Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume 2016 (2016), Article ID 8243215, 11 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8243215
Review Article
Geethi Pamunuwa,1 D. Nedra Karunaratne,2 and Viduranga Y. Waisundara3
1Department of Horticulture and Landscape Gardening, Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila, Sri Lanka
2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
3Functional Food Product Development Project, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Hantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Received 6 May 2016; Revised 27 June 2016; Accepted 5 July 2016
Academic Editor: Mohammed S. Razzaque
Copyright © 2016 Geethi Pamunuwa et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
This review discusses the antidiabetic activities of Scoparia dulcis as well as its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in relation to the diabetes and its complications. Ethnomedical applications of the herb have been identified as treatment for jaundice, stomach problems, skin disease, fever, and kidney stones, reproductory issues, and piles. Evidence has been demonstrated through scientific studies as to the antidiabetic effects of crude extracts of S. dulcis as well as its bioactive constituents. The primary mechanisms of action of antidiabetic activity of the plant and its bioactive constituents are through α-glucosidase inhibition, curbing of PPAR-γ and increased secretion of insulin. Scoparic acid A, scoparic acid D, scutellarein, apigenin, luteolin, coixol, and glutinol are some of the compounds which have been identified as responsible for these mechanisms of action. S. dulcis has also been shown to exhibit analgesic, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, sedative, hypnotic, antiulcer, antisickling, and antimicrobial activities. Given this evidence, it may be concluded that S. dulcis could be promoted among the masses as an alternative and complementary therapy for diabetes, provided further scientific studies on the toxicological and pharmacological aspects are carried out through either in vivo or clinical means.
1. Introduction
A recent study published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Lancet as part of the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) shows that the number of adults with diabetes has quadrupled worldwide in under four decades to 422 million, and the condition is fast becoming a major problem in poorer countries [1]. In one of the largest studies to date of diabetes trends, the researchers of NCD-RisC said aging populations and rising levels of obesity across the world mean diabetes is becoming a defining issue for global public health. This study used data from 4.4 million adults in different world regions to estimate age-adjusted diabetes prevalence for 200 countries. It found that between 1980 and 2014 diabetes has become more common among men than women, and rates of diabetes rose significantly in many low- and middle-income countries, including China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Mexico. While the alarming nature of the disease is as such, the inefficacy and inadequacy of current antidiabetic treatments in mitigating the disease condition have also been highlighted from studies such as the Linköping Diabetes Complications Study [2], the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) Research Group [3–5], and the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) Group [6–8]. Current treatments for diabetes include insulin therapy (for type 1 and some type 2 diabetes patients) and administration of oral hypoglycemic agents (i.e., insulin secretagogues, biguanides, α-glucosidase inhibitors, and insulin sensitizers), which nevertheless have been demonstrated to show deteriorations in hyperglycemic control and increased risks of contracting diabetic complications during long-term usage [9]. To further complicate the situation, the hefty expense of purchasing these drugs is a significant economic burden borne by the diabetic patients, especially given the increased prevalence of the disease in developing countries.
When taking historical elements into account from the perspective of antidiabetic treatments, diabetes is an ancient disease for which remedies have been detailed in many traditional medicinal pharmacopoeias. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for instance, the disease has been referred to as “Xiaokezheng” or “Xiaodanzheng,” both of which mean diabetes [10]. In the Sri Lankan traditional medicinal system, the disease has been stated as “Madhumeha” [11]. In both of these traditional medicinal systems and many others, the usage of herbs for combating the disease condition and alleviating its symptoms has been practiced for many eons. Plants have always been an exemplary source of drugs and have directly or indirectly yielded many important medicines in the past. For instance, the discovery of the widely used hypoglycemic drug, Metformin, came from the traditional approach of using Galega officinalis [12]. Overall, herbal remedies are gaining popularity because of several advantages such as a comparatively lower incidence of side-effects at recommended dosages, better patient tolerance, relatively low cost, and acceptance due to a long history of use. From the perspective of diabetes, the more important cause is that herbal medicines provide rational means for remedying the disease condition as well as many other ailments which are obstinate and incurable in more Western systems of medicine. Therefore, a revival of interest in the use of plants in pharmacy has emerged worldwide recently from both the pharmaceutical industry as a source of new lead molecules and the general public who tend to use plant extracts in many ways as conventional and complementary therapies. Thus, bringing effective herbal remedies into the limelight especially those which have proven antidiabetic effects through at least in vivo and in vitro studies is of importance given the disturbing incidence of the disease, the voids of effective therapeutic remedies, and the tendency towards searching and promoting complementary and alternative therapies to combat and contain the progression of the disease.
Scoparia dulcis, also known as sweet broomweed (family: Scrophulariaceae), is a perennial herb which is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Figure 1 shows the plant and its flowers in its natural habitat. The leaves of the plant are serrated and the flowers are white in colour. S. dulcis has been used in many traditional medicinal systems as an antidiabetic herb and for a variety of ailments. The plant is abundantly found in many countries and can be easily grown and cultivated, should there be a need for mass production. This review highlights the ethnomedicine, antidiabetic properties, antioxidant effects, bioactive chemical constituents, and other therapeutic properties of S. dulcis. A schematic outline showing all therapeutic properties of this plant is shown in Figure 2. Through this review, it is hoped that S. dulcis could be promoted for downstream scientific investigations where the herb as well as its bioactive constituents would be taken up for further clinical evaluations and thereby discover the true potential as a remedy for combating a global pandemic as well as other noncommunicable disease conditions at large.
Figure 1: Leaf and flower structure of S. dulcis in its natural habitat.
Figure 2: Schematic diagram displaying all the therapeutic properties of S. dulcis.
2. Ethnomedicine
Before delving into the antidiabetic effects and other related properties of S. dulcis from a more scientific perspective, it is of importance to briefly summarize the ethnomedical applications of the herb, so that its therapeutic value is validated by its historical usage. The use of S. dulcis plant parts has been recorded from many parts of the world. In a very comprehensive study on the ethnomedical value of plants used in the preparation of traditional rice beer, Bhuyan and Baishya have identified the different plant parts used by several tribal groups in the State of Assam in India [13]. In this study, it was identified that Bodo, Karbi, Ahom, Deori, Rabha, Mising, and Sonowal Kachari tribes of Assam used widely differing herbs and plant parts in their rice beer preparations. Of these, the leaves of S. dulcis were used in particular by the Deori and Rabha tribes for alleviation of diabetes, jaundice, stomach problems, skin disease, and piles [13]. Bieski et al. conducted an ethnobotanical survey in the Nossa Senhora Aparecida do Chumbo District (NSACD), located in Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil and found that S. dulcis was used for several disease categories with diabetes being one of them [14]. In the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu, a survey of the phytotherapeutic agents used by the Nadars revealed that S. dulcis juice was taken orally to treat fever and kidney stones [15]. In Trinidad and Tobago, S. dulcis juice has been used for cooling babies and for reproductive problems in both men and women [16, 17], while, in Central Laos, in Bolikhamsai Province, the whole plant was used for treating nephritis [18].
Due to the prevalence of malaria in the Amazon Region, Ruiz et al. evaluated the antimalarial potential of traditional remedies used by the indigenous and Mestizo populations around the banks of the Nanay River, a tributary of the Amazon River in Loreto, Peru [19]. These researchers went as far as testing some of these plant extracts for activity on Plasmodium falciparum. They found that several of the plants used traditionally, including S. dulcis, had antiplasmodium activity. The whole plant of S. dulcis is recorded as one of many being used for the treatment of snakebite in the province of Antioquia in Colombia [20]. Over 90% of the bites in this province were caused by the snake B. asper (Viperidae) where around 4000 bites are reported annually in Columbia. The rapid effect of the toxins in the venom results in high mortality (5%) and serious long-term effects (6%). The healers and shamans administer plant extracts to neutralize the toxins such as phospholipase A2 present in the venom, where S. dulcis was identified as one of the plants being used for this purpose [21]. In Sri Lanka, rice based porridges containing herbal extracts and coconut milk have been traditionally consumed for breakfast. Senadheera et al. [22] reported that three porridges individually made with Asparagus racemosus, Hemidesmus indicus, or Scoparia dulcis were found to have a glycemic index value of less than 55, and peak blood glucose reduction values of around 40%. When diabetic Wistar rats were administered with these porridges, the porridge containing S. dulcis resulted in a reduced weight loss while exhibiting hypoglycemic and hypolipidaemic properties with no observed toxic effects.
3. Antidiabetic Properties
3.1. Evidence from Studies Based on Evaluating the Antidiabetic Properties of Whole Extracts of S. dulcis
Extracts of S. dulcis plant as a whole and numerous compounds isolated from S. dulcis all have exhibited antidiabetic or hypoglycemic properties. For this section of the review, the antidiabetic property of S. dulcis which was demonstrated by studies based on various types of extracts of the whole plant is highlighted briefly. A diagrammatic representation representing the various actions of different solvent fractions is shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Diagrammatic representation depicting the various actions of different fractions of S. dulcis.
Pari and Venkateswaran demonstrated hypoglycemic activity of the aqueous extract of S. dulcis leaves using alloxan induced hyperglycemic rats [23]. They, further, indicated that this hypoglycemic effect was highly pronounced when 0.45 g/kg (body weight) of the extract was administrated orally for 45 days. In addition to hypoglycemic effect, the administration of this plant extract prevented weight loss which is characteristic of diabetic patients [24]. Furthermore, it has been shown that the aqueous extract of S. dulcis, when administered at a dose of 200 mg/kg (body weight), exhibits a hypoglycemic effect on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats [24]. Similarly, Das and Chakraborty [25] and Attanayake et al. [26] used streptozotocin induced diabetic rats to demonstrate the antihyperglycemic effect of the aqueous extracts of S. dulcis. In addition to possessing antidiabetic effects, the aqueous extracts of S. dulcis exhibit antihyperlipidemic effects [26]. For example, streptozotocin induced diabetic rats have shown decreased levels of lipids including cholesterol, triglycerides, fatty acids, and phospholipids, decreased levels of very low density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and reduced 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG) CoA reductase activity, as a result of oral administration of the aqueous extract of S. dulcis (200 mg/kg of body weight) for 6 weeks [27].
Apart from aqueous extracts, numerous studies have shown that polar organic extracts such as methanol and ethanol extracts of S. dulcis possess antidiabetic properties. For example, Sharma and Shah illustrated using streptozotocin induced diabetic rats [28] that the flavonoids from the methanol extract of the aerial parts of S. dulcis impart an antihyperglycemic activity comparable to Glibenclamide. Strengthening their claim, Mishra et al. reported that both the aqueous and methanol extracts of S. dulcis contain polyphenols that these extracts show antioxidant activity which may most probably be due to the polyphenols and that there is a correlation between the antidiabetic activity and antioxidant activity of these extracts [29]. Another study conducted by Zulfiker et al. using alloxan induced diabetic mice revealed that the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of the plant shows antidiabetic activity [30]. Further, this study also exhibited that this extract shows moderate antioxidant activity compared to ascorbic acid, using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) assay and phosphomolybdenum assay. In addition to the extracts of the whole plant and aerial parts of the plant, the root of S. dulcis exhibits significant antidiabetic activity according to Reddy et al. [31]. Specifically, the hydroalcoholic extract of the roots of this plant had imparted a hypoglycemic activity similar to that of Glibenclamide, on alloxan induced rats in this particular study. Interestingly, a comparison of hypoglycemic activity of S. dulcis extracts in different organic solvents was carried out, using streptozotocin induced diabetic rats, by Talukder et al. who revealed that the acetone extract was most effective followed by methanol, petroleum ether, and ethanol extracts [32].
The mechanisms of action of S. dulcis plant extracts possessing antidiabetic activity have also been elucidated. It has been demonstrated that the antidiabetic activity of the aqueous extracts of S. dulcis may be attributable to its insulin secretagogue activity. For example, pancreatic islets isolated from mice have shown a 6-fold increase in secretion of insulin when the islets were exposed to an aqueous extract of S. dulcis at a dose of 10 μg/mL [33]. Also, S. dulcis imparts its antidiabetic effects via altering the levels of many antioxidant enzymes and enzymes of the polyol pathway. In fact, Latha and Pari showed, using streptozotocin induced diabetic rats, that the aqueous extract of S. dulcis significantly decreased the level of sorbitol dehydrogenase while increasing the levels of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase [24]. Beh et al. demonstrated using L6 rat myoblasts (CRL-1458) that the TLC fraction 7 of the aqueous extract of S. dulcis possesses glucose uptake activity comparable to that of insulin [34]. Moreover, they revealed that the TLC fraction 7 of the aqueous extract of S. dulcis is more capable than insulin of glucose transport that may be partly responsible for its antidiabetic activity.
3.2. Evidence from Studies Based on Evaluating the Antidiabetic Properties of Bioactive Constituents of S. dulcis
The antidiabetic properties of S. dulcis have been primarily owed to the existence of diterpenes [35–38], triterpenes [39, 40], and flavonoids [41] which have been mostly isolated from the aerial parts of the plant. A variety of chemical constituents have led to a plethora of antidiabetic pathways of action initiated by the plant, such as α-glucosidase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) agonistic and insulin secretagogue activities. Some of the compounds which have displayed these antidiabetic mechanisms of action by way of in vitro and in vivo studies are shown in Figures 4 and 5. These pathways of action and the respective compounds responsible for these properties with supporting evidence as provided through in vitro and in vivo studies are briefly discussed herein.
Figure 4: Chemical constituents in S. dulcis which have demonstrated PPAR-γ and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities: (a) apigenin, (b) betulinic acid, (c) luteolin, (d) scopadulcic acid B, (e) scoparic acid A, and (f) scutellarin.
Figure 5: Chemical constituents in S. dulcis which have demonstrated insulin secretagogue activities: (a) coxicol, (b) glutinol, and (c) scoparic acid D.
3.2.1. α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities
The use of enzyme inhibitors produces carbohydrate malabsorption and, hence, moderates blood glucose and insulin elevation [42]. This characteristic in particular is shown to be beneficial in the treatment of type 2 diabetes patients [43]. The digestive process of starch involves salivary α-amylase, pancreatic α-amylase, and the small intestinal brush border α-glucosidase, that is, maltase-amyloglucosidase and sucrase-isomaltase [44–46]. While inhibition of all 3 of these enzymes is deemed important in terms of control and release of blood glucose levels, inhibition of α-glucosidase in particular is considered as a priority, given that it is the final step upon which the rate of breakdown of carbohydrates is decided. Acarbose is one of the commonly used synthetic starch hydrolase inhibitors which is prescribed as an antidiabetic drug. However, it has been known to cause adverse health effects such as promotion of hypoglycemia at higher doses, as well as diarrhea and flatulence due to the gut microflora fermentation on the undigested carbohydrates [47]. Thus, the occurrence of natural starch hydrolase inhibitors is currently being explored, an aspect in which compounds of S. dulcis have been investigated as well. In the study by Liu et al. [48], the in vitroα-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the flavonoids scutellarein, apigenin, and luteolin and the terpenoids scopadulcic acid B and betulinic acid which were present in S. dulcis were observed to be more potent than the positive control, acarbose (with IC50 values in the range 13.7−132.5 μM). A confirmation of these properties of the bioactive compounds was stated by Mishra et al. in their review [49].
3.2.2. PPAR-γ Agonistic Activities
PPAR-γ is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily which can be activated by many kinds of ligands, such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and unsaturated fatty acids [50–52]. Its activation results in increased insulin sensitivity partly by reversing lipotoxicity-induced insulin resistance [53]. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which are well-known insulin resistance ameliorating agents in use for the treatment of type 2 diabetes since the 1980s, have been identified as potent PPAR-γ inhibitors [48]. Nevertheless, as with many of the synthetic drugs in use for diabetes, TZDs are also fraught with many side-effects [48]. Thus, screening of new PPAR-γ agonists from herbal medicine seems a reasonable strategy for the discovery of antidiabetic agents or their lead compounds. In the study by Liu et al. [48], scoparic acid A, scutellarein, apigenin, and luteolin had exhibited PPAR-γ agonistic activities in vitro, with EC50 values ranging from 0.9 to 24.9 μM. This study could be considered as the first of its kind to report the PPAR-γ agonistic activities of apigenin and luteolin in particular. Through this study, it was also evident that the bioactive constituents impart antidiabetic properties through multiple biochemical pathways, with individual compounds being able to modulate and mitigate the disease condition through numerous mechanisms of action.
3.2.3. Insulin Secretagogues
The importance of insulin secretagogues as a remedy for combating diabetes was highlighted in the Kyoto declaration of 2013, where nonobese type 2 diabetic patients mostly of Asian origin were observed to possess defects in insulin secretion rather than insulin resistance [54]. The insulin secretory activity and cytoprotective properties of aqueous S. dulcis extract have been previously reported by Latha et al. [55]. Identification of compounds responsible for these properties was also reported by Sharma et al. [56]. In this study, coixol and glutinol (Figure 4) were found to be potent and mildly active, respectively, in terms of insulin secretagogue activity. Coixol was further evaluated for insulin secretory activity on MIN-6 cells and was further subjected to in vitro cytotoxicity assay against MIN-6, 3T3 cell lines, and islet cells and in vivo acute toxicity test in mice which was found to be nontoxic. Thus, the study confirmed the insulin secretory activity of coixol and glutinol which supported the ethnobotanic uses of S. dulcis as an antidiabetic agent containing potent insulin secretagogues. Additionally, the study by Latha et al. [55] further verified the insulin secretagogue properties of scoparic acid D (SAD) in particular. In brief, streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic Wistar rats were administered with SAD at dosages of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg bodyweight for 15 days. At the end of the experimental period, the SAD-treated STZ diabetic rats showed decreased levels of glucose as compared with diabetic control rats. The improvement in blood glucose levels of SAD-treated rats was associated with a significant increase in plasma insulin levels. SAD at a dose of 20 mg/kg bodyweight exhibited a significant effect when compared with other doses. Further, the effect of SAD was tested on STZ-treated rat insulinoma cell lines (RINm5F cells) and isolated islets in vitro. SAD at a dose of 20 mg/mL had evoked twofold stimulation of insulin secretion from isolated islets, indicating its insulin secretagogue activity. This study also demonstrated the cytoprotective effects of SAD.
4. Other Therapeutic Properties of S. dulcis Relevant to Diabetes
Oxidative stress and elevated inflammatory levels have been biochemically determined to be the root cause of diabetic complications as shown by epidemiological and biochemical data [57, 58]. Thus, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of S. dulcis are discussed here, in view of the potential of this plant to mitigate the deleterious effects resulting from hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions.
4.1. Antioxidant Activity of S. dulcis
Several researchers have studied the effect of S. dulcis extracts on the ability to scavenge free radicals. Though many report the activity of the water extract, some have reported the activity of methanolic, ethanolic, chloroform, and hexane extracts. Babincová and Sourivong used the DPPH assay to demonstrate strong antioxidant activity of the extract [59]. Coulibaly et al. [60] studied the antioxidant property of the hexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts of the plant by the DPPH and FRAP assays. In addition, inhibition of lipid peroxidation was measured by the TBARS assay and inhibition of lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase by the extracts was determined [60]. They found that the chloroform extract exhibited the highest activity and concluded that the phytochemical content being the highest in this extract was the responsible factor for the observation [61, 62]. Three extracts, aqueous, ethanolic, and chloroform, were shown to have significant antioxidant capacity [DPPH, FRAP, β-carotene bleaching, and (TBARS) assay] [63, 64]. The water extract showed the highest activity. Zulfiker et al. studied the effect of the ethanolic extract of S. dulcis on alloxan induced diabetic mice [30]. The extract, at a dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg, reduced glucose level by 31.87% and 46.97%, respectively, while a 50.74% reduction was given by Metformin after 2 weeks. The antioxidant potential assessed by DPPH free radical scavenging assay was moderate in comparison to ascorbic acid (IC50 of 243.82 μg/mL for plant extract and 58.92 μg/mL for ascorbic acid).
4.2. Anti-Inflammatory Activity of S. dulcis
Inflammation is a complex nonspecific immune response triggered by damage to living tissues that protects higher organisms from infection and injury. There are two types of inflammation, and their effects can be either beneficial (defense against agents interfering with homeostasis, that is, acute inflammation) or harmful (causing damage to cells and tissues, that is, chronic inflammation) [65]. de Farias Freire et al. reported that the ethanol extracts were superior to water extracts of S. dulcis in eliciting effects probably related to the anti-inflammatory activity of the plant [66]. Ethnobotanical studies in many parts of the world have revealed the use of S. dulcis for anti-inflammatory activity [67, 68]. Since anti-inflammatory medications are used to relieve menstrual discomfort, plants having anti-inflammatory activity may explain their use in traditional medicines for relieving these symptoms. Hence, Michel et al. researched into plants used to treat symptoms related to menstruation and menopause by the Q’eqchi, the third largest Maya population in Guatemala [69]. They found that S. dulcis was used to alleviate labour pains. An ethnobotanical survey conducted by Souza et al. in north eastern Brazil indicated that root of S. dulcis was used for treating inflammation and uterine inflammation [70]. Sala et al. [71] have investigated the anti-inflammatory pathway of S. dulcis aqueous extracts in silico and have discovered its ability to inhibit human inhibitor nuclear-factor κB kinase 2 (hIKK-2). hIKK-2 is a serine-threonine protein kinase belonging to the IKK complex and is the primary component responsible for activating nuclear-factor κB transcription factor (NF-κB) in response to inflammatory stimuli. The NF-κB pathway is deemed important in the regulation of gene expression controlling cellular immune and inflammatory responses and has motivated research groups in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry to devote increasing efforts to developing synthetic ATP-competitive inhibitors for hIKK-2 [72]. Thus, the hIKK-2 inhibitory activity of S. dulcis could be considered as an important therapeutic characteristic in its promotion as an anti-inflammatory agent.
5. Other Therapeutic Properties of S. dulcis
Several systematic studies have been carried out on various other therapeutic properties of S. dulcis. While these studies are not numerous as compared with those on antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, the outcomes could be considered as stepping stones for investigating these therapeutic properties of S. dulcis in detail, through further in vitro, in vivo, or clinical means.
5.1. Analgesic Properties
The analgesic properties of the plant have been substantiated by in vitro investigations which have been verified to have extended from the existence of glutinol [30, 73]. Additionally, the analgesic and hyperanalgesic properties of S. dulcis aqueous extracts have been verified in rat models by Ratnasooriya et al. [74]. This is an important characteristic in possession by this plant since current analgesics, especially opiates, have been known to cause adverse side-effects such as gastric lesions.
5.2. Antimalarial Properties
The antimalarial effects of S. dulcis have been investigated by Bourdy et al. [75]. Aqueous extracts of the aerial part of S. dulcis were explored for the inhibitory activity versus Plasmodium falciparum. Although the antimalarial effects were not as significant in comparison with the rest of the plants selected for this particular study, positive observations were noted in terms of its activity against the parasite.
5.3. Hepatoprotective Effects
Hepatoprotective effects of S. dulcis have been observed by Li et al. [10] in mice containing CCl4-induced acute liver injuries. In this study, an oral dose of 800 mg/kg had exhibited a significant () protective effect against the CCl4-induced changes in serum aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), and liver histopathology, compared with the positive control. Similar observations have been made by Ediriweera and Ratnasooriya [11], where crude ethanolic and aqueous extracts of S. dulcis were evaluated against CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis in Sprague Dawley rats. These values had been comparable with the standard, and silymarin and were associated with the ability of S. dulcis to scavenge free radicals. Both of these studies provided evidence as to the traditional practice of administering S. dulcis for hepatic ailments.
5.4. Sedative and Hypnotic Effects
The study by Moniruzzaman et al. [76] evaluated the sedative and hypnotic effect of the ethanolic extract of whole plants of S. dulcis. The sedative and hypnotic activity were then investigated using hole cross, open field, hole-board, rotarod, and thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time determination tests in mice at the doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of the ethanolic extracts of the plant. A significant dose-dependent inhibition of locomotor activity of mice in both hole cross and open field tests was observed in this instance, suggesting that S. dulcis may possess sedative principles with potent hypnotic properties.
5.5. Antiulcer Activity
Among other miscellaneous therapeutic properties, the study by Babincová et al. [77] explored the antiulcer activity of water extracts of S. dulcis in Sprague-Dawley rats. For the first time, S. dulcis water extract was verified to possess gastroprotective activity as evidenced by its significant inhibition in the formation of ulcers induced by indomethacin in this study.
5.6. Antisickling Activity
The antisickling activity of S. dulcis was recently investigated by Abere et al. [78]. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most prevalent morbidity and mortality diseases in Africa [79]. Management of SCD is aimed at relieving pain, preventing infections and management of complications. First-line clinical management of sickle cell anaemia includes use of hydroxyurea, folic acid, amino acids, and blood transfusion to stabilize the patient’s haemoglobin level [80]. These are quite expensive and have attendant risk factors, thereby gradually paving way for the consideration of condiments from natural sources as antisickling remedies [81]. Ethnomedicinally, S. dulcis is used to manage sickle cell disease in Nigeria [78]. Abere et al. [78] confirmed traditional usage of S. dulcis in the management of SCD and a candidate for further investigations.
5.7. Antimicrobial Activity
In the study by Coulibaly et al. [82], the antimicrobial activity of the acetone : water (70 : 30) extract of S. dulcis was investigated against the bacterial cultures of Bacillus licheniformis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus and the fungal cultures of Gloeophyllum trabeum, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Fomitopsis palustris, Schizophyllum commune, and Trametes versicolor. They concluded that the antifungal activity of S. dulcis was more pronounced than its antibacterial activity in this study. Niveditha and Prabavathy [83] tested for the ability of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of the plant to inhibit virulence factors of the two pathogens Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. They used untreated and ethanolic extract treated bacteria to study the effect of the extract on inhibition of haemagglutination, haemolysis, proteolysis, lipolysis, and gelatinase production. The ability of the extract to inhibit the tests indicates the potential of S. dulcis for use as a commercial drug against urinary tract infections. Uma et al. had tested six extracts (petroleum ether, toluene, chloroform, methanol, ethanol, and water) of S. dulcis for activity towards the gram positive strains Bacillus sp. and Corynebacterium sp. and the gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter sp. using the agar well diffusion assay [84]. They report activity of the extracts towards both gram positive and gram negative strains. However the activity of the extracts was mild in comparison to the ampicillin standard which was used. In another study on the ethanolic extract of S. dulcis, Zulfiker et al. performed disc diffusion assays on several gram positive and negative strains [85]. Their results also indicated very mild activity of the extract compared to the kanamycin standard. When they tested the same extract against three fungal strains (Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Candida albicans), the results indicated smaller zones of inhibition (6–10 mm) in comparison to that of the nystatin standard (20–25 mm).
6. Conclusions
It is evident from the scientific studies carried out to date on S. dulcis that this plant is worthy of being explored and promoted as complementary and alternative means of combating diabetes. Additional biochemical avenues of exploration in this aspect would be to evaluate whether the extracts or bioactive compounds are capable of decreasing insulin resistance which is a typical characteristic of type 2 diabetes. Studies which go in proximity to exploring this characteristic have been carried out but none which specifically focuses on type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. This could be potentially explored using genetically modified rat models such as the Goto-Kakizaki model. Additionally, it would be of value to investigate whether the plant and its bioactive compounds are capable of regenerating pancreatic β-cells. This aspect could be easily and systematically verified using in vitro and in vivo studies. Nevertheless, as compared with other types of plants which have been ethnomedically used for diabetes, it is possible that S. dulcis has progressed quite notably in terms of scientific studies, from evaluation of crude extracts, to identification of chemical constituents, to identification of bioactive compounds and discovering their specific mechanisms of action. Additionally, although the plant may specifically be promoted for antidiabetic purposes, given the scientific evidence as to its miscellaneous therapeutic properties, it may also be used for overall health and wellness purposes. Nevertheless, despite the plethora of systematic studies on S. dulcis, it is imperative to investigate the toxicological and pharmacological aspects of the plant either through in vivo or clinical means. As with many other herbal remedies, while the plant is currently being administered or consumed by way of traditional practices, identification of recommended dosages and consumption limits should be determined before formal promotion of the plant, its extracts, or bioactive constituents for antidiabetic or other therapeutic purposes.
Competing Interests
The authors have no conflict of interests to declare, financial or otherwise.
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