Hemayet Hossain

Ethnopharmacology relevanceβ-cell dysfunction with insulin resistance is the common cause of metabolic disorder contributing to other health complications like cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, neurodegeneration. Southeast Asian ethnomedicine, notably in hill tract areas of Bangladesh, used Vitex peduncularis Wall. ex Schauer (Lamiaceae) leaves for the treatment of diabetes mellitus can be a solution for this overwhelming premature death cause worldwide.Aim of the studyThis study aims to investigate the Anti-diabetic effect of V. peduncularis leaves ethanolic extract, identify its bioactive compounds, and try to elucidate the mechanism of action.Materials and methodsThe plant extract’s insulinogenic potential was examined by oral glucose tolerance test and anti-hyperglycemic Randomized controlled in vivo study. Seven HPLC-DAD with eleven previously identified phytoconstituents were detected and quantified. The pathway regulation of blood glucose and the potential target were screened and identified by using computational analysis (Network pharmacology, molecular docking and dynamics, density functional theory). Gene expressions (TRIzol based mRNA extraction, complementary DNA, real time-PCR) of GLP-1 and GLUT-2 were performed to validate the regulation mechanism. Additionally, synergistic mechanism was analyzed via conducting α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assay.ResultsSignificant (p < 0.05) fasting glucose improvement after 2 hours was observed by two doses of the plant extract. Both 200 and 400 mg/kg doses significantly (p < 0.05) lowered blood glucose concentration by 25% and 26.45% on days 20. Network pharmacology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway meta-analysis filtered out DPP4 as target protein acted via DPP4-incretin axis. Vitexin and isovitexin were identified as class II and III DPP4 inhibitors, respectively form bond interaction analysis. In two treatment groups, significant elevation (p < 0.05) of GLP-1 and reduction (*p < 0.001) of GLUT-2 genes were observed. Synergism was supported with smaller IC50 (260 μg/mL) of V. peduncularis leaves extract.ConclusionThis Study demonstrated safer and more effective mechanism of type 2 diabetes mellitus prevention by observing increase of GLP-1 level, restoration of GLUT-2 dysregulation suggesting DPP4 inhibition and control of meal induced glycemic spike. Two natural flavonoids from V. peduncularis leaves chemical profiling showed anti- diabetic effect may solve the problem of side effects limitations and high cost of conventional oral drugs.

This study examined the protective effects of Rauwolfia serpentina root extract against isoprenaline (ISO)-induced oxidative stress, fibrosis, and cardiac injury in rats. ISO (50 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously twice weekly. Biochemical markers, including uric acid, creatinine, CK-MB, MDA, NO, AOPP, and antioxidant enzymes, were evaluated, alongside histopathological analysis. ISO increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiac damage, while R. serpentina treatment significantly reduced uric acid, creatinine, CK-MB, MDA, NO, AOPP, and myeloperoxidase levels, and restored antioxidant activity. Histology showed reduced fibrosis and inflammatory infiltration in treated rats. Gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-6, along with activation of the Nrf2-HO-1 pathway. Network pharmacology identified six key polyphenols in R. serpentina interacting with 141 cardiac hypertrophy-related proteins. Overall, R. serpentina mitigates ISO-induced cardiac and renal damage by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis.

Background: Acrylamide (ACR), used in various food industries, leads to a number of harmful effects, including nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in humans. In this study, we aimed to explore the protective potential of Swertia chirayita against ACR‐induced hepatorenal toxicities and the underlying mechanism in rats. Method: Liver and kidney damage was induced using ACR in the male Wistar rats. The ethanolic extract of S. chirayita was used to evaluate the protective effects by analyzing oxidative stress markers, proinflammatory gene expression, and histological changes. Results: Experimental results showed that treatment with S. chirayita extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) reduced the serum level of liver function markers AST, ALT, ALP, and kidney function markers creatinine and BUN in the ACR rats. Further analysis showed that S. chirayita notably normalized the aberrant level of oxidative stress markers NO, AOPP, and antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH in the liver and kidney. ACR administration also increased the level of TNF‐α and IL‐1β in the liver and kidney of the ACR rats, which was downregulated by S. chirayita treatment. Histological data revealed that the morphology of the liver and kidney in ACR rats was irregular, and there was a significant accumulation of collagen. Treatment with S. chirayita markedly regularized these changes. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the ethanolic extract of S. chirayita has the potential against ACR‐induced hepatorenal damage in rats by balancing oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou, a mangrove species (family: Rhizophoraceae), has been traditionally used for its medicinal properties. This study investigates the phytochemical composition along with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiarrheal potentials of C. decandra extracts. Successive extraction was performed using n ‐hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl‐acetate (EtOAc), and ethanol (EtOH). The polyphenolic profile was analyzed employing High‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC‐DAD) technique. Antioxidant evaluations were performed through total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and Fe ²⁺ chelation assays. Antimicrobial and antidiarrheal activities were evaluated using disc diffusion and castor oil‐induced models, respectively. The EtOH and EtOAc extracts showed the highest phenolic (110.43 ± 0.0510 and 93.59 ± 0.0005 mg/g), flavonoid (3.88 ± 0.0017 and 6.15 ± 0.0006 mg/g), and tannin contents (3.65 ± 0.0006 and 3.99 ± 0.0015 mg/g), whereas the EtOH extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity IC ₅₀ : DPPH (7.08 ± 0.47 µg/mL), ABTS (6.35 ± 0.21 µg/mL), and Fe ²⁺ chelation (18.20 ± 0.66 µg/mL). HPLC‐DAD analysis identified 10 polyphenolic compounds, with EtOAc extract containing the highest levels of quercetin. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was also prominent, whereas the DCM fraction demonstrated significant antidiarrheal effect. The outcome supported the traditional use of C. decandra as a source of natural antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiarrheal candidate, highlighting potential pharmacological attributes.

Background: Shirakiopsis indica (Willd.) (Family: Euphorbiaceae), a mangrove species found in the Asian region, is a popular folkloric plant. Locally, the plant is traditionally used to treat various types of ailments, especially for pain relief. Therefore, the current study investigates the neuropharmacological, antipyretic, thrombolytic, and anthelmintic properties of the S. indica fruit methanolic extract (SIF-ME). Methods: The neuropharmacological activity was evaluated using several bioactive assays, and the antipyretic effect was investigated using the yeast-induced pyrexia method, both in Swiss albino mice models. Human blood clot lysis was employed to assess thrombolytic activity, while in vitro anthelmintic characteristics were tested on Tubifex tubifex. Insights into phytochemicals from SIF-ME have also been reported from a literature review, which were further subjected to molecular docking, pass prediction, and ADME/T analysis and validated the wet-lab outcomes. Results: In the elevated plus maze test, SIF-ME at 400 mg/kg demonstrated significant anxiolytic effects (200.16 ± 1.76 s in the open arms, p < 0.001). SIF-ME-treated mice exhibited increased head dipping behavior and spent a longer time in the light box, confirming strong anxiolytic activity in the hole board and light–dark box tests, respectively. It (400 mg/kg) also significantly reduced depressive behavior during forced swimming and tail suspension tests (98.2 ± 3.83 s and 126.33 ± 1.20 s, respectively). The extract induced strong locomotor activity, causing mice’s mobility to gradually decrease over time in the open field and hole cross tests. The antipyretic effect of SIF-ME (400 mg/kg) was minimal using the yeast-induced pyrexia method, while it (100 μg/mL) killed T. tubifex in 69.33 ± 2.51 min, indicating a substantial anthelmintic action. SIF-ME significantly reduced blood clots by 67.74% (p < 0.001), compared to the control group’s 5.56%. The above findings have also been predicted by in silico molecular docking studies. According to the molecular docking studies, the extract’s constituents have binding affinities ranging from 0 to −10.2 kcal/mol for a variety of human target receptors, indicating possible pharmacological activity. Conclusions: These findings indicate that SIF-ME could serve as a promising natural source of compounds with neuropharmacological, anthelmintic, thrombolytic, and antipyretic properties.

Background: Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, known as the taro vegetable, possesses various beneficial effects and is traditionally used in folk medicine. This study explores the ameliorative antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of a methanolic extract of the C. esculenta flower (ME‐CEF) against oxidative damage and hepatotoxicity in mice.Methods: The antioxidant efficacy of ME‐CEF was assessed using 2,2′‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic) (ABTS) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay. The hepatoprotective effect was investigated by an assessment of liver injury indicators (amino transferase [ALT], aspartate amino transferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], bilirubin, creatinine) and normalizing lipid profiles (cholesterol [CHO], triglyceride [TG], high‐density lipoprotein [HDL], and low‐density lipoprotein [LDL]) along with histopathological study and antioxidant enzymes (CAT). A phytochemical analysis, both qualitative and quantitative, was conducted, including gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) analysis and an in silico molecular docking study.Results: The Result Showed that ME‐CEF Possesses Moderate ABTS and DPPH Scavenging Activity with IC₅₀ Values of 117.18 and 160.41 μg/mL. As Illustrated by Reducing Liver Enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, Bilirubin, Creatinine) and Lipid Profile (CHO, TG, LDL) and Raising HDL Levels (p < 0.01), ME‐CEF Dose Dependently Mitigated CCl₄‐Induced Acute Liver Injury. Furthermore, ME‐CEF Blocked Hepatic Oxidative Stress by Boosting Antioxidant Enzymes (CAT) and Preventing Liver Tissue Damage and Apoptosis. In Silico Investigations Also Showed a Promising Binding Affinity with Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF‐α), Interleukin 6 (IL‐6), PRAP‐1, and Xanthin Oxidoreductase, which Displayed Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Candidacy while Notable Safety and Efficacy Profile Was Also Documented through ADME/T Studies. Histopathological Analysis Showed Reduced Hepatocellular Necrosis and Vascular Congestion in Silymarin and Extract Groups.Conclusion: Based on these results, our findings strongly recommend the medicinal use of the plant, highlighting its antioxidant and hepatoprotective potentials.

Cheilocostus speciosus (J. Koenig) C. Specht, commonly known as “crepe‐ginger,” is a traditional plant with edible flowers utilized in folk medicine. This study uses crepe‐ginger flowers to assess their hepatoprotective effects through the management of oxidative stress. C. speciosus flower's methanolic extract (CSF‐ME) was subjected to in vitro antioxidant effects were evaluated using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and in vivo by catalase (CAT) assays which ameliorated CCl₄‐induced hepatic injury evident by histopathological analysis. The chemical assay was evaluated via phytochemical screening and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) analysis followed by in silico studies. The antioxidant assay DPPH (IC₅₀ = 179.36 µg/mL) and ABTS (IC₅₀ = 198.27 µg/mL) showed remarkable scavenging activity. Hepatotoxicity experiments demonstrated that CSF‐ME improved liver function by positively regulating AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, creatinine, LDL, CHO, TG, HDL, and catalase levels. Besides, histopathological analysis revealed normal hepatocyte integrity and microstructures after treatment. Besides, phytochemical screening revealed prospective phytochemical groups, while GC–MS/MS analysis recognized 40 compounds, resulting in auspicious outcomes employing computer‐aided studies. The findings indicated that the CSF‐ME possesses promising hepatoprotective and antioxidant prospects, which demand further extensive research to develop novel lead compounds from this natural source.