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Though vanadium complexes mimic the action of insulin, owing to their toxicity, research is still in progress for a new vanadium complex with maximum efficacy at low concentration and without any side effects. A novel macrocyclic binuclear oxovanadium complex was synthesized, its composition and structure were confirmed by spectral studies and its efficacy was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats over a period of 30 days. The oral administration of the complex normalizes the blood glucose level in the diabetic rats and also maintains normoglycemia after a glucose load. The biochemical studies revealed that the complex is not toxic to the system. The nontoxic nature of this complex may be due to the presence of the vanadyl ions in an intact form. The study highlights the nontoxic and hypoglycemic effects of the new macrocyclic binuclear oxovanadium complex.

Background Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that can cause prolonged hypoglycemia when misdosed or overdosed subcutaneously. There are no reports of intravenous overdoses of insulin glargine. Objectives We present a case of a patient inadvertently given a large intravenous dose of insulin glargine (100 units) who had an unremarkable course. Case Report A 46-year-old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes was found to be hyperglycemic and was mistakenly given an intravenous bolus of 100 units of insulin glargine. She did not become hypoglycemic, did not require parenteral dextrose, and her blood sugar readings stabilized within 3 h. She was admitted and observed for 17 h and discharged without complication. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first report of a significant intravenous insulin glargine administration. This patient had an unremarkable course and recovered without any parenteral glucose. This case, along with prior studies on healthy volunteers, suggests that unlike subcutaneous overdoses, intravenous insulin glargine misdose/overdose may not need prolonged observation; an observation time of 6 h may be sufficient in these patients.

Objective Research has determined differences in the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic actions of glyburide and glipizide. The goal of this study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects of glyburide/glipizide combination therapy in the management of patients with diabetes not adequately controlled on either agent alone. Methods Nine patients (3 men, mean age 50.6 ± 11 y) who were hyperglycemic on either glyburide or glipizide monotherapy continued their previous regimen with doses titrated up to maximum daily doses and dietary therapy for 4 weeks, and then they were placed on morning glipizide/evening glyburide combination therapy for 12 weeks. Results Combination therapy had no significant effect on glycemic control; no differences in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAIC) were observed (baseline, 15.3% ± 3.6%; monotherapy, 14.8% ± 3.3%; combination, 13.4% ± 3.5%). However, during combined glyburide/glipizide therapy, fasting plasma glucose was significantly reduced by 53.4 ± 20.0 mg/dL in young (age AIC was reduced by 3.8% ± 4.0% in young and increased by 1.7% ± 1.3% in older subjects. No significant changes in blood pressure, body weight, or lipid parameters occurred. Conclusions Our preliminary data indicate the limited usefulness of combined glyburide/glipizide therapy. The modest reduction in hyperglycemia observed in patients younger than 50 years of age warrant future studying.

Bombyx batryticatus (B. batryticatus), a well-known traditional animal Chinese medicine, has been commonly used in China for thousands of years. The present paper reviewed advances in traditional uses, origin, chemical constituents, pharmacology and toxicity studies of B. batryticatus. The aim of the paper is to provide more comprehensive references for modern B. batryticatus study and application. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) culture, drugs containing B. batryticatus have been used to treat convulsions, headaches, skin prurigo, scrofula, tonsillitis and fever. Many studies indicate B. batryticatus contains various compounds, including protein and peptides, fatty acids, flavonoids, nucleosides, steroids, coumarin, polysaccharide and others. Numerous investigations also have shown that extracts and compounds from B. batryticatus exert a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects both in vivo and in vitro, including effects on the nervous system, anticoagulant effects, antitumor effects, antibacterial and antifungal effects, antioxidant effects, hypoglycemic effects, as well as other effects. However, further studies should be undertaken to investigate bioactive compounds (especially proteins and peptides), toxic constituents, using forms and the quality evaluation and control of B. batryticatus. Furthermore, it will be interesting to study the mechanism of biological activities and structure-function relationships of bioactive constituents in B. batryticatus.

Dietary fiber plays an important role in the prevention and reduction of chronic diseases. This study evaluated the effect of drying methods (hot air drying, vacuum drying, and freeze-drying) on physicochemical properties and in vitro hypoglycemic effects of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber from orange peels. Freeze-drying significantly decreased the bulk density of the soluble and insoluble dietary fiber and increased the viscosity of soluble dietary fiber solutions (36.33 mPa s). Hot air drying caused a decrease in the molecular weight of soluble dietary fiber compared with freeze-drying. Freeze-dried dietary fibers exhibited a higher glucose adsorption capacity and glucose dialysis retardation index than fibers from other drying conditions, and this method enhanced the inhibitory effect of dietary fiber on α-amylase activity. Based on these results, freeze-drying is suggested for use in dietary fiber processing to obtain high-quality products for use in functional foods. Practical applications When formulating fiber-rich food products, the functional properties of dietary fiber must be considered. The functional properties depend on the processing conditions and physicochemical properties of the fiber. The results show that freeze-drying has significant advantages in improving physicochemical properties and in vitro hypoglycemic effects of dietary fiber, and the application of freeze-drying in dietary fiber processing could enhance its nutrient and commercial values.

Background: The Philippines is one of the countries with high prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Although there are several drugs marketed to control it, there are unwanted side effects. Knowing this, alternative options have been sought for to control the disease. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the effects of aqueous extracts of Cycas riuminiana on the blood glucose and cholesterol levels of alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Materials and Methods: Aqueous crude leaf extract from C. riuminiana was administered to 6 and 30 ICR mice (Mus musculus) to determine whether there are toxic effects and effects on the blood glucose and cholesterol levels, respectively. The 30 mice were divided into six groups and were either treated with double distilled water, glimepiride, or the C. riuminiana aqueous extract. Results: After performing the acute oral toxicity, there were no deaths signifying that the extracts may be safe to administer in mice. After 28 days of treatment, statistical analyses indicated that the treatment groups had anti-hyperglycemic effects on the diabetic mice. The high-dose group had the lowest mean blood glucose values, which surpassed the hypoglycemic effects of the positive control group, which was treated with glimepiride. Furthermore, there was no difference between the control and the treatment groups. On the other hand, blood cholesterol values of the treatment and control groups were within the normal range after the 28 days study. Conclusion: The results of the study shows that C. riuminiana leaves have antidiabetic properties by lowering glucose and cholesterol levels at doses between 250 and 1000 mg/kg body weight.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that is usually associated with abnormalities in the metabolism of different substrates leading to high blood glucose levels (BGL). Aims and Objectives: Aims and objectives are to evaluate the effects of ethanolic extracts of Cajanus cajan (CCEE) leaves on its antihyperglycemic effects on BGL of normoglycemic mice. Materials and Methods: 45, 5-week-old female, mice were divided into five groups and were administered with either double distilled water, glimepiride, or CCEE. Results: Baseline BGLs were measured before the induction of hyperglycemia by glucose loading. 30 min after, the BGLs were measured again and ranged between 167.667 and 185.778 mg/dL. Immediately after the hyperglycemic BGLs were measured, the corresponding treatments were administered. Subsequently, three blood collections were done spanning 3 h with 1 h interval. The treatment doses were observed to have a faster onset than the positive control supported by the fact that the treatment groups had significant differences (P < 0.05) with their respective hyperglycemic BGLs on the 1st h, while the positive control group exhibited significant difference with its hyperglycemic BGL on the 2nd h. The hypoglycemic effect of the positive control peaked at the 3rd h with 67.33 mg/dL and surpassed the hypoglycemic effect of the medium- and high-dose groups with 83.778 and 98.556 mg/dL, respectively. The low-dose group did not have significant difference with the negative control group past the 1st h suggesting that this dosage has a weak hypoglycemic effect. Conclusion: These results indicate that the CCEE leaves were able to produce hypoglycemic effects at doses between 400 and 800 mg/kg bodyweight.

Background: Over the last century, human life style and food habits have drastically changed which lead to various chronic diseases. Diabetes mellitus is one such disease which is causing serious problems to human health. Allopathic drugs are not much effective in handling the disease and its complications. Hence focus has been turned towards the traditional system of medicine. Medicinal plants play an important role in the management of diabetes mellitus. Methods: Experimental studies conducted on species of Artemisia on diabetic animal models and human published since the year 2000 until April, 2017 were reviewed. Each article was critically appraised by two independent reviewers for their methodological quality using the JBIMAStARI tool. Result: A total of 14 studies were included in this review and the blood glucose data obtained from these critically reviewed studies clearly showed that both the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of species of Artemisia produced significant hypoglycemic effects in alloxan, Streptozotocin and high fat diet induced diabetic animals and diabetic humans with different mechanisms of action as compared to standard antidiabetic medications. Discussion and Conclusion: The antidiabetic effect of single or multiple doses of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Artemisia species was due to the active compounds of these plants and they all are effective in lessening the blood glucose level in all of those experimental studies. Despite the presence of known antidiabetic medicines in the pharmaceutical market, therapeutic remedies from these medicinal plants have been utilized with success to treat this disorder and its complications with a relatively less side effects.

Insulin is widely used in treating diabetes, but still needs to be administered by needle injection. This study investigated a new needle-free approach for insulin delivery. A portable powder needleless injection (PNI) device with an automatic mechanical unit was designed. Its efficiency in delivering insulin was evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. The skin irritation caused by the device was investigated and the results were analyzed in relation to aerodynamic parameters. Inorganic salt-carried insulin powders had hypoglycemic effects, while raw insulin powders were not effective when delivered by PNI, indicating that salt carriers play an important role in the delivery of insulin via PNI. The relative delivery efficiency of phosphate-carried insulin powder using the PNI device was 72.25%. A safety assessment test showed that three key factors (gas pressure, cylinder volume, and nozzle distance) were related to the amount of skin irritation caused by the PNI device. Optimized injection conditions caused minimal skin lesions and are safe to use in practice. The results suggest that PNI has promising prospects as a novel technology for delivering insulin and other biological drugs.

The associations between chronic feeding of high level of soluble/insoluble fibers and low serum glucose levels have been well documented. In the present study, composite flours were formulated using psyllium, barley and oat at two different levels [WPOB-I = wheat flour (75 %), psyllium (5 %), oat (10 %) and barley (10 %), WPOB-II = wheat flour (60 %), psyllium (10 %), oat (15 %) and barley (15 %)]. Chapaties were prepared from all formulations and various starch fractions were analyzed using controlled enzymatic digestion. The digestibility characteristics were studied using amylolysis kinetics employing porcine pancreatic α-amylase in vitro. Results showed that both the variations (WPOB-I & WPOB-II) had acceptable sensory qualities and had significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) values for total starch (TS), rapidly digestible starch (RDS), resistant starch (RS), starch digestibility index (SDI) and rapidly available glucose (RAG) compared to control. Between the two variations, WPOB-I showed better starch digestibility characteristics with significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) starch digestibility index (SDI). In case of amylolysis kinetics, both the variations significantly (p ≤ 0.05) inhibited α-amylase as reflected by lower glucose diffusion and significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) glucose dialysis retardation index (GDRI) compared to control. It is inferred that, consumption of the composite flours might be helpful in establishing stable blood glucose pattern due to the redistribution of nutritionally important starch fractions and inhibition of carbohydrate digestion in the gastrointestinal tract.

Nuzhenide and GI3, the principal secoiridoids of an extract obtained from the seeds of Fraxinus excelsior L. (FXE), are believed to be the active compounds responsible for the previously reported hypoglycemic effects of this extract. In this study, the effects of FXE were studied in two animal models which are representative of metabolic disorders: spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and obese Zucker rats. SHR were acutely treated (oral gavage) with different doses of FXE. In addition, SHR and Zucker rats were chronically fed (20 or 5 weeks, respectively) with standard chow supplemented with FXE. Acute treatment with FXE (200 mg per kg body weight) decreased systolic blood pressure as in the case with captopril (50 mg per kg body weight). Chronic treatment with FXE at 100 mg per kg body weight per day, a dose equivalent to that showing hypoglycemic activity in humans, resulted in a significant decrease in glycemia (−16.3%), triglyceridemia (−33.4%) and body weight (−8.1%) in Zucker rats as well as a significant decrease in SBP in SHR (−6.7%), with a concomitant improvement in endothelial function in both strains. The broad-ranging effects of FXE may be due to a unique compositional profile that could be useful to prevent the metabolic syndrome, characterized by obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridemia and elevated blood pressure.

Momordica charantia (karela) is commonly used as an antidiabetic and antihyperglycemic agent in Asian, Oriental and Latin American countries. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of long term feeding (10 weeks) of M. charantia fruit extract on blood plasma and tissue lipid profiles in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Type 1 diabetic rats. The results show that there was a significant (P0.05) increase in plasma non-esterified cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids in STZ-induced diabetic rats, accompanied by a decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. A moderate increase in plasma (LPO) product, malonedialdehyde (MDA), and about two-fold increase in kidney LPO was also observed in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The treatment of diabetic rats with M. charantia fruit extract over a 10-week period returned these levels close to normal. In addition, karela juice also exhibited an inhibitory effect on membrane LPO under in vitro conditions. These results suggest that M. charantia fruit extract exhibits hypolipidemic as well as hypoglycemic effects in the STZ-induced diabetic rat.

The risk of hypoglycemia limits the clinical application of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Our studies aimed to evaluate the mode of occurrence as well as the prevention of this side effect. Acute administration (i.v. infusion) of IGF-1 in subtotal nephrectomized uremic (U), sham-operated ad libitum fed control (C) and sham-operated pair-fed control (P) rats led to hypoglycemia, though more expressed in P. Serum glucose levels decreased within 60 min after the IGF-1 administration by 40% in U, by 45% in C and by 52% in P (p < 0.05, U vs. P). Chronic administration (7 days) of 1, 4 and 8 mg/kg/day IGF-1 in U rats led to hypoglycemia in an increasing manner as the dose of IGF-1 increased. On the first day, 2 h after injection, serum glucose levels were 116.5 ± 8.6, 110.4 ± 12.4, 60,3 ± 19.2 and 50.6 ± 18.3 mg/dl, respectively (p < 0.01). One week later, IGF-1 therapy proved to be less hypoglycemic in all the groups. On day 7, 2 h after injection the serum glucose levels were 118.9 ± 23.8, 89.0 ± 23.9 and 66.0 ± 32.0, respectively (in comparison to day 1 for 4 and 8 mg/kg/day IGF-1 p < 0.05). The combined effect of 4 mg/kg/day IGF-1 and 10 IU/kg/day growth hormone (GH) was also studied in U and P animals. Two hours after the first injections of IGF-1 serum glucose levels decreased in U from 120.0 ± 11.3 to 49.2 ± 21.6 mg/dl, while IGF-1 plus GH decreased the glucose level from 122.0 ± 15.5 to 81.3 ± 24.7 mg/dl (p < 0.05 IGF-1 vs. IGF-1 + GH). The hypoglycemic effect of IGF-1 was less expressed by long-term treatment and simultanous administration of GH overcame the glucose-lowering effect of IGF-1 (serum glucose levels on day 11 one hour after the injections: 73.7 ± 15.3 mg/dl with IGF-1, and 111.0 ± 7.8 mg/dl with IGF-1 + GH). Methylprednisolone (MP) did not significantly alter the former effects of IGF-1 and GH. In summary, IGF-1 leads to hypoglycemia in control and uremic rats in a dose-dependent manner. This effect becomes less expressed after prolonged administration. GH attenuates the hypoglycemic effect of IGF-1. This suggests that the combined GH and IGF-1 treatment is more effective and less dangerous in correcting uremic growth failure.

The positive influence of Aloe vera, a tropical cactus, on the healing of full-thickness wounds in diabetic rats is reported. Full-thickness excision/incision wounds were created on the back of rats, and treated either by topical application on the wound surface or by oral administration of the Aloe vera gel to the rat. Wound granulation tissues were removed on various days and the collagen, hexosamine, total protein and DNA contents were determined, in addition to the rates of wound contraction and period of epithelialization. Measurements of tensile strength were made on treated/untreated incision wounds. The results indicated that Aloe vera treatment of wounds in diabetic rats may enhance the process of wound healing by influencing phases such as inflammation, fibroplasia, collagen synthesis and maturation, and wound contraction. These effects may be due to the reported hypoglycemic effects of the aloe gel.

Objective To verify the antidiabetic potential of stem bark of Albizzia lebbeck ( A. lebbeck ) and seeds of Mucuna pruriens ( M. pruriens ) using various In vitro techniques. Methods The plant extracts were studied for their effects on glucose adsorption, diffusion amylolysis kinetics and glucose transport across yeast cells. Results Both the plant extracts adsorbed glucose and the adsorption of glucose increased remarkably with an increase in glucose concentration. No significant ( P ≤0.05) differences were observed between the adsorption capacities of A. lebbeck and M. pruriens . In amylolysis kinetic experimental model the rate of glucose diffusion was found to increase with time from 30 to 180 min, and both the plant extracts demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on movement of glucose into external solution across dialysis membrane as compared to control. The retardation of glucose diffusion by A. lebbeck extract was significantly higher ( P ≤0.05) than M. pruriens . These effects were reflected with higher glucose dialysis retardation index values for A. lebbeck than M. pruriens . The plant extracts also promoted glucose uptake by yeast cells. The rate of uptake of glucose into yeast cells was linear in all the 5 glucose concentrations used in the study. M. pruriens extract exhibited significantly higher ( P ≤0.05) activity than the extract of A. lebbeck at all concentrations. Conclusions The results verified the antidiabetic potential of A. lebbeck and M. pruriens . The hypoglycemic effect exhibited by the extracts is mediated by increasing glucose adsorption, decreasing glucose diffusion rate and at the cellular level by promoting glucose transport across the cell membrane as revealed by simple In vitro model of yeast cells.

Introduction alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. In particular berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids with anti-lipogenic and hypoglycemic effects. On the other hand, mate plant has reported to have high antioxidant potential, including an inhibitory ability against plasma and LDL oxidation. Areas covered Most of the studies reported in literature about alkaloids are pre-clinical trials, and we have already discussed them in a previous review we conducted. This time we want to focus our attention on clinical studies about berberine, and mate plant, so the aim of this review is to evaluate berberine and mate plant efficacy and safety in humans. Conclusion Berberine is a potent oral hypoglycemic agent with a good effect on lipid metabolism. It is safe and the cost of treatment is very low. Also mate plant seems to have antioxidant and hypolipidemic actions, even if further studies are necessary.

Globally, atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death and disability as it is a prelude to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke. The uses of antiatherogenic drugs, especially the hypolipidemics, although beneficial have limitations of their own and are associated with undue side effects. Lifestyle change and diet can affect a vast majority of the modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis and CVD. Nutraceuticals and herbals consumed regularly in diet offer an alternative to the synthetic compounds and are considered either nontoxic or less toxic than their synthetic counterparts. Since antiquity, the culinary spice Allium sativum Linn (garlic) has been used clinically in the various traditional systems of medicine to treat and prevent CVD and hyperlipidemia. Additionally, observations from both preclinical and clinical studies have shown that garlic when studied in the raw, aged, aqueous extract, dried powder, and oil forms retards the process of atherosclerosis. Garlic is rich in both water-soluble and water-insoluble organosulfuric compounds. These phytochemicals are responsible for their pungent odor and taste and are responsible for the myriad cardioprotective effects, which include free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, antiplatelet, and antihyperglycemic actions. Biochemical studies have shown that garlic reduces the plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increases the plasma level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Garlic also inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis, accumulation of cholesterol in tissues, and lipogenesis. Garlic is reported to enhance the plasma fibrinolytic activity, antiplatelet effect, and antioxidant properties. Garlic is also reported to possess antihypertensive and hypoglycemic effects, which are a major contributor to the process of atherogenesis. Garlic also slows the development of diabetic complications by inhibiting free radical generation, glycation of proteins, and accumulation of advanced glycation end products. This chapter collates the antiatherosclerotic effects of garlic and also addresses the lacunae for future research to validate.

Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder of the endocrine system, is one of the world's oldest diseases known to man. It is caused by inherited or acquired deficiency or inadequate secretion of hormone insulin (type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) or due to an inadequate response of target cells to insulin (type 2 or noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus – NIDDM), or by a combination of these factors that ultimately culminates in hyperglycemia. The currently available therapeutic options, especially for NIDDM, such as oral hypoglycemics, and insulin, have limitations of their own. Before discovery of insulin and development of oral hypoglycemic drugs, the major form of treatment involved the use of plants. One such plant with immense use in the treatment of diabetes is Syzygium cumini (L.) SKEELS (syn. Syzygium jambolanum DC, Eugenia jambolana LAM.). It is commonly known as Indian black berry or black plum in English and Jamun in Hindi and has been an integral part in the treatment of diabetes in the Indian traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda. Experimental studies performed in accordance with modern medicine principles have shown that Jamun is effective in preventing both hyperglycemia and its complications. This review collates the traditional uses and validated antidiabetic effects of Jamun and the various mechanisms contributing to the therapeutic effects. An attempt is also made to address the lacunae in these published studies and emphasize aspects that need further investigations for it to be of clinical use in the future.

Summary The stem decoction of Salvadora persica L., a drug widely used as a tooth cleaning stick in Arabian countries, shows, in normal rats, hypoglycemic effects, an increase in plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and an incremented oral-glucose tolerance. The decoction also causes a significant decrease in mean body weight without drastic reduction in food consumption.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a considerably diagnosed metabolic disease and a serious problem worldwide. We prepared various zinc complexes and studied their potential for use as new antidiabetic agents. In this study, we synthesized a seleniferous zinc complex, di(2-selenopyridine-N-oxidato)zinc(II) ([ZPS]) that has a Zn(Se2O2) coordination mode. Analyses of structure-activity relationships between its insulin-like activity and the coordination mode of [ZPS]-related complexes showed that it had high insulin-like activity. Hypoglycemic effects of [ZPS] on type 2 diabetic KK-A(y) mice were exerted at the lowest dose administered (1.25-2.5 mg Zn/kg body weight), unlike previously synthesized zinc complexes. Furthermore, [ZPS] afforded us a new advantage; we were able to investigate the tissue distribution of the ligand by measuring the amount of selenium in the organs of [ZPS]-treated mice. Gastrointestinal absorption and tissue penetration of zinc derived from [ZPS] in ddY mice, which was monitored using an isotope tracer technique, was significantly increased compared to that of ZnCl2. These results suggest that [ZPS] has superior antidiabetic effects compared to previously reported zinc complexes, and is thus a potential novel antidiabetic agent that facilitates the possibility of organoselenium ligands as new metal delivery systems for treating DM.

It was found that 3-fold intranasal administration of Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro peptide in a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight under conditions of experimental persistent hyperglycemia prevents the development of diabetes in experimental rats and produces normoglycemic, anticoagulant, fibrinolytic, and antiplatelet effects.

Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) belongs to the family Cactaceae. Family Cactaceae is reported to contain about 130 genera and nearly 1500 species. This plant is native of Mexico and it is widely distributed in Mexico and in all American hemispheres as well as in Africa and in the Mediterranean basin. It has been used in traditional folk medicine because of its role in treating a number of diseases and conditions, including anti-inflammatory effects hypoglycemic effects inhibition of stomach ulceration, neuroprotective effects Through antioxidant actions and also used for treating diabetes, burns, bronchial, asthma and indigestion in many countries over the world. It is also used in Pharma industry as a pharmaceutical agent. The fruit, as well as cactus stem are used to prepare value-added products, such as jam, squash, wine, pickle, body lotions, shampoo, creams, etc. It also has several medicinal and industrial uses. Its seeds can be used as flavouring agents. Due to the remarkable biological activity of Opuntia and its constituents, it will be appropriate to develop them as a medicine.

Summary Background Cognitive impairment occurs in diabetes mellitus. Teucrium polium L. (Lamiaceae) has been used in folk medicine to improve mental performance. Here we hypothesized that chronic treatment with an aqueous extract of Teucrium polium (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) would have an effect on passive avoidance learning (PAL) and memory in control and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Material/Methods Treatments were begun at the onset of hyperglycemia, and PAL was assessed 30 days later. A retention test was performed 24 h (hours) after training. After PAL and memory assessment, animals were weighed and blood samples were drawn for plasma glucose measurement. Results Diabetes caused impairment in acquisition of PAL and retrieval of memory. Teucrium polium treatment (200 and 400 mg/kg) improved learning and memory in control rats and reversed learning and memory deficits in diabetic rats. The 100 mg/kg dose did not affect cognitive function. Teucrium polium treatment partially improved the reduced body weight and hyperglycemia of treated diabetic rats, although the differences were not significant compared to non-treated diabetic rats. Conclusions These results show that Teucrium polium prevented the deleterious effects of diabetes on PAL and memory. Antioxidant, anticholinesterase and hypoglycemic effects of Teucrium may be involved in the obtained effects. Therefore, Teucrium polium appears to be a promising candidate for memory improvement in diabetes, but this needs confirmation by future clinical studies.

This objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of polysaccharides extracted from 11 edible fungi on α-glucosidase in vitro and their hypoglycemic effect in type 2 diabetic mellitus (DM) mice. In vitro, α-glucosidase activity was determined by measuring the p-nitrophenol released from p-Nitrophenyl-α-D-Glucopyranoside at 400 nm. In vivo,Kunming mice with steptozotocin-induced combination high fat diet fed were used. At the end of the study, blood serum glucose and insulin of the mice were measured. In vitro, the crude polysaccharides of Phellinus igniarius and Phellinus chrysoloma showed strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of 79.72 and 89.26 %, respectively. In vivo, Serum glucose levels significantly differed (P < 0.01) between the polysaccharides dose-treated groups and the DM group. Grifola frondosa crude polysaccharides showed the greatest hypoglycemic effect in lowering the diabetic blood serum glucose level by 50.09%. The crude polysaccharides of Ganaderma lucidum, Ganaderma sinense, G. frondosa, P. igniarius and P. chrysoloma significantly increased the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) compared with the DM group (P < 0.05). The crude polysaccharides of P. igniarius and P. chrysoloma demonstrated high α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. All 11 edible fungi polysaccharides significantly decreased the fasting serum glucose level in type 2 DM mice. Furthermore, G. lucidum, G. sinense, G. frondosa, P. igniarius and P. chrysoloma crude polysaccharides were able tofacilicate the utilization of insulin and improve insulin resistance. Key words: Edible fungi, polysaccharides, hypoglycemic activity, type 2 diabetes mellitus mice, α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

Diabetes is a common condition that can contribute to illness, disability and early death world-wide. In an attempt to find remedy to this disease, the hypoglycemic effects of whole and frac-tionated neem seed oil on alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits were investigated. Oil from the neem seed was soxlet-extracted and some physicochemical properties determined. The whole neem seed oil had an acid value of 4.56�0.11, saponification value of 191.25�0.84, a pH of 4.85�0.15, a refractive index of 1.4653 at 29oC, a density of 0.9048 at 29oC. On fractionation of the whole neem seed oil, the acidic, basic and neutral portion obtained had pH values of 4.35�0.10, 8.50 �0.24, 7.75�0.01,respectively. IRspectrophotometric analysis suggests the presence of �OH, -C=O, -CH3. Rf values obtained from TLC analysis indicates a close relation in chemical compo-nents between the whole oil and acidic fraction. On administration of these oils to alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits (2.5 ml/kg p.o.), the whole oil and the acidic portion of oil had very sig-nificant (P 0.05) after five days of treatment. The data suggests that the whole neem seed oil and the acidic portion of the neem seed oil could be of benefit in controlling the blood sugar in subjects presenting with diabetes mellitus.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects and histological changes of pancreatic islets after receiving Morus alba leave extract in normal and diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. All diabetic rats were divided into 5 groups, each of which was orally received one of the following; vehicle, glibenclamide and leave extract (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) for 12 days. The results showed that the leave extract at the doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg significantly (p

Fat, alkaloid and polyphenol contents of two clones of cocoa (UIT1 and PBC 140) were removed and the remaining powder was autolyzed at pH 3.5 and 5.2. Based on the results, autolysates of UIT produced at pH 3.5 exhibited the highest ability to inhibit α-amylase activity. However, no α-glucosidase inhibition activity was observed under the conditions specified. Autolysates produced under pH 3.5 caused the highest amount of insulin secretion. In streptozotocin-diabetic rats, all cocoa autolysates significantly decreased blood glucose at 4 h. To assure that the results from the assays were not due to the polyphenols of cocoa autolysates qualitative and quantitative tests were applied. According to their results cocoa autolysates were found to be free from polyphenols. Analysis of amino acid composition revealed that cocoa autolysates were abundant in hydrophobic amino acids. It can be suggested that besides other compounds of cocoa, its peptides and amino acids could contribute to its health benefits.

This study investigated the hypoglycemic effect of inner bark extract of Anacardium occidentale Linn. (Anacardiceae) in normal (normoglycemic) and in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The inner reddish bark of the plant was extracted with ethanol and screened for hypoglycemic activity in a model of alloxan-induced diabetes in at species. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract led to fractions that displayed diverse hypoglycemic effects at doses of 34.0, 200.0 and 300.0 mg/kg body weight. The alloxan-diabetic rats showed significant reduction in plasma glucose level after treatment with the fractions. These results lend support to the validity of the folkloric use of A. occidentale in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type II.

The hypoglycemic effects of the fruit extract of C. metuliferus was investigated in normoglycemic and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats. The results showed that there was an insignificant (P > 0.05) decrease in the blood glucose concentration of normoglycemic rats treated with oral doses of 1000 and 1500 mg/kg of the extract. On the other hand, 500 mg/kg of the fruit extract produced an insignificant (P > 0.05) decrease in blood glucose levels of alloxan-treated rats, while 1000 and 1500 mg/kg oral dose points produced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the blood glucose concentration of hyperglycemic rats comparable to that produced by tolbutamide. From this study, the data suggested that the fruit extract did not alter the BGC level in normoglycemic rats, but had a potential hypoglycemic property in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats.

Publisher Summary This chapter appraises the nutritional value of Eugenia jambolana seeds, which belongs to the family Myrtaceae and is an edible plant long used as a remedy in folk medicine. There are numerous medicinal plants in current use all over the world in both Ayurvedic and traditional medicine. With regard to the medicinal uses of E. jambolana in general, and the seeds in particular, its main and most effective pharmacological action relates to its hypoglycemic effects. Another significant medicinal application of the E. jambolana seed is its use as a hepatoprotective agent. Hepatoprotective effects are attributed to its antioxidant activity, which restores the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase to normal levels, and increases glutathione content and levels of lipid peroxidation and hydroperoxides in the liver. A recent study reports that berry extract of E. jambolana inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human breast cancer cells. Future research on this topic would help to identify safe and effective anticancer drugs and further the exploration of their mechanisms of action. This chapter provides further support for the traditional use of E. jambolana seeds as a safe medicinal plant in some systemic diseases. Additional research should be carried out to identify the active principle(s) that can be used for treatment of each illness.

Prosopis fracta (Leguminosae) has been used in Jordanian folk medicine as a hypoglycemic and hypotensive agent. The hypoglycemic activity of an aqueous solution of the lyophylized root extract of Prosopis fracta was tested in normoglycemic and streptozocin-induced hyperglycemic rats. Results indicate that the root extract caused significant reductions in blood glucose concentration when given orally.

Previously, we have synthesized alkyl(aryl)amides of 2-chloro-, 2-amino-, and 2-arylaminonicotinic acids possessing anticonvulsant activity [1, 2]; 2-chloro-, 2-methoxy-, and 2-hydroxynicitinic acid amides, some of which exhibited antiinflammatory activity [3, 4]; and 2-arylhydroxynicotinonitriles and unsubstituted amides of 2-arylhydroxynicotinic acids producing antiinflammatory and hypoglycemic effects [5]. In the search for new antiinflammatory and antibacterial agents in the group of 2-substituted nicotinic acid amides, we have synthesized a series of nicotinamides containing pharmacophore 4-sulfamylanilino or aryloxy groups at C-2 atom of the pyridine ring.

The study was carried out to identify the compound responsible for hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of Cajanus cajan (redgram). The methanol extract of redgram seeds were fractionated into petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol. The methanol fraction significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, and lipid profiles (p

Kucha (Camellia assamica var. kucha) is an endemic tea that grows in cloudy and foggy highlands in southwest China. Its hypoglycemic effects were studied here. The postprandial blood glucose levels in mice after sucrose and soluble starch loading were significantly reduced by Kucha administration. The glycosidase inhibitory activities were effective both in vitro and in vivo. It is concluded that the hypoglycemic effects of Kucha might be due to inhibition of disaccharidases activities.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) byproducts, which represent 35-60% of the processed fruit, are a potential source of dietary fiber. After ethanolic purification, we found that peels and fibrous waste pulp had a high dietary fiber content (74% of the dry matter) with a soluble/insoluble ratio close to 1 and a 15-20% uronic acid content. The fiber water-soluble fraction showed shear-thinning behavior. In vitro studies indicate that these fibers decreased total starch digestibility and slowed the final rate of amylolysis of mashed potatoes as the starch source. Glucose diffusion was also retarded in the presence of mango fiber. These results suggest that mango byproducts are a good source of dietary fiber which could be of potential benefit in controlling plasma glucose. (Resume d'auteur)

A survey of hypoglycemic effective crude drugs in the market in Taiwan revealed 24 species of crude drug prescriptions, 34 kinds of crude drugs derived from 48 species of medicinal plants belonging to 25 families, all concerned with the treatment of diabetes mellitus. This paper updates a list of anti-diabetic crude drugs used as a remedy for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Taiwan by means of ethnobotanical and pharmacological studies. Results showed that many of these crude drugs have hypoglycemic effects. Further investigation will be made.

A batata Yacon apresenta carboidratos na forma de frutooligossacarídeos (FOS). Estudos comprovam que os FOS aumentam a saciedade e reduzem o índice glicêmico. Os produtos da fermentação podem minimizar a resposta glicêmica, além de estimular a glicólise, e ainda resultam em uma porção reduzida de energia. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram elaborar a farinha de Yacon, avaliar a composição química de diferentes concentrações de farinha de Yacon na elaboração de bolos e analisar sensorialmente as preparações elaboradas. A farinha de Yacon apresentou potencial como ingrediente na formulação de bolos, uma vez que teve boa aceitabilidade. The Yacon potatoes present carbohydrates in the form of fructo oligosaccharides (FOS). There are studies proving that the FOS delays the gastric emptying, increase the alimentary fiber,have prebiotic and hypoglycemic effects. They stimulate glycolysis, resulting in a reduced amount of energy. The objective of this research was to evaluate the chemical composition of cakes formulated with different concentrations of Yacon flour and to evaluate their sensory characteristics. The Yacon flour presented potential to be a cake ingredient.

Moracin M (1), Steppogenin-4'-O-beta-D-glucosiade (2), Mullberroside A (3) were isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. and identified by spectral evidence. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were studied in hypoglycemic effects on alloxan-diabetic mice. The results showed that compounds 1, 2 and 3 all produced hypoglycemic effects. The compound 2 in a dose of 50 mg/kg exerted significant effect (p

Medical application of Panax ginseng was first found in “Shen-Nong Herbal Classic” around 200 AD Panax quinquefolium was first introduced in “Essential of Materia Medica” in 1694 in China. The most important bioactive components contained in P ginseng and P quinquefolium are ginseng saponins (GS). The contents of ginsenoside Rb1, Re, and Rd in P quinquefolium are higher than they are in P ginseng. In P ginseng, the contents of Rg1,Rb2, and Rc are higher than they are in P quinquefolium. P ginseng had a higher ratio of Rg1: Rb1, and which was lower in P quinquefolium. After steaming for several hours, the total GS will decrease. However, some ginsenosides (Rg2, 20R-Rg2, Rg3, Rh1 and Rh2) increase, while others (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, and Rg1) decrease. However, variation, especially in P quinquefolium, is high. P ginseng and P quinquefolium are general tonics and adaptogens. Rg1 and Rb1 enhance central nervous system (CNS) activities, but the effect of the latter is weaker. Thus, for the higher contents of Rg1, P ginseng is a stimulant, whereas the Rb1 contents of P quinquefolium are mainly calming to the CNS. Re, Rg1, panaxan A and B from P ginseng are good for diabetes. Re and Rg1 enhance angiogenesis, whereas Rb1, Rg3 and Rh2 inhibit it. Rh2, an antitumor agent, can be obtained from Rb1 by steaming. The content of Re in P quinquefolium are higher than in P ginseng by 3-4 times. The vasorelax, antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, and angiogenic effects of Re are reported. Thus, for the CNS “hot,” wound healing and hypoglycemic effects, P ginseng is better than P quinquefolium. For anticancer effects, P quinquefolium is better.

The hypoglycemic effects of the chemical constituents of Morinda citrifolia roots was evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. The CHCl3, EtOAc, n-BuOH and H2O soluble phases of the MeOH extract of M. citrifolia roots were administrated orally to STZ-induced diabetic mice. Only the n-BuOH soluble phase showed a significant reduction of the blood glucose levels. From the biologically active n-BuOH soluble phase, two iridoids and three anthraquinones were isolated as main constituents. These compounds were identified by spectroscopic analysis to be deacetylasperulosidic acid (1), asperulosidic acid (2), damnacanthol-3-O-beta-D-primeveroside (3), lucidin 3-O-beta-D-primeveroside (4) and morindone-6-O-beta-D-primeveroside (5). 3 and 4 exhibited the hypoglycemic effects, which were anthraquinones with no substituents in one aromatic ring.

Spontaneously hypertensive rats have reduced peripheral insulin sensitivity. To determine whether hypertensive rats demonstrate reduced response to the antinatriuretic effect of insulin, urinary sodium excretion was determined in hypertensive and normotensive rats (n = 7 per group) before and during euglycemic insulin administration at two infusion rates (21 milliunits/kg load and 4 milliunits/kg/min or 85 milliunits/kg load and 8 milliunits/kg/min). Hypertensive and normotensive time controls received the vehicle for insulin administration. Mean arterial pressure was greater (p less than 0.05) and inulin clearance was less (p less than 0.05) in hypertensive than normotensive rats before insulin infusion. Baseline fractional sodium excretion was not different between groups. Low dose insulin infusion reduced (p less than 0.05) fractional sodium excretion from 0.81 +/- 0.43% to 0.31 +/- 0.07% in hypertensive rats and from 1.05 +/- 0.37% to 0.47 +/- 0.18% in normotensive rats. High dose insulin infusion reduced (p less than 0.05) fractional sodium excretion from 0.67 +/- 0.22% to 0.21 +/- 0.08% in hypertensive rats and from 0.81 +/- 0.15% to 0.30 +/- 0.09% in normotensive rats. Sodium excretion was unchanged in time controls. The reduction in sodium excretion was similar in both rat groups during low dose and high dose insulin infusions. Mean arterial pressure and inulin clearance were unchanged from baseline values during insulin infusion in all rat groups. Glucose requirement to maintain euglycemia was greater (p less than 0.05) in normotensive than hypertensive rats at both insulin infusion rates. Thus, while hypertensive rats have reduced sensitivity to the hypoglycemic effects of insulin, the antinatriuretic response to insulin is not different from that of normotensive rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

People in some tropical countries used to use some plant extracts in folklore medicine as treatment of diabetes mellitus. Of these plants isCalligonum comsum (“orta”). The present work deals with the biochemical effects of the whole plant water extract given orally to the albino rats, normals and alloxan diabetics, as to fulfil its hypoglycemic effects on rats. The results showed that “orta” extract produced a hypoglycemic effect indicated by the decrease in blood sugar level. It was observed that the diabetic state in rats treated with 300 mg/kg body weight of “orta” extract, was alleviated, showing normal levels of blood glucose, liver fat and cholesterol contents. Liver proteins were still below the normal level in the rats. Gibenclamide, a hypoglycemic drug, was used for comparison with “orta” extract. Although it did alleviate the diabetic state, yet the liver fat and cholesterol contents were still higher than those of normal. Also the liver proteins were lower than the control levels.

Microparticles-adsorbed insulin and zinc insulin (PenfilN) were molded to self-dissolving micropiles (SDMPs) with chondroitin sulfate as the base for the percutaneous administration of insulin. Porous silicon dioxide (Sylysia 320, 440 and 730) and porous calcium silicate (FloriteRE) were used as microparticles. As a reference, insulin loaded SDMPs were prepared. SDMPs were percutaneously administered to mice at the insulin dose level of 2.5 IU/kg. After the insertion of SDMPs to mouse skin, blood samples were collected for 8 h and plasma glucose levels were measured. There were not significant differences on minimum plasma glucose levels between the test preparations. However, T(mins), the time when the minimum glucose level appeared were 1.5 +/- 0.2 h (Sylysia 320), 1.3 +/- 0.2 h (Sylysia 440), 1.6 +/- 0.4 h (Sylysia 730), 2.1 +/- 0.3 h (Florite) and 1.7 +/- 0.3 h (zinc insulin) which were greater than insulin SDMP, 0.8 +/- 0.1 h. In addition, greater hypoglycemic effects were observed with SDMPs containing adsorbent-insulin and/or zinc insulin than insulin SDMP. The mean AACs (area above the plasma glucose level vs. time curve) of SDMPs containing adsorbent-insulin and zinc insulin were 357.8% h for FloriteRE, 333.1% h for Sylysia 320, 308.1% h for Sylysia 440, 328.1% h for Sylysia 730, and 374.7% h for zinc insulin, respectively, which were about two folds higher than that of insulin SDMN, 161.2% h. Those results suggest the usefulness of SDMPs composed of adsorbent-insulin as a long-acting percutaneous insulin preparation.

Background and Aims: Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Labiatae) is a Chinese medicinal plant, the dried roots of which (known as Dan-Shen) have been used for hundreds of years in the treatment of a series of ailments, including hyperglycemia. This study was designed to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of a new, standardized extract of S. miltiorrhiza. Materials and Methods: S. miltiorrhiza extract (containing 21% total tanshinones and 3.7% tanshinone IIA) was administered acutely and intragastrically at the doses of 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg to male, healthy, fasted Wistar rats 60 min before the intragastric infusion of a bolus of starch (3 g/kg; a semi-naturalistic experimental condition) (Experiment 1) or glucose (2 g/kg) (Experiment 2). Results: In both experiments, treatment with S. miltiorrhiza extract produced a dose-related decrease in glycemia, evidenced in terms of reduction of peak value and/or area under the curve of the time-course of glycemia. The effect of S. miltiorrhiza extract occurred at doses devoid of any behavioral toxicity in rats. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the hypoglycemic effect of S. miltiorrhiza extract was likely secondary to an action on carbohydrate metabolism. These results are consistent with several preclinical and clinical data and add further support to the hypothesis that S. miltiorrhiza extracts may act as effective anti-hyperglycemic remedies. SUMMARY Acute treatment with Salvia miltiorrhiza extract reduced the glycemia rise induced by a bolus of starch in ratsAcute treatment with Salvia miltiorrhiza extract reduced the glycemia rise induced by a bolus of glucose in ratsThis effect relates to both glycemia peak value and area under the curve of the time-course of glycemia. Abbreviations used: Intragastric: i.g., Least significant difference: LSD test.

Panchgavya is a term used to describe five major substances, obtained from cow, which include cow's urine, milk, ghee, curd and dung. All the five products possess medicinal properties against many disorders and are used for the medicinal purpose singly or in combination with some other herbs. This kind of treatment is called Panchgavya therapy or cowpathy. Panchgavya Therapy has been proposed as an alternate prophylactic and therapeutic approach for sound livestock and poultry health along with safeguarding human health. Its antimicrobial properties have gained the attention of the medical and veterinary professionals. Cow urine concoction (CUC) is having anticonvulsant and hypoglycemic effects; and useful against liver disorders and fever; inflammations and anemia. Cow milk is considered as a healthy food and is found to be effective in curing fever and pain; tumors; diabetes; kidney disorders and weaknesses and importantly act as a medium to administer medicine. Curd (dahi) is a blood purifier, and found useful in blood related problems; piles and gastro-intestinal disorders. Cow ghee has immunostimulatory properties. The application of cow dung to kill the germs of malaria and tuberculosis along with its antifungal properties require special mention. The Panchgavya products also show many other applications viz. excellent agricultural applications in the form of biofertilizers, vermicompost and biopesticides, which improves soil fertility and provide food grains free from the health hazards of using chemical fertilizers/pesticides. A systematic work needs to be carried out on chemical nature, biological activity, microbiology and pharmaceutical aspects and mechanism of bioactive compounds in Panchgavya. In the past due emphasis has not been given to the cow therapy which needs attention of scientific community.

(-)-Multiflorine isolated from leguminous plants produces a hypoglycemic effect when administered to mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. (-)-Multiflorine has an enaminone-type conjugation on the A ring, which is unusual in lupine alkaloids. Proceeding on the assumption that the A-B ring is responsible for the hypoglycemic effect, several compounds bearing the quinolizidin-2-one ring system were synthesized, and their hypoglycemic effects were examined. In addition, tricyclic compounds bearing 4-pyridone were synthesized, and their hypoglycemic effects were examined. The hypoglycemic effect of a 4-pyridone-type compound was similar to that of (-)-multiflorine as measured by oral glucose tolerance testing in normal mice. No hypoglycemic effect of a 4-piperidone-type compound was observed. These results indicate that compounds possessing double bond(s) in the A ring of multiflorine may be lead compounds for a new type of diabetes drug.