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Increased cholesterol level increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein-2 (SREBP-2) is a transcription factor for the synthesis of cholesterol genes. SREBP-2 can induce the expression of HMG CoA Reductase (HMGR). HMGR is a key cholesterol synthesis enzyme. Indonesianin-5, derived from Mahogany seeds (Swietenia macrophylla K), is a flavonoid. Indonesianin-5 is known to have a hypocholesterolemic effect. This study aimed to analyze the mechanism of Indonesianin-5 to decrease LDL and cholesterol levels and the expression of hepatic SREBP-2 and HMGR. Rattus norvegicus were grouped into 5 groups: normal group (N), Hypercholesterolemia group (HC), Hypercholesterolemic groups given simvastatin (HC+Sim), 10 mg of Indonesianin-5 (HC+ 10 Ind-5) and 90 mg of Indonesianin-5 (HC+ 90 Ind-5). In silico analysis was used to determine the effects of Indonesianin-5. The expressions of SREBP-2 and HMGR were analyzed by the RT-PCR method. Indonesianin-5 inhibited the activity of the HMGR enzyme. Expression of SREBP-2 was high after induction of Indonesianin-5 (p<0.05). The expression of HMGR was high after induction of Indonesianin-5 (p<0.05). Indonesianis-5 inhibits HMG CoA reductase and increases gene expression of SREBP-2 and HMG CoA reductase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to a defect of insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. There are increasing evidence that active compounds of medicinal plants may be used to treat diabetes. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a 7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-chroman-4-one flavonoid compound of the Swietenia macrophylla King seed on homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4) gene expression in diabetic rats. Materials and Method: Thirty Wistar rats were used with 5 in each group as follows: 1) normal rats; 2) diabetic rats; 3) diabetic rats with metformin; 4), 5) and 6) diabetic rats with a 7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenly)-chroman-4-one 10, 30 and 90 mg/200 g body weight (BW) respectively. Blood glucose and insulin levels were analyzed before and after treatment. At the end of the study, the liver tissue was removed for quantitative PCR (qPCR) analyses. Results: Blood glucose levels decreased significantly (p<0.05) in diabetic rats with metformin and three different dosages of 7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenly)-chroman-4-one. Insulin levels increased significantly (p<0.05) in diabetic rats with metformin and diabetic rats with 10 mg/200 g BW of 7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenly)-chroman-4-one. HOMA-IR value decreased significantly (p<0.05) in diabetic rats with metformin and three different dosages of 7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenly)-chroman-4-one. There was a significant decrease of PEPCK gene expression in the group with 90 mg/200 g BW of 7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenly)-chroman-4-one. RBP4 gene expression showed a decline, but the difference between groups was not statistically different. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that 7-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenly)-chroman-4-one increased insulin and decreased blood glucose level, HOMA-IR value and PEPCK gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Hyperglycemia increases inflammation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Goat and soybean milks have been known to reduce inflammation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of goat milk and soybean milk kefir on IL-6 and CRP levels in diabetic rats. Materials and Method: A total of 25 male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: 1) normal rats; 2) diabetic rats; 3) diabetic rats with intake of goat milk kefir; 4) diabetic rats with intake of soybean milk kefir; and 5) diabetic rats with combination of both types of kefir. Before kefir administration for 4 weeks, plasma glucose was measured. After treatment, plasma glucose, CRP and IL-6 levels were assessed. Results: There was a significant decline of plasma glucose in diabetic rats with goat milk kefir (p=0.021), and in diabetic rats with the combination of both goat milk and soybean milk kefir (p<0.001). After treatment, CRP level in diabetic rats was significantly higher when compared with those that had goat milk kefir (p=0.043). All of diabetic rats with kefir had IL-6 values significantly lower than diabetic rats without it (p=0.021). Conclusion: Both goat milk and soybean milk kefir can reduce IL-6 level, but only goat milk kefir can reduce CRP in diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]