EVALUATION OF ANTI-OBESITY EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF MUCUNA PRURIENS SEEDS ON RATS

Objective: Evaluation of the anti-obesity effect of aqueous extract of Mucuna pruriens seeds on rats.Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were subjected to high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 wk. L-DOPA (12.5 mg/kg, p. o.) as standard drug and aqueous extract of Mucuna pruriens (AEMP) seeds (200 mg/kg, p. o. and 400 mg/kg, p. o.) as test drugs were administered in last 4 wk along with HFD. Body weight, food intake, body mass index (BMI), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were measured at the end of fourth, eighth and twelfth wk, while white adipose tissue (WAT) mass and brain dopamine levels were measured at the end of the twelfth wk.Results: AEMP (200 mg/kg, p. o.) and (400 mg/kg, p. o.) treated groups showed a significant decrease in food intake and weight gain without altering BMI. Moreover, TG levels were lower in treated groups as compared to the HFD group, but no significant changes were observed in TC and HDL levels. L-DOPA-treated group showed a significant decrease in body weight, food intake, BMI and WAT. Both AEMP and L-DOPA-treated groups showed an increase in brain dopamine levels as compared to disease control group (p<0.05).Conclusion: L-DOPA and AEMP showed anti-obesity activity by reducing body weight gains, food intake and WAT weights; modulating TG with increased brain dopamine level which correlates to the inhibitory action of dopamine on reward mechanism.Â

ETHANOL-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN CARDIAC ENZYMES–AMELIORATIVE EFFECT OF THESPESIA POPULNEA LEAF EXTRACT

Objective: This study covers the estimation of changes in cardiac enzymes such as ATPases and antioxidant enzymes following ethanol-administration in rats, and the possible ameliorative effect of leaf extract of the plant Thespesia populnea (TP) on these changes.Methods: Male adult Wistar rats were divided into 10 groups of six rats each. Vehicle controls received 5% gum acacia. Experimental groups received ethanol (20%, 2g/kg); or TP leaf extract (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg respectively); or vitamin E (25 mg/kg); or carvedilol (1 mg/kg) per orally every morning for 6 w, individually as well as in combination with ethanol. Following this, changes in the activities of Na+ ATPase, Ca2+ATPase, Mg2+ATPase, and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were determined in the heart tissue and compared with those in vehicle control.Results: Ethanol (20%, 2g/kg) treatment caused a reduction from the vehicle control in activities of all the examined enzymes, with minimal reduction in Mg2+ ATPase activity (29.26%) and maximal reduction in CAT activity (71.05%). With TP leaf extracts of 200 and 400 mg/kg, vitamin E and carvedilol individually, the vehicle controls showed percent changes in enzyme activities ranging from ‒8.24% for Mg2+ ATPase activity to+109.39% for Na+ ATPase activity caused by carvedilol. When administered along with ethanol, TP leaf extracts, vitamin E and carvedilol reversed the effect of ethanol to various degrees and brought back the enzyme activities to near vehicle control levels. While recovery with 200 mg Thespesia leaf extract was less, ranging from 24.1% for Mg2+ATPase activity to 190.91% for CAT activity, 400 mg Thespesia extract effected a greater recovery, with a minimum of 48.19% for Mg2+ ATPase activity and a maximum of 222.73% for CAT activity, as compared with ethanol-treated rats as controls. These effects could be interpreted in terms of the adverse effects of ethanol on cardiac function and the ameliorative effects, primarily the antioxidant potential, of TP leaf extracts, vitamin E and carvedilol.Conclusion: The restoration of enzyme activities with TP leaf extract may promote recovery of cardiac tissue from oxidative damage. Results from the current study indicate that treatment with TP leaf extract reduces ethanol-induced oxidative stress in rat heart and hence may help prevent cardiac damage.Â

Beneficial effects of Terminalia phillyreifolia (Van Heurck & Müll.Arg.) Gere & Boatwr. bark extract in streptozotocin induced hyperglycaemia and diabetic nephropathy in rats

Introduction: Renal damage is a common clinical manifestation in diabetic patients. Therefore, nephroprotective effect is a desirable property for an antidiabetic agent. Natural compounds belonging to Terminalia phillyreifolia (TP) owing to their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity may prove to be such agents. Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to evaluate methanolic extract of TP bark for its antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and nephroprotective effect in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes mellitus and nephropathy in rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetic male Wistar rats were divided into five groups; namely, normal control, disease control, standard (NPH insulin, subcutaneously), BE100 (bark extract 100 mg/kg, p.o.) and BE300 (bark extract 300 mg/kg, orally). Treatment was continued for 8 weeks. Plasma glucose levels, oxidative stress parameters, serum creatinine levels, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, per day urine output, urinary protein excretion (UPE) and kidney hypertrophy index were determined at appropriate time points. Results: Untreated animals developed severe hyperglycemia and major disturbance in renal function. Rats in standard and BE treated groups had significantly lower plasma glucose levels and oxidative stress markers as compared to disease control animals. BE rats also exhibited nearly normal urine volumes indicating better glomerular filtration rate. They had lower urinary protein, serum creatinine, BUN levels and lower renal hypertrophy index as compared to untreated animals. Conclusion: TP Bark extract corrected the hyperglycaemia and exerted protective effect against diabetes induced renal damage in rats, which may be partly due to its anti-oxidant effect. Therefore, TP extract can be further evaluated as potential antidiabetic therap

A Study on Clinical Efficacy of Lepidium sativum Seeds in Treatment of Bronchial Asthma

The present investigation was carried out to determine the efficacy and safety of Lepidium sativum (L. sativum) (Garden Cress, Fam: Cruciferae) in patients of bronchial asthma. L. sativum seed powder was given at a dose of 1 gm thrice a day orally to 30 patients of either sex in the range of 15-80 years with mild to moderate bronchial asthma without any concurrent medication. The respiratory functions (FVC, FEV1, FEF25-75% and MVV) were assessed using a spirometer prior to and after 4 weeks of treatment. Efficacy of the drug in improving clinical symptoms and severity of asthmatic attacks was evaluated by interviewing the patient and by physical and hematological examination at the end of the treatment. 4 weeks treatment with the drug showed statistically significant improvement in various parameters of pulmonary functions in asthmatic subjects. Also significant improvement was observed in clinical symptoms and severity of asthmatic attacks. None of the patient showed any adverse effect with L. sativum. The results of the present study suggest the usefulness of L. sativum seeds in patients with bronchial asthma

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in elderly in a primary care facility: An ideal facility

In 2011 census, 5.3% of the Indian population was > 65 years of age. This number has steadily grown over past few years and is steeply growing. Healthcare burden of elderly diabetics is immense and proper diagnosis and treatment alone can prevent further complications. According to the most recent surveillance data in U.S., the prevalence of diabetes among U.S. adults aged ≥65 years varies from 22 to 33%, depending on the diagnostic criteria used. In CSIR-NEERI, India, we have healthcare system wherein a fixed and limited number of patients are treated for their lifetime by qualifi ed practitioners with negligible financial burden of the treatment costs. The patients have regular monthly follow up and hence we diagnose Diabetes and evaluate the control and diagnose micro vascular and macro vascular complications in all patients. We did retrospective analysis of all elderly patients following up in NEERI Hospital to fi nd the exact prevalence of T2DM in elderly. It was observed that from total 585 elderly people, 178 had T2DM (30.42%-Prevalence).The sex ratio of Diabetic males to females was almost equal (1:0.97).Obesity was present in 114 people (64%).High prevalence of hypertension was found in Diabetic elderly population (80%). Comparing our prevalence rates with few other studies,it was found that our prevalence rates are quite high. The contributing factors may be urban living, with high prevalence of central obesity and Asian ethnicity, over and above, data of all patients undergoing treatment is available. We treated all diabetics with persistent values of Systolic BP > 130 mm of Hg and Diastolic values of BP > 80mm of Hg as Hypertensives, in order to achieve reduction in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. This paper is for awareness of disease burden, in real primary care setup. It is not cross-sectional study but study with 100% inclusion of benefi ciaries’ .This is real world urban diabetes prevalence, also associated hypertension and central obesity prevalence

Evaluation of anti-diabetic activity of Glucova Active Tablet on Type I and Type II diabetic model in rats

Background: Glucova Active Tablet is a proprietary Ayurvedic formulation with ingredients reported for anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic activity and antioxidant properties. Objective: Evaluation of anti-diabetic activity of Glucova Active Tablet on Type I and Type II diabetic model in rats. Materials and Methods: Experimental Type I diabetes was induced in 24 albino rats with intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). Type II diabetes was induced in 18 albino rats by intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) along with high fat diet. The rats were divided in 5 groups for Type I model and 4 groups for Type II model. Normal control group was kept common for both experimental models. Glucova Active Tablet (108 mg/kg) treatment was provided for 28 days twice daily orally. Fasting blood glucose level, serum lipid profile and liver anti-oxidant parameters like superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione was carried out in both experimental models. Pancreas histopathology was also done. Statistical analysis were done by ′analysis of variance′ test followed by post hoc Tukey′s test, with significant level of P < 0.05.Results and Discussion: Glucova Active Tablet showed significant effect on fasting blood glucose level. It also showed significant alteration in lipid profile and antioxidant parameters. Histopathology study revealed restoration of beta cells in pancreas in Glucova Active Tablet treated group. Conclusion: Finding of this study concludes that Glucova Active Tablet has shown promising anti-diabetic activity in Type I and Type II diabetic rats. It was also found showing good anti-hyperlipidemic activity and anti-oxidant property

Higher expression of activating receptors on cytotoxic NK cells is associated with early control on HIV-1 C multiplication

Natural killer (NK) cells may be important in modulating HIV replication in early course of HIV infection. The effector function of NK cells is finely tuned by a balance between signals delivered by activating and inhibitory receptors. However the influence of expression of these receptors on the early course of HIV replication and subsequent disease progression is not explored in context of HIV-1 C infection. The expression pattern of activating (NKp46,NKp44, NKp30, NKG2D,NKG2C) and inhibitory (CD158b, NKG2A and ILT2) receptors was determined in 20 patients with recent HIV-1 C infection within 3-7 months of acquiring HIV infection and was compared with the expression pattern in individuals with progressive (N=12), non progressive HIV-1C infection (LTNPs, N=12) and healthy seronegative individuals (N=20). The association of the expression of these receptors on the rate of disease progression was assessed using viral load set point in recently infected individuals as a marker of disease progression. The study showed that higher cytotoxic potency of NK cells was associated with low viral load set point in recent HIV infection (r=-0.701; p=0.0006) and higher CD4 counts (r=0.720; p=0.001). The expression of activating receptors (NKp46, NKp30 and NKG2D) on cytotoxic NK cells but not on regulatory NK cells was significantly associated with low viral set point(p< 0.01) and viral load in LTNPs (p< 0.01).The study also indicated that cytotoxic NK cells might show the ability to specifically lyse HIV infected CD4 cells. This data collectively showed that early and sustained higher expression of activating receptors on cytotoxic NK cells could be responsible for increased cytotoxicity, reduced viral burden and thus delaying the disease progression. The study to identify the influence of HIV on the molecular mechanism of the expression of these receptors will be helpful in further understanding of NK cell mediated control in early HIV infection

study Study of the Hepatoprotective Activity of Polyherbal Formulation on Alcohol Induced Hepatotoxicity

Many traditional systems of medicines employ herbal drugs for the hepatoprotection. Aim of the study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of polyherbal formulation against alcohol induced hepatotoxicity in wistar albino rats. Group I animals were treated with 1% CMC for 18 days. Group II, III and IV animals were treated with 1% CMC, polyherbal formulation 180mg/kg/day and silymarin 100mg/kg/day respectively for 18 days and then orally administration with ethanol 3.76 g/kg/day simultaneously for 18 days. After 24 hours of last dosing, the blood was obtained through retro-orbital plexus under light anaesthesia and the animals were sacrificed.&nbsp; Hepatoprotective potential was assessed by various biochemical parameters such as AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, bilirubin, cholesterol, TG and thiopentone sodium induced sleep time. Group III rats showed significant (p&lt;0.01) decrease in AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, bilirubin, cholesterol, TG, liver weight(wt.) and relative liver wt. levels while significant (p&lt;0.01) increase in TP levels as compared to group II rats. Hepatoprotective potential of polyherbal formulation 180mg/kg/day was comparable to that of standard drug silymarin 100mg/kg/day. Results of the study were well supported by histopathological observations. This study confirms that polyherbal formulation possesses hepatoprotective potential comparable to that of standard drug silymarin as it exhibited comparable protective potential against PCM induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Keywords: Polyherbal formulation, Hepatoprotective potential, Alcohol, Hepatotoxicity, Silymari