@article {1506, title = {Modulation of Glucose Homeostasis and Behavioral Parameters by Passiflora edulis in a Rodent Model of Metabolic Syndrome Induced by High Fructose Intake}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {August 2025}, pages = {1-5}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {1}, abstract = {

Background: Syndrome X (Metabolic syndrome), commonly associated with high-fructose dietary intake, is characterized by insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and related neurobehavioral impairments. Passiflora edulis Extract (EPE), rich in bioactive compounds, is investigated for its potential therapeutic effects on fructose-induced MS. Materials and Methods: A total of five groups were formed using female Wistar rats (200-250 g, n=6). Group I served as the control group; Group II was exposed to 20\% fructose to induce metabolic syndrome; Groups III to V received fructose along with EPE at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg doses, respectively, for a duration of 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters (blood glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR) and behavioral markers (locomotor activity, immobility time, fall time, paw withdrawal time) were recorded. Serum insulin was measured, and HOMA-IR was calculated. Results: Chronic fructose intake significantly increased blood glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR values, indicating metabolic disruption. EPE administration significantly reduced these values in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest efficacy observed at 1000 mg/kg. EPE also improved behavioral outcomes: it increased fall time and locomotor activity, while decreasing immobility time and paw withdrawal time, demonstrating improvements in motor coordination, depressive-like behavior, and pain sensitivity. Effects were more pronounced at higher EPE doses. Conclusion: EPE significantly ameliorated both metabolic and neurobehavioral impairments induced by fructose in rats. Its dose-dependent efficacy suggests promising as a plant-based therapeutic for controlling metabolic syndrome and related behavioral dysfunctions.

}, keywords = {Behavioral Markers, Fructose, HOMA-IR, Insulin resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, Passiflora edulis Extract}, doi = {10.5530/pres.20252369}, author = {Kinjal P. Patel and Rajesh A. Maheshwari and Nilay Solanki and Jagdish Kakadiya} } @article {1425, title = {Safawi Date Extract Ameliorated Diabetogensis and Nephrotoxicity Induced by Propyl Paraben in Rats}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {July 2025}, pages = {920-926}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {920}, abstract = {

Objectives: The Parabens are synthetic compounds used as antibacterial and antifungal preservatives in many products. The nephrotoxicity and diabetogenic development during exposure of rats to propyl paraben and role of of Safawi Date Extract (SDE) supplementation were investigated. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar albino rats were assigned into five groups; (6 rats each). Group I served as the control while groups II-IV were given 100, 200, 300 mg/ kg bw/day propylparaben respectively. Group V; rats received 300 mg propyl paraben and treated with 100 mg SDE for four weeks. Results: Data obtained showed that rats given propyl paraben at 100 mg/kg b.w showed a non significant changes in the levels of glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), Malondialdhyde (MDA), creatinine, glucose, insulin, antioxidant enzyme activities and GSH content. However, propyl paraben at 200 or 300 mg/kg b.w after 3 weeks, showed a significant elevated HbA1c, MDA, fasting blood glucose, creatinine levels (p\<0.001) while insulin level, were significantly reduced (p\<0.001). The antioxidant enzymes activities (GPx, Grase, SOD, Catalase) were reduced in rats given propylparaben versus control. Treatment of rats with SDE ameliorate these abnormal changes. It was concluded that flavonoids (epicatechin, catechin and procyanidin) from SDE showed protective effect against abnormal variability induced by propylparaben by enhancing antioxidants activities, reduces lipid peroxidation and insulin sensitivity. Conclusion: Alarming the consumers for uses, the products contain propyl paraben for its toxic effect and diabetogenic effect. Identifying the mechanism of diabetogensis due to exposure of propylparaben for long time.

}, keywords = {Antioxidant, date flavonoides, Insulin resistance, Propylparaben, Rats}, doi = {10.5530/pres.20252173}, author = {Abdulrahman L. Al-Malki} } @article {1195, title = {Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Herbal Plants in Managing Blood Sugar Levels: A Comprehensive Evaluation}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {16}, year = {2023}, month = {December 2023}, pages = {10-18}, type = {Review Article}, chapter = {10}, abstract = {

Hyperglycemia, characterized by persistently high blood glucose levels due to insufficient insulin release or insulin resistance, is a major global health concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a substantial increase in the number of diabetic patients, from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014, and further to 463 million in 2020. As a result, there has been a growing demand for medicinal plants to address this issue. Traditional medicine has long recognized and utilized various medicinal herbs with hypoglycemic properties. This review focuses on eight specific medicinal plants: Ficus religiosa (Moraceae), Syzygium cumini (Myrtaceae), Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae), Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), Ocimum tenuiflorum (Lamiaceae), Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae), Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. (Fabaceae), and Peganum harmala (Zygophyllaceae), which have been found to play a significant role in managing hyperglycemia. The article explores the phytochemical constituents of these plants responsible for their hypoglycemic effects and elucidates their mechanisms of action. By providing a comprehensive review of these medicinal plants, this article offers valuable insights into their potential use for managing hyperglycemia.

}, keywords = {Herbal plants, Hyperglycemia, Insulin resistance, Phytoconstituents, Therapeutic potential.}, doi = {10.5530/pres.16.1.2}, author = {Archita Katrolia and Ved Pal and Vikesh Kumar Shukla and Rohit Singh} } @article {426, title = {Psidium guajava Linn. Leaf Extract Affects Hepatic Glucose Transporter-2 to Attenuate Early Onset of Insulin Resistance Consequent to High Fructose intake: An Experimental Study}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {June 2015}, pages = {166-175}, type = {Original Article }, chapter = {166}, abstract = {

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is amalgam of pathologies like altered glucos metabolism, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and associated with type-II diabetes and cardiometabolic diseases. One of the reasons leading to its increased and early incidence is understood to be a high intake of processed fructose containing foods and beverages by individuals, especially, during critical developmental years. Objective: To investigate the preventive potential of aqueous extract of Psidium guajava leaves (PG) against metabolic pathologies, vis-{\`a}-vis, IR, dyslipidemia, hyperleptinemia and hypertension, due to excess fructose intake initiated during developmental years. Materials and Methods: Post-weaning (4 weeks old) male rats were provided fructose (15\%) as drinking solution, ad libitum, for 8 weeks and assessed for food and water/fructose intake, body weight, fasting blood sugar, mean arterial pressure, lipid biochemistry, endocrinal (insulin, leptin), histopathological (fatty liver) and immunohistochemical (hepatic glucose transporter [GLUT2]) parameters. Parallel treatment groups were administered PG in doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg/d, po {\texttimes} 8 weeks and assessed for same parameters. Using extensive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry protocols, PG was analyzed for the presence of phytoconstituents like Myrecetin, Luteolin, Kaempferol and Guavanoic acid and validated to contain Quercetin up to 9.9\%w/w. Results: High fructose intake raised circulating levels of insulin and leptin and hepatic GLUT2 expression to promote IR, dyslipidemia, and hypertension that were favorably re-set with PG. Although PG is known for its beneficial role in diabetes mellitus, for the first time we report its potential in the management of lifelong pathologies arising from high fructose intake initiated during developmental years.

}, keywords = {Fructose, Glucose Ttransporter-2, Insulin resistance, Leptin, Psidium guajava, Quercetin}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.151459 }, author = {R. Mathur and Shagun Dutta and T. Velpandian and S.R. Mathur} } @article {817, title = {Amelioration of Insulin Resistance by Rk 1 + Rg 5 Complex Under Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Conditions}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {6}, year = {2014}, month = {August,2014}, pages = {292-296}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {292}, abstract = {

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic syndrome exaggerated by stress conditions. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) impairs the insulin signaling pathway making the diabetic conditions worsen. Pharmacological agents are supplied externally to overcome this malfunction. Ginsenosides from Panax ginseng C.A Meyer possesses many pharmacological properties and are used for the treatment of diabetes. Objective: To investigate the effects of the Rk 1 +Rg 5 complex on the amelioration of insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 cells under endoplasmic reticulum stress conditions. Materials and Methods: Heat-processed ginseng extracts are found to contain many pharmacologically active ginsenosides. Among them Rk 1 +Rg 5 is found to be present in higher concentrations than the other minor ginsenosides. The Rk 1 +Rg 5 complex was tested for its effect in the 3T3-L1 insulin-resistant model and subjected to the MTT assay, glucose oxidase assay and gene expression studies using RT-PCR and real-time PCR under endoplasmic reticulum stress conditions. Results: Rk 1 +Rg 5 treatment is found to increase the glucose uptake into the cells when compared to that of a positive control (tunicamycin treatment group, TM). Further we have analyzed the role at gene expression level. The Rk 1 +Rg 5 complex was found to show an effect on the IGF 2R receptor, CHOP-10, and C/EBP gene at a particular treated concentration (50 μM). Moreover, stress condition (about 50\% decreases) was overcome by the ginsenoside treatments at 50 μM. Conclusion: The present results showed that under endoplasmic reticulum stress conditions Rk 1 +Rg 5 complex exhibits a potential protective role in insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 cells.

}, keywords = {3T3-L1, Dexamethasone, Diabetes, Ginsenosides, Insulin, Insulin resistance}, doi = { 10.4103/0974-8490.138257}, author = {Shree Priya Ponnuraj and Fayeza Siraj, Sera Kang and Hae Yong Noh, Jin-Woo Min and Yeon-Ju Kim and Deok-Chun Yang} } @article {664, title = {Aloe barbadensis Mill. Formulation Restores Lipid Profile to Normal in a Letrozole-induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Rat Model}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {4}, year = {2012}, month = {april,2012}, pages = { 109-115}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = { 109}, abstract = {

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), characterized by ovulatory infertility and hyperandrogenism, is associated with metabolic complications such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. Almost 70\% PCOS women have abnormal serum lipid levels (dyslipidemia) and 50\% of these women are obese. Several classes of pharmacological agents have been used to manage dyslipidemia. However, studies have shown adverse effects associated with these drugs. In the light of alternate therapy, many medicinal herbs have been reported to show hypoglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic potential. Aloe barbadensis Mill. or Aloe vera is reported as one such herb. This study was to evaluate the lipid correcting effect of Aloe vera gel (AVG) in a PCOS rat model. Materials and Methods: PCOS was induced in Charles Foster female rats by oral administration of non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor letrozole (0.5 mg/kg body weight, 21 days). All rats were hyperglycemic and 90\% rats also showed elevated plasma triglycerides, elevated LDL cholesterol levels, and lowered plasma HDL cholesterol levels indicative of a dyslipidemic profile. PCOS positive rats with an aberrant lipid profile were selected for treatment. An AVG formulation (1 ml (10 mg)/day, 30 days) was administered orally. Results and Conclusion: AVG treated PCOS rats exhibited significant reduction in plasma triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, with an increase in HDL cholesterol. The gel treatment also caused reversion of abnormal estrous cyclicity, glucose intolerance, and lipid metabolizing enzyme activities, bringing them to normal. In conclusion, AVG has phyto components with anti-hyperlipidemic effects and it has shown efficacy in management of not only PCOS but also the associated metabolic complication : dyslipidemia.

}, keywords = {Aloe vera gel, anovulation, anti-hyperlipidemic effect, Dyslipidemia, Hyperandrogenism, Infertility, Insulin resistance, Letrozole, Polycystic ovarian syndrome}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.94736}, author = {Bhavna N Desai and Radha H Maharjan and Laxmipriya P Nampoothiri} }