Abhinandan Ghosh

Protective effect of aqueous extract of seed of Psoralea corylifolia (Somraji) and seed of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Methi) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat: A comparative evaluation

Background: Psoralea corylifolia (Somraji) and Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Methi), important medicinal plants widely used in India as folk medicine. Local people of West Bengal traditionally used the seeds of these plants to cure diabetes. Objective: Present study was designed to investigate the antidiabetic efficacy of aqueous extract of seeds of these plants in separate or in composite manner in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced by intramuscular injection of STZ at the dose of 40 mg/ml of citrate buffer/kg body weight. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), glyclated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and activities of hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphatase of liver in experimental animals were assessed. Hyperlipidemic state developed in the experimental diabetic rat was assessed by measuring the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoproteins in serum. Results: There was significant increased in the levels of FBG, HbA1C and lipid profiles along with diminution (P < 0.001) in the activities of hepatic hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and elevation in glucose-6-phosphatase in diabetic control animals in respect to the untreated control. Significant recovery (P < 0.05) in the activities of above mentioned enzymes along with the correction in the levels of FBG, HbA1C and serum lipid profiles were noted towards the control level after the treatment of composite extract (i.e. 100 mg of Somraji: 100 mg of Methi, total 200 mg/kg body weight) than the individual extract (i.e. 200 mg of Somraji or 200 mg of Methi, per kg body weight) treatment. Conclusion: Results suggest that composite extract of above plant parts has more potent antidiabetic efficacy than the individual extract.

Corrective role of Eugenia jambolana on testicular impairment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino rat: an approach through genomic and proteomic study.

The present study was conducted to explore the effect of ethyl acetate fraction of hydro‐methanolic (40 : 60) extract of seed of Eugenia jambolana on testicular impairment in diabetic rats. In this respect, biomarkers of oxidative stress, genomics and proteomics in testicular tissue were assessed. Side by side, glycated haemoglobin, serum testosterone, activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase in serum, epididymal sperm count including reproductive organosomatic indices were evaluated. Results indicate that a significant recovery (P < 0.05) in the levels of these parameters in fraction‐treated diabetic group in comparison with diabetic control. A significant recovery was noted (P < 0.05) in the expression of Bax and Bcl‐2 gene towards the control after the treatment of said fraction. Histological study also focused a significant recovery (P < 0.05) in the number of different generation of germ cells at stage VII of spermatogenesis in fraction‐treated diabetic group. The said fraction treatment to diabetic rat can recover the activities of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase significantly towards the control (P < 0.05). Finally, it may be concluded that ethyl acetate fraction of seed of E. jambolana has a promiseable remedial effect on diabetes‐induced testicular dysfunctions in male rat without inducing any metabolic toxicity.

Antiapoptotic efficacy of seed of Eugenia jambolana on testicular germ cell in experimental diabetic rat: a genomic study

This study was designed to focus the genetic regulation of diabetes‐induced testicular hypofunction and its amelioration by ethyl acetate fraction of seed of Eugenia jambolana. In this regard, we have assessed relevant biosensors such as biochemical, spermiological, histological and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, germ cell apoptosis and androgenic key enzymes along with in situ end labelling and DNA fragmentation study. After 60 days administration of said fraction, significant recovery in the glycated haemoglobin, serum testosterone, sperm viability, hypo‐osmotic swelling and nuclear chromatin decondensation were noted in fraction‐treated diabetic group in comparison with diabetic control. Besides this, a significant recovery in the expression of Bax, Bcl‐2, caspase‐9, caspase‐3, catalase, peroxidase, ∆5, 3β‐hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and 17β‐hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase genes was noted towards the control in ethyl acetate fraction‐treated group. Testicular histology focused a significant recovery in the number of different generation of germ cells at stage VII of spermatogenesis in fraction‐treated group. In situ end labelling and DNA fragmentation study of testicular tissues also showed a significant recovery in fraction‐treated group towards the control. These findings indicate that the ethyl acetate fraction showed outstanding antiapoptotic activity by neutralising oxidative stress as well as by the improvement in glycaemic sensors.

Antioxidant potential of hydro-methanolic extract of seed of Caesalpinia bonduc: An in vitro study

It is well known that the over production of reactive oxygen species is harmful for living organisms and it damages major cellular constituents such as DNA, protein, and lipid. At present, searching of new plant sources having free radical scavenging activity is an important field of research in phytomedicine as natural products are safe and relatively low cost. In this respect, attention has been focused to evaluate the antioxidant potential of hydro-methanolic extract of seed of Caesalpinia bonduc (Caesalpenacae) using different in vitro models. To evaluate the antioxidant activity, extract was examined on 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging effect, scavenging of hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging potential, and anti-lipid peroxidation activity by biochemical methods. Total phenol and flavonoids contents in the said extract were measured biochemically as per standard methods. Results were compared with butylated hydroxyl toluene and α-tocopherol. Results indicated that hydro-methanolic extract has strong scavenging activity on 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical with IC50 value 157.4 μg/ml, hydroxyl radical with IC50 value 61.9 μg/ml and hydrogen peroxide with IC50 value 64.32 μg/ml. Hydro-methanolic extract also showed notable inhibition in lipid peroxidation having IC50 value 58.87 μg/ml. Phytochemical study focused that the extract is rich in phenolic compounds (24.66 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dried extract) and flavonoids (136.65 mg quercetin equivalent/g dried extract). Findings of the experiment indicated that the hydro-methanolic extract of seed of Caesalpinia bonduc is a source of natural antioxidants.

Diabetes induced testicular dysfunction amelioration by ethyl acetate fraction of hydromethanolic extract of root of Musa paradisiaca L. in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

Abstract Objective To investigate the diabetic therapeutic potentiality and antioxidative efficacy of ethyl acetate fraction of hydro-methanol (40:60) extract of root of Musa paradisiaca Lam. (Musaceae) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Methods Streptozotocin-induced diabetic state was confirmed by decreased serum insulin level and carbohydrate metabolomics i.e. increased fasting blood glucose level, glycated hemoglobin level and diminished glycogen contents in liver and skeletal muscle. Reproductive homeostasis alteration in diabetes was evaluated by reproductive organo-somatic indices, sperm count, motility and histological analysis of testicular seminiferous tubule along with levels of serum testosterone, testicular cholesterol and seminal vesicular fructose assessment. Oxidative stress in primary and accessory sex organs, and in sperm pellet was assessed by measuring antioxidant enzyme activities along with quantification of free radicals products. Testicular pro-apoptotic Bax-α mRNA expression pattern was studied semi-quantitatively by PCR technique. Reverse phase HPLC fingerprinting was performed using methanol and acetonitrile as mobile phase. Results Oral administration of ethyl acetate fraction at a dose of 20 mg/0.5 mL of distilled water/100 gm body weight twice daily to the diabetic rats for 28 days significantly recovered organo-somatic indices, protected reproductive activities, corrected oxidative stress markers and pro-apoptotic mRNA expression pattern, which were deviated in diabetes mellitus from control level without any type of toxicity. HPLC fingerprinting shows five completely resolved peaks at γ max 254 nm and 342 nm. Conclusions It has a promising antihyperglycaemic and antioxidative activity for curing diabetes induced reproductive disorders in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat.

Male contraceptive efficacy of poly herbal formulation, contracept-TM, composed of aqueous extracts of Terminalia chebula fruit and Musa balbisiana seed in rat

Abstract Context: Terminalia chebula Retz (Combretaceae) and Musa balbisiana Colla (Musaceae) have a traditional reputation as a male contraceptive. Objective: To determine the hypo-testicular activity of aqueous extracts of Terminalia chebula (fruit) and Musa balbisiana (seed) separately, and in composite manner at the ratio of 1:1 named as ‘Contracept-TM’ compared to cyproterone acetate (CPA), for developing a polyherbal contraceptive. Materials and methods: The separate extract of above said plants or ‘Contracept-TM’ at the dose of 40 mg/100 g body weight of rat/day or CPA at 2 mg/100 g body weight of rat/day was administered for 28 days. Spermiological, androgenic and oxidative stress sensors, LD50 and ED50/100 g body weight values were measured. Results: Treatment of individual, ‘Contracept-TM’ or CPA resulted significant decrease in the count of spermatogonia A (36.36–49.09%), pre-leptotene spermatocyte (19.11–55.30%), mid-pachytene spermatocyte (28.65–47.28%) and step 7 spermatid (29.65–51.59%). Activities of testicular Δ5, 3β (21.25–48.02%),17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (29.75–55.08%), catalase (19.06–43.29%) and peroxidase (30.76–62.82%), levels of testosterone (28.15–63.44%), testicular cholesterol (19.61–49.33%), conjugated diene (29.69–84.99%) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (41.25–86.73%) were elevated compare to the control. The ED50 and LD50 values were 40 mg and 5.8 g (T. chebula), 48 mg and 6.3 g (M. bulbisiana), 40 mg and 6.0 g (‘Contracept-TM’), respectively. Discussion and conclusion: The said spermiological and androgenic sensors’ levels were decreased significantly by ‘Contracept-TM’ than its constitutional individual plant extract and it may be comparable to standard anti-testicular drug like CPA. So, it may be concluded that above polyherbal formulation is potent for inducing hypo-testicular activity.

Ameliorative role of ethyl-acetate fraction of methanolic leaf extract of Camellia sinensis (green tea) on streptozotocin-induced diabetes linked testicular hypofunction in albino rat: A dose-dependent biochemical and genomic transection study

Abstract Background The present investigation focuses the diabetes-induced testicular hypofunction and its possible correction by the effective dose of ethyl-acetate fraction of methanolic extract of Camellia sinensis leaves through dose-dependent study in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Methods The androgenic, spermiological, oxidative stress and apoptosis sensors along with testicular genomic sensors were evaluated in a dose-dependent fashion (50 mg or 100 mg or 200 mg/kg body weight). Activities of hepatic transaminases for toxicity assessment were also measured. Results Increased level of fasting blood glucose, testicular cholesterol, seminal vesicular fructose along with a low count, motility and viability of epididymal sperm, low activities of testicular Δ5, 3β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (HSD), 17β-HSD, testicular antioxidant enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase) and low plasma level of testosterone were noted in diabetic rat in respect to the control. After oral administration of said fraction to diabetic rat, levels of above sensors were resettled toward the control. A significant decrease in the number of different generations of germ cells at the stage VII of spermatogenesis in diabetic rat was noted which were recovered significantly toward the control in the fraction-treated diabetic group. It was supported by the correction in gene expression of testicular Δ5, 3β- HSD, 17β- HSD, Bcl-2 and Bax in the fraction-treated diabetic group. Conclusions The threshold dose of ethyl-acetate fraction of methanolic extract of C. sinensis leaves is 100 mg/kg body weight for the recovery of testicular hypofunction in a diabetic rat model.

Antitesticular activities of different solvent fractions from hydro-methanol (2:3) extract of Cuminum cyminum in albino rat: A Comparative analysis

Currently available contraceptives are associated with adverse effects. So, search on safer agents in this purpose is one of the priority areas of WHO. Our previous study showed a significant antifertility effect of hydro-methanol extract of Cuminum cyminum Linn (Umbelliferae) in male albino rat. The main objective of this work isto search outthe potentfraction of hydro-methanol extract of seed of Cuminum cyminum in adult male albino rat for the development of herbal male contraceptive to reduce the bio-burden of phytomolecules. The n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions of the hydro-methanol (2:3) extract of seed of Cuminum cyminum were administrated orally to male rat. Results showed the maximum antitesticular activity of chloroform fraction (CH-Fr) than other fractions included here. Treatment with CH-Fr fraction resulted a significant inhibition in spermiological parameters, activities of testicular androgenic key enzymes and antioxidative enzymes, levels of serum testosterone and seminal vesicular fructose, number of different generations of germ cells at stage VII of spermatogenic cell cycle and seminiferous tubular diameter (STD) along with significant increase in the level of testicular cholesterol in respect to the control. Significant upward and downward expression in Bax and Bcl-2 gene of male germ cells were indicated which focussed the sperm apoptotic enhancer activities of the fraction. The findings indicated that among the said four different fractions, the chloroform fraction of the hydro-methanol extract of the seed of Cuminum cyminum had most effective antitesticular activity.

Attenuation of the cyproterone acetate-induced testicular hypofunction by a novel nutraceutical lycopene: a genomic approach.

This study was designed to explore the cyproterone acetate (CPA)‐induced andrological hypofunction and its correction by oral administration of lycopene. In this concern, spermatogenic, biochemical, histological and genomic profiles were studied. Cyproterone acetate administration for 1 month helped to develop infertile model rats. A significant recovery was noted in sperm motility, sperm count, sperm viability, hypo‐osmotic swelling tail‐coiled spermatozoa; activities of testicular ∆5, 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), 17β‐HSD, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD); and levels of conjugated diene (CD), malondialdehyde (MDA), testicular cholesterol and serum testosterone after the administration of lycopene at 1.5 mg/0.5 ml Tween‐80/100 g body weight/day for last 1 month to infertile model rats. Simultaneously, qRT‐PCR study of Bax, Bcl‐2, caspase‐3, ∆5, 3β‐HSD and 17β‐HSD genes in testicular tissue showed a significant rectification towards the control in CPA‐pre‐treated cum CPA–lycopene‐cotreated rats. Side‐by‐side histological and histometric studies showed a significant correction in qualitative analysis of spermatogenesis and seminiferous tubular diameter (STD) in CPA‐pre‐treated cum CPA–lycopene‐cotreated rats. Lycopene showed outstanding efficacy in the management of CPA‐induced testicular hypofunction with special reference to correction in oxidative stress‐induced testicular apoptosis at genomic level.