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Plantago major L. (P. major L.) is a perennial plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae. It has been used as a folk remedy for diabetes in Europe and Asia. However, the biologically active constituents responsible for the antidiabetic effects have not been reported. The objectives of this study aimed at determining the chemical components of Plantago major L. and evaluating the antidiabetic activity of the extracts using streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic mice. In this study, the Swiss mice were fed a high-fat diet to gain weight before STZ injections to induce diabetic conditions. The STZ-induced diabetic mice were orally treated with P. major L. extracts. The blood glucose test results from the treated diabetic mice and nontreated diabetic mice were compared. We found that a 15-day treatment with EP6 extract from P. major L. at a dose of 400 mg/kg could reduce the blood glucose level to the same level as a 15-day treatment with glucophage at a dose of 70 mg/kg. The major chemical components and structural characterization of EP6 extract were also reported. AST (aspartate transferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) indicators of liver damage were measured in the treated and nontreated diabetic mice to give an overall view of the antidiabetic effect of P. major L. extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal mushroom Phellinus linteus (“Sanghuang” in Chinese, 桑黄) is a famous fungus which is widely used in China, Korea, and other Asian countries. As a traditional Chinese medicine with a 2000-year long history, medicinal applications of Phellinus linteus mainly include treating hemorrhage, hemostasis and diseases related to female menstruation according to Chinese clinical empirical practice. A number of studies reported Phellinus linteus possessed good therapeutic effects on various ailments including tumor, diabetes, inflammation, obesity, etc . The present paper comprehensively reviewed the traditional uses, fermentation, constituent and pharmacology of Phellinus linteus based on scientific literature as well as critical analysis of the research. This review aimed to provide latest information and new foundations and directions for further investigations on Phellinus linteus . All available information about Phellinus linteus was supplied by library database and electronic search (CNKI, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PubMed, etc .). Some local and ancient books as well as brilliant scholars were also important information resources. Improvement of fermentation techniques promoted the production of Phellinus linteus . Studies of constituents showed the main chemical composition of Phellinus linteus included polysaccharides, flavones, triterpenes, aromatic acids, amino acids, etc . and polysaccharides were found to account for the largest proportion. Pharmacological researches revealed Phellinus linteus possessed a variety of biological activities including anti-cancer, immuno-regulation, anti-diabetes, anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation. Based on these summarized information, this review was presented to provide helpful references and beneficial directions for future studies of Phellinus linteus . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus or type-2 diabetes, commonly referred as diabetes, is a metabolic disorder that results in high blood sugar level. Despite the availability of several antidiabetic drugs in the market, they still do not adequately regulate blood sugar levels. Thus, in general people prefer to use herbal supplements/medicines along with antidiabetic drugs to control blood sugar levels. One of such herbal medicine is Swietenia macrophylla seeds. It is widely used in Asia for controlling blood sugar levels. One of the major bioactive compounds, Swietenine, is reported to be responsible for controlling blood glucose levels. However, there were no studies on its efficacy in controlling the blood glucose in diabetic rats. In this study, we evaluated the antihyperglycemic activity of Swietenine and its pharmacodynamic interaction with Metformin in Streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. The activity of Swietenine was investigated at three different doses: 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight (bw). Metformin (50 mg/kg bw) was used as a standard drug. Swietenine (20 and 40 mg/kg bw) and Metformin (50 mg/kg bw) showed significant effect in reducing the glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, urea, creatinine, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and malondialdehyde level in serum while it had increased the high-density lipoprotein, glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity level. In addition, Swietenine (20 and 40 mg/kg) had shown significant synergistic effect with Metformin. Administration of Swietenine at 10 mg/kg bw neither showed activity nor influenced Metformin's activity. The results from this study confirmed the beneficial effects of Swietenine and its synergistic action with Metformin in controlling the dysregulated serum parameters in Streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. [Display omitted] • Swietenine, at 20 and 40 mg/kg, showed dose-dependent antidiabetic effect. • Swietenine potentiated the antidiabetic effect of Metformin. • The combination of Swietenine and Metformin was non-toxic. • Swietenine reversed the dysregulated functions of liver, kidney, and pancreas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]