Research -
Mulberry
Mulberry leaf extract displays antidiabetic activity in db/db mice via Akt and AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation
Ui-Jin Bae 1, 2 †, Eun-Soo Jung 2† , Su-Jin Jung 2 , Soo-Wan Chae 2 , 3* and Byung-Hyun Park 1
Abstract
Background:
Augmenting glucose utilization in skeletal muscle via the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3 kinase)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway or the adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway is necessary to regulate hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Objective:
We investigated the effect of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) on glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells and explored its in vivo
antidiabetic potential.
Design:
Male db/db mice were treated with either MLE (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 250 mg/kg) or metformin (100 mg/kg) for 8 weeks.
Results:
MLE treatment stimulated glucose uptake, driven by enhanced translocation of glucose transporter 4 to cell membranes in L6 myotubes. These effects of MLE were synergistic with those of insulin and were abolished in the presence of PI3K inhibitor or AMPK inhibitor. In db/db mice, supplementation with MLE decreased fasting blood glucose and insulin levels and enhanced insulin sensitivity, with increases of p-Akt and p-AMPK in skeletal muscle. Moreover, MLE improved blood lipid parameters and attenuated hepatic steatosis in diabetic db/db mice.
Discussion:
These findings suggest that MLE exerts antidiabetic activity through stimulating glucose disposal in skeletal muscle cells
via the PI3K/Akt and AMPK pathways.
Conclusions:
MLE can potentially improve hyperglycemia and hepatic steatosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Source : Food and Nutrition Research
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Hepatoprotective effect of mulberry (Morus nigra) leaves extract against methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rat
Hend M. Tag
Abstract
Drug-induced liver injury is a major health problem that challenges not only health care professionals but also the pharmaceutical industry and drug regulatory agencies. The possible hepatoprotective effect of the administration of mulberry ethanolic extract (MUL) leaves against hepatotoxic effect of the anti-rheumatic drug, methotrexate (MTX) was evaluated in this study both vivo (using animal models) and in vitro (human hepatoma HepG2 cells).
Methods
In the in-vivo study, 20 male albino rats were equally assigned into four groups; control group received distilled water orally; MUL treated-group received 500 mg/kg/day of MUL extract; MTX treated-group was injected with a single dose of 20 mg/kg MTX intraperitoneally on the 4th day; MUL-MTX treated-group received the previously mentioned doses of MUL and MTX (both control and MUL treated groups were administered a single dose of a physiological saline i.p.). At the end of the experimental period (14 days) activities of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as total serum protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) levels were evaluated to assess liver function.
Results
A marked reduction in the viability of HepG2 cells was observed after 48 h with IC 50 equal to 14.5 μg/mL of MUL administration. Treating the animals with MUL in combination with MTX mitigated liver injury, causing a significant reduction in activities of AST, ALT, ALP and LDH as compared to the MTX-group. The liver architecture revealed more or less normal appearance with the combined treatment when compared with MTX treatment alone.
Conclusions
This study recommends that the co-administration of MUL with MTX that may have therapeutic benefits against MTX-hepato-cytotoxicity.
Source BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
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Effect of Morus alba L. (mulberry) leaves on anxiety in mice
A.V. Yadav, L.A. Kawale,1 and V.S. Nade1
Abstract
Objective:The aim of the present work is to evaluate the anxiolytic effect of a methanolic extract of Morus alba L. leaves in mice.
Materials and Methods:The hole-board test, elevated plus-maze paradigm, open field test, and light/dark paradigm were used to assess the anxiolytic activity of the methanolic extract of M. alba L. Morus alba extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) and diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered 30 min before the tests.
Results:The results showed that the methanolic extract of M. alba significantly increased the number and duration of head poking in the hole-board test. In the elevated plus-maze, the extract significantly increased the exploration of the open arm in similar way to that of diazepam. At a dose of 200 mg/kg i.p. the extract significantly increased both the time spent in and the entries into the open arm by mice. Further, in the open field test, the extract significantly increased rearing, assisted rearing, and number of squares traversed, all of which are demonstrations of exploratory behavior. In the light/dark paradigm, the extract produced significant increase in time spent in the lighted box as compared to vehicle. The spontaneous locomotor activity count, measured using an actophotometer, was significantly decreased in animals pretreated with M. alba extract, indicating a remarkable sedative effect of the plant.
Conclusion:The results of the present study suggest that a methanolic extract of M. alba leaves may possess an anxiolytic effect.
Source : Indian Journal of Pharmacology
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