The application of diabetes and asthma bioassays to aromatic and medicinal plants

This research project by Dr. Gavillán-Suarez proposes to assess the bioavailability, bioactivity and safety of Costus spiralis and Polianthes tuberose extracts and herbal formulations used by Hispanic communities in the UPRC service region, to treat diabetes and asthma, two of the leading serious illnesses among Hispanics.  To establish reliable bioactivity data invitro bioassays panels will be designed to monitor the effects of Costus and Polianthes extracts or isolated active compounds (chemical markers) on metabolic abnormalities associated with diabetes and asthma.  Inhibition of the enzyme aldose reductase, inhibition of glycosylation and reduction of free radicals bioassays will target activities associated with diabetes.  Inhibition of 5-Lipoxygenase will be related to the bioactivity of the chemical compounds (chemical markers) or herbal extracts from Polianthes, associated with the reduction of the frequency of the events leading to the pathophysiology of asthma, (airway edema, smooth muscle constriction, and inflammatory reactions).  Assays will be conducted on methanolic extracts and the steam-distilled oil of three samples of the herbs/flowers.  Inhibition will be reported as the dose of extract or oil that decreases the enzyme activity by 50%  (IC50) in mcL/mL.  The IC50 values obtained will be compared to the values obtained from the drug sorbinil, bioflavonoids and pyridoxine, Vit E and Vit C nutritional supplements known for their activities in the proposed bioassays panel.  The second objective of the proposed research is to complete the chemical analysis and to identify the chemical compounds (chemical markers), in extracts and teas of Costus and Polianthes that are responsible for the measured bioactivities.  To assess the extent of use of these herbs to treat diabetes and asthma by the rural communities (third objective) in the UPRC service region, the ethnopharmacology survey system developed by the TRAMIL international network will be applied.  The prevalence study will be completed to a) assess to health symptoms or problems, and the perception of these symptoms by the target population; b) identify the herbal remedies and supplements used by these communities to alleviate their health problems, especially diabetes and asthma; c) initiate a drug-herb interaction survey to identify possible risks especially concerning diabetes and asthma, and d) initiate a drug-herb interaction survey to identify possible risks associated with the use of the reported herbal remedies and conventional medicines