Leads from Indian medicinal plants with hypoglycemic potentials

Dietary plants and herbal preparations have been traditionally used as medicine in developing countries and obtained a resurgence of use in the United States and Europe. Research carried out in last few decades has validated several such claims of use of traditional medicine plants. Popularity of pumpkin in various systems of traditional medicine for several ailments (antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antitumor, immunomodulation, antibacterial, antihypercholesterolemia, intestinal antiparasitia, antiinflammation, antalgic) focused the investigators' attention on this plant. Considerable evidence from several epidemiological studies concerning bioactivities leads have stimulated a number of animal model, cell culture studies and clinical trials designed to test this pharmacological actions. In addition, it was found that technologies such as germination and fermentation could reduce antinutritional materials and affect the pharmacological activities of pumpkin. This review will focus on the main medicinal properties and technologies of pumpkin, and point out areas for future research to further elucidate mechanisms whereby this compound may reduce disease risk.

A review on pharmacological activities and utilization technologies of pumpkin.

Twelve pumpkin cultivars (Cucurbita maxima D.), cultivated in Iowa, were studied for their seed oil content, fatty acid composition, and tocopherol content. Oil content ranged from 10.9 to 30.9%. Total unsaturated fatty acid content ranged from 73.1 to 80.5%. The predominant fatty acids present were linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic. Significant differences were observed among the cultivars for stearic, oleic, linoleic, and gadoleic acid content of oil. Low linolenic acid levels were observed (<1%). The tocopherol content of the oils ranged from 27.1 to 75.1 microg/g of oil for alpha-tocopherol, from 74.9 to 492.8 microg/g for gamma-tocopherol, and from 35.3 to 1109.7 microg/g for delta-tocopherol. The study showed potential for pumpkin seed oil from all 12 cultivars to have high oxidative stability that would be suitable for food and industrial applications, as well as high unsaturation and tocopherol content that could potentially improve the nutrition of human diets.

https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=fshn_ag_pubs

Oil and tocopherol content and composition of pumpkin seed oil in 12 cultivars

In management of metabolic syndrome, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an excellent representative in alternative and complementary medicines with a complete theory system and substantial herb remedies. In this article, basic principle of TCM is introduced and 22 traditional Chinese herbs are reviewed for their potential activities in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Three herbs, ginseng, rhizoma coptidis (berberine, the major active compound) and bitter melon, were discussed in detail on their therapeutic potentials. Ginseng extracts made from root, rootlet, berry and leaf of Panax quinquefolium (American ginseng) and Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng), are proved for anti-hyperglycemia, insulin sensitization, islet protection, anti-obesity and anti-oxidation in many model systems. Energy expenditure is enhanced by ginseng through thermogenesis. Ginseng-specific saponins (ginsenosides) are considered as the major bioactive compounds for the metabolic activities of ginseng. Berberine from rhizoma coptidis is an oral hypoglycemic agent. It also has anti-obesity and anti-dyslipidemia activities. The action mechanism is related to inhibition of mitochondrial function, stimulation of glycolysis, activation of AMPK pathway, suppression of adipogenesis and induction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor expression. Bitter melon or bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is able to reduce blood glucose and lipids in both normal and diabetic animals. It may also protect β cells, enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce oxidative stress. Although evidence from animals and humans consistently supports the therapeutic activities of ginseng, berberine and bitter melon, multi-center large-scale clinical trials have not been conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these herbal medicines.

/pdf/traditional-chinese-medicine-in-treatment-of-metabolic-4zla8g3je4.pdf

Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/365946.pdf

The use of plants in the traditional management of diabetes in Nigeria: pharmacological and toxicological considerations.

Application of response surface methodology for extraction optimization of germinant pumpkin seeds protein

To investigate hypoglycemic substances from pumpkin, protein-bound polysaccharide was isolated by activity-guided isolation from water soluble substances of the fruits. The protein-bound polysaccharide from pumpkin fruits (PBPP) was identified to consist mainly of polysaccharide (approximately 41.21%) and protein (approximately 10.13%) by anthrone test and Lowry-Folin test. Different doses of PBPP were evaluated for hypoglycemic activity and the effect on serum insulin levels in alloxan diabetic rats. The results indicated that PBPP can obviously increase the levels of serum insulin, reduce the blood glucose levels and improve tolerance of glucose. The hypoglycemic effect of big dose PBPP group (1000 mg/kg body weight) excelled that of small dose PBPP group (500 mg/kg body weight) and antidiabetic agent group. The results suggest that the hypoglycemic effect of PBPP depends on the dose and PBPP possesses the possibility of being developed from a new antidiabetic agent.

Effects of Protein-Bound Polysaccharide Isolated from Pumpkin on Insulin in Diabetic Rats

Some properties of an acidic protein-bound polysaccharide from the fruit of pumpkin

目的: 研究南瓜多糖(A)、南瓜种子发芽后分子量大于60 ku的蛋白组分(B)、分子量3 ～60 ku的蛋白组分(C)、分子量小于3 ku的蛋白组分(D)、精氨酸(E)和南瓜籽油(F)对糖尿病大鼠的降血糖作用.方法: 雄性大鼠160只,随机抽取10只作空白对照,余下150只,禁食后于次日晨腹腔注射四氧嘧啶170 mg/kg,72 h后禁食,眼眶取血,测定血糖值.取血糖值在7.28 mmol/L以上者随机分层分组,共15组:模型组、A大小剂量组(1 000、500 mg/kg)、B大小剂量组(300、150 mg/kg)、C大小剂量组(300、150 mg/kg)、D大小剂量组(300、 150 mg/kg)、E大小剂量组(100、50 mg/kg)、F大小剂量组(300、150 mg/kg)、优降糖(20 mg/kg).连续灌胃给药10 d后,禁食,次日晨眼眶取血,测定血糖及胰岛素含量.随后灌胃给予葡萄糖2.5 g/kg,并测定糖耐量值.结果: 南瓜多糖、分子量大于60 ku和分子量小于3 ku的蛋白组分,可以显著提高糖尿病大鼠胰岛素水平;南瓜籽油、3～60 ku的蛋白质组分和精氨酸可以改善糖尿病大鼠的糖耐量.结论: 3～60 ku的蛋白质组分的降血糖效果最佳,不但可以显著降低糖尿病大鼠空腹血糖值,而且可以改善各时段的糖耐量.

Li Quanhong

Papers

A review on pharmacological activities and utilization technologies of pumpkin.

Application of response surface methodology for extraction optimization of germinant pumpkin seeds protein

Effects of Protein-Bound Polysaccharide Isolated from Pumpkin on Insulin in Diabetic Rats

Some properties of an acidic protein-bound polysaccharide from the fruit of pumpkin

Study on the hypoglycemic action of pumpkin extract in diabetic rat