Insulin secretory actions of extracts of Asparagus racemosus root in perfused pancreas, isolated islets and clonal pancreatic β-cells

Abstract

Asparagus racemosus root has previously been reported to reduce blood glucose in rats and rabbits. In the present study, the effects of the ethanol extract and five partition fractions of the root of A. racemosus were evaluated on insulin secretion together with exploration of their mechanisms of action. The ethanol extract and each of the hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate partition fractions concentration-dependently stimulated insulin secretion in isolated perfused rat pancreas, isolated rat islet cells and clonal b-cells. The stimulatory effects of the ethanol extract, hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate partition fractions were potentiated by glucose, 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine IBMX, tolbutamide and depolarizing concentration of KCl. Inhibition of A. racemosus-induced insulin release was observed with diazoxide and verapamil. Ethanol extract and five fractions increased intracellular Ca 2C , consistent with the observed abolition of insulin secretory effects under Ca 2C -free conditions. These findings reveal that constituents of A. racemosus root extracts have wide-ranging stimulatory effects on physiological insulinotropic pathways. Future work assessing the use of this plant as a source of active components may provide new opportunities for diabetes therapy.

Comparison of the Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic and Hepatoprotective Effects of<i> Asparagus racemosus</i> Linn. in Combination with Gliclazide and Pioglitazone on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

“…Hannan et al, reported that the extract of Asparagus racemosus roots improved insulin secretion from perfusing pancreas, isolated islets and clonal pancreatic β-cells [30]. In our study, after 2 weeks of treatment it was found that combination of EEAR with gliclazide and pioglitazone produced a significant decrease in the blood glucose level which was greater than that produced by monotherapy of antidiabetic drugs.…”

“…is commonly known in Bengali Shatamuli belongs to Liliaceae family which is indigenous in Bangladesh, India, Asia, Australia and Africa [30]. With numerous succulent roots, AR is spinous under shrub growing at a height of 1500 m. The rhizome of AR is generally used as both conventional medical applications and as a food supplement [31].…”

An overview on antidiabetic medicinal plants having insulin mimetic property

“…These findings reveal that constituents of Asparagus racemosus root extracts have insulinotropic activity [19] .…”

Efecto hepatoprotector del Asparagus officinalis (Espárrago verde) en daño inducido por fármacos antituberculosos

“…Nuestro país es el segundo mayor productor y exportador de Asparagus officinalis en el mundo (12) , poseyendo esta especie gran actividad biológica como antimutagénica (13) e hipolipemiante (14,15) en el jugo; es antioxidante (16,17) y antitumoral (18) en el tallo; y antifúngica (19) , hipoglicemiante (20,21) , inmunoprotectora (22) y hepatoprotectora (23) en las raíces; esto debido a la actividad de sus componentes bioactivos como glutatión (24) , flavonoides (16,25) , saponinas esteroideas (16,26) y polisacáridos (16,27) . La mayoría de las investigaciones previas con esta especie han utilizado extractos etanólicos, metanólicos e hidroalcohólicos; sin embargo, en nuestro medio, la forma tradicional de consumir el espárrago verde es consumir la parte del tallo previamente cocinada, razón por la cual utilizamos en nuestra investigación el extracto acuoso del tallo de Asparagus officinalis con el objetivo de evaluar efecto hepatoprotector en daño inducido por fármacos antituberculosos de primera línea.…”