Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) emerges as a global health crisis and is characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress. Conventional treatments for T2DM often have limitations, thus prompting interest in natural alternatives like fennel. This review explores fennel's potential anti-diabetic properties, focusing on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Fennel contains various bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and volatile oils, known for their antioxidant properties. These compounds can neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which plays a crucial role in T2DM. Additionally, fennel's anti-inflammatory effects may help mitigate the chronic inflammation associated with T2DM. Preclinical studies have demonstrated fennel's ability to lower blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce oxidative stress in diabetic animals. These findings suggest that fennel may be a promising natural agent for managing T2DM. However, further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and to evaluate its efficacy and safety in human clinical trials.
Objective: To investigate the effects of a crude extract from Gnetum montanum Markgr. on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and metabolic disorders.
Methods: Alcoholic liver disorder was induced in mice by administering increasing doses of ethanol via oral gavage. Biomarkers of liver injury and oxidative stress were assessed at the end of the study. Liver tissue damage and fat deposition were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O staining, respectively. In addition, key biomarkers were examined in acetaldehyde-treated HepG2 cells.
Results: Ethanol consumption induced characteristic pathological changes, including elevated serum markers of liver injury, hepatic lipid accumulation, and oxidative stress in liver tissues. Oral administration of Gnetum montanum extract (175 and 350 mg/kg) decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, and bilirubin levels in ethanol-treated mice. The extract also lowered triglyceride levels in serum and liver tissue in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, it mitigated malondialdehyde levels, preserved reduced glutathione levels, and enhanced catalase activity and total antioxidant capacity in liver tissue homogenates. Additionally, ethanol-induced hyperuricemia was suppressed by Gnetum montanum extract by inhibiting xanthine oxidase activity. Similar effects were observed in Gnetum montanum extract-treated HepG2 cells.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that Gnetum montanum extract alleviates ethanol-induced hepatic injury by alleviating oxidative stress and inhibiting xanthine oxidase activity.
Objective: To examine the effect of the methanolic extract of Salada fruticosa in a zebrafish model of scopolamine-induced Alzheimer’s disease.
Methods: High-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to characterize the phytochemical constituents of Salada fruticosa methanolic extract. The drug-likeness of these compounds was determined via the DruLiTo tool, and their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) binding affinities were studied by molecular docking. In in vivo studies, adult zebrafish were treated with 3.125, 6.25, and 12.5 mg/L of the extract for seven days and then immersed in scopolamine (100 μM/L) to induce cognitive deficits. T-maze and novel object recognition tests were used for behavioral studies. In addition, the activities of AChE, antioxidant enzymes, and myeloperoxidase were determined in brain tissue of zebrafish.
Results: High-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that 40 phytoconstituents were present in the methanolic extract of Salacia fruticosa, and 27 compounds met Lipinski's rule of five, indicating good drug-likeness. Some compounds such as stylopine, p-coumaroylagmatine, and (-)-heliannuol E, demonstrated high AChE binding affinity. Moreover, pretreatment with the extract significantly mitigated zebrafish cognitive decline, as indicated by increased time spent at the novel object in novel object recognition test, as well as increased time spent and decreased latency in the green arm (P < 0.001). The extract also markedly lowered malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels and AChE activity, and enhanced glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities (P < 0.001) in zebrafish with scopolamine-induced Alzheimer’s disease. Histopathological studies revealed that Salacia fruticosa extract ameliorated scopolamine-induced abnormalities in neuronal cell morphology.
Conclusions: Pretreatment with the methanolic extract of Salacia fruticosa reduces cognitive impairment, enhances antioxidants, and attenuates oxidative stress, highlighting its potential as a preventive agent for Alzheimer’s disease.
Objective: To investigate the effects of arecoline on HPV-positive cervical cells and unveil its underlying mechanism in cervical carcinogenesis.
Methods: The cytotoxicity of arecoline was determined and the effect of subtoxic concentrations of arecoline on the expression of viral oncoproteins and transcriptional factors was examined in CaSki and SiHa cells. HPV16 promoter activity was evaluated in a plasmid containing HPV16 long control region (pGL3-HPV16LCR)-transfected cells. Cell proliferation, cell migration, and number of colonies were assessed by MTT, wound healing assay, and colonyforming assay, respectively.
Results: Arecoline at 0.01 μg/mL significantly upregulated HPV16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins in both CaSki and SiHa cells. It also upregulated the expression level of c-Fos and c-Jun mRNAs, and c-Myc protein in CaSki and SiHa cells. In addition, arecoline at subtoxic concentrations (0.002 5 and 0.01 μg/mL) significantly induced HPV16 promoter activity in pGL3-16LCR-transfected cells. It also promoted SiHa and CaSki cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation.
Conclusions: Arecoline at subtoxic concentrations promotes the proliferation, migration, and colony formation of CaSki and SiHa cells via upregulation of c-Fos, c-Jun, c-Myc, and HPV16 E6 and E7 expressions.