Brain Trace Element Concentration of Rats Treated with the Plant Alkaloid, Vincamine

Trace elements are essential for normal brain functions. Tiny amounts of these elements help in the formation of neurotransmitters and involved in the antioxidant defense and intracellular redox regulation and modulation of neural cells. Vincamine is a plant alkaloid used clinically as a peripheral vasodilator that increases cerebral blood flow and oxygen and glucose utilization by neural tissue to combat the effect of aging. Neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging characterized by a disturbance in trace element levels in the brain. The objective of this study was to determine the level of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), Selenium (Se), and chromium (Cr) in the brain of rats treated with vincamine. Vincamine was injected i.m. to rats at a dose of 15 mg/Kg bodyweight daily for 14 days. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, rats were killed, and brains were ashed and digested by concentrated acids and analyzed for trace elements concentrations by flame emission atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that Zn was the highest trace element in the brain of control rats (3.134?±?0.072 ppm) and Cr was the lowest (0.386?±?0.027 ppm). Vincamine administration significantly (p?<?0.01) reduced the brain Fe concentration (1.393?±?0.165 ppm) compared to control (2.807?±?0.165 ppm). It was concluded that Zn was the highest trace element in the brain of rats. Vincamine administration resulted in approximately 50% reduction in brain Fe concentration which suggests its beneficial effect to prevent the oxidative stress of Fe in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s diseases.     

Effect of trace elements and optimization of their composition for the nitrification of a heterotrophic nitrifying bacterium, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter harbinensis</Emphasis> HITLi7<Superscript>T</Superscript>, at low temperature

The effects of trace elements on ammonium degradation performance and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secretion of Acinetobacter harbinensis HITLi7^T at low temperature were investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to obtain the optimal composition of trace elements and analyze their correlation. In this study, the results indicated that the ammonium removal performance could be enhanced by the presence of 0.1 mg L^?1 Fe, Mn, or B in pure cultivation. When the concentrations of Fe and Mn were 0.2 mg L^?1, the ammonium removal rates of the novel strain HITLi7^T were 0.49 ± 0.01 mg L^?1·h^?1 and 0.58 ± 0.01 mg L^?1·h^?1, respectively, while it was the low concentration of 0.05 mg L^?1 B that showed the maximum ammonium removal rate (0.56 ± 0.02 mg L^?1·h^?1) of strain HITLi7^T. The regression model was obtained and the optimal formulation of trace elements was: B 0.064 mg L^?1, Fe 0.12 mg L^?1, and Mn 0.1 mg L^?1. Based on these values, the experimental ammonium removal rate could reach 0.59 mg L^?1·h^?1, which matched well with the predicted response. The study also found that the addition of trace elements, causing high ammonium removal rates, resulted in a high polysaccharide (PS) ratio in the EPS secreted by Acinetobacter harbinensis HITLi7^T. Especially under the optimal conditions, the PS ratio reached the highest value of 49.9%.     

Comparative Study of Antidiabetic Activity and Oxidative Stress Induced by Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Zinc Sulfate in Diabetic Rats

In the current study, antidiabetic activity and toxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) were investigated in diabetic rats compared to zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) with particular emphasis on oxidative stress parameters. One hundred and twenty male Wistar rats were divided into two healthy and diabetic groups, randomly. Each major group was further subdivided into five subgroups and then orally supplemented with various doses of ZnO (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) and ZnSO₄ (30 mg/kg) for 56 consecutive days. ZnO showed greater antidiabetic activity compared to ZnSO₄ evidenced by improved glucose disposal, insulin levels, and zinc status. The altered activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes as well as raised levels of lipid peroxidation and a marked reduction of total antioxidant capacity were observed in rats receiving ZnO. ZnO nanoparticles acted as a potent antidiabetic agent, however, severely elicited oxidative stress particularly at higher doses.     

In vitro toxicity and antidiabetic activity of a newly developed polyherbal formulation (MAC-ST/001) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats

The present study was designed to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of an aqueous extract of MAC-ST/001 (a new polyherbal formulation) which was given once daily to rats at different doses. The animals were divided into diabetic and nondiabetic control groups. The duration of each experiment lasted from 1 week to 1 month, and the results were compared with that of the standard hypoglycemic drug glibenclamide (10 mg/kg), which was given once daily. In this study, biochemical and histopathological parameters were studied in streptozotacin (STZ) (single intraperitoneal injection of 55 mg/kg)-induced diabetic rats. The diabetic rats showed a significant (p?<?0.05 and p?<?0.01) decrease in their body weight and serum amylase with marked elevation in blood glucose, serum cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, and serum transaminases (AST and ALT) after 1 week till the 28th day of diabetes. Cytotoxicity of MAC-ST/001 formulation was also studied on C2C12, 3T3-L1, and HepG2 cells through MTT assay. Histological examination of the liver and pancreas of normal control, diabetic control, and drug-treated rats revealed significant results. Finally, it was concluded that administration of this MAC-ST/001 extract reversed most blood and tissue changes caused by STZ-induced diabetes in rats.     

Comparative Analysis of Serum Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Iron, Calcium, and Magnesium Level and Complexity of Interelement Relations in Generalized Anxiety Disorder Patients

The purpose of the study was to determine the concentration of serum trace and other essential elements of generalized anxiety disorder patients and to find out the relationship between element levels and nutritional status or socioeconomic factors. The study was conducted among 50 generalized anxiety disorder patients and 51 healthy volunteers. Patients were selected and recruited in the study with the help of a clinical psychologist by random sampling. The concentrations of serum trace elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe) and other two essential elements (Ca and Mg) were determined by graphite furnace and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Data were analyzed by independent t test, Pearson’s correlation analysis, regression analysis, and analysis of variance. The serum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ca, and Mg in generalized anxiety disorder patients were 1.069?±?0.40, 1.738?±?0.544, 1.374?±?0.750, 3.203?±?2.065, 108.65?±?54.455, and 21?±?4.055 mg/L, while those were 1.292?±?0.621, 0.972?±?0.427, 0.704?±?0.527, 1.605?±?1.1855, 101.849?±?17.713, and 21.521?±?3.659 mg/L in control subjects. Significantly decreased (p?<?0.05) serum Zn concentration was found in the patient group compared to the control group while serum level of Cu, Mn, and Fe was significantly (p?<?0.05) higher, but the differences of the concentration of Ca and Mg between the patient and control groups were not significant (p?>?0.05). Socioeconomic data revealed that most of the patients were in the lower middle class group and middle-aged. Mean BMI of the control group (23.63?±?3.91 kg/m²) and the patient group (23.62?±?3.77 kg/m²) was within the normal range (18.5–25.0 kg/m²). The data obtained from different interelement relations in the generalized anxiety disorder patients and control group strongly suggest that there is a disturbance in the element homeostasis. So changes in the serum trace element level in generalized anxiety disorder patients occur independently and they may provide a prognostic tool for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.     

In vivo assessment of antidiabetic and antioxidative activity of natural phytochemical isolated from fruit-pulp of Eugenia jambolana in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objectives: Eugenia jambolana (E. jambolana) is well known for its antidiabetic potential. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidative effect of an active compound (FIIc) isolated from fruit-pulp of E. jambolana in streptozotocin (45?mg/kg body weight)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: FIIc was isolated from the crude aqueous extract of fruit-pulp by ion-exchange column chromatography and high-performance column chromatography. Detailed UV, NMR, and IR spectra suggested that FIIc is α-hydroxy succinamic acid. FIIc was orally administered to diabetic rats at a dose of 10, 15, and 20?mg/kg body weight (mg/kg bwt.) to determine its effective dose. Thereafter, effective dose was administered to 8 weeks to determine its antidiabetic and antioxidative activity by estimation of glycemic index, lipid profile, key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, and oxidative stress parameters.

Results: Administration of 15?mg/kg dose daily for 8 weeks led to significant (P?P?Discussion: The results demonstrate that FIIc possesses significant antidiabetic and antioxidative activity.     

Renierol from marine sponge Haliclona.SP.: A natural inhibitor of xanthine oxidase with hypouricemic effects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of renierol, extracted from marine sponge Halicdona.SP., on xanthine oxidase (XO) and its hypouricemic effect in vivo. Renierol and a positive control, allopurinol, were tested for their effects on XO activity by measuring the formation of uric acid and superoxide radical from xanthine. Renierol inhibited XO in a concentration-dependent and competitive manner. IC₅₀ value was 1.85 μg·ml^{? 1} through the measuring of uric acid and was 1.36 μg.ml^{? 1} through the measuring of superoxide radical. Renierol was found to have an in vivo hypouricemic activity against potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricaemia in mice. After oral administration of renierol at doses of 10, 20 and 30 mg.kg^{? 1}, there was a significant decrease in the serum urate level (4.08 ± 0.09 mg.dl^{? 1}, P < 0.01), (3.47 ± 0.11 mg.dl^{? 1}, P < 0.01) and (3.12 ± 0.08 mg.dl^{? 1}, P < 0.01), when compared to the hyperuricaemic control (6.74 ± 0.23 mg.dl^{? 1}). Renierol was a potent XO inhibitor with hypouricemic activity in mice.     

LIBS Based Screening of Glycemic Elements of Ficus religiosa

The effectiveness of various trace element concentrations in medicinal plants in the cure of various diseases can be determined by their quantitative estimation. Elemental concentrations of aqueous extract of F. religiosa leaves were measured by Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). LIBS is a very powerful and efficient analytical tool for determining elemental constitution. The present study deals with the LIBS-based validation of elements responsible for the glycemic potential of aqueous extract of F. religiosa leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic models. The significant decrease in blood glucose level and marked improvement in glucose tolerance test of diabetic models is correlated to the concentration of elements present in the extract as revealed by LIBS spectra. Elements such as Mg and Ca have been observed in the LIBS spectra of F. religiosa.     

Hypoglycemic and hepatoprotective activity of Rosmarinus officinalis extract in diabetic rats

The present study examined the effect of water extract (200 mg/kg body weight) of Rosmarinus officinalis L. in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats for 21 days. The hepatoprotective effects were investigated in the liver tissues sections. There was a significant increase in serum liver biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase), accompanied by a significant decrease in the level of total protein and albumin in the STZ-induced rats when compared with that of the normal group. The high-dose treatment group (200 mg/kg body wt) significantly restored the elevated liver function enzymes near to normal. This study revealed that rosemary extracts exerted a hepatoprotective effect. The results indicate that the extract exhibits the protective effect on tissues and prove its potentials as an antidiabetic agent.     

Intermittent hypoxia maintains glycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Increasing studies have shown protective effects of intermittent hypoxia on brain injury and heart ischemia. However, the effect of intermittent hypoxia on blood glucose metabolism, especially in diabetic conditions, is rarely observed. The aim of this study was to investigate whether intermittent hypoxia influences blood glucose metabolism in type 1 diabetic rats. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic adult rats and age-matched control rats were treated with intermittent hypoxia (at an altitude of 3 km, 4 h per day for 3 weeks) or normoxia as control. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, plasma fructosamine, plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), pancreas β-cell mass, and hepatic and soleus glycogen were measured. Compared with diabetic rats before treatment, the level of fasting blood glucose in diabetic rats after normoxic treatment was increased (19.88?±?5.69 mmol/L vs. 14.79?±?5.84 mmol/L, p?<?0.05), while it was not different in diabetic rats after hypoxic treatment (13.14?±?5.77 mmol/L vs. 14.79?±?5.84 mmol/L, p?>?0.05). Meanwhile, fasting blood glucose in diabetic rats after hypoxic treatment was also lower than that in diabetic rats after normoxic treatment (13.14 ± 5.77 mmol/L vs. 19.88 ± 5.69 mmol/L, p<0.05). Plasma fructosamine in diabetic rats receiving intermittent hypoxia was significantly lower than that in diabetic rats receiving normoxia (1.28?±?0.11 vs. 1.39?±?0.11, p?<?0.05), while there were no significant changes in body weight, plasma insulin and β-cell mass. HOMA-IR in diabetic rats after hypoxic treatment was also lower compared with diabetic rats after normoxic treatment (3.48?±?0.48 vs. 3.86?±?0.42, p?<?0.05). Moreover, intermittent hypoxia showed effect on the increase of soleus glycogen but not hepatic glycogen. We conclude that intermittent hypoxia maintains glycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and its regulation on muscular glycogenesis may play a role in the underlying mechanism.     

Adverse cardiac responses to alpha-lipoic acid in a rat-diabetic model: possible mechanisms?

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is widely used as an antioxidant for the treatment of diabetes and its complications; however, the pro-oxidant potential of ALA has recently been reported. This study was designed to investigate whether ALA supplementation could have pro-oxidant effects on cardiac tissues in normal and diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ; 55 mg/kg (intraperitoneal). Diabetic and normal rats were treated with ALA (100 mg kg^?1 day^?1) for 45 days. ALA supplementation resulted in oxidative protein damage as evident by significant reduction in the cardiac levels of protein thiol in ALA-treated normal rats (P?<?0.01) together with a significant elevation (P?<?0.001) in the plasma levels of advanced oxidation protein products in ALA-treated normal rats and in ALA?+?STZ-diabetic rats compared with the normal control rats. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase has emerged as the major source of superoxide anion and enhanced oxidative damage in heart failure. ALA supplementation increased the myocardial immunoreactivity of p47phox subunit of NADPH oxidase in both normal nondiabetic and diabetic rats reflecting its pro-oxidant effect. Data showed that ALA supplementation failed to prevent cardiac complications in diabetic rats and led to cardiac toxicity in normal rats as indicated by pathological changes (cellular infiltration, fibrosis, and degeneration) and by the elevation of serum cardiac biomarkers compared with normal controls. The pro-oxidant effects of ALA suggest that careful selection of appropriate doses of ALA in reactive oxygen species-related diseases are critical.     

Effect of troxerutin on insulin signaling molecules in the gastrocnemius muscle of high fat and sucrose-induced type-2 diabetic adult male rat

Troxerutin is a trihydroxyethylated derivative of the flavonoid, rutin. It has been reported to possess the hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperlipidemic activities. Troxerutin treatment reduced the blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels in high-cholesterol-induced insulin-resistant mice and in type-2 diabetic patients. However, the mechanism by which it exhibits antidiabetic property was unknown. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of troxerutin on insulin signaling molecules in gastrocnemius muscle of high fat and sucrose-induced type-2 diabetic rats. Wistar male albino rats were selected and divided into five groups. Group I: Control. Group II: High fat and sucrose-induced type-2 diabetic rats. Group III: Type-2 diabetic rats treated with troxerutin (150 mg/kg body weight/day orally). Group IV: Type-2 diabetic rats treated with metformin (50 mg/kg body weight/day orally). Group V: Normal rats treated with troxerutin (150 mg/kg body weight/day orally). After 30 days of treatment, fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance, serum lipid profile, and the levels of insulin signaling molecules, glycogen, glucose uptake, and oxidation in gastrocnemius muscle were assessed. Diabetic rats showed impairment in insulin signaling molecules (IR, p-IRS-1^Tyr632, p-Akt^Ser473, β-arrestin-2, c-Src, p-AS160^Thr642, and GLUT4 proteins), glycogen concentration, glucose uptake, and oxidation. Oral administration of troxerutin showed near normal levels of blood glucose, serum insulin, lipid profile, and insulin signaling molecules as well as GLUT4 proteins in type-2 diabetic rats. It is concluded from the present study that troxerutin may play a significant role in the management of type-2 diabetes mellitus, by improving the insulin signaling molecules and glucose utilization in the skeletal muscle.     

Total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of Saptarangi (Salacia chinensis L.) fruit pulp

Salacia chinensis L. has various beneficial properties including antidiabetic and antioxidant activity. The S. chinensis fruit pulp (SCFP) was extracted with four different solvents (Methanol, ethanol, acetone and water) and was screened for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity (AOA). The AOA was assessed by evaluating the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and metal chelating assay. Methanolic SCFP extract exhibited the highest phenolic content (3.20?±?0.12 mg GAE/g FW) whereas, ethanolic extract showed highest flavonoid content (0.31?±?0.68 mg RE/g FW). The methanolic extract possesses highest antioxidant activity towards DPPH (92.44 %), FRAP (1.939 O.D) and metal chelating activity (74.16 %). AOA (DPPH and FRAP) was significantly correlated with TPC. The results indicated that SCFP is a good natural source of antioxidant compounds for use in food and pharmaceutical industry.     

Biosorption of heavy metals in a photo-rotating biological contactor—a batch process study

Metal removal potential of indigenous mining microorganisms from acid mine drainage (AMD) has been well recognised in situ at mine sites. However, their removal capacity requires to be investigated for AMD treatment. In the reported study, the capacity of an indigenous AMD microbial consortium dominated with Klebsormidium sp., immobilised in a photo-rotating biological contactor (PRBC), was investigated for removing various elements from a multi-ion synthetic AMD. The synthetic AMD was composed of major (Cu, Mn, Mg, Zn, Ca, Na, Ni) and trace elements (Fe, Al, Cr, Co, Se, Ag, Mo) at initial concentrations of 2 to 100 mg/L and 0.005 to 1 mg/L, respectively. The PRBC was operated for two 7-day batch periods under pH conditions of 3 and 5. The maximum removal was observed after 3 and 6 days at pH 3 and 5, respectively. Daily water analysis data demonstrated the ability of the algal–microbial biofilm to remove an overall average of 25–40 % of the major elements at pH 3 in the order of Na?>?Cu?>?Ca?>?Mg?>?Mn?>?Ni?>?Zn, whereas a higher removal (35–50 %) was observed at pH 5 in the order of Cu?>?Mn?>?Mg?>?Ca?>?Ni?>?Zn?>?Na. The removal efficiency of the system for trace elements varied extensively between 3 and 80 % at the both pH conditions. The batch data results demonstrated the ability for indigenous AMD algal–microbial biofilm for removing a variety of elements from AMD in a PRBC. The work presents the potential for further development and scale-up to use PBRC inoculated with AMD microorganisms at mine sites for first or secondary AMD treatment.     

The Glycemic Elemental Profile of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichosanthes dioica</Emphasis>: A LIBS-Based Study

The scientific evaluation of the antidiabetic efficacy of aqueous extract of Trichosanthes dioica fruits on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats is being presented. The graded doses of the extract, viz., 500, 750, 1,000, and 1,250 mg/kg body weight (bw), were administered orally, and it was observed that the blood glucose concentration decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The dose of 1,000 mg/kg bw showed the maximum fall of 23.8% and 19.1% in blood glucose level (BGL) during fasting BGL and glucose tolerance test (GTT) studies, respectively, of nondiabetic rats. Whereas in the case of subdiabetic and mild diabetic models, the same dose showed reduction in BGL of 22.0% and 31.4% during GTT. The study also involves the first use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy as a sensitive analytical tool to detect the elemental profile responsible for the antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of T. dioica fruits that exhibits the antidiabetic activity. High intensities of Ca, Mg, and Fe indicate large concentrations of these elements in the extract, since according to Boltzmann’s distribution law, intensities are directly proportional to concentrations. The higher concentrations of these glycemic elements, viz. Ca, Mg, and Fe, are responsible for the antidiabetic potential of T. dioica as well as other plant already reported by our research group.     

Development of a Rapid and Simple Digestion Method of Freshwater Sediments for As,Cd, Cr,Cu, Pb,Fe, and Zn Determination by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES): An Evaluation of Dilute Nitric Acid

In this study, a simple and rapid methodology based on the hot-plate digestion method using dilute nitric acid solution was used to extract trace metals (such as As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Fe, and Zn) from freshwater sediments. The concentrations of the elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The factors (temperature, nitric acid concentration, and volume) affecting the digestion method were optimized using one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) or univariate methodology, and the optimization process was carried out using freshwater sediment certified reference material (CRM015). The optimal conditions for temperature, nitric acid concentration, and time in the method were 180°C, 10 mL of 5 mol L^?1 HNO₃, and 45 min, respectively. Under optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) ranged between 0.02 and 0.08 µg L^?1 and the limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.07 and 0.27 µg L^?1. In addition, the method detection limits (MDLs) and method quantification limits (MQLs) were 0.10–0.17 and 0.30?0.57 µg g^?1, respectively. The overall accuracy of the method determined by recovery of the trace elements in the CRMs ranged from 98 to 111% with the precision ranging from 1.4 to 5.8%. The method was successfully applied for the determination of target metals from real freshwater sediment samples.     

Serum Levels of Antioxidants (Zn, Cu, Se) in Healthy Volunteers Living in Tehran

Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) are well-known as essential trace elements. These elements attract a great interest, not only in the scientific world, but also in the public option. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum Zn, Cu, and Se levels in healthy volunteers (60 females and 55 males) living in Tehran. The age (6–62 years) and sex of the subjects, as well as drug and tobacco consumption, were registered. The concentrations of these elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The serum levels of Zn, Cu, and Se in the normal population of Tehran was 0.89?±?0.16 mg/L, 0.95?±?0.20 mg/L, and 99.10?±?21.78 μg/L, respectively. There was no significant gender-related difference in serum Zn concentration (p?<?0.15). However, a significant difference (p?<?0.05) in both Cu and Se levels was observed between males and females.     

Effect of Lower Doses of Vanadate in Combination with Azadirachta indica Leaf Extract on Hepatic and Renal Antioxidant Enzymes in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The present study was undertaken to investigate short-term (21 days) effects of oral administration of Azadirachta indica leaf extract and vanadate, separately and in combination, on the activities of antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Vanadate is a remarkable antidiabetic agent and shows insulin mimetic effect. However, severe toxicity is associated with vanadate when used in high concentration while at lower concentration the hypoglycemic property of vanadate is reduced. So, we used a low dose of vanadate in combination with A. indica leaf extract and evaluated their effect on the antioxidant defense system. Streptozotocin-diabetic rats were treated separately with insulin, vanadate (0.6 mg/ml), A. indica, and with combined dose of vanadate (0.2 mg/ml) and A. indica. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and serum glucose levels and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase were determined in cytosolic fraction of liver and kidney. Diabetic rats showed hyperglycemic condition and alteration in antioxidant enzyme activities. Treatment with antidiabetic compounds resulted in the reduction of glucose levels and restoration of enzyme activities to normal. Results showed that combined treatment of vanadate and A. indica leaf extract was the most effective in normalizing altered antioxidant enzyme system.     

Evaluation of antioxidant capacities of green microalgae

Three strains of green microalgae, Chlorococcum sp.C53, Chlorella sp. E53, and Chlorella sp.ED53 were studied for their antioxidant activities. Crude extracts of these microalgae in hot water and in ethanol were examined for their total phenolic contents and for their antioxidant capacities. In order to determine their phenolic contents, the Folin–Ciocalteu method was used. As for the determination of their antioxidant capacities, four different assays were used: (1) total antioxidant capacity determination; (2) DPPH radical scavenging assay; (3) ferrous ion chelating ability assay; and (4) inhibition of lipid peroxidation (using thiobarbituric acid reactive substance). For all the strains we have studied, their ethanolic extract showed more antioxidant activities than their hot water extract. Categorically, the ethanolic extract of Chlorella sp.E53 exhibited both the highest total phenolic content of 35.5?±?0.14 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g^?1 dry weight and the highest DPPH radical scavenging of 68.18?±?0.38 % at 1.4 mg mL^?1 (IC₅₀ 0.81 mg mL^?1), whereas Chlorella sp.ED53 showed both the highest ferrous ion chelation activity of 42.78?±?1.48 % at 1 mg mL^?1 (IC₅₀ 1.23 mg mL^?1) and the highest inhibition of lipid peroxidation of 87.96?±?0.59 % at 4 mg mL^?1. This high level of inhibition is comparable to 94.42?±?1.39 % of butylated hydroxytoluene, a commercial synthetic antioxidant, at the same concentration.     

Galangin,a natural flavonoid reduces mitochondrial oxidative damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective: We designed this study to observe the effect of galangin on damaged mitochondria in the liver of diabetic rats.

Methods: Male albino Wistar rats were made diabetic by injecting streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally (40?mg?kg^?1 body weight (BW)). Galangin (8?mg?kg^?1 BW) or glibenclamide (600?µg?kg^?1 BW) was given orally daily once for 45 days to both healthy and diabetic rats.

Results: Diabetic rats showed significant (P?P?P?P?P?Conclusion: From the results, we conclude that galangin could maintain liver mitochondrial function in diabetic rats.