Hyperlipidemia

Plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. LDL is cleared from the circulation preferentially through the LDL receptor (LDLR) pathway. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) promotes the degradation of the LDLR. PCSK9 inhibition is attractive as a new strategy for lowering LDL-C levels, especially in combination with lipid lowering drugs such as statins. We review data from the available studies which focus on PCSK9 as a potential target in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Further studies are still necessary to investigate the potential underlying mechanisms involved.

This study evaluated the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidaemic and antioxidant effects of polyphenolic extract of Paullinia pinnata leaf (PEPPL) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Albino rats by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg body weight (b. w.). Male and female rats of average weight 150 ± 1.14 g were selected for the study. PEPPL at a dose of 25 and 50 mg/kg b. w. was administered single dose per day to alloxan-induced diabetic rats for a period of 14 days. The effects of PEPPL on blood glucose, hepatic hexokinase, pancreatic alpha amylase, hepatic glycogen, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status were assessed in the diabetic rats. PEPPL elicited significant (p<0.05) reductions of blood glucose, lipid parameters except HDL-Cholesterol in which case was significantly increased alongside the antioxidant enzymes. The untreated diabetic rats showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in the activities of hepatic hexokinase, pancreatic alpha amylase and hepatic glycogen content. Hepatic glycogen content as well as hexokinase and pancreatic alpha amylase activities were significantly (p<0.05) restored. The results revealed that polyphenolic extract of P. pinnata leaf offers promising antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic effects that may be attributed largely to its potent antioxidant ability.

Conclusion: D-psicose was absorbed well after oral administration and eliminated rapidly after both oral and intravenous administrations, with short duration of action. The study provides valuable pharmacokinetic data for further drug development of D-psicose.

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Conclusion: The current study suggests a role for Diabetinol® as an adjunctive therapy for glycemic maintenance and for decreasing the risk of diabetes-associated comorbidities in type 2 diabetic patients on conventional therapies.

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BACKGROUND: Metabolic disorders, and their consequences, are among the most important hygienic problems of modern life. OBJECTIVES: Due to the increased global interest in natural remedies and their importance in the treatment of diseases, Ferulago angulata, as one of the oldest known medicinal plants of folk medicine, was evaluated its hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects. METHODS: A total of 147 adult male rats were randomly divided into seven groups, each with three replicates (n=7): control group, untreated hyperlipidemia group, three treated hyperlipidemia groups, treated with 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of the F. angulata hydroalcoholic extract (FAHE), two hyperlipidemia groups treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg), and metformin (500 mg/kg). After 21 days, serum glucose and total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and the ratios of LDL/HDL and TC/LDL, were measured. RESULTS: In all hyperlipidemia groups treated with different doses of FAHE, glucose, TG, TC, LDL-C, and LDL/HDL ratios were significantly reduced, while significant increases in HDL-C and cholesterol/LDL ratios were observed compared to the untreated hyperlipidemia group; however, a significant reduction of VLDL was only observed at the dose of 500 mg/kg FAHE. Hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of FAHE at 250 and 500 mg/kg doses were comparable to atorvastatin and metformin. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated the hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of FAHE, which may be due to the high phenolic, flavonoids, and trace element contents, providing powerful antioxidant potential and affecting the enzymatic pathways of lipid and glucose synthesis and metabolism.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and  type 2 diabetes. The most important strategy for the prevention and management of metabolic syndrome is lifestyle and nutritional changes. The aim of this review study was to survey the role of pistachio in metabolic syndrome.

Materials and Methods: Web of Science databases and Google Scholar were searched using keywords pistachio, metabolic syndrome, and some related criteria of metabolic syndrome.

Results: In this study, 15 articles were retrieve. These studies reported that pistachio has favourable nutrients such as unsaturated fatty acid, Phytochemical composition, phenolic compounds, vegetable protein, arginine, fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. It has been shown that pistachio has an important role in reduction of metabolic syndrome and its risk factors such as abdominal obesity, visceral fat, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Arginine and polyphenol compounds improve blood circulation. They suppress of appetite and reduce fat absorption. Arginine has vasodilator effects and folic acid is the main antiatherogenic factor and has a role in homocysteine metabolism.

Conclusions: The study data suggest that pistachios promote a healthy metabolic profile, and reverse certain deleterious consequences of metabolic syndrome. The suggested dose of pistachios for decreasing metabolic syndrome and its risk factors is 30-100 g/daily. It seems that in order to obtain the maximum dose and a definitive conclusion, a cohort clinical trail is required.

This study was an experimental study with Post Test Only Control Group Design on male Wistar rat strain that created hyperlipidemia. The sample consisted of 25 rats aged 4 months were divided into 5 groups, namely 1 negative control group fed only standard, 1 positive control group fed a high-fat diet, 3 treatment groups were given feed high-fat diet and administration dragon fruit extract at a dose of 9 mg/200 g body weight, 11 mg/200 g body weight, and 13 mg/200 g body weight for 15 days. The parameters measured were total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyserides the white rats blood in the control group and the group treated with MicroLab 300. Results were analyzed by ANOVA with α of 5%, with multiple comparisons (Post Hoc Test) kind of Bonferroni. The results showed the mean total cholesterol 111,19±5,06 mg/dl, triglycerides 165,73±10,21 mg/dl, LDL 72,83±7,65 mg/dl and HDL 38,36±6,06 mg/dl after feeding a high-fat diet. This result is higher than the negative control group were only given standard feed. Dragon fruit extract showed significant differences in the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides, as for the levels of LDL and HDL are no significant differences between each treatment group. Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh pemberian ekstrak buah naga merah (Hylocereus Polyrhizus) dengan dosis bertingkat terhadap kadar Kolesterol Total, Trigliserida, LDL dan HDL darah tikus yang dibuat hiperlipidemia. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimental dengan Post Test Only Control Group Design. Sampel terdiri dari 25 ekor tikus yang berumur 4 bulan yang dibagi menjadi 5 kelompok, yaitu 1 kelompok kontrol negatif yang diberi pakan standar, 1 kelompok kontrol positif yang diberi pakan makanan lemak tinggi, 3 kelompok perlakuan yang diberikan pakan Makanan Lemak Tinggi (MLT) dan pemberian ekstrak buah naga merah dengan dosis 9 mg/200grBB, 11 mg/200grBB, dan 13 mg/200grBB selama 15 hari. Parameter yang diukur adalah kadar kolesterol total, LDL dan HDL dan trigliserida darah tikus dengan alat Microlab 300. Hasil penelitian diolah dengan uji ANOVA dengan α 5% dengan multiple Comparisons (Post Hoc Test) jenis Bonferroni. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan rerata kadar kolesterol total 111.19±5.06 mg/dl, trigliserida 165.73±10.21 mg/dl, LDL 72.83±7.65 mg/dl dan HDL 38.36±6.06 mg/dl setelah pemberian pakan MLT. Hasil ini lebih tinggi dibandingkan kelompok kontrol negatif yang hanya diberikan pakan standar. Pemberian ekstrak buah naga merah menunjukkan perbedaan yang signifikan terhadap kadar kolesterol total dan trigliserida, sedangkan untuk kadar LDL dan HDL tidak terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan. Kata Kunci : Ekstrak Buah Naga Merah, Hiperlipidemia, Profil Lipid

Plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. LDL is cleared from the circulation preferentially through the LDL receptor (LDLR) pathway. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) promotes the degradation of the LDLR. PCSK9 inhibition is attractive as a new strategy for lowering LDL-C levels, especially in combination with lipid lowering drugs such as statins.
We review data from the available studies which focus on PCSK9 as a potential target in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Further studies are still necessary to investigate the potential underlying mechanisms involved.

Hyperlipidemia is an elevated condition of lipid levels in the body and is known to speed up a process of atherosclerosis that may prove fatal in the development of various cardiovascular diseases. Increase in lipids like LDL i.e low density lipoproteins, cholesterol and triglycerides are mainly responsible for hyperlipidemia. Present pharmacotherapy for hyperlipidemia includes statins, niacin, fibric acid derivatives and cholesterol absorption inhibitors. 90% of the pharmacotherapy of hyperlipidemia includes statins and these statins also suffer from limitations like, inadequate solubility, less absorption, less bioavailability and ineffectiveness in lowering of cholesterol levels only upto maximum 40% risk reduction. These drugs are to be given on daily basis which make it cumbersome for patients. Novel Drug Delivery System is an advanced drug delivery system with improved solubility, absorption, bioavailability, drug potency, control drug release to give a sustained therapeutic effect, and target oriented to a desired tissue as well as patient compliance is good. So it is the need of hour to formulate such kind of drug delivery systems which will combat the limitations of antihyperlipidemic therapy. The present review emphasise on applications of novel drug delivery systems in pharmacotherapy of anti hyperlipidemic drugs.

Introduction: The presence of lipid metabolism disorders in diabetic and painful neuropathies, and the existence of some observations and articles supporting this coexistence states a doubt whether there is a correlation between painful diabetic neuropathy and lipid metabolism disorder. This study was planned to investigate the relation between lipid metabolism and peripheral neuropathy. Materials and Method: Our study included a patient group of 90 who were diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy and a control group of 20 patients without diabetic neuropathy who had mild paresthetic complaints and hyperlipidemia. Patients were evaluated with a detailed history of the illness and neurological examination, total neuropathy score, EMG, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, total blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Results: In 49 out of 90 patients, painful diabetic neuropathy was diagnosed. The groups with and without pain were compared and tested for presence of correlation. Significant as...

The present study was designed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of Balanites aegyptiaca (Heglig dates), Persea Americana (Avocado fruit) and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) water extracts on some biochemical parameters such as ALAT, ASAT, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, total lipids and risk ratio 1&2 in streptozotocin diabetic rats. The results of the current study recorded a significant increase in serum ALAT, ASAT and ALP enzymes activities in diabetic group in comparison with the negative control group. Also a significant increase was observed in serum triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total lipids level and risk ratio 1 &2. On contrast, a significant decrease was recorded in serum ACP enzyme activity, HDL-cholesterol level in diabetic group. Rats treated with Balanites aegyptiaca, Persea Americana and AFA alone or mixed together showed an improvement in these parameters.

Diet with high lipids cause hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia stimulate leukocytes to produce ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) thereby increasing LDL oxidation. Macrophages phagocyt oxidized-LDL and form plaque. Black rice has high fiber and anthocyanin, which act as antioxidants and can improve the hyperlipidemia condition. This study was aimed to determine lipid profile and atherogenic index of hyperlipidemic Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus Berkenhout, 1769) which consumed rice and bran of black rice (Oryza sativa L.) " Cempo Ireng ". The research was done with pre and post test randomized control group design. Rats were given a mixture of lard and duck egg yolk (1:1), and pure cholesterol (2% of total volume) orally as much as 1% of body weight (BW) for 30 days. After hyperlipidemia achieved, rats were divided into 4 group: normal rats, hyperlipidemic rats, hyperlipidemic rats were fed a diet of 30% black rice pellet, and hyperlipidemic rats were fed a diet of 10% black rice bran pellet. Blood samples were collected when rats in hyperlipidemia conditions and after treatment with black rice for 30 days. The data of total cholesterol, HDL-Cholesterol level, and atherogenic index were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey test at 5% significance level. The result showed that feeding pellet of rice and bran of black rice "Cempo Ireng" in hyperlipidemic rats decreased the total cholesterol levels and increased of HDL-cholesterol levels significantly (p<0.05), so atherogenic index decreased significantly too. Decreasing atherogenic index of hyperlipidemic rats which consumed the black rice bran pellets is higher than rats which consumed the black rice "Cempo Ireng" pellets. Total cholesterol levels were positively correlated with the atherogenic index, whereas HDL-cholesterol levels were negatively correlated with the atherogenic index.

Familial chylomicronemia is a rare genetical disorder.(autosomal recessive)with incidence 1/ 1000,000 that there is difficulty in clearance serum content of triglyceride & cholesterol due to deficiency of Apo-B-lipoprotein lipase or lipoproteine lipase(LPL) or cofactor Apo-C II. Different between them is decrease level of serum TG after prescription FFP in Apo-CII and without response in LPL deficiency. Clinical features are: Hepatosplenomegalia, Pancreatitis attack, Xantem eruptions on limbs & butects, Paleness of retina (libemia reticolaris). We introduce a female baby 41 days old that referred by hyperlipidemia (TG=25000mg/dl & cholesterol=1500mg/dl) and acute pancreatitis attack and signs & symptoms denoting to familial chylomicronemia who treated by plasmapherisis.

Background: By the dawn of this modern era of science, the prime challenge of physician is cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The most important modifiable risk factors of CVDs are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use. The effects of unhealthy diet and physical inactivity include abnormal blood lipid and obesity. We tried to evaluate the lipid profile and obesity among the employees of Bangladesh Secretariat.

Methods: This cross sectional type of descriptive study was carried out among 1000 employees of Bangladesh Secretariat in December, 2008. All classes of employees irrespective of age or sex were included. Body mass index (BMI) and fasting lipid profile were measured in each case. Socio-demographic variables and different related risk factors were also evaluated.

Result: Out of 1000 employees with a male, female ratio of 4.75:1, 65% had sedentary life style.20.6% were smoker and only 0.05% had a history of taking alcohol regularly. 10.1% had a history of hyperlipidemia in first degree relatives. Only 2.1% were known cases of hyperlipidemia. BMI of 47% employees were in normal range with a mean 24.38 ± 3.14 SD. Mean fasting total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride (TG) level was found 170.65 ± 39.37, 103.72 ± 30.9, 36.45 ± 5.93 and 169 ± 97.69 SD respectively. Abnormal fasting total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and TG were found in 17.3%, 48.5%, 75.6% and 48.5% employees respectively.

Conclusion: Dyslipidemia and obesity are two important modifiable risk factors of CVDs. Early detection and prevention of obesity and abnormal lipid profile can largely reduce morbidity and mortality and alleviate undue burden on our limited health budget.

Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential role of chicory (Cichorium intybus Linn.) against hyperlipidemia and its subsequent effect in rats. Sixty male albino rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups. Hyperlipidemia was induced via intraperitoneal injection of Triton WR‐1339 at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight three times a week for 2 weeks. Chicory‐supplemented diet (10 g/100 g diet) was given for 4 weeks to group II and group IV. Chicory caused significant improvement in lipid profile and decreased the liver and heart acetyl‐CoA carboxylase activity, atherogenic indices, hepatic 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase mRNA level and visfatin level. Meanwhile, significant increase in paraoxonase‐1, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was recorded. In conclusion, chicory has the potential role of being hypolipidemic, anti‐lipotoxic, anti‐oxidant and anti‐atherogenic factor.

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and accompanied by some abnormalities in pancreatic and hepatic tissue. Previous studies approved some chemicals damaging the pancreatic tissue and disturbing insulin release such as alloxan and streptozocin, besides creating diabetic signs like hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Moreover, its possible natural compounds used traditionally as antioxidant or anti-obesity have antidiabetic effects. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of oral administration of saponin and β-carotene on biochemical, immunological, and histological properties of pancreas related to alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Results confirmed hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia imposed by alloxan accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammation and controlled by phytochemical treatment. Overall phytochemicals improved inflammation imposed by oxidative stress in alloxan-treated rats and decreased degeneration in pancreatic tissue leading to improved Langerhans islet and causing regular and normal release of insulin. Insulin triggers glucose and lipids absorbance and relives lipoprotein profile disruption seen in diabetic rats. By considering similarity between alloxan-induced diabetes in rats and diabetic patients, saponin and β-carotene or related chemically modified compounds could be used in lowering diabetes risk and treatment of patients suffering from diabetes or other metabolic disorders.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by the clustering of hyperglycemia, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and central adiposity. Altitude has been proposed as a protective factor to prevent the development of MetS and its components.

Aim: To determine whether living at geographical elevation is associated with MetS and its individual components after adjustment for potential confounders in an Ecuadoran population.

Methods: The study included 260 Ecuadoran university graduates over 20 years of age, from the coastal or the Andean Altiplano region. The altitude of residence was imputed with the postal code of each participant residence according to the data of the Ecuadoran Geophysical Institute of the National Polytechnic School. MetS was defined according to the harmonizing definition. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess the relationship between altitude level and the prevalence of MetS and its individual components. To test the internal validity, re-sampling techniques were used (1,000 bootstrap samples).

Results: Living at high altitude was associated with less hypercholesterolemia (OR = 0.24; p < 0.001), hyperglycemia (OR = 0.25; p < 0.05) and MetS (OR = 0.24; p < 0.05), after adjusting for potential confounders. At high altitude the bootstrapped logistic regression models showed lower prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (OR = 0.30; p < 0.05), hyperglycemia (OR = 0.22; p < 0.001) and MetS (OR = 0.28; p < 0.05). The MetS score (0-5 points) showed a reduction in the number of MetS components at high altitude compared to sea level (B = −0.34; p = 0.002). A statistically significant lower self-reported energy intake was found in high altitude compared to sea level after adjustment for potential confounders (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: In the present study concerning a small Ecuadoran population composed of highly educated adults living at the coast and the Andean Altiplano, living at high altitude (2,758–2,787 m) was associated with a lower prevalence of MetS, hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia, compared to the participants at sea level (4–6 m). In addition, an inverse association between altitude and self-reported energy intake was found after adjusting for covariates, suggesting a physiological role of appetite at high altitude even in acclimated subjects.

Background: Camel milk (CM) is gaining increasing recognition due to its beneficial effects in the control and prevention of multiple health problems. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of CM on the hepatic biochemical and cellular alterations induced by a high-fat, cholesterol-rich diet (HCD), specifically, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Background and Aim: Flaxseeds are known to have varying antihypercholesterolemic and antiatherogenic activity due to its lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, alpha-linolenic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids. The beneficial effect of whole grain dietary flaxseed was evaluated experimentally in high cholesterol diet (HCD)-fed Wistar albino rats.

Materials and Methods: Male Wistar albino rats (200 g) were divided into four groups of 12 rats each. Group I rats kept as control and given basal rat chew diet, Group II as positive control for induction of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis by addition of 1% cholesterol and 15% saturated edible oil to the 1000 g of standard rat chew diet (HCD), Group III rats fed with whole grain flaxseed powder at 7.5 g/kg of rat/day in the standard rat chew diet and kept as flaxseed control, and Group IV rats supplemented with flaxseed at 7.5 g/kg of rat/day along with HCD and maintained for 90 days.

Results: Group II rats revealed significantly (p<0.05) higher total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very LDL-C and significantly (p<0.05) reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), whereas tissue antioxidants such as catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S transferase (GST) were significantly (p<0.05) reduced, and lipid peroxidation products of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level were nonsignificantly (p<0.05) increased in the heart and liver tissues. Flaxseeds supplementation along with HCD significantly ameliorated the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C along with cellular antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, SOD, GPx, GR, GST, and non-significant amelioration of TBARS in the heart and liver tissues compared to Group II rats. Majority of the histopathologically initiated atherosclerotic changes in the aorta and fatty change in the liver of Group II were not observed in the flaxseed supplemented Group IV; however, interestingly proliferation of endothelial cells with new vascular channel formation in the liver and in between cardiac muscle fibers was observed in Group I and Group IV rats.

Conclusion: The present study established the hypercholesterolemia with initiated atherosclerotic lesion in the aorta but unable to establish the atheromatous plaque in the aorta. Flaxseed supplementation along with HCD showed significant antihypercholesterolemic effect and ameliorated the changes of initiated atherosclerosis in the aorta. It needs further studies to explore all the possible beneficial effects and angiogenic properties of flaxseeds in the laboratory animals and human trials.

Background: Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a well-known and popular edible mushroom eaten as vegetables all over the world. It has been used as alternative medicine for long years in China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and in eastern Russia. It is reported to exhibit a number of medicinal properties including antitumor, antioxidant, immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and hypoglycemic activities due to the presence of bioactive polysaccharide. Glucocorticoids, prescribed for the treatment of arthritis to protect inflammation and reduce pain, can induce hyperglycemia or aggravate the hyperglycemic condition reaching to very high glucose levels in diabetic patients. However, no report has been published for its activity on glucocorticoid-induced diabetes.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum on alloxan- and glucocorticoid- induced diabetes in Long-Evans rats. 

Methods: Alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered to Long-Evans rats as a single dose. The same volume of normal saline was injected to control rats. Three days after alloxan injection, rats with plasma glucose levels higher than 12 mmoL /L were considered as diabetic and they were included in the study. Reishi mushroom was collected from the Mushroom Development Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh, where it was identified by a Taxonomist. Petroleum ether extract (PEE) Methanol extract (ME) were prepared by maceration and distillation techniques. The extracts were orally administered once in a day at doses of 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg, respectively for 7 days. Metformin (150 mg/kg) was orally administered as a standard antidiabetic drug. Glucose levels were measured at 0 and 7th days of treatment. The rats were allowed to rest for 1 week without treatment. The animals were again injected with dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) through intra-muscular route for 3 days and glucose levels were monitored regularly. Rats were then further treated with PEE and ME and metformin for another 7 days and glucose levels were determined at 0 and 7th days of treatment.

Results: The PEE and ME of Reishi mushroom dose-dependently reduced the plasma glucose levels in alloxan-and steroid-induced fasting diabetic rats. The maximum reduction of fasting plasma glucose levels observed by PEE (800 mg/kg) and ME (800 mg/kg) were 55.57% and 36.01% in alloxan-induced and 51.41% and 32.02% in steroid-induced diabetic rats, respectively. Whereas, metformin (150 mg/kg) resulted in the diminution of fasting blood glucose levels by 60.02 and 51.12% in the alloxan- induced and steroid-induced diabetic rats, respectively. Both the PEE (800 mg/kg) and ME (800 mg/kg) significantly  augmented plasma insulin levels (***P < 0.001 and **P < 0.01) and reduced HbA1c (**P < 0.01 and *P < 0.05) in alloxan-and steroid-induced diabetic rats. Besides, treatment of diabetic rats with PEE (800 mg/kg) and ME (800 mg/kg) controlled the 2-h post prandial elevated glucose levels in blood plasma. The same dose of the extracts also significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol (TC) (***P < 0.001 and ***P < 0.01), triglyceride (TG) (***P < 0.001 and **P < 0.01) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) (***P < 0.001 and ***P < 0.001), as well as increased the level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (**P < 0.01 and **P < 0.01, respectively).       

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that edible mushrooms-Reishi has antihyperglycemic, insulin-sensitivity, and hyperlipidaemic activity against both alloxan- and corticosteroid-induced diabetes rats. The bioactive chemicals responsible for those activities are most probably the polysaccharides available in the mushroom. Thus, usage of Reishi mushrooms as vegetables or as extract will be beneficial for the management of diabetes.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a progressive kidney disease and a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Diabetic kidney disease has been strongly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite their susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), patients with DKD are less likely to receive appropriate cardiovascular risk modification as they are generally excluded from major cardiovascular trials. Awareness of vulnerability of these patients necessitates investigating potential interventions that would lessen their risk of adverse outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effect of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in modulating cardiovascular risk factors that develop with the progression of DKD. Methods: A total of 60 adult female albino rats were allocated into 3 groups: control group, untreated DKD group, and mesenchymal stem cells–treated diabetic kidney disease (MSCs-DKD) group. Blood pr...

Natural products have long been and continue to be attractive source of nutritional and pharmacological therapeutics. Interest in natural compounds as potential therapies for metabolic syndrome have recently focused on hydroxylated aromatics, such as resveratrol. Another compound of interest in this regard is mangiferin, the predominant constituent of extracts of the mango plant Mangifera indica. Mangiferin has documented antioxidant, cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Recently, pilot studies indicate bioactivity of this compound in mediating insulin sensitivity and modulating lipid metabolism. In this review we provide information on what we know about the impact of mangiferin on important biological processes involved in metabolic disorders.