Endocrine Abstracts

The wide range of phytochemicals in medicinal plants serves as sources of bioactive compounds for treatment diabetic complications. We investigated whether Syzygium aromaticum-isolated oleanolic acid (OA) has beneficial effects on some diabetic complications in STZ-induced diabetic rats. We used experimental models of hypertension [spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS)] rats to explore the effects of OA on mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and renal f...

Oral administration of chloroquine (CHQ) evokes adverse effects on glucose homeostasis and kidney function possibly due to transiently high plasma CHQ concentration or malaria. We have, however, reported that transdermally administered CHQ via the pectin CHQ-matrix patch formulation sustains controlled CHQ release into the bloodstream in experimental animals. Accordingly, the current study was designed to compare the ability of oral and transdermal CHQ treatments to clear para...

The tight glycaemic control in type 1 diabetes which requires uncomfortable multiple insulin injections is associated with patients’ non-compliance. Therefore, methods which can sustain therapeutic controlled insulin release into the blood based on topical applications may be beneficial with glycaemic control. Accordingly, the present study investigated whether topically applied pectin insulin (PI) amidated matrix patch sustains insulin release into the bloodstream and co...

The onset of diabetic complications is attributed to sustained hyperglycemia which triggers the generation of free radicals and oxidative-related damage in the retina, renal glomerulus and peripheral nerves. Recent studies report that intense glycaemic control by the subcutaneous administration of insulin cannot completely restore the balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants. Preliminary studies in our laboratory indicate that transdermally delivered Syzygi...

The magnitude and duration of postprandial blood glucose elevations due to hydrolysis of carbohydrates are major risk factors of diabetes and coronary heart diseases. Inhibition of the key carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes in the small intestine suppresses postprandial blood glucose peaks and reduces chronic vascular complications in diabetic subjects. Recent reports indicate that Syzygium spp-derived oleanolic acid (OA) inhibits glucose transport in the small intestin...

We investigated effects of ethanolic Persea americana Mill. (‘Avocado’) leaf extracts (PAE) on blood glucose and kidney function in rats. Extracts of the plant have been employed to treat hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were conducted in fasted non-diabetic and STZ-diabetic rats following a glucose load (0.86 g/kg, p.o.), followed by various PAE doses (60, 120 and 240 mg/kg). Rats treated with deionised water or standard...