OBJECTIVES: To investigate the anti-atherosclerotic activity of a C. nutans leaf methanol extract (CNME) in a type 2 diabetic (T2D) rat model induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and low-dose streptozotocin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: non-diabetic fed a standard diet (C), C + CNME (500 mg/kg, orally), diabetic fed an HFD (DM), DM + CNME (500 mg/kg), and DM + Metformin (DM + Met; 300 mg/kg). Treatment with oral CNME and metformin was administered for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipid profile, atherogenic index (AI), aortic tissue superoxide dismutase levels (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured. The rats' aortas were stained for histological analysis and intima-media thickness (IMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two normal and four obese groups. Obese prediabetes was induced by feeding a high-fat diet and sucrose water (HFSD) for 10 weeks; normal rats were given a standard diet and plain water. For the next 6 weeks, rats were grouped into the normal group (NR), which continued on the standard diet; the normal group was switched to TRF with the standard diet (NR + TRFSD); the prediabetes group (OR) was continued on HFSD; the prediabetes group was switched to TRF of HFSD (OR + TRFHFSD); the prediabetes group was switched to TRF of the standard diet (OR + TRFSD); and the prediabetes group was switched to the standard diet (OR + SD). Rats were then sacrificed, and aortic tissues were isolated and quantified for oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase, and inflammation markers tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin 1. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), body weight, Lee's index, serum insulin level, and resistance (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) were also measured.

RESULTS: Mean FBG and body weight in obese groups were higher compared to the normal groups after 10 weeks of HFDSD. Both obese-prediabetes groups that underwent TRF had reduced levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 1, body weight, Lee's index, FBG, and insulin resistance. Furthermore, obese prediabetes on TRF with SD also reduced levels of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), insulin levels and increased levels of the antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase).

METHODS: MEMC and its fractions were subjected to HPLC analysis to identify and quantify the presence of its phyto-constituents. The mechanism of gastroptotection of EAF was further investigated using pylorus ligation-induced gastric lesion rat model (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg). Macroscopic analysis of the stomach, evaluation of gastric content parameters such as volume, pH, free and total acidity, protein estimation, and quantification of mucus were carried out. The participation of nitric oxide (NO) and sulfhydryl (SH) compounds was evaluated and the superoxide dismutase (SOD), gluthathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and NO level in the ethanol induced stomach tissue homogenate was determined.