Attenuation of Quorum Sensing Controlled Virulence Factors and Biofilm Formation by Edible Fruit Extract of Coccinia indica against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic human pathogen that mainly infects immunocompromised individuals and patients with urinary tract infection and chronic infections of the respiratory pathways, including cystic fibrosis. Many quorum sensing (QS) controlled components such as bio surfactants and swarming motilities play an important role in the establishment of biofilms. Targeting these factors through anti-QS strategies prevent biofilm formation and treating infections. Coccinia indica commonly called little gourd is used to treat diabetes, wound, burn infections and has antioxidant, antibacterial and antitussive properties. Methods: The methanolic fruit extract of C. indica was prepared and screened for anti-QS and anti-biofilm formation activity. Pyocyanin inhibition, rhamnolipid, crystal violet staining assay tests was performed and the extract was observed under fluorescent microscope. Results: The results obtained are as follows - the fruit extract inhibits the pyocyanin at 58.13% and 42.27% at 0.5 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml, biofilm at 69.86% and 49.06% at 0.5 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml, inhibits rhamnolipid assay and under fluorescent microscope it is seen scattered whereas control produce biofilm matrix like appearance. Conclusion: Since less study has been made on the quorum sensing and biofilm activity of C.indica our study aimed to fulfil it and it was found that it exhibits good biofilm formation and thus can be used for treating infections.

COCCINIA INDICA (KUNDRU): A MAGICAL HERB WITH ANTIDIABETIC POTENTIAL

Many traditional medicines are obtained mainly from medicinal plants, minerals and organic matter. During the past many years, there has been increasing interest among the uses of various medicinal plants from the traditional system of medicine for the treatment of different ailments. Coccinia indica is one such important medicinal plant which belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae. It is extensively used as a vegetable and grown widely throughout the Indian Subcontinent. It is commonly called 'Kundra' in India. Traditionally different parts of this plant namely the roots, leaves and fruits are utilized in folklore medicine for several purposes, especially for hypoglycemia and skin diseases. There are many patented formulations derived from Coccinia indica plant. This plant is a primary source from where we get different phytochemicals which are utilized as the main constituent in numerous formulations endorsed for several ailments. Coccinia indica plant possesses many therapeutic activities like antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, larvicidal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities. The present review provides adequate information, photochemistry and various medicinal uses of Coccinia indica plant.

Anti-Diabetic and Hypolipidemic Effect of Coccinia Indica in Glucocorticoid Induced Insulin Resistance

This study explores the anti-diabetic, insulin sensitizing and hypolipidemic activity of Coccinia indica (C.indica) leaf extract (ethanolic) in glucocorticoid induced insulin resistance (IR). A 12 day study with 5 groups of 30 male Wistar albino rats, with 6 rats in each was conducted. The rats in all the groups except group 1 received dexamethasone (8mg/kg/i.p.) from 7th to 12th day to induce IR. The groups 1 and 2 received 2% gum acacia orally for 12 days whereas the groups 3 & 4 received oral ethanolic extract of C.indica leaf in the dose of 1 and 2 gm/kg, respectively. The standard control (group 5) received metformin (1gm/kg) orally for 12 days. Fasting serum glucose, insulin and lipid levels were estimated at the beginning and end of the study. The insulin sensitivity indices (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and sensitivity, fasting glucose to insulin ratio, hepatic & atherogenic indices) were calculated. The body weight was monitored on alternate days. The liver weight, volume and histopathology were also done. Compared to group 2 rats, the group’s 3 & 4 demonstrated significant(p<0.05) dose dependent lowering of serum glucose, insulin and lipids as well as lowered IR, improved insulin sensitivity and reduced hepatic steatosis. Additionally, group 2 rats had low body weight and hepatomegaly. This extract demonstrated significant anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic and insulin sensitizing activity. Hence it can be used as an effective alternative for treating type2 diabetes mellitus.

Characterization and Antibacterial Response of Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized Using an Ethanolic Extract of Coccinia indica Leaves

The present study was planned to characterize and analyze the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) biosynthesized using a Coccinia indica leaf (CIL) ethanolic extract. The present study included the preparation of CIL ethanolic extract using the maceration process, which was further used for AgNP biosynthesis by silver nitrate reduction. Biosynthetic AgNPs were characterized using UV–Visible spectrometry, zeta potential analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry. The biogenic AgNP and CIL extracts were further investigated against different bacterial strains for their antimicrobial activity. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) signal at 425 nm confirmed AgNP formation. The SEM and TEM data revealed the spherical shape of biogenic AgNPs and size in the range of 8 to 48 nm. The EDX results verified the presence of Ag. The AgNPs displayed a zeta potential of −55.46 mV, suggesting mild AgNP stability. Compared to Gram-positive bacteria, the biogenic AgNPs demonstrated high antibacterial potential against Gram-negative bacteria. Based on the results, the current study concluded that AgNPs based on CIL extract have strong antibacterial potential, and it established that AgNP biosynthesis using CIL ethanol extract is an effective process.

ANTI-HYPERGLYCEMIC EFFECT OF KUNDRU (COCCINIA INDICA) ON PATIENTS OF DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE-2

The disease Diabetes or Madhumeha is well documented in all perennial sources of Ayurvedic wisdom. The present study was done to evaluate the efficacy of Bimbi (Coccinia indica) in the patients of Diabetes mellitus type-2 through single blind study. Total 30 patients were selected and divided into two groups, 15 patients in each group i.e., A (Bimbi) & B (Barley). In this study it has been found that Madhumeha affects not only in elderly people but in adults too with slight female preponderance. The present study confirmed that after the treatment of 60 days, Bimbi (Coccinia indica) was found effective in treatment of Madhumeha and reduced majority of the symptoms of illness that including Prabootha mootrata (Excessive urination), Atitrushna (Excessive thirst), Avila mootrata (Turbid urine) and Dourbalya (Weakness). There was significant improvement in all the laboratory parameters in patients of Bimbi (Coccinia indica) treated group. The outcome showed that mean reduction in fasting blood sugar level was 19.86%, in PP blood sugar level was 24.52% and in HbA1c level was 8.4%.These outcomes suggest that the results of trial drug i.e., Coccinia indica (Bimbi) powder was highly significant at p-value <0.001. The drug Bimbi showed effectiveness in reducing FBS, PPBS and HbA1c, as results were highly significant. Barley powder used as placebo didn't showed reduction in FBS, PPBS and HbA1c.

Improved Renoprotection in Diabetes with Combination Therapy of Coccinia indica Leaf Extract and Low-Dose Pioglitazone

Background: The metabolic changes associated with diabetes can lead to nephropathy eventually resulting in end-stage renal disease. Current antidiabetic therapies do not effectively prevent the onset of diabetic kidney diseases as well as progression. Aim: To evaluate the effect of Coccinia indica leaf extract alone and in combination with pioglitazone, an antihyperglycemic agent was used to modulate the progressive kidney damage induced by type 2 diabetes in rats. Hypotheses: Pioglitazone causes severe adverse effects when administered for long-term therapy. The hypotheses in this study is to examine the renoprotective effect of Coccinia indica leaf extract (200 mg/kg p.o.) when co-administered with low-dose pioglitazone (7 mg/kg) in type-2-diabetes-induced nephropathy in rats and simultaneously evaluate the hypoglycemic response as well. Methods: Rats (Males, Sprague Dawley) were kept on a high-fat diet and were given a single dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce diabetic nephropathy. Treatment groups received either Coccinia indica leaf extract or pioglitazone or pioglitazone with Coccinia indica extract, fenofibrate, or lisinopril for 7 weeks. Blood glucose, antioxidant status, triglycerides, total cholesterol, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and proteinuria levels were estimated and compared with the normal control and disease control (untreated) groups. Results: The untreated diabetic rats showed increased blood glucose levels, lipid profiles, and renal oxidative stress, along with an increase in nephropathy markers such as blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and proteinuria. Histopathological examination revealed glomerular damage. Combination treatment with Coccinia indica leaf extract and a low dose of pioglitazone normalized the nephropathic markers as well as histopathological changes. Conclusion: Coccinia indica leaf extract when co-administered with a low dose of pioglitazone as antidiabetic therapy showed good glycemic control and a beneficial renoprotective effect. Combination therapy would lower the dose of pioglitazone and also protect kidneys from drug-induced toxicity as observed from normalized nephropathic markers in a diabetic rat model.