Modulation of Insulin Resistance by Silybum marianum Leaves, and its Synergistic Efficacy with Gymnema sylvestre, Momordica charantia, Trigonella-foenum graecum Against Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B

ABSTRACT

Prolonged insulin resistance is considered one of the reasons for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Upregulation of Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), a negative regulator of insulin signalling, has been well studied as a key regulator in prognosis to insulin resistance. It has been widely studied as a desirable molecular therapeutic target. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of leaf extract of the medicinal plants Silybum marianum on the inhibition of PTP1B activity. It also explored the synergistic effect with extracts of Gymnema sylvestre (leaves), Momordica charantia (seeds), and Trigonella foenum graecum (seeds). The S. marianum leaves showed dose-dependent inhibition of PTP1B ranging from 9.48–47.95% (25–1000 μg mL−1). Assay with individual plant extracts showed comparatively lesser inhibition of PTP1B as compared to metformin as a control (38% inhibition). However, a synergistic effect showed nearly 45% PTP1B inhibition (higher than metformin) after the assay was done with selected four plant extracts in combination. The effect of leaf extracts of S. marianum was studied for glucose uptake efficiency in yeast cell lines which was found to be increased by 23% as compared to the control (without extract). Metformin improves glucose upake by yeast cells by ~15–31%. GC-MS analysis revealed 23 phytochemicals, some of which possessed anti-diabetic properties. A dose-dependent increase in antioxidant activity of S. marianum leaves extracts was observed (40–53%). The findings of the study highlighted the presence of various phytochemicals in leaves extracts that are effective against PTP1B inhibition and may help in reinvigorating drug development.

KEYWORDS:

• Insulin resistance
• Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B
• silybum marianum
• gymnema sylvestre
• momordica charantia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research work was funded by the Institutional Fund projects under grant no. (IFPDP -95-22). Therefore, the authors gratefully acknowledge technical and financial support from the Ministry of Education, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Notes on contributors

Prangya Rath

Ms. Prangya Rath is presently a CSIR-SRF doctoral candidate interested in research in the areas of life sciences, biotechnology and molecular biology. She has a research experience of ~5years in life sciences/ biotechnology from reputed institutes.

Dhan Prakash

Prof. (Dr.) Dhan Prakash is a senior scientist and professor and served at reputed institutes CSIR-NBRI, Amity Institute of Herbal Research & Studies, etc. He has a rich research experience in Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, biotechnology, drug design, DNA damage caused by free radicals, nutraceuticals, functional foods, etc.

Anuj Ranjan

Dr. Anuj Ranjan is presently a Leading Researcher and Postdoctoral Fellow at Southern Federal University, Russia. He has a rich research experience related to pharmacology and toxicology, animals and plants and probiotics functions, persistent organic pollutants, biochemistry, etc.

Abhishek Chauhan

Dr. Abhishek Chauhan is a senior scientist at the Amity Institute of Environmental Toxicology Safety and Management. He also worked as a Scientist ‘C’ and Head of the Department of Microbiology, Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, Delhi. He has a rich research experience in areas related to microbiology, environmental toxicology, drugs and pharmaceuticals.

Tanu Jindal

Prof. (Dr.) Tanu Jindal is the Director of the Amity Institute of Environmental Toxicology Safety and Management. She has research experience in environmental pollution, and toxicological studies with special reference to air, water, soil, and food and their impact on the ecosystem and public health.

Sultan Alamri

Mr. Sultan Alamri is working as a Consultant Family Medicine in Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Turki Alamri

Mr. Turki Alamri is a Family and Community Medicine Department at Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Steve Harakeh

Prof. Steve Harakeh is working at King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His research expertise includes areas related to Antimicrobial Resistance, Molecular Biology, Medical Microbiology, Molecular Models, Antibiotic Resistance, etc.

Shafiul Haque

Dr. Shafiul Haque is working at Research and Scientific Studies Unit College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.