In-vitro Anti-diabetic and Antioxidant Efficacy of Methanolic Extract of Encephalartos ferox leaves

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a progressive metabolic disorder of carbohydrates and lipids that is characterized by hyperglycemia. 1 DM is known to result from defect in insulin secretion, action or both. 2 Poor management of diabetes mellitus can degenerate into debilitating conditions including heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, leg amputation, vision loss, nerve damage and erectile dysfunction. 1 The inability of the cells to assimilate glucose formed via stepwise catabolism of carbohydrates with α-amylase and α-glucosidase, leads to hyperglycemia. Likewise, hyperactivity of pancreatic lipase results to increase in lipid metabolism which also triggers hyperlipidemia. 3-4 Therefore, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia continue to be the underlying factors in the onset of diabetes mellitus and its complications. 5 In addition, reactive oxygen species also play crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. 6 Despite the potency of currently used diabetic drugs such as acarbose, Voglibose, Miglitol, insulin mimetics and secretagogues, they still are associated with adverse side effects. 7 Therefore, the search for alternative In-vitro Anti-diabetic and Antioxidant Efficacy of Methanolic Extract of Encephalartos ferox leaves ABSTRACT Background: Diabetes mellitus has been identified as one of the global cause of disability and death. Objectives: The study aim to investigate the in-vitro antidibetic and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Encephalartos ferox leaves. Materials and Methods: The plant was screened for its Phytochemical composition. The plant material was extracted with methanol and the methanolic extract was screened (in-vitro) for its antioxidant activity using ABTS and DPPH assays. The potential antidiabetic activity of the plant extract was evaluated against some carbohydrates (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and lipid (pancreatic lipase) digestive enzymes. The inverted intestinal sac model was also used to investigate the effect of the extract on intestinal glucose absorption. The anti-protein glycation activity of the extract was determined using haemoglobin. Results: The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of most of the phytochemicals (Tannins, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Alkaloids etc) that were screened for. The crude extract exhibited the antidiabetic potential as it significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase in a dose dependent fashion. The extract also effectively reduced intestinal glucose absorption. The extract further showed antioxidant activity by efficiently scavenging ABTS and DPPH radicals with IC 50 values of 68.3 µg/ml and 308 µg/ml, respectively. The extract also inhibited haemoglobin glycation, thus displaying the anti-protein glycation potential. Conclusion: It is apparent that E. ferox extract could serve as scaffold for diabetic therapy. For future study, cytotoxicity profile and in vivo investigation of the antidiabetic activity of the crude extract are essential.

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant potentials of the methanolic crude extract from Inula glomerata Oliv. & Hiern (Asteraceae) and Salacia kraussii (Harv.) Harv (Celastraceae)

“…DPPH and ABTS are artificial free radicals with a similar mechanism of actions as lipophilic radicals that initiate chain reactions through lipid autoxidation (Lawal et al, 2015). Hence, are used to evaluate the scavenging efficacies of crude extracts (Majzoub & Agarwal, 2017;Ojo et al, 2019). It is apparent from this study that the crude extracts of the plants under study exhibited poor free radicals scavenging potentials (Figures No.…”

“…Free radicals mediated cellular damages such as lipid peroxidation, alteration of membrane fluidity, DNA disruption and impaired platelet aggregation play prominent role in the development and pathogenesis of several disease conditions including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction (Buford, 2016;Majzoub & Agarwal, 2017;Ojo et al, 2019). Compounds with antioxidant potentials are becoming increasingly prominent in the combat of these diseases.…”

“…Therefore, it can be inferred that the phenolics and flavonoids are responsible for the antioxidant properties displayed by the crude extracts. These compounds have polyunsaturated heterocyclic ring structures that are stabilized through resonance effect when they terminate free radicals progressive lipophilic attack through abstract proton (Coman et al, 2012;Erukainure et al, 2014;Ojo et al, 2019).…”

“…These products of oxidative stress have been implicated in most pathological abnormalities such as erectile dysfunction, cancer, hyperplastic diseases, diabetes, male infertility, hypertension, immune system retrogression, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, build-up of cataract, as well as aging process (Tsao & Deng, 2004;Buford, 2016;Majzoub & Agarwal, 2017;Ojo et al, 2019). Endogenous antioxidants' enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as other compounds like reduced glutathione, peroxiredoxins, vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), D (Cholecalciferol), E (tocopherol), and betacarotene help to cushion the deleterious effects of free radicals in cells and tissues (Halliwell, 2011;Ojo et al, 2019). In addition, fruits, herbs, spices, and vegetables contain naturally occurring compounds that mitigate free radicals-induced diseases, thus, further boosting the total antioxidant capacity of the body (Halliwell, 2011;Lavanya et al, 2019).…”

In-Vitro Antidiabetic Propensities, Phytochemical Analysis, and Mechanism of Action of Commercial Antidiabetic Polyherbal Formulation “Mehon”

“…Various commercial antidiabetic polyherbal formulations, with claimed antidiabetic effects, are available in Indian market. However, only a few have received equitable scientific and medical scrutiny in terms of their mode of actions, in attaining glucose homeostasis [5,6]. Thus, systematic scientific studies to explore the mechanism of action for commercial antidiabetic polyherbal formulation are needed.…”