Original Article

Phytochemical Screening and Establishment of the Antidiabetic Potential of Aqueous Leaf Extract of the Endangered Plant Decalepis nervosa in Rats with Alloxan-induced Diabetes

10.4274/tjps.galenos.2019.47135

  • Kuntal DAS
  • Saifulla KHAN M
  • James SOUNDER
  • Usha MOHAN
  • Venkatesh PRASAD S

Received Date: 12.04.2019 Accepted Date: 20.07.2019 Turk J Pharm Sci 2020;17(3):319-328 PMID: 32636710

Objectives:

To evaluate the presence of phytochemicals in and the antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of Decalepis nervosa (AEDN) leaf.

Materials and Methods:

Either sex rats were grouped into 5 classes. Alloxan monohydrate and glibenclamide were used as diabetes induction drug and standard drug, respectively. Aqueous extract of the endangered medicinal plant DN was used in two different doses. Diabetes was induced with alloxan monohydrate at 150 mg/kg b.w. The AEDN was standardized with pharmacognostic and phytochemical screening and a chemical test confirmed the presence of phytoconstituents like glycoside, alkaloid, phenols, and flavonoids. Acute toxicity was evaluated for dose selection in an antidiabetic study.

Results:

Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg b.w.) and AEDN (200 and 400 mg) were given to all rats with induced diabetes. The reduced blood glucose level may be correlated with the presence of plant secondary metabolites (phenolic compounds), which was identified by thin layer chromatography and confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography studies. The decreased levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and liver enzyme activity showed the dose dependency of AEDN extract. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed after administration of 200 and 400 mg of AEDN and 5 mg of glibenclamide to different groups, which showed significantly lower oral glucose load during blood sample collection. Animal body weight and dose of AEDN extract had a significant effect on the glucose level in blood (p<0.01).

Conclusion:

The first report on the phytochemicals and therapeutic activity of AEDN leaf showed potential antidiabetic activity by increased insulin secretion via enhanced peripheral glucose utilization mechanism.

Keywords: Alloxan, biochemical estimation, correlation, Decalepis nervosa, phytochemicals

INTRODUCTION

Among the serious metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus is a most critical disorder throughout the world, with India listed in the top three countries. It is life threatening and responsible for many complications (such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and angiopathy) affecting various organs in the body, especially the eyes, followed by dysfunction and failure of various functional organs. Ample numbers of medicines are available in the world pharmaceutical market, but the related complications are increasing day by day. Hence traditional natural healing is an alternate method for its treatment. Herbal plants are known as a source of natural medicines. A literature survey revealed that a vast number of plants are used for their hypoglycemic activities with very few or no side effects.1 Hence searching for phytoconstituents in novel antidiabetic plants without side effects is the main focus.

Of late, Decalepis nervosa (DN) (Wight and Arn.) Venter has become an endangered species of the genus Decalepis and family Apocynaceae. DN is a medicinal plant, distributed throughout the Western Ghats and the Nilgiris, occupying the western corner of Tamil Nadu, which borders Karnataka and Kerala states. The plant is a woody climbing shrub; its stem is purplish and pubescent and the leaves contain milky latex. Simple leaves are oppositely arranged. Its leaves are elliptical and acute.2 There are many reports available on other species for their phytochemicals as well as medicinal activities but no such research evidence is available on DN leaves.3 It is worthwhile to quantitatively determine the phytoconstituents like flavonoids and total phenolics present in the leaf, which is important for correlation with the present study. Therefore, the present study involved phytochemical screening in relation to the antidiabetic potential of aqueous leaf extract of DN and this is the first report on this plant for any therapeutic application with possible mechanism of action.


MATERIALS AND METHODS


Plant material and extract preparation

DN leaves were collected from the forest area of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (Western Ghat Region) and authenticated by the botanist Prof. P.E. Rajashekaran, Principal Scientist, Department of Biotechnology, IIHR, Hessaraghatta, Bangalore (Figure 1). A voucher herbarium specimen, number DN-317/KCP/2018, was preserved in the Pharmacognosy Department of Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy, Bangalore. The leaves were shade dried and coarsely powdered by grinder and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

DN powered leaf (500 g) was used for extraction by distilled water using reflux method for 6 h. Then the extract was filtered and concentrated using a rotary flash evaporator at 45 °C. The percentage yield was reported. The extract was preserved in a refrigerator at 4 °C in a glass bottle until further use.


Phytochemical analysis

A preliminary chemical test was performed for the leaf extract by various chemical tests as reported by Trease and Evans.4 Furthermore, thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the extract was carried out with a standard phenolic compound (gallic acid) and flavonoids (epicatechin, catechin, and rutin).


Estimation of total flavonoids

Total flavonoid content was estimated by comparing with standard rutin (25, 50, 150, 300 and 600 µg/mL) with added aluminum trichloride. Next 125 µL of extract solution was added with 75 µL of 5% NaNO2 solution. The mixture was left to stand for 10 min and thereafter 10% aluminum trichloride (150 µL) was added followed by incubation for 5 min. After that 750 µL of 1 M NaOH was added and the final volume of the solution was adjusted with distilled water up to 2500 µL. A pink color appeared after 15 min of incubation and then the absorbance was measured (at 510 nm) for the solution. From the standard curve of rutin, the total flavonoid content was measured and expressed as mg E catechin/g dry matter.5


Estimation of total phenolics

Total phenolics in aqueous extract of DN (AEDN) were determined by spectrophotometry using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. First, 1 mL of AEDN was mixed in distilled water (9 mL) and then 1 mL of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was added to the solution. After 10 min, 7% sodium carbonate solution (10 mL) was added and the final volume was made up to 25 mL. Standard solutions of gallic acid were prepared at various concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µg/mL). The mixed solution was kept for 2 h at 25±2 °C and then absorbance was recorded (at 550 nm) for both test and standard solutions. A blank sample was prepared for reading corrections. The phenolics content was estimated and expressed as mg of gallic acid equivalent of extract.6


Acute oral toxicity studies

As per the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guideline (guideline no. 423), the acute oral toxicity studies of AEDN were carried out in July 2018 after approval was received from the CPCSEA meeting held in Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy, Bangalore.7 A minimum number of animals (n=3) were kept fasting overnight with only drinking water and the next day administration of the AEDN was carried out in the test animals. The AEDN dose was administered and the animals were kept overnight under observation followed by observation for up to 7 days for any changes in general behavior and other physical activities. After 24 h, no animal deaths were observed, which indicates safe action of the aqueous extract.


Experimental animals and their grouping

Adult albino Wistar rats (150-200 g) of either sex were procured from Adithi Biosys, Tumkur, and maintained in the animal house of Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy. The animals were well acclimatized under controlled temperature (22±5 °C) and humidity (55±5%). Twelve-hour light and dark cycles were maintained and, as a basal diet, standard pellets obtained from Sri Manjunatha Rice Mill, Ganagular Panchayathi, Hosakote Taluk, were used during the experimental period and all the animals were given normal food and drinking water ad libitum. All experiments were conducted as per the ethical norms approved by the CPCSEA and ethical clearance was granted by institutional ethical committee on 14 February 2018 at Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy, Bangalore (IAEC reg. no: KCP/PCOL/15/2018). Drugs like alloxan monohydrate, used for inducing diabetes, and glibenclamide as standard drug, glucose, Accu-chekÆ Active Glucometer, to check glucose level, and blood glucose strips were used.

The study was conducted on 40 Wistar albino rats randomly allocated to each of the five groups (8×5=40). The groups were treated as follows:

Group I: Normal rats, no treatment, only water and food.

Group II: Diabetic rats treated with alloxan (150 mg/kg b.w.) by i.p. injection.

Group III: Induced diabetic rats with orally given DN aqueous leaf extract (200 mg/kg b.w.) once daily for 28 days (Induced diabetic+DN 200 mg/kg).

Group IV: Induced diabetic rats with orally given DN aqueous leaf extract (400 mg/kg b.w.) once daily for 28 days (Induced diabetic+DN 400 mg/kg).

Group V: Induced diabetic rats with standard glibenclamide at 5 mg/kg b.w. once daily for 28 days (oral).

After experimentation, the rats were sacrificed by cervical decapitation and blood was collected with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as anticoagulant and plasma was separated by centrifuging the blood at 3000 rpm for 20 min. The serum was separated from the blood without EDTA and centrifuged at 6000 rpm for 10 min.


Induction of diabetes

The animals were acclimatized for 1-2 weeks and then a freshly prepared solution of alloxan monohydrate (dissolved in 0.9% normal saline solution) at a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight was injected i.p. into the experimental rats. Hyperglycemic rats were determined after treating with alloxan by tail vein blood glucose level with the help of a glucometer. A concentration of glucose level >250 mg/dL was considered to indicate hyperglycemia in the experiment.8


Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

Fasted rats were separated into four groups, each with eight animals. Group I: treated as control, group II: treated with standard drug, groups III and IV: different extracts. All rats were orally treated with glucose (2 g/kg) after 30 min of extract administration. The blood samples were collected from the rat tail vein just before glucose administration (0 min) and after glucose administration (every after half an hour, i.e. at 30, 60, and 90 min).9 A glucometer was used to measure blood glucose levels in the animals.


Body weight measurement

During the course of the study period, body weight was recorded five times, i.e. before alloxan (initial values), day 0, and days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the total treatment period. A digital weighing balance was used and initial body weight and final body weight were recorded.10


Estimation of blood glucose level11

Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals up to the end of the study (i.e. 4 weeks). Blood glucose was estimated by one touch electronic glucometer using blood glucose strips. On day 28, blood was collected from the retro-orbital plexus (carbon dioxide gas used for anesthesia) from overnight fasted rats and blood sugar (fasted) was estimated. Separated serum was analyzed for serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides by enzymatic DHBS colorimetric method, and serum High-density lipoprotein (HDL), serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), serum creatinine, and serum urea as well as the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate, and alanine transaminases (AST and ALT) were determined using Randox Assay kits.


Statistical analysis

The results were analyzed by comparing values for the control and the different treated groups and expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean. One-way analysis of variance followed by Dunnet’s t-test for multiple comparisons was applied. Values of p<0.05 were considered significant. Further blood glucose was tested based on the dose and body weight of animals using a 2×2 full factorial design with replicates (Table 1). Eight experiments were constructed, varying the dose and body weight using the software JMP version 11. Using this design the magnitude of the effect of each parameter on the resulting response of blood glucose was calculated. Each parameter was tested at 2 levels, i.e. dose (low, 200 mg and high, 400 mg) and body weight (low, 150±5 g and high 190±5 g).


RESULTS AND DISCUSSION


Primary phytochemical evaluation

Extraction of DN plant was carried out and the percentage yield was calculated as 5.28% (26.4 g w/w). Chemical tests of an aqueous extract of a new plant like DN were carried out and revealed the presence of phytoconstituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, glycoside, and phenols, which play an important role in controlling diabetes. Furthermore, TLC of extract in chloroform, methanol, and water as mobile phase (6:3:1) showed the presence of phenolics (gallic acid) and flavonoid (rutin) in the extract (Figure 2), which was further confirmed with the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) study. HPLC data showed retention time (Rt) of standard rutin and standard gallic acid at 7.58 min and 3.10 min, respectively, at 203 nm with the mobile phase methanol:water (60:40) (Figures 3a and 3b). The same conditions were used for the AEDN extract and showed the presence of these two compounds (rutin and gallic acid) in the extract with Rt of 7.58 min and 3.10 min, respectively (Figure 3c). Furthermore, the amounts were estimated by comparing with standards and it was found that higher amounts of gallic acid were present (2.32 µg) in the leaf than rutin (0.054 µg). Hence the two compounds gallic acid and rutin were identified in DN extract for the first time in the present investigation.

Phytochemical evaluation with respect to chemical tests is required to identify preliminary phytoconstituents present in herbal extracts. Plant phytoconstituents are essential for therapeutic efficacy. Hence, the chemical test indicates the possible mechanism for the particular disease treatment as well as the discovery of novel drugs from the isolated constituent. Mechanisms of action of phytoconstituents involve regulating glycemic metabolism or decreasing cholesterol levels or increasing secretion of insulin or by improving microcirculation. The present investigation was carried out for qualitative identification of the phytoconstituents present in the aqueous extract of DN, an endangered plant species. Aqueous extract was selected because most of the important phytoconstituents related to antidiabetic activity are soluble in aqueous solvent. Furthermore, aqueous solvent is more cost effective and easily available than other solvents, and in future for preparation of herbal formulations aqueous extract of plant samples is widely acceptable.


Estimation of total flavonoids and total phenolics

The catechin solution of concentration (25-600 ppm) conformed to Beer’s law at 510 nm with a regression coefficient (R2) of 0.997. The plot has a slope of 0.000 and an intercept of 0.031. The equation of the standard curve is y=0.000x+0.031 (Figure 4; Table 2) and the amount found was 2.52 mg.

The total phenolics in AEDN were determined using standard gallic acid. The gallic acid solution of concentration (20-100 ppm) conformed to Beer’s law at 550 nm with a R2 of 0.997. The plot has a slope (m) of 0.012 and an intercept of 0.025. The equation of the standard curve is y=0.012x+0.025 (Figure 5; Table 2) and the amount found was 5.81 mg.

Table 2 indicates the amounts of flavonoids and phenolics are present in quite high amounts. It was evident that higher concentrations of phenolics as well as flavonoids are highly soluble in polar solvents like water.12 They mainly act as antioxidants and play a vital role in antidiabetic activity due to the presence of hydroxyl groups, some double bonds, and ketonic functional groups in their structures.13,14 Therefore, it was essential to determine the total contents of flavonoids and phenolics in AEDN leaf.


Acute oral toxicity study of Decalepis nervosa leaf extract

The nontoxic nature of the AEDN is revealed by acute oral toxicity. There were no lethality or toxic reactions found until a dose of 5000 mg/kg as per the OECD guideline up to the end of the study period. All the animals were alive, healthy, and active during the observation period, which indicates the selected plant extract is safe for the present experiment and two suitable doses were selected, i.e. 200 mg/kg b.w. and 400 mg/kg b.w.

An acute toxicity study of AEDN leaf was carried out to determine the lethal dose (LD50). The study confirmed LD50 when two selected doses resulted in mortality higher than 0% and lower than 100%. Previous reports have described safety dose determination and so the present study was performed for new endangered plant species and the selected doses were safe for further investigation.15,16


Oral glucose tolerance test

The effects of AEDN on the OGTT in normal rats were estimated. After 30 min of glucose administration a rapid increase in blood glucose occurred in the fasting animals and then decreased subsequently during the time intervals. The standard glibenclamide administered group (5 mg/kg) had reduced hyperglycemia (glucose induced) significantly at 30 min, 60 min, and 90 min (103.32±0.10, 102.11±0.01, and 84.60±0.11, respectively) as compared to the normal control group at the same time intervals. Maximum glucose tolerance in AEDN was observed as 92.22±0.03 and the minimum was observed as 87.22±0.11 in 90 min as compared with group I (Table 3) (p<0.01).

The OGTT was carried out to measure the ability to use a type of sugar by the body. The results revealed a dose-dependent reduction in glucose when treated with DN extract orally due to the identified flavonoids and phenolics in AEDN leaf.17


Body weight determination

The body weights of all rats were calculated before alloxan induction, day 0, and days 7, 14, 21, and 28 and the results are given in Table 4. In group II body weight initially increased followed by a significant reduction on days 21 (156.19 g) and 28 (150.11 g) compared to the initial day (174.10 g). Groups IV and V also showed a significant reduction (p<0.01) in body weight compared to the normal group on day 28 (Table 4) in a dose-dependent manner.

In the present study, the standard drug (alloxan) caused a marked reduction in body weight, whereas AEDN increased body weight significantly. This may have been due to excessive fat utilized from fatty tissue for energy production in the body. The result is similar to that of earlier reports18 where dose-dependent gain in body weight was seen with plant extract treatment. Alloxan is reported to cause a significant reduction in insulin release by damaging the beta cells (of islets of Langerhans) and induces hyperglycemia in animals,19 which results in a decrease in body weight possibly due to catabolism of fats and proteins or by dehydration.


Estimation of blood glucose level and serum analysis

Blood glucose was estimated at 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The glibenclamide and DN aqueous extract treated groups (200, 400 mg/kg), showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) from day 7 to 28. Alloxan induced DN aqueous extract @ 400 mg showed a significant reduction in blood glucose level (p<0.05) (Figure 6).

Animals with diabetes induced with alloxan 150 mg/kg b.w. (i.p.) had elevated blood glucose on day 1 and after 28 days it was reduced a little but was higher than that in the normal group. Alloxan was used to induce diabetes without production of insulin. The result showed a dose-dependent decrease in fasting blood glucose in diabetic rats treated with different doses of the DN extract. This dose-dependent effect compares well with glibenclamide and especially at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight the extract produced a more significant reduction in blood glucose level than 5 mg/kg glibenclamide on day 28, which may have been due to improved control mechanisms of glycemic as well as insulin secretions from the pancreatic cells of diabetic rats.20 Furthermore, oxygen free radicals are involved in the diabetogenic action of alloxan and DN plant extract containing flavonoids and phenolics that are shown to be effective in diabetes due their antioxidant property.21,22 Thereafter flavonoids are reported to suppress glucose level and also found to be a strong inhibitor of α-glucosidase (mainly luteolin).23 DN leaf extracts also showed the presence of phenolics in higher content and that is the reason for the decrease in blood glucose level. Identified compounds such as gallic acid, which is a phenolic compound, enhanced insulin secretion and thereafter release from the beta cells24 in the present study. On the other hand, rutin, which was identified in DN extract as a flavonoid, was also boosted in reduction of blood glucose in the present study. It acts by increasing the peripheral utilization of glucose, inhibiting glucose transport from the intestine, which directly causes a significant reduction in blood glucose in both normal and diabetic rats. Glibenclamide (standard) was used in the present investigation because it caused voltage-dependent calcium channel depolarization of the cell membrane and hence increased the intracellular calcium of beta cells, subsequently stimulating insulin secretion to treat diabetes.25


Serum lipid analysis

On day 28, alloxan-treated animals had increased serum glucose, cholesterol, serum triglycerides, LDL, creatinine, and urea and decreased HDL level, but glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) and DN aqueous extract in the two different doses reversed these alloxan-induced changes. Both the extracts showed significant elevation (p<0.05) in serum HDL level compared to diabetic control rats after 28 days of treatment in a dose-dependent manner (Table 5).

In the present study, HDL-cholesterol had slightly lower values with a significant (p<0.05) increase in the level of LDL-cholesterol in the diabetic control group as compared to the other treatment groups. Thereafter, mean values of HDL-cholesterol were significantly (p<0.05) increased, while mean values of LDL-cholesterol were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in both glibenclamide and in DN extract treated groups, which showed their potential to have a hypolipidemic action, consistent with earlier literature26 showing the same results. Diabetes results from carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism. Diabetes mellitus results in hyperlipidemia due to abnormalities in lipid metabolism, which in turn leads to atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, etc.27 Increased HDL level plays a significant role in the human body and is known as “beneficial cholesterol” because its increased level is associated with a decreased risk of myocardial infarction by removal of cholesterol from other tissues to the liver. It fosters the removal of cholesterol from peripheral tissue to the liver for catabolism and excretion and competes with LDL receptor sites on arterial smooth muscle cells that partially inhibit LDL uptake and degradation. Furthermore, HDL plays a role in lipid metabolism, complement regulation, immune response, and bringing excess cholesterol to the liver, helping to convert it into bile acids, and finally it is excreted into the small intestine.26 An aqueous extract of DN leaves plays a significant role in decreased levels of serum cholesterol, serum glucose, serum triglycerides, LDL, creatinine, and urea and increased level of HDL, and this indicates DN leaves are a good source of antidiabetic drug by reducing the risk of developing heart disease. This may be due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds, especially flavonoids in the leaves, which are incorporated into lipoprotein within the liver or intestine and transported within the lipoprotein particles. Mainly flavonoid consumption is inversely associated with mortality from coronary heart disease and hence flavonoids and phenolics may be located for protection of LDL from oxidation. The same result was revealed earlier.28


Serum enzyme level

Activities of serum enzymes such as ALP, AST and ALT were determined. The activity of enzymes is increased much higher (alloxan induced rats) than normal, which gave significant (p<0.001) results in 28 days. Furthermore, diabetic animals treated with the standard drug showed a significant decrease in enzyme activity compared to the animals given only alloxan. With DN aqueous extract it also decreased significantly and the values are close to those of the animals given glibenclamide standard drug (p<0.01) and the decreased levels are dose dependent over 28 days (Figure 7).

In the current study, there was a significant rise in the AST, ALT, and ALP activities in the diabetic control group compared to the normal control group and thereafter the standard drug decreased the values, but they were higher than those in the normal control group, possibly due to cell membrane damage of hepatocytes or due to increased cell membrane permeability. Similar research was also reported previously.29 AST and ALT are mainly used as biomarkers to determine liver toxicity. Increased levels of AST, ALT, and ALP in diabetic rats indicate excessive accumulation of glutamate and alanine in the serum of diabetic animals from protein stores. The elevated activities of the serum aminotransferases in the liver indicate cardiovascular disease as well as diabetes among people. The activities of ALT, AST, and ALP in serum are increased due to the leakage of these enzymes (in the liver cytosol)30 and as a result diabetes may induce hepatic dysfunction. When DN aqueous extract was administered orally to diabetic animals, it resulted in a significant reduction in serum enzymes such as AST, ALT, and ALP compared to those given just alloxan. This indicates the extract has liver protection activity due to the presence of flavonoids as the result is correlated with an earlier study.31 Results obtained from the present investigation are clearly in agreement with previous reports related to the hepatoprotective activity of menthi, guduchi, and gymnema herbal extracts reducing the elevated levels of ALT, AST, and ALP, respectively, in diabetes.32,33


Effect of different doses of AEDN and body weight of animals on blood glucose level

The full factorial design was evaluated at a significance level of p<0.05. The variance analysis of the whole experiment showed a p value of 0.0017 (Table 6).

Analysis of response to blood glucose showed the actual level by predicting plot with an root mean square error  of 1.028 (Figure 8).

The leverage plot showed (Figures 9, 10, 11) the significant effect of dose and body weight of animals and its confounding effects with blood glucose level. The data are shown in Table 7. The response surface graph as shown in Figure 12 explored the relationship between body weight and dose on blood glucose.

Finally, 2×2 full factorial statistical design studies confirmed the significant effect of body weight and dose on blood glucose reduction. This result confirmed that present endangered DN species have essential phytoconstituents especially polyphenolic compounds (rutin and gallic acid) that resulted in potential antidiabetic activity.


CONCLUSION

The present study concludes that various plant constituents, i.e. flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides, and alkaloids, are present in endangered AEDN leaf. TLC and HPLC confirmed rutin and gallic acid in an extract, which may trigger insulin secretion, and demonstrated significant lowering of blood glucose level, serum sugar level, and biochemical parameters, and statistical improvement in the body weight of animals in a dose-dependent manner by enhanced peripheral glucose utilization by direct stimulation of glucose uptake and reduced blood glucose level. The acute oral toxicity study revealed the safe use of all these chemical compounds that are present in DN extract. Hence, it is clear that these compounds could have hypoglycemic effects in diabetic people. Furthermore, for the first time 2×2 factorial design studies were carried out and showed a significant correlation of dose of DN extract and body weight of animals in lowering of blood glucose level. Therefore, it is ascertained that AEDN leaf has antidiabetic activity. Further research is under way for isolation of active constituents for the discovery of new drugs from DN.


Conflicts of interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

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