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Interest in the consumption of seed sprouts is gradually increasing as functional foods in the modern Western diet owing to their several nutritional and health benefits. The present study aims to investigate four major legume sprouts derived from faba bean (Vicia faba L.), lentil (Lens esculenta L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-greacum L.) for their antidiabetic activity and mitigation of associated complications, i.e., oxidative stress, liver dysfunction, and lipid metabolism, compared with glibenclamide. Biochemical results presented herein further showed that the four sprouts exhibited significant hypoglycemic effects (p < 0.05), with improvement in decreasing of blood glucose levels at different degrees and with faba bean sprout most active at 348% improvement, compared to 364.3% for glibenclamide. Further biochemometric analysis based on a comparison between targeted versus untargeted partial least square (PLS) and regression analyses revealed that faba bean sprouts’ richness in flavonoids was a determinant key factor for such efficacy. In addition, correlation with previously investigated NMR fingerprinting aided in pinpointing other active agents, such as betaine and L-DOPA. Furthermore, the effect on serum liver enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase; oxidative stress markers; and lipid profiles showed significant improvement, especially in the case of faba bean sprout. The study revealed the potential health benefits of legume sprouts in the treatment of diabetes and its associated complications, as well as the potential role of biochemometrics in active agents’ identification in such a complex matrix to be considered for other functional foods investigation.

Abstract Background Plantago spp. includes more than 200 species which had been used traditionally to treat many diseases including colds, hepatitis, and infectious diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate carbohydrates and fixed oil from Plantago ovata L. (Plantaginaceae) seeds against ketoprofen-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats. Results The aqueous extract of P. ovata seeds contain 39% (wt/wt) carbohydrate as glucose and 35% (wt/wt) as mucilage. Paper chromatographic analysis and GLC of the mucilage hydrolysate revealed the presence of six free sugars. GC/MS analysis of the saponifiable and unsaponifiable matter of the petroleum ether extract identified 15 compounds from the saponifiable matter. Linoleic acid ethyl ester was the major unsaturated fatty acid, while palmitic acid methyl ester is presented as the major saturated fatty acid. Eighteen compounds were identified from the unsaponifiable matter. 6-Phenyldodecane and 6-phenyl tridecane are presented as major compounds in the unsaponifiable matter. Five steroidal compounds, namely β-sitosterol, Lupeol, Stigmasterol, Campesterol, and 24(25)-dihydrocycloartenol, were identified and confirmed. Carbohydrates and fixed oil administered to normal control rats showed insignificant changes in the oxidative stress markers; liver and kidney function indices, liver DNA degradation pattern, and the histopathological picture of liver and kidney revealed their safety. Ketoprofen induced drastic changes in all the measured parameters. Treatments recorded variable degrees of improvement referring to silymarin as a reference herbal drug. Conclusions The self-recovery process is not an efficient tool against the ketoprofen toxicity. Treatment with plant carbohydrates exhibited the most potent effect in improving the selected parameters under investigation and served as a safe agent for treatment hepatorenal toxicity in rats.

Pulicaria undulata subsp. undulata (Family; Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant used to treat inflammation. The objective of this study is to explore the protective effect of the ethanol extract of P. undulata subsp. undulata aerial parts against ethanol induced gastric ulcer in rats. The chemical composition of plant extract, the unsaponifiable matter and the fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed. The biological evaluation was carried out through measuring ulcer indices, oxidative stress markers, certain marker enzymes, inflammatory index and the histopathological assessment of the stomach in rats. The total unsaponifiable matter (94.29%) and the fatty acid methyl ester (82.96%) content were identified. Gastric ulcer recorded significant increase in gastric volume and lesion counts (p < 0.0001). Drastic changes in all biochemical parameters under investigation were observed. Protection with plant extract reversed the action of ethanol by variable degrees of improvement in comparison with the reference drug. The presence of carbohydrates and proteins that acted as a mucilage lining the stomach inner wall give its protective action. In conclusion, P. undulata subsp. undulata succeeded to have anti-ulcerative protective effect. The measured biomarkers served as a good mirror to predict gastric ulcer and the presence of carbohydrates, protein and fibers present in the plant extract acted as a mucilage lining the inner intestinal wall and protect against ethanol induced gastric ulcer. Future study will be carried out to identify the biologically active compounds responsible for plant protection against the gastric ulcer.