The juice of fresh leaves of Catharanthus roseus Linn. reduces blood glucose in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits

BACKGROUND: The leaf juice or water decoction of Catharanthus roseus L. (Apocyanaceae) is used as a folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes all over the world. In the present investigation, the leaf juice of C. roseus has been evaluated for its hypoglycemic activity in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. METHODS: The blood glucose lowering activity of the leaf juice was studied in normal and alloxan-induced (100 mg/kg, i.v.) diabetic rabbits, after oral administration at doses of 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 ml/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected from the marginal ear vein before and also at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20 & 24 h after drug administration and blood glucose was analyzed by Nelson-Somogyi's method using a visible spectrophotometer. The data was compared statistically by using Student's t-test. RESULTS: The leaf juice of C. roseus produced dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose of both normal and diabetic rabbits and comparable with that of the standard drug, glibenclamide. The results indicate a prolonged action in reduction of blood glucose by C. roseus and the mode of action of the active compound(s) of C. roseus is probably mediated through enhance secretion of insulin from the β-cells of Langerhans or through extrapancreatic mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: The present study clearly indicated a significant antidiabetic activity with the leaf juice of Catharanthus roseus and supports the traditional usage of the fresh leaves by Ayurvedic physicians for the control of diabetes

Insulinomas do pâncreas: diagnóstico e tratamento Pancreatic insulinomas: diagnosis and treatment

RACIONAL: O insulinoma é uma neoplasia que pertence ao grupo de tumores neuroendócrinos do pâncreas; embora raro, é o mais freqüente entre eles. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados clínico e imunohistoquímico de doentes com insulinoma de pâncreas submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Foram detalhados o quadro clínico, exames laboratoriais e de imagem, dando ênfase aos aspectos cirúrgicos, complicações e acompanhamento, a médio e longo prazos, de 12 doentes portadores de insulinoma. A cirurgia foi indicada para todos, com base nas evidências clínicas e laboratoriais de hipoglicemia e hiperinsulinemia. RESULTADOS: Em sete doentes conseguiu-se a localização prévia da lesão; em cinco, sua localização foi identificada durante a cirurgia mediante palpação e através do ultra-som intra-operatório. O procedimento mais freqüentemente utilizado foi a ressecção pancreática em oito doentes. A complicação cirúrgica mais freqüente foi a fístula pancreática, observada em sete doentes. Dois apresentaram tardiamente diabetes mellitus. Não houve mortes na presente casuística. CONCLUSÃO: Na totalidade dos doentes obteve-se a reversão clínica dos sintomas, caracterizada pelo desaparecimento da tríade de Whipple, além de normalização ou aumento dos níveis de glicemia, quando comparados aos valores do pré-operatório.<br>BACKGROUND: Despite its rarity, the insulinoma is the most common pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. OBJECTIVE: Analyze clinical and immunohistochemical data from surgical resection of the pancreas insulinoma. METHOD: Twelve cases are described, concerning surgical aspects, complications and medium-long term outcome of patients. They underwent surgical treatment due to clinical suspicion and biochemical diagnosis of hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinism. RESULTS: The insulinoma was identified preoperatively in seven patients, while intraoperative ultrasonography and palpation were necessary for diagnosis in the other cases. Eight patients underwent pancreatic resection and pancreatic leak was observed in seven cases. Two patients developed diabetes mellitus and no mortality occurred in the current series. CONCLUSION: All patients presented satisfactory outcome and remained asymptomatic with normal glicemia levels