Modulation of sugar feeding behavior by Gymnema sylvestre in Drosophila melanogaster

Introduction: Sugar is the main source of energy for nearly all animals. However, consumption of a high amount of sugars can lead to many metabolic disorders hence, balancing calorie intake in the form of sugar is required. Various herbs are in use to control body weight, cure diabetes and control elevated blood sugar levels. One such herb is Gymnema sylvestre commonly called Gurmar (destroyer of sugar). Gurmar selectively inhibits sugar sensation by mechanisms that are still elusive. Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to understand the effect of gurmar on sweet taste feeding behaviour in insects using the invertebrate model system Drosophila melanogaster. Methods: For this study, we used feeding assays, spectrophotometry and Proboscis Extension Reflex (PER) assay to determine how flies detect gurmar. Additionally, life span analysis, egg-laying behaviour and developmental profiles were used to probe the role of gurmar on the overall health of the flies. During the whole study, we used only the raw powdered form of gurmar (dried leaves) to examine its effect on sweet taste feeding behaviour. Results: Our data demonstrate that whole gurmar in a raw powdered form is aversive to flies and inhibits sugar evoked PER and feeding responses. Also, we observed it takes at least 24 h of starvation time to reduce the consumption of sugar in flies pre-fed on gurmar. Flies lay a fewer number of eggs on gurmar media and show developmental defects. Our data suggest that flies detect gurmar using both taste and olfactory cues. Conclusion: Understanding how gurmar reshapes taste curves to promote reduced consumption of sugars in flies will open up avenues to help people with health issues related to high sugar consumption, but our data also highlights that its consumption should be carefully considered since gurmar is aversive to flies and has detrimental effects on development.

Evaluation of Nutrient, Mineral Analysis and Quality Characterization of Gymnema sylvestre Multi Grain Cookies for Diabetes

Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders with various etiologies that are defined by persistent hyperglycemia and worsening carbohydrate, lipid, and protein digestion due to flaws in insulin discharge and insulin activity. Indians account for one out of every five diabetics of the world. Around 35 million Indians suffer from diabetes, which affects around 150 million individuals worldwide. Because health is a major concern in people’s daily lives, foods that are healthy and beneficial to health are becoming increasingly popular. Natural food variations are widely used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of healthy issues. Supplements such as protein, iron, and calcium can be found in plenty of treats. The goal of this study was to develop solid treats using Gymnema sylvestre leaf powder, an Ayurvedic component with increased nutraceutical value. Multigrain powder, heating powder, palm sugar, cardamom powder, Margarine, salt, bubbling blend, and G.sylvestre leaf powder were among the ingredients used to make the solid snacks. The powder was created by drying the leaves in a plate dryer at 50°C for 2 hours before crushing in a home processor. G.sylvestre leaf powder was fused at different percentages: 0.25 percent, 0.50 percent, 0.75 percent, and 1.00 percent. Supplement testing, mineral analysis, and tactile testing are not set in stone. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used to determine mineral composition. Over a variety of examples, test 0.50 percent sound snacks were found to be organoleptically superior.

Pharmacognostical Profile of Gymnema sylvestre and its Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity

In this paper explored the pharmacognostical profile of gymnema sylvestre and its anti-hyperglycemic activity has been documented well with references. The importance of the species in Ayurveda has been highlighted. The bioactive components like gymnema sylvestre has a variety of secondary metabolites, including oleanane, gymnemic acid, gymnemasides (A-F), gymnemic acid (IXVIII) homologue, gymnemic acid A1 and its derivatives, triterpenoidsaponin, al has been clearly includedin the review kaloid (Conduritol-A), polypeptide (Gurmarin), and gymnemasaponins. This study has provided the groundwork for developing a pharmacognostical profile of medicinal plant growers and collectors. The goal of this review study is to provide a regional profile of the indigenous knowledge system for medicinal plant usage and cultural behaviors related to healing. This study aids in the identification of novel ethnomedicinal plant species in the study region, which may lead to the development of new medicines. The plant toxicity test results indicated that it may be used as an alternative to diabetes therapy with no or little adverse effects. This study confirms the conventional use of indigenous plant-derived natural medicine for treating diabetes mellitus. The study also highlighted the efficacy of "Ayurveda" which is an ancient tradition, used in some parts of India. This ancient concept should be carefully evaluated in the light of modern medical science and can be utilized partially if found suitable. I hope that this kind of research will be useful to future researchers as per their needs.

In-silico Exploration of Phytoconstituents of Gymnema sylvestre as Potential Glucokinase Activators and DPP-IV Inhibitors for the future Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes has a large death toll worldwide, particularly as it falls into the ten leading causes of death. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) occurs as the body becomes resistant to insulin and sugar accumulates in the blood. It has been observed that, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors and glucokinase activators are known therapeutic agents to treat T2DM. Among the possible medicinal plants, Gymnema sylvestre (GyS) belongs to the Apocynaceae family and is traditionally used for the treatment of different diseases. This plant is also known as 'Gurmur' because it has a sugar reducing ability. GyS was known to be one of the main botanicals for the treatment of diabetes. Objective: Rendering to the studies described above, we have tried to investigate the natural DPP-IV inhibitors and potent glucokinase activators from the phytoconstituents of GyS. New drug candidates from the medicinal plant GyS have been reported as potent DPP-IV inhibitors and glucokinase activators. Methods: As a preliminary investigation, we have studied the effectiveness of phytoconstituents of GyS in T2DM through molecular docking as a proof of concept of synthesizing silver nanoparticles (for the treatment of T2DM) using extract of this plant. Results: The present investigative research showed that diabetes mellitus has important values in the recognized compounds included in the present analysis. The nine compounds selected were evaluated on the basis of DPP-IV and glucokinase enzyme binding energy values and their drug properties. Except quercitol, all the selected compounds have exhibited very potent glucokinase activation potential than its native ligand. Gymnemasin A, lupeol, gymnemoside A, gymnemasaponin V and gymnemic acid I have shown excellent DPP-IV inhibitory potential. Conclusion: We are aiming to synthesis the silver nanoparticles of leaf extract of GyS for the treatment of T2DM. As a preliminary investigation, we have studied the effectiveness of phytoconstituents of GyS in T2DM through molecular docking as a proof of concept of synthesizing silver nanoparticles (for the treatment of T2DM) using extract of this plant. As a result of present investigation, it has been concluded that these compounds can be used to treat the T2DM and hence in future we will synthesize the silver nanoparticles of GyS extract for the treatment of T2DM.

Identification of C21 Steroidal Glycosides from Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) and Evaluation of Their Glucose Uptake Activities

Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) Schult is a multi-purpose traditional medicine that has long been used for the treatment of various diseases. To discover the potential bioactive composition of G. sylvestre, a chemical investigation was thus performed. In this research, four new C21 steroidal glycosides sylvepregosides A-D (1–4) were isolated along with four known compounds, gymnepregoside H (5), deacetylkidjoladinin (6), gymnepregoside G (7) and gymnepregoside I (8), from the ethyl acetate fraction of G. sylvestre. The structures of the new compounds were established by extensive 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra with mass spectroscopy data. Compounds 1–6 promoted glucose uptake by the range of 1.10- to 2.37-fold, respectively. Compound 1 showed the most potent glucose uptake, with 1.37-fold enhancement. Further study showed that compounds 1 and 5 could promote GLUT-4 fusion with the plasma membrane in L6 cells. The result attained in this study indicated that the separation and characterization of these compounds play an important role in the research and development of new anti-diabetic drugs and pharmaceutical industry.