Dr. Prawej Ansari published an article via Public Library of Science, USA in the high-impact journal: PLOS ONE in collaboration with Ulster University, UK.

Dr. Prawej Ansari, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy and Public Health has published a journal paper on the 3rd of March 2022, titled “Insulin secretory and antidiabetic actions of Heritiera fomes bark together with isolation of active phytomolecules” in the “PLOS ONE”, a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the Public Library of Science, USA. According to the Journal Citation Report, it is a Q1 rank journal with an impact factor of 3.24.
In this project, IUB-Pharmacology lab, Assistant Professor, Dr. Ansari collaborated with Prof Peter Flatt, Research Director and Dr. Yasser Abdel-Wahab, Reader, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, UK. This study highlights the insulin releasing and glucose lowering effects of Heritiera fomes bark together with bioactive compounds. The research team member from IUB-PL performed the in vivo studies on high fat fed diet induced obese diabetic rats for this project whereas, DRG contributed specially on the experiments including in vitro and, isolation of active compounds.
The recent outcomes shown that non-toxic concentrations of hot water extract of Heritiera fomes (HWHF) stimulates concentration-dependent insulin release from isolated mouse islets and clonal pancreatic β-cells. The stimulatory effect is potentiated by glucose and isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX), persisting in presence of tolbutamide or a depolarizing concentration of KCl but is attenuated by established inhibitors of insulin release such as diazoxide, verapamil, and Ca2+ chelation. HWHF cause depolarization of the β-cell membrane and increase intracellular Ca2+. The extract also enhances glucose uptake and insulin action in 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes cells and significantly inhibits in a dose-dependent manner starch digestion, protein glycation, DPP-IV enzyme activity, and glucose diffusion in vitro. Oral administration of HWHF (250 mg/5ml/kg b.w.) to high-fat fed rats significantly improve glucose tolerance and plasma insulin responses and it inhibits plasma DPP-IV activity. HWHF also decreases in vivo glucose absorption and intestinal disaccharidase activity while increasing gastrointestinal motility and unabsorbed sucrose transit. Compounds were isolated from HWHF with similar molecular weights to quercitrin (C21 H20 O11) ranging from 447.9 to 449.9 Da which stimulates the insulin release in vitro and improve both glucose tolerance and plasma insulin responses in mice. In conclusion, H. fomes and its water-soluble phytochemicals such as quercitrin may exert antidiabetic actions mediated through a variety of mechanisms which might be useful as dietary adjunct in the management of type 2 diabetes.
The research article has involved laboratory-based work by taking into account the present rapidly growing scenario of diabetes patients all over the world. The endeavour was made possible by Dr. Prawej Ansari, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, and his consistent efforts to provide world-class scientific research findings from IUB. This distinguished publication illustrates the IUB-PL as well as the Department of Pharmacy's consistent commitment to high-quality research and contributing to health sciences at all levels, from basic to clinical.
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