Antidiabetic effects of galactomannans from Adenanthera pavonina L.in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Objective: To evaluate the antidiabetic effect of galactomannans extracted from Adenanthera pavonina's L.seeds(GAP) in streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic mice.Methods:The preliminary galactomannan yield from Adenanthera pavonina L.plant and extraction products composition were evaluated.Various chemical characterization methods like thin layer chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ~1H and ^(13)C nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography have been employed to characterize the extracted galactomannan.The mice were divided in four groups: Normal control, diabetic control, GAP(1% and 2%) treated and standard drug treated groups.Diabetic mice received treatment daily for 30 d.Diabetes was induced by STZ at a single dose of 120 mg/kg.Body weight, water and food intake, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured.Histopathological analysis of pancreas and liver were performed to evaluate STZ-induced tissue injuries.Results: The isolated and extracted galactomannan from Adenanthera pavonina was confirmed by various chemical characterization methods.GAP exhibited a 1.46:1 mannose: galactose ratio, and high molar weight.Both GAP enriched food decreased glycaemia, total cholesterol and triacylglycerol.GAP didn't interfere on food intakes or body weight, although it increased water intake.Furthermore, the relative liver weight indicated toxic galactomannan effects on the histopathological changes of the pancreas in STZ induced diabetes.Conclusions: It is concluded that GAP is a natural product that contains potent galactomannan and is useful in preventing and treating diabetes.

Antihyperglycemic effect of Passiflora glandulosa cav. fruit rinds flour in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Objective:To investigate the effect of administration of Passiflora glandulosa(P.glandulosa) fruit rinds flour on streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice.Methods:The preliminary phytochemical screening and parameters such as centesimal composition and brine shrimp toxicity were evaluated.For in vivo study Swiss female mice were divided into four groups:NC-normal control;DC-diabetic control animals receiving saline;MET-diabetic animals receiving metformin(200 mg/kg);PFRF-diabetic animals receiving P.glandulosa fruit rinds flour(200 mg/kg).All of them were treated for 28 d.STZ was used in a single dose of 120 mg/kg to establish diabetic models.Body weight,water and food intake,fasting blood glucose were measured.Histopathological analysis of pancreas and liver were performed to evaluate STZ-induced tissue injuries.Results:Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavanones and triterpenoids.The P.glandulosa fruit rinds flour was non-toxic by the brine shrimp test.The fruit rinds flour also reduced the loss of body weight and significantly decreased food intake in the diabetic mice.Additionally,a significant reduction in blood glucose was observed for 15 d and this was maintained on 21 d and 28 d when compared with diabetic mice.Furthermore,the P.glandulosa fruit rinds flour has a favourable effect on the histopathological changes of the pancreas in STZ induced diabetes.Conclusions:It is concluded that P.glandulosa fruit rinds flour is a natural product that contains potent antioxidant compounds and presents good prospects for the improvement of diabetic mellitus by reducing serum glucose levels.

Characterization of Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl bark root extract and evaluation of cytotoxic effect on human tumor cell lines

Objective: To evaluate the chemical components of active extract from Cnidoscolus quercifolius root bark and its cytotoxic potential against several tumor strains. Methods: The high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and ~1H and ^(13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the extract were used to distinguish the existence of possible functional groups in the root bark extract. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of methanol extract on human colon cancer cell lines was evaluated using OVCAR-8, SF-295, HCT-116, HL-60 strains and the samples were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method. Results: The analysis of nuclear magnetic spectra of the active chloroform fraction revealed the presence of absorptions bands correspondent to a mixture of favelines such as neofavelanone, deoxofaveline or methyl-faveline, which structures were confirmed by ultraviolet spectra upon high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection analysis. The active fraction showed cytotoxic effects in the tested strains, HCT-116, SF-295, OVCAR-8 and HL-60 cells with IC_(50) of 72 hours ranging from 4.95 to 15.23 μg/mL. Conclusions: The results suggest that the substances present in faveleira(Cnidoscolus quercifolius) root bark extract have a cytotoxic potential against several tumor lines, showing a broader antitumour potential, and in addition no adverse to healthy cells. Therefore, the root bark extract of Cnidoscolus quercifolius has a possibility of use for anticarcinogenic therapies.