system, and enhance the release of M. chamomilla extracts from the 3D-printed scaffolds [19,21]. The M. chamomilla extract (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g) and Tween 80 as a surface-active agent (0.5 g) were added to 12% PEO gel.…”

“…The viscosity of the abovementioned gels with the German chamomile dry extract was investigated at a speed of 0.05 RPM and a shear rate of 0.100 1/s at a room temperature 22±2 o C (Table 6). The speed of the printing head was 0.5 mm/s, as it was reported previously for PEO gels with plant extracts [19,21]. The other operating parameters of SSE 3D printing were also optimized [22] and implemented in our study for 3D printing of the gels with the M. chamomilla dry extract.…”

“…Leonurus cardiaca L. tincture was also combined with amino acids, which caused to the discovery of novel extracts with enhanced anxiolytic activity [16]. Blueberry [17], highbush blueberry [13], bearberry [12,18] and cranberry leaf extracts [19] in combination with arginine have enabled to develop new active ingredients with a promising hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity. The abovementioned examples suggest the feasibility of this chamomile extract modification strategy in the development of new active constituents.…”