The effect of Galega officinalis L. extract on the content of the advanced glycation end products and their receptors in rat leukocytes under experimental diabetes mellitus

Background. Diabetes mellitus intensifies non-enzymatic glycosylation (glycation) of biomolecules under conditions of chronic hyperglycemia and facilitates accumulation of advanced glycation end products. Disorders of the cells of various tissues are caused by binding of advanced glycation end products to the corresponding receptors, the level of receptors for advanced glycation end products increases under conditions of hyperglycemia. The interaction between receptors for advanced glycation end products and advanced glycation end products leads to the formation of excessive reactive oxygen species, changes in intracellular signaling, gene expression, increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and contributes to the development of diabetic complications. The search for factors of natural origin that will slow down the development of specific complications of diabetes, determines the feasibility of studies of the corrective ability of biologically active substances isolated from medicinal plants for the process of glycation of proteins in diabetes. Materials and methods. Experimental diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin. Separation of blood leukocytes was performed in Ficoll density gradient. To determine the extent of advanced glycation end products and receptor for advanced glycation end products in leukocyte immunoperoxidase labeling was performed. Results. A decrease in the content of advanced glycation end products in leukocy­tes under conditions of experimental diabetes mellitus was found. The obtained data indicate a possible contravention of glucose uptake by leukocytes in the studied pathology. At the same time, an increase in exposure to the receptor for advanced glycation end products leukocyte membranes in response to chronic hyperglycemia has been demonstrated. The ability of alkaloid free fraction of Galega officinalis extract to reduce the content of receptors for end products of glycation on the membranes of immunocompetent cells in diabetic animals has been confirmed, which may be due to the presence of biologically active substances with hypoglycemic action in its composition. Conclusion. Corrective effect of alkaloid free fraction of Galega officinalis L. extract on the content of receptor for advanced glycation end products in diabetes mellitus is mediated by its normalizing effect on carbohydrate metabolism.

Galega officinalis L. rutwica lekarska (Fabaceae Lindl.) w Kotlinie Jasielsko-Krośnieńskiej

Rutwica lekarska występuje naturalnie m.in. na południu i południowym-wschodzie Europy. W południowej Polsce występuje głównie na stanowiskach antropogenicznych. Celem pracy było przedstawienie zróżnicowania siedliskowego na różnych stanowiskach,określenie zasobów gatunku oraz dokonanie przeglądu zastosowań fitoterapeutycznych rutwicy lekarskiej. Do poszukiwania nowych stanowisk zastosowano metodę transektową, a zróżnicowanie siedliskowe badano metodą fitosocjologiczną Braun-Blanqueta. Znalezione nowe stanowiska we wschodniej części Jasła oraz w Potoku koło Krosna mają charakter antropogeniczny i zlokalizowane są w miejscach o przekształconym podłożu. Badane płaty należą głównie do klasy Artemisietea vulgaris. Łączny areał rutwicy lekarskiej na zbadanych stanowiskach wynosi około 0,15 ha i może stanowić źródło do zbioru nasion i sadzonek, przeznaczonych do małopowierzchniowych upraw. Gatunek ten ma bardzo szerokie zastosowanie fitoterapeutyczne zarówno w odniesieniu do ludzi, jak i zwierząt hodowlanych.

Medicinal Plants Galega officinalis L. and Yacon Leaves as Potential Sources of Antidiabetic Drugs

Hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties of extracts of medicinal plants Galega officinalis L. (aboveground part) and yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius Poepp. & Endl.) (leaves) as potential sources of biologically active substances with antidiabetic action have been studied. The pronounced hypoglycemic effect of Galega officinalis extract, devoid of alkaloids, at a dose of 600 mg/kg in experimental diabetes mellitus (DM) has been proven. The established effect is evidenced by a decrease in the concentration of glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin in the blood, increase glucose tolerance of cells, increase C-peptide and insulin content in the plasma of rats’ blood. The effective hypoglycemic effect of the extract in the studied pathology was confirmed by histological examination of the pancreas. The cytoprotective effect of the studied extract on pancreatic cells at a dose of 1200 mg/kg was experimentally confirmed. In the standard cut area, an increase was found in the number of Langerhans islets, their average area, diameter, volume, and a number of β-cells relative to these indicators in animals with diabetes. Comparative screening of the antioxidant properties of 30, 50, 70, and 96% water–ethanol extracts of yacon indicates the highest potential of 50% water-ethanol extract to block free radicals in in vitro model experiments. The non-alkaloid fraction of Galega officinalis extract showed moderate antioxidant activity and was inferior to yacon extract in its ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and bind metal ions of variable valence. The level of antioxidant potential of the studied extracts is due to differences in the quantitative content of compounds of phenolic nature in their compositions. The obtained data on the biological effects of Galega officinalis extract on the structural and functional state of β-cells of the pancreas and antioxidant properties of Galega officinalis and yacon extracts substantiate the prospects of using these plants to create antidiabetic medicines and functional foods based on them.

Medical Species Used in Russia for the Management of Diabetes and Related Disorders

Background: Polyherbal mixtures called “medical species” are part of traditional and officinal medicine in Russia. This review aimed to analyze medical species used in Russia for the treatment of diabetes and related disorders. The information relevant to medical species, diabetes, and obesity was collected from local libraries, the online service E-library.ru, and Google Scholar. The prediction of the antidiabetic activity for the principal compounds identified in plants was performed using the free web resource PASS Online.Results: We collected and analyzed information about the compositions, specificities of use, and posology of 227 medical species. The medical species represent mixtures of 2–15 plants, while the most frequently mentioned in the literature are species comprising 3–6 plants. The top 10 plants among the 158 mentioned in the literature include Vaccinium myrtillus L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Taraxacum campylodes G.E. Haglund., Urtica dioica L., Rosa spp., Hypericum spp., Galega officinalis L., Mentha × piperita L., Arctium spp, and Fragaria vesca L. The leading binary combination found in medical species comprises the leaves of V. myrtillus and pericarp of P. vulgaris; leaves of V. myrtillus and leaves of U. dioica; and leaves of V. myrtillus and aerial parts of G. officinalis. In triple combinations, in addition to the above-mentioned components, the roots of T. campylodes are often used. These combinations can be regarded as basic mixtures. Other plants are added to improve the efficacy, treat associated disorders, improve gastrointestinal function, prevent allergic reactions, etc. Meanwhile, an increase in plants in the mixture necessitates advanced techniques for quality control. A feature of medical species in Russia is the addition of fresh juices, birch sap, seaweeds, and adaptogenic plants. Modern studies of the mechanisms of action and predicted activities of the principal compounds from medicinal plants support the rationality of polyherbal mixtures. Nevertheless, the mechanisms are not well studied and reported due to the limited number of compounds. Further investigations with calculations of synergistic or additive indices are important for strengthening the scientific fundamentals for the wider use of medical species in the therapy of diabetes. Two medical species, “Arfazetin” (7 medicinal plants) and “Myrphasinum” (12 medicinal plants), are approved for use in officinal medicine. The efficacy of these species was confirmed in several in vivo experiments and clinical trials. According to modern regulatory rules, additional experiments and clinical trials are required for more detailed investigations of the mechanisms of action and confirmation of efficacy.Conclusion: We believe that the scientifically based utilization of rich plant resources and knowledge of Russian herbal medicine can significantly contribute to the local economy as well as to the sectors seeking natural healing products.

The Biology of Canadian Weeds. XX. Galega officinalis L.

The biology of the weed goat’s-rue, Galega officinalis (Fabaceae), is reviewed. Introduced to Canada in the late 19th Century as an ornamental, it has become established at scattered localities and is spreading locally in southern Ontario. The plant is considered a noxious weed and is legally regulated in many jurisdictions due to the production of toxic alkaloids and its invasive characteristics. Primarily a weed of pastures, grasslands and perennial crops, it also displaces native vegetation in areas where it becomes established. Originally endemic in the Black Sea region, it was spread by humans through Europe and eastward to Pakistan as a herbal medicine. More recently it has been introduced widely as a forage and ornamental plant. As a folk remedy it has been used primarily to treat diabetes in humans and to enhance milk production in both humans and livestock. The plant has also used as a forage by limiting consumption to early growth stages and the quantity ingested. Effective control has been achieved with 2,4-D, dicamba, tryclopyr, metsulfuron methyl and other herbicides. Goat’s-rue forms a highly specific nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with the soil bacterium Neorhizobium galegae symbiovar officinalis. Successful establishment of Goat’s rue in new regions depends on the co-introduction of plant and bacterium. The lack of long-distance dispersal adaptations, soil pH requirements and symbiont dependency, reduces the ability of G. officinalis to spread into novel areas without anthropogenic activities. These constraints to establishment may facilitate management and eradication strategies.

Investigation of the Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and Methylglyoxal Trapping Effect of Galega officinalis L. Herb In Vitro

Galega officinalis L. has been known for centuries as an herbal medicine used to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes, but its comprehensive chemical composition and pharmacological activity are still insufficiently known. The current study involved the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis and in vitro evaluation of the antioxidative and methylglyoxal (MGO) trapping properties of galega herb. Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with both the electrospray ionization mass spectrometer and diode-array detector (UHPLC-ESI-MS and UHPLC-DAD) were used to investigate the composition and evaluate the anti-MGO capability of extracts and their components. Hot water and aqueous methanol extracts, as well as individual compounds representing phytochemical groups, were also assessed for antioxidant activity using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)hydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays. Quercetin and metformin were used as a positive control. We confirmed the presence of tricyclic quinazoline alkaloids, guanidines, flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) in galega extracts. The polyphenolic fraction was dominated by mono-, di-, and triglycosylated flavonols, as well as monocaffeoylhexaric acids. The in vitro tests indicated which G. officinalis components exhibit beneficial antioxidative and MGO trapping effects. For galega extracts, flavonols, and HCAs, a potent antiradical activity was observed. The ability to trap MGO was noted for guanidines and flavonoids, whereas HCA esters and quinazoline alkaloids were ineffective. The formation of mono-MGO adducts of galegine, hydroxygalegine, and rutin in the examined water infusion was observed.