Natural Product Research

Exposure to heavy metals significantly contributes to insulin resistance , a major factor in type 2 diabetes. This study investigated the antioxidant and therapeutic potential of ethanol leaf extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius in mitigating heavy metal-induced insulin resistance, oxidative stress and inflammation in albino rats. Thirty rats were divided into five groups: Groups I and II received normal saline and a lead-mercury mixture, respectively, while Groups III, IV and V were treated with the extract (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg) for four weeks after exposure. The extract, rich in catechin, rutin, gallic acid and kaempferol, exhibited strong antioxidant activity. Heavy metal exposure induced hepatic insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, oxidative stress and inflammation, as shown by elevated HOMA-IR values. Extract treatment reversed these effects in a dose-dependent manner, restoring insulin sensitivity via oxidative stress and inflammation modulation. This highlights the potential of C. aconitifolius as a nutraceutical for heavy metal-induced metabolic disorders.

Aegle marmelos is a member of the Rutaceae family and a source of diverse biological properties. Most studies have focused on the extract from the dried fruit pulp, but the fresh pulp remains unexplored. This study reports the crystal isolation of imperatorin from fresh fruit pulp using ethyl acetate extract which was confirmed by spectroscopic techniques. Quantitative measurement revealed that ripe fruits contained significantly higher levels of imperatorin than unripe fruits. Imperatorin exhibited an anti-proliferative activity against breast cancer cells, with a GI50 of 21 µM. The continuous live cell imaging of HeLa cells exposed to imperatorin showed apoptosis as the mode of cell death.