title: Protective effects of an aqueous extract from pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.) in diabetic mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study analysed the content of ascorbic acid, phenolic acids and flavonoids in aqueous and ethanol extracts of pepino (Solanum muricatum Ait.), and examined the protective effects of pepino aqueous extract (PAE) in a mouse model of diabetes. PAE at 1, 2 and 4% was supplied for 5 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aqueous and ethanol extracts had similar levels of total phenolic acids, but PAE had a higher content of ascorbic acid and total flavonoids than the ethanol extract. PAE treatments at 2% and 4% significantly lowered plasma glucose level (P < 0.05); however, only the 4% PAE significantly elevated plasma insulin level at week 5 (P < 0.05). PAE treatments significantly decreased the levels of malonyldialdehyde and reactive oxygen species in kidney (P < 0.05); however, only the 2% and 4% treatments significantly reduced oxidised glutathione formation, increased glutathione level, and retained renal glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities (P < 0.05). PAE treatments at 2% and 4% significantly lowered renal interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α levels (P < 0.05); however, only the 4% treatments significantly diminished renal IL-1β and levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (P < 0.05). PAE treatments at 4% significantly decreased aldose reductase activity and sorbitol production in kidney (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings support the suggestion that pepino aqueous extract could attenuate the progression of diabetes via its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antiglycative effects.
authors: School of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
authors: Cheng-chin
authors: CC
authors: Hsu
authors: Yu-ru
authors: YR
authors: Guo
authors: Zhi-hong
authors: ZH
authors: Wang
authors: Mei-chin
authors: MC
authors: Yin
mesh_terms: D000449:Aldehyde Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000378:metabolism; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005638:Fruit; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D032322:Solanum / Q000737:chemistry*; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D059808:Polyphenols; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013012:Sorbitol; D000449:Aldehyde Reductase; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005978:Glutathione; D001205:Ascorbic Acid