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Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder. Synthetic antidiabetics are the commonly used treatment options associated with complications. The objective of this study was to explore the antioxidative and antidiabetic potential of Euphorbia helioscopia whole plant ethanolic extract using in vitro and in vivo models. For that purpose, the antioxidative potential was explored by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl analysis. In vitro antidiabetic potential of the extract was evaluated using amylase inhibitory analysis. In vivo antidiabetic activity of the extract was assessed in diabetic rats using streptozotocin/nicotinamide (60 mg/kg/120 mg/kg) as an inducing agent. Metformin was used as standard. The results indicated the presence of significant quantities of phenolic 82.18 ± 1.28 mgg -1 gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and flavonoid 66.55±1.22 mgg -1 quercetin equivalent (QE) contents in the extract. Quantitation of phytoconstituents exhibited the presence of sinapic acid, myricetin, and quercetin using HPLC analysis. The extract inhibited α -amylase by 84.71%, and an antiglycemic potential of 50.34% was assessed in the OGTT assay. Biochemical analysis demonstrated a reduction in urea, creatinine, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and alkaline phosphatase ( p < 0.001) as compared to diabetic control rats at the dose of 500 mg/kg. An upregulation in the expressions of glucokinase, glucose transporter 4, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ , and insulin-like growth factor was observed in treated rats in contrast to G6P expression, which was downregulated upon treatment. In conclusion, this study provided evidence of the antioxidative and antidiabetic potential of E. helioscopia whole plant ethanolic extract through in vitro and in vivo analysis and emphasized its promising role as a natural alternative., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Ahmed Raza et al.)

Lactucaserriola (L. serriola), commonly known asprickly lettuce, is an annual and biennial herb. The plant is traditionally used as sedative, hypnotic, cough suppressant, expectorant, purgative, diuretic, vasorelaxant, demulcent, antiseptic and antispasmodic. Aim of present study was to evaluate protective effect of L. serriola in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Silymarin was used as a standard drug. Hepatoprotective effect of extract was determined by liver biochemical markers, anti-oxidant enzymes and blood lipid profile. Methanolic extract was found to be the most potent in in-vitro antioxidant assays and used for further studies. Treatment with paracetamol increased the level of hepatic biomarkers, blood lipid profile and decreased anti-oxidant enzyme levels. Pre-treatment with Lactuca serriola caused restoration of hepatic biomarkers, blood lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes. FTIR represented that L. serriola contains hydroxyl (-OH), carboxylic acid (C=O) and alkene (C=C) groups. HPLC analysis showed presence of polyphenolic compounds in the methanolic extract of L. serriola. It is concluded that the methanolic extract of Lactuca serriola possesses hepatoprotective potential that might be linked to the presence of polyphenolic compounds and their anti-oxidant activities.

Ziziphus oxyphylla Edgew (Z. oxyphylla) is a small shrub to a medium sized tree. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Z. oxyphylla in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxic rat model. Silymarin was used as a standard drug. Methanol extract was found to be the most potent in in-vitro antioxidant studies. The methanol extract of Z. oxyphylla was administered to experimental animals. The hepatoprotective effect of extract was evaluated by measuring liver biochemical markers, anti-oxidant enzymes and blood lipid profile. Treatment with the paracetamol increased the level of hepatic biomarkers, blood lipid profile and decreased anti-oxidant enzymes. Pre-treatment with Z. oxyphylla caused restoration of hepatic biomarkers, blood lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes levels. It is concluded that the methanol extract of Z. oxyphylla possesses hepatoprotective activity that might be due to quercetin and kaempferol glycosides present in the plant extract. Further studies are required to elucidate the exact mechanism of action of these isolated flavonoid glycosides.

Aerva lanata Linn. (A. lanata) is traditionally used for cough, sore throat and asthma. The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory potentials of A. lanata in allergic asthmatic mice. BALB/c mice were administered with three different (methanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate) extracts of A. lanata two weeks after immunization with ovalbumin and continued for 7 days. Inflammatory cells count was estimated in blood and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). RT-PCR was used to find out mRNA expression levels of inflammatory mediators. GC-MS analysis was also carried out. Among three extracts of A. lanata, ethyl acetate extract ameliorated (p < 0.001) count of inflammatory cells both blood and BALF remarkably. This study indicated that ethyl acetate extract of A. lanata lowered (p < 0.001) the level of inflammatory modulator TNF-α and IgE antibodies. A. lanata reduced (p < 0.001) interleukin 4, 5, 13 and enhanced (p < 0.001) expression levels of AQP1 and AQP5 in asthmatic mice. GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate fraction indicated the presence of various anti-oxidant phyto-constituents. The groups treated with A. lanata improved inflammatory, goblet cells hyperplasia scoring and alveolar thickening. The anti-asthmatic effect of A. lanata might be contributed by the suppression of edema, pro-inflammatory cytokines and IgE antibodies, and elevation of aquaporin expression levels, suggesting future study and clinical trials to propose it as a candidate to treat allergic asthma. The anti-oxidant phytochemicals present in A. lanata might be responsible for such potential. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]