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Introduction: Herbal medicines are commonly used by many people with diabetes in addition to standard treatment. Plants contain numerous known and unknown compounds that may exacerbate or ameliorate diabetes complications. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of the side effects of these herbs before prescribing them. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Securigera securidaca (HESS) seeds alone and in combination with glibenclamide on the angiogenic/anti-angiogenic balance in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Groups involved in this animal study included diabetic and healthy controls, three doses of HESS, glibenclamide, and combination therapy. Serum samples were collected and analyzed for a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), fetal liver kinase 1 (FLK-1), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT-1), and transforming growth factor -beta (TGF-β). Results: Induction of diabetes increased VEGF, FGF21, and TGF-β serum levels and decreased circulating FLK-1 and sFLT-1 factors. Herbal extract, except TGF-β, had little effect on the above blood levels even at the highest doses. Glibenclamide was more effective than the highest dose of HESS in improving the vascular complications of diabetes. Combination therapy with the highest dose of HESS partly enhanced the glibenclamide effects. Conclusion: Compared with glibenclamide as a standard chemical drug, HESS had no significant effects on the blood levels of the pro/anti-angiogenesis factor in diabetic rats. Glibenclamide attenuated the levels of the biomarkers and its effects were somewhat enhanced in combination with the highest dose of HESS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nigella sativa (N. sativa), one of the most commonly used medicinal herbs with antioxidant properties, increases blood insulin levels and lowers fasting blood sugar. Nuclear Erythroid Factor-Related Factor 2 (Nrf2) and Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) are two antioxidant factors that are increased by oxidative stress and hyperglycemia. The present study investigated how hydroalcoholic extract of N. sativa seed (HENS) increases blood insulin levels, taking into account changes in antioxidant factors and expression of insulin transcription factors. Materials and methods: Two groups of male diabetic wistar rats were treated orally with HESN at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg-body weight for one month. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and insulin were measured using standard kits by photometric and ELISA methods, respectively. The expression levels of the Nrf2, FGF21 and β-Klotho genes as well as the insulin gene-stimulating transcription factors of MafA and PDX-1 were evaluated using real-time PCR. Oxidative stress was assessed by assessing serum total oxidation status (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Results: HSEN showed a significant reducing effect on FBS and oxidative biomarkers and an increasing effect on serum insulin levels in treated diabetic rats compared to untreated diabetics (P < 0.05). The elevated levels of NRF2 and FGF21 in the liver and pancreas of the diabetic control group were significantly reduced after treatment with both HESN doses (P < 0.05). Following the ameliorative effects of HENS on pancreatic tissue and the reduction of oxidative stress, the expression level of MafA and PDX1 genes approached the level of these factors in healthy rats (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed the therapeutic effects of HENS on diabetic pancreas by reducing oxidative stress and tissue damage, modifying the expression levels of PDX-1 and MafA genes, and regulating insulin secretion and blood glucose levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Seeds of Securigera securidaca (L.) Degen & Dorfl are rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids which have potent biological effects. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of S. securidaca seeds (HESS) alone, and in combination with a standard drug, glibenclamide (GB) on paraoxonase1 (PON1) activity, lipid profile and peroxidation, and cardiovascular risk indices in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight equal groups and orally treated with various doses of HESS (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) alone and in combination with GB (5 mg/kg) for 35 consecutive days. After blood sampling, lipid profile including triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, high, low and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C, LDL-C, and VLDL-C), as well as serum PON1 activity, were assessed. Malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were also measured. Several indices of cardiovascular risk and the correlation between PON1 activity and these indices were calculated based on the obtained results from the lipid profile. Results: Induction of diabetes could dramatically alter all of the parameters mentioned above, and the lower dose of HESS (100 mg/kg) was not effective in restoring the parameters. However, the higher doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) alone and in combination with GB could significantly improve lipid profile, restore PON1 activity, and decrease cardiovascular risk indices, MDA, as well. However, neither HESS nor GB could significantly reduce TNF-a and hs-CRP. A significant negative correlation also was detected between PON1 activity and cardiovascular risk indices. Conclusion: Conclusively, HESS can be considered as a potent antihyperlipidemic agent with remarkable cardioprotective effects and can potentiate the antidiabetic effects of GB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus has a variety of structural and functional effects on the male reproductive system. Diabetes results in reduced sperm parameters and libido. The present study aims to investigate the effects of royal jelly (RJ) on reproductive parameters of testosterone and malondialdehyde (MDA) production in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on adult male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into four groups (n=8 per group): control, RJ. diabetic and diabetic treated with RJ. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg body weight (BW) of streptozotocin (STZ). RJ. at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW was given by gavage. The duration of treatment was six weeks. After the treatment period the rats were sacrificed. The testes were weighed and changes in sperm count, motility, viability, deformity, DNA integrity and chromatin quality were analyzed. Serum testosterone and MDA concentrations of testicular tissue were determined. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with p<0.05 as the significant level. Results: STZ-induced diabetes decreased numerous reproductive parameters in rats. Testicular weight, sperm count, motility, viability and serum testosterone levels increased in the diabetic group treated with RJ. There was a significant decrease observed in sperm deformity, DNA integrity, chromatin quality, and tissue MDA levels in diabetic rats treated with RJ compared to the diabetic group (p<0.05). Conclusion: RJ improved reproductive parameters such as testicular weight, sperm count, viability, motility, deformity, DNA integrity, chromatin quality, serum testosterone and testicular tissue MDA levels in diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undesired effects of synthetic antidiabetic agents have made researchers to seek for safer and healthier resources. With this aspect, herbal materials have attracted substantial research interest and are being extensively investigated. Considering that herb-drug interactions can be a double-edged sword presenting both risks and benefits, investigation of such interactions is greatly in demand. to investigate possible beneficial effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Securigera Securidaca seed (HESS) on antioxidant capacity, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and insulin resistance in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, alone and in combination with glibenclamide. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided in to eight equal groups including healthy and diabetic controls and six treated groups with a various doses of HESS alone and in combination with glibenclamide, for 35 consecutive days. Serum samples were taken and analyzed for biochemical profile, HOMA indexes, FGF21, oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammatory biomarkers as compared with the controls. Moreover, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of herbal extract were assessed. The herbal extract was found to be rich in flavonoid and phenolic components. Both of glibenclamide and the HESS decreased glucose and insulin resistance, as well as increased body weight and insulin sensitivity. Moreover, the extract could mitigate oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammation dose-dependently, however, the standard drug was less effective than HESS. Induction of diabetes increased FGF21 levels and both of the treatments could reduce its contents, however, glibenclamide was more effective than HESS. The results clearly show that there is no contradiction between HESS and glibenclamide. Moreover, the herbal extract could augment antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the standard drug. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]