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Type 2 diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia and a relative loss of β–cell function. Our research investigated the antidiabetic potential of betulin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid found primarily in birch bark and, intriguingly, in a few marine organisms. Betulin has been shown to possess diverse biological activities, including antioxidant and antidiabetic activities; however, no studies have fully explored the effects of betulin on the pancreas and pancreatic islets. In this study, we investigated the effect of betulin on streptozotocin–nicotinamide (STZ)-induced diabetes in female Wistar rats. Betulin was prepared as an emulsion, and intragastric treatments were administered at doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg for 28 days. The effect of treatment was assessed by analyzing glucose parameters such as fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and glucose tolerance; hepatic and renal biomarkers; lipid peroxidation; antioxidant enzymes; immunohistochemical analysis; and hematological indices. Administration of betulin improved the glycemic response and decreased α–amylase activity in diabetic rats, although insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA–IR) scores remained unchanged. Furthermore, betulin lowered the levels of hepatic biomarkers (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alpha-amylase activities) and renal biomarkers (urea and creatine), in addition to improving glutathione levels and preventing the elevation of lipid peroxidation in diabetic animals. We also found that betulin promoted the regeneration of β–cells in a dose-dependent manner but did not have toxic effects on the pancreas. In conclusion, betulin at a dose of 50 mg/kg exerts a pronounced protective effect against cytolysis, diabetic nephropathy, and damage to the acinar pancreas and may be a potential treatment option for diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isoflavones are secondary metabolites that represent the most abundant category of plant polyphenols. Dietary soy, kudzu, and red clover contain primarily genistein, daidzein, glycitein, puerarin, formononetin, and biochanin A. The structural similarity of these compounds to β-estradiol has demonstrated protection against age-related and hormone-dependent diseases in both genders. Demonstrative shreds of evidence confirmed the fundamental health benefits of the consumption of these isoflavones. These relevant activities are complex and largely driven by the source, active ingredients, dose, and administration period of the bioactive compounds. However, the preclinical and clinical studies of these compounds are greatly variable, controversial, and still with no consensus due to the non-standardized research protocols. In addition, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion studies, and the safety profile of isoflavones have been far limited. This highlights a major gap in understanding the potentially critical role of these isoflavones as prospective replacement therapy. Our general review exclusively focuses attention on the crucial role of isoflavones derived from these plant materials and critically highlights their bioavailability, possible anticancer, antiaging potentials, and microbiome modulation. Despite their fundamental health benefits, plant isoflavones reveal prospective therapeutic effects that worth further standardized analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes remains a major health emergency in our entire world, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. In conjunction with its much-dreaded complications (e.g., nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, cardiovascular diseases, etc.) it substantially reduces the quality of life, increases mortality as well as economic burden among patients. Over the years, oxidative stress and inflammation have been highlighted as key players in the development and progression of diabetes and its associated complications. Much research has been devoted, as such, to the role of antioxidants in diabetes. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant found mostly in marine organisms. Over the past years, several studies have demonstrated that astaxanthin could be useful in the treatment and management of diabetes. It has been shown to protect β-cells, neurons as well as several organs including the eyes, kidney, liver, etc. against oxidative injuries experienced during diabetes. Furthermore, it improves glucose and lipid metabolism along with cardiovascular health. Its beneficial effects are exerted through multiple actions on cellular functions. Considering these and the fact that foods and natural products with biological and pharmacological activities are of much interest in the 21st-century food and drug industry, astaxanthin has a bright prospect in the management of diabetes and its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the issue on Brønsted acidity enhancement by the presence of zinc species in H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite (G.D. Qi, et al. Angew. Chem.‐Int. Edit. 2016, 55, 15826), the influence of Zn2+ cationic species, introduced into the zeolite, on the strength of Brønsted acid sites (BAS) has been analyzed by solid‐state NMR and FTIR techniques using trimethylphosphine (TMP) and CO as probe molecules. Comparative analysis of the acidity for H‐ZSM‐5 and Zn2+/H‐ZSM‐5 zeolites has been performed. TMP adsorbed on both zeolite samples exhibits same signals at 6.3 and −4.5 ppm in 1H and 31P MAS NMR spectra, respectively, assigned to protonated TMP. FTIR spectroscopy has shown that both zeolite samples, H‐ZSM‐5 and Zn2+/H‐ZSM‐5, display the same red frequency shift (ΔνOH⋅⋅⋅CO=−318 cm−1) of the O−H stretching band and the same blue frequency shift (ΔνCO=+32 cm−1) of the CO stretching band for CO adsorption complex with BAS. The results obtained do not provide any evidence for the existence of some specific BAS with enhanced acid strength for Zn2+‐exchanged zeolite compared to the strength inherent to pure acid‐form zeolite. It is thus inferred the strength of BAS in H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite is not affected by the modification of the zeolite with Zn2+ cationic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of mushrooms as functional foods and in the treatment of diseases has a long history. Inonotus obliquus is a mushroom belonging to the Hymenochaetaceae family and has possible anticancer, antiviral, and hypoglycemic properties. Chemical analysis of this mushroom has allowed the identification of various constituents such as melanins, phenolic compounds, and lanostane-type triterpenoids. A plethora of findings have highlighted the potential molecular mechanisms of actions of this mushroom such as its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species, inhibit the growth of tumors, decrease inflammation and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes, and stimulate the immune system. This review summarizes the relevant findings with reference to the therapeutic potential of this mushroom in countering the progression of cancers, diabetes mellitus, and antiviral activities, while highlighting its possible molecular mechanisms of action. The possible role of this mushroom as a therapeutic agent in addressing the pathogenesis of diabetes and cancer has also been suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]