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International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024Type 2 diabetes is characterized by hyperglycemia and a relative loss of β-cell function. Our research investigated the antidiabetic potential of betulin, a pentacyclic...
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.
Topics: Rats; Female; Animals; Antioxidants; Niacinamide; Rats, Wistar; Streptozocin; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Blood Glucose; Plant Extracts; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Hypoglycemic Agents; Glucose; Biomarkers; alpha-Amylases; Betulinic Acid
PubMed: 38396842
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042166 -
Molecular Pain 2024Nociception related salivary biomolecules can be useful patients who are not able to self-report pain. We present the existing evidence on this topic using the... (Review)
Review
Nociception related salivary biomolecules can be useful patients who are not able to self-report pain. We present the existing evidence on this topic using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and a more focused analysis of cortisol change after cold pain induction using the direction of effect analysis combined with risk of bias analysis using ROBINS-I. Five data bases were searched systematically for articles on adults with acute pain secondary to disease, injury, or experimentally induced pain. Forty three articles met the inclusion criteria for the general review and 11 of these were included in the cortisol-cold pain analysis. Salivary melatonin, kallikreins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, soluable TNF-α receptor II, secretory IgA, testosterone, salivary α-amylase (sAA) and, most commonly, cortisol have been studied in relation to acute pain. There is greatest information about cortisol and sAA which both rise after cold pain when compared with other modalities. Where participants have been subjected to both pain and stress, stress is consistently a more reliable predictor of salivary biomarker change than pain. There remain considerable challenges in identifying biomarkers that can be used in clinical practice to guide the measurement of nociception and treatment of pain. Standardization of methodology and researchers' greater awareness of the factors that affect salivary biomolecule concentrations are needed to improve our understanding of this field towards creating a clinically relevant body of evidence.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Acute Pain; Saliva; Nociception; Salivary alpha-Amylases; Biomarkers; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 38385158
DOI: 10.1177/17448069241237121 -
Journal of Dairy Science Jul 2024Lowering dietary protein content is a promising strategy to reduce N excretions in cattle but it requires improved N utilization by the animal. Feed enzymes (e.g.,...
Lowering dietary protein content is a promising strategy to reduce N excretions in cattle but it requires improved N utilization by the animal. Feed enzymes (e.g., exogenous α-amylase) and plant extracts (e.g., essential oils [EO]) are 2 additives that may enhance rumen function and possibly also microbial protein yield. This may increase fat- and protein-corrected milk yield (MY) and milk nitrogen efficiency and thus lower N losses from dairy cows. Both types of additives were studied in an experiment including 39 Holstein cows that had (average ± SD) 40.7 ± 7.95 kg/d MY, 89 ± 43 DIM, 2.7 ± 1.5 lactations, and 677 ± 68.6 kg of BW, consisting of a covariate (4 wk) and treatment period (5 wk). During the whole experiment cows were fed a typical Benelux diet (CTRL), supplemented with concentrates to meet individual requirements for energy and MP, which were fulfilled for 100% and 101%, respectively. The total diet was low in CP (15.5%) and relatively high in starch (22.6% and 6.6% rumen bypass starch). Cows were balanced for parity, DIM, MY, and roughage intake and randomly assigned to one of 3 groups, which received the following treatments in the treatment period: (1) CTRL (n = 13); (2) CTRL + 14 g/cow per day Ronozyme RumiStar α-amylase enzyme (AMEZ, n = 13; DSM); and (3) CTRL + 2.5 g/cow per day Crina Protect, a blend of EO components (ESOL, n = 13; DSM). Animal performance, ruminal pH, and enteric gas emissions were monitored throughout the experiment. During the last week of the covariate and treatment periods, nitrogen balances were conducted, total-tract nutrient digestibility was determined, and urinary allantoin and uric acid were determined as indicators for microbial N production. The statistical model applied to these variables contained group and DIM during treatment period as fixed effects and the values from the covariate period as covariate. Post hoc Dunnet-corrected comparisons between each treatment group and the control group were explored. The α-amylase enzyme tended to increase apparent total-tract starch digestibility and increased milk lactose concentration. The EO blend tended to increase MY and increased milk N output, milk nitrogen efficiency, and feed efficiency. Therefore, when feeding reduced dietary protein levels, EO have potential to improve the N-use efficiency in cattle, whereas the α-amylase enzyme might increase starch digestibility and milk lactose. However, additional research is necessary to substantiate our findings.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Female; alpha-Amylases; Digestion; Diet; Lactation; Oils, Volatile; Nitrogen; Animal Feed; Milk; Dietary Supplements; Nutrients; Rumen; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
PubMed: 38369111
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24073 -
Nutrients Feb 2024Athletes often take sport supplements to reduce fatigue and immune disturbances during or after training. This study evaluated the acute effects of concurrent ingestion... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Athletes often take sport supplements to reduce fatigue and immune disturbances during or after training. This study evaluated the acute effects of concurrent ingestion of alkaline water and L-glutamine on the salivary immunity and hormone responses of boxers after training. Twelve male boxing athletes were recruited in this study. During regular training, the participants were randomly divided into three groups and asked to consume 400 mL of alkaline water (Group A), 0.15 g/kg body weight of L-glutamine with 400 mL of water (Group G), and 0.15 g/kg of L-glutamine with 400 mL of alkaline water (Group A+G) at the same time each day for three consecutive weeks. Before and immediately after the training, saliva, heart rates, and the rate of perceived exertion were investigated. The activity of α-amylase and concentrations of lactoferrin, immunoglobulin A (IgA), testosterone, and cortisol in saliva were measured. The results showed that the ratio of α-amylase activity/total protein (TP) significantly increased after training in Group A+G but not in Group A or G, whereas the ratios of lactoferrin/TP and IgA/TP were unaffected in all three groups. The concentrations of salivary testosterone after training increased significantly in Group A+G but not in Group A or G, whereas the salivary cortisol concentrations were unaltered in all groups. In conclusion, concurrent ingestion of 400 mL of alkaline water and 0.15 g/kg of L-glutamine before training enhanced the salivary α-amylase activity and testosterone concentration of boxers, which would be beneficial for post-exercise recovery.
Topics: Humans; Male; Salivary alpha-Amylases; Glutamine; Testosterone; Boxing; Hydrocortisone; Lactoferrin; Immunoglobulin A; Athletes; Eating; Saliva
PubMed: 38337738
DOI: 10.3390/nu16030454 -
Ultrasonics Sonochemistry Feb 2024The study aimed to optimize the ultrasonic-assisted modification (UAM) of corn and potato starch by assessing the influence of ultrasound geometry, power, and frequency...
The study aimed to optimize the ultrasonic-assisted modification (UAM) of corn and potato starch by assessing the influence of ultrasound geometry, power, and frequency on the fluid flow for sonicated starch to achieve porous starch with a higher degree of hydrolyzing by α-amylase. This assessment was conducted through mathematical modeling and 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The ultrasonic pressure field is determined by the solution of the non-linear Westervelt equation in the frequency domain. Then, the obtained field is utilized to simulate the dissipated power and flow field characteristics. According to the results obtained from the Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA), it was observed that the peak and final viscosity of hydrolyzed sonicated starch were less than hydrolyzed native starch. This decrease in viscosity indicates a breakdown of the starch structure, leading to a more fluid-like consistency. The shear rate and shear stress data are used for rheology modeling. The fluid's viscosity is represented based on three models of Herschel-Bulkley, Casson, and Power law (Ostwald-de Waele). The magnitude of yield shear stress at low shear rates, the shear-thinning behavior, and the nearly Newtonian fluid nature at high shear rates are extracted from the viscosity models. The surfaces of the starch granules were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that sonication treatments caused damage, cracks, and porosity on the surfaces of the starch granules which were prone to amylolytic enzymes. This indicates that the structural integrity of the granules was compromised and facilitated enzyme penetration. This study proposes that ultrasonication can be utilized to produce damaged starch, which is susceptible to hydrolysis by α-amylase. This approach holds the potential for reducing enzyme consumption in various industries.
Topics: alpha-Amylases; Hydrodynamics; Starch; Acoustics; Rheology; Viscosity
PubMed: 38309046
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.106785 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Feb 2024Citrus fruit essential oil is considered one of the widely studied essential oils while its leaves attract less attention although being rich in nearly the same...
Variation of the essential oil components of Citrus aurantium leaves upon using different distillation techniques and evaluation of their antioxidant, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective effect against Alzheimer's disease.
Citrus fruit essential oil is considered one of the widely studied essential oils while its leaves attract less attention although being rich in nearly the same composition as the peel and flowers. The leaves of bitter orange or sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.) were extracted using three different techniques namely; hydrodistillation (HD), steam distillation (SD), and microwave-assisted distillation (MV) to compare their chemical composition. The three essential oil samples were analyzed through GC/FID and GC/MS analyses. The samples were tested in vitro using different antioxidant techniques (DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, PBD, and MCA), neuroprotective enzyme inhibitory activities (acetylcholine and butyl choline enzymes), and antidiabetic activities (α-amylase and α-glucosidase). The results showed that thirty-five volatile ingredients were detected and quantified. Monoterpenes represented the most abundant class in the three essential oils followed by sesquiterpenes. C. aurantium essential oil carried potential antioxidant activity where SD exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, with values arranged in the following order: FRAP (200.43 mg TE/g), CUPRAC (138.69 mg TE/g), ABTS (129.49 mg TE/g), and DPPH (51.67 mg TE/g). SD essential oil also presented the most potent α-amylase (0.32) inhibition while the MV essential oil showed the highest α-glucosidase inhibition (2.73 mmol ACAE/g), followed by HD (2.53 mmol ACAE/g), and SD (2.46 mmol ACAE/g). The SD essential oil exhibited the highest BChE and AChE inhibitory activities (3.73 and 2.06 mg GALAE/g), respectively). Thus, bitter orange essential oil can act as a potential source of potent antioxidant, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective activities for future drug leads.
Topics: Antioxidants; Oils, Volatile; Neuroprotective Agents; Citrus; Distillation; Alzheimer Disease; alpha-Glucosidases; Plant Extracts; alpha-Amylases; Sulfonic Acids; Benzothiazoles
PubMed: 38308284
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04380-x -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Jan 2024Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an affliction impacting the quality of life of millions of people worldwide. An approach used in the management of Type 2 DM involves...
BACKGROUND
Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an affliction impacting the quality of life of millions of people worldwide. An approach used in the management of Type 2 DM involves the use of the carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzyme inhibitor, acarbose. Although acarbose has long been the go-to drug in this key approach, it has become apparent that its side effects negatively impact patient adherence and subsequently, therapeutic outcomes. Similar to acarbose in its mechanism of action, bee propolis, a unique natural adhesive biomass consisting of biologically active metabolites, has been found to have antidiabetic potential through its inhibition of α-amylase. To minimize the need for ultimately novel agents while simultaneously aiming to decrease the side effects of acarbose and enhance its efficacy, combination drug therapy has become a promising pharmacotherapeutic strategy and a focal point of this study.
METHODS
Computer-aided molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations accompanied by in vitro testing were used to mine novel, pharmacologically active chemical entities from Egyptian propolis to combat Type 2 DM. Glide docking was utilized for a structure-based virtual screening of the largest in-house library of Egyptian propolis metabolites gathered from literature, in addition to GC-MS analysis of the propolis sample under investigation. Thereafter, combination analysis by means of fixed-ratio combinations of acarbose with propolis and the top chosen propolis-derived phytoligand was implemented.
RESULTS
Aucubin, identified for the first time in propolis worldwide and kaempferol were the most promising virtual hits. Subsequent in vitro α-amylase inhibitory assay demonstrated the ability of these hits to significantly inhibit the enzyme in a dose-dependent manner with an IC of 2.37 ± 0.02 mM and 4.84 ± 0.14 mM, respectively. The binary combination of acarbose with each of propolis and kaempferol displayed maximal synergy at lower effect levels. Molecular docking and MD simulations revealed a cooperative binding mode between kaempferol and acarbose within the active site.
CONCLUSION
The suggested strategy seems imperative to ensure a steady supply of new therapeutic entities sourced from Egyptian propolis to regress the development of DM. Further pharmacological in vivo investigations are required to confirm the potent antidiabetic potential of the studied combination.
Topics: Humans; Acarbose; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; Kaempferols; Propolis; Molecular Docking Simulation; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Egypt; Quality of Life; alpha-Glucosidases; Hypoglycemic Agents; alpha-Amylases
PubMed: 38291462
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04348-x -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024Diabetes is a serious health issue that can be a great risk factor related to numerous physical problems. A class of drugs "Gliflozin" especially Sodium Glucose Co....
Diabetes is a serious health issue that can be a great risk factor related to numerous physical problems. A class of drugs "Gliflozin" especially Sodium Glucose Co. Transporter 2 was inhibited by a novel drug, which is known as "empagliflozin". While ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) had considerable promise for combating diabetes, it was employed in the treatment and management of type-2 diabetes mellitus. The new drug empagliflozin was initially incorporated into Zinc Oxide NPs in this study using the surface physio-sorption technique, and the degree of drug adsorption was assessed using the HPLC method. The tailored product was characterized by using the FTIR, EDX, Ultraviolet-Visible, XRD and SEM techniques. With an average particle size of 17 nm, SEM revealed mono-dispersion of NPs and sphere-like form. The Freundlich isotherm model best fits and explains the data for the physio-sorption investigation, which examined adsorption capabilities using adsorption isotherms. The enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which are involved in the human metabolism of carbohydrates, were used in the in-vitro anti-diabetic assays. It was discovered that the composite showed the highest levels of 81.72 and 92.77% inhibition of -α-amylase and -glucosidase at an absolute concentration of 1000 μg per ml with IC values of 30.6 μg per ml and 72 μg per ml.
Topics: Humans; Zinc Oxide; Nanoparticles; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Hypoglycemic Agents; alpha-Amylases; Metal Nanoparticles; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Plant Extracts; Benzhydryl Compounds; Glucosides
PubMed: 38291095
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52523-4 -
PloS One 2024This study aimed to obtain a high yield and purity of Sargassum pallidum polyphenol extracts (SPPE) and study its enzyme activity. Fresh Sargassum pallidum seaweed was...
This study aimed to obtain a high yield and purity of Sargassum pallidum polyphenol extracts (SPPE) and study its enzyme activity. Fresh Sargassum pallidum seaweed was selected for optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions and purification conditions using macroporous resin and Sephadex LH20 to obtain SPPE. The SPPE was characterized using UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and α-amylase, α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, and AchE inhibitory activity were determined. The maximum extraction rate of SPPE was 7.56 mg GAE/g and the polyphenol purity reached 70.5% after macroporous resin and Sephadex LH-20 purification. A total of 50 compounds were identified by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. The IC50 values of SPPE were 334.9 μg/mL, 6.290 μg /mL, 0.834 mg /mL and 0.6538 mg /mL for α-amylase, α-glucosidase, tyrosinase and AchE, respectively. Molecular docking technology further revealed the effects of SPPE on the above enzymes. This study provided information on the potential hypoglycemic, whitening and anti-Alzheimer's disease biological activities of SPPE, which had guiding significance for the purification and development of other seaweed polyphenols.
Topics: Polyphenols; Sargassum; Molecular Docking Simulation; Monophenol Monooxygenase; alpha-Glucosidases; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Globus Pallidus; alpha-Amylases; Antioxidants; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38289914
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297434 -
Journal of Dairy Science Jun 2024Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a genetically modified corn hybrid with α-amylase expressed in the kernel (AMY) on fermentation profile,...
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a genetically modified corn hybrid with α-amylase expressed in the kernel (AMY) on fermentation profile, aerobic stability, nutrient composition, and starch disappearance of whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) and earlage. Both hybrids, AMY and an isogenic corn hybrid (ISO), were grown in 10 replicated plots (5 for WPCS and 5 for earlage). Samples of each plot were collected at harvest, homogenized, and divided into 5 subsamples which were randomly assigned to 5 storage lengths (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 d). Both datasets (WPCS and earlage), were analyzed separately as a completely randomized block design in a factorial arrangement of treatments, with a model including the fixed effects of hybrid, storage length, and their interaction, and the random effect of block. Minor differences on fermentation profile were observed between AMY and ISO for WPCS and earlage. An interaction between hybrid and storage length was observed for DM losses in WPCS, where losses were similar at 30, 60 and 90 d, but lower for AMY compared with ISO at 120 d. No effect of hybrid was observed on yeast and mold counts for WPCS or earlage. The aerobic stability of WPCS was greater for AMY than ISO. For earlage, AMY had greater DM losses and aerobic stability than ISO. An interaction between hybrid and storage length was observed for ammonia-N in both WPCS and earlage, where ammonia-N was similar at 0 d but greater for AMY than ISO throughout later storage lengths. A similar interaction was observed for water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) concentrations in WPCS, where ISO had greater WSC than AMY at 0 d but was similar throughout later storage lengths. However, AMY earlage had a greater WSC concentration throughout storage length, but a lesser magnitude after ensiling. Starch concentration was greater for AMY than ISO in WPCS and earlage. Greater starch disappearances at 0 h and 6 h were observed for ISO in WPCS and earlage. Minor effects on fermentation profile, microbial counts, aerobic stability and nutrient composition suggests that AMY can be ensiled for prolonged periods with no concerns for undesirable fermentation or nutrient losses. However, in situ starch disappearance was lower for AMY compared with ISO.
Topics: Zea mays; Fermentation; alpha-Amylases; Starch; Silage; Plants, Genetically Modified; Animals
PubMed: 38278297
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24228