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The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of standardized methanolic extracts from seven Ficus deltoidea varieties in inhibiting the formation of AGEs, protein oxidation, and their antioxidant effects. The antiglycation activity was analyzed based on the inhibition of AGEs, fructosamine, and thiol groups level followed by the inhibition of protein carbonyl formation. The antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power assay) and total phenolic contents were evaluated. After 28 days of induction, all varieties of Ficus deltoidea extracts significantly restrained the formation of fluorescence AGEs by 4.55–5.14 fold. The extracts also reduced the fructosamine levels by 47.0–86.5%, increased the thiol group levels by 64.3–83.7%, and inhibited the formation of protein carbonyl by 1.36–1.76 fold. DPPH radical scavenging activity showed an IC50 value of 66.81–288.04 μg/ml and reducing power activity depicted at 0.02–0.24 μg/ml. The extent of phenolic compounds present in the extracts ranged from 70.90 to 299.78 mg·GAE/g. Apart from that, correlation studies between the activities were observed. This study revealed that seven varieties of Ficus deltoidea have the potential to inhibit AGEs formation and possess antioxidant activity that might be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey has potential in controlling obesity by reducing excess weight gain and other obesity parameters such as triglyceride levels. However, its effects on the cells that stores lipid (adipocytes) is still unclear. This study was performed to observe the effects of pineapple honey on the growth and lipid accumulation of adipocytes in vitro. Pineapple honey was standardised according to its total phenolic and flavonoid contents prior to treating on differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Proliferation of adipocytes was observed using 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-dipenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay while lipid accumulation and droplet size were determined using oil red O staining and Feret's diameter. Pineapple honey exhibited 0.0379 ± 0.001 mg/100 mL GAE of total phenolic content and 0.098 ± 0.001 mg catechin/kg of total flavonoid content. It significantly inhibited adipocytes' proliferation starting from 6.25% of pineapple honey concentration. In addition, the honey also significantly reduced lipid droplet size by 33.78% to 70.36% and reduced lipid accumulation compared to the control. These findings suggest that pineapple honey may affect the storage of lipids in adipocytes. Future investigation involving the biomarkers of adipogenesis is required to confirm whether the reduction in lipid accumulation is attributed to the effect of honey on these pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: As such, this study reports the effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn fruit methanolic extract and fractions (ethyl acetate, n-hexane, and butanol) on glucose uptake stimulation, as well as regulation of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) in L6 myotubes and 3T3F442A adipocytes cells. Materials and Methods: The stimulating effects of methanolic extract and fractions of H. sabdariffa Linn fruit on glucose uptake in 3T3F442A adipocytes through in vitro assay assessment are reported. The GLUT4 translocation of L6 myotubes membrane was also investigated. Results: The outcomes of this study revealed that methanolic extract and fractions were unable to induce glucose uptake in 3T3F442A adipocytes. In addition, the methanolic extract and fractions were incapable of enhancing both the distribution and the regulation of GLUT4 in L6 myotubes, in relation to the control. Conclusion: The systematic empirical works performed in this study conclude that the H. sabdariffa Linn derivatives are unsuitable potentials for the progression of new anti-diabetic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stevioside from Stevia rebaudiana has been reported to exert antihyperglycemic effects in both rat and human subjects. There have been few studies on these effects in vitro. In this paper, radioactive glucose uptake assay was implemented in order to assess improvements in insulin sensitivity in 3T3-L1 cells by elevation of glucose uptake following treatment with stevioside. Oil Red-O staining and MTT assay were utilized to confirm adipocyte differentiation and cell viability, respectively. Findings from this research showed a significant increase in absorbance values in mature adipocytes following Oil Red-O staining, confirming the differentiation process. Stevioside was noncytotoxic to 3T3-L1 cells as cell viability was reduced by a maximum of 17%, making it impossible to determine its IC50. Stevioside increased glucose uptake activities by 2.1 times (p < 0.001) in normal conditions and up to 4.4 times (p < 0.001) in insulin-resistant states. At times, this increase was higher than that seen in positive control group treated with rosiglitazone maleate, an antidiabetic agent. Expressions of pY20 and p-IRSl which were measured via Western blot were improved by stevioside treatment. In conclusion, stevioside has direct effects on 3T3-L1 insulin sensitivity via increase in glucose uptake and enhanced expression of proteins involved in insulin-signalling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]