Effect of Trigonella foenum (methi) on fasting blood glucose levels in alloxan induced diabetes in rabbits

Background: Water-retaining fibers, especially the mucilaginous compounds, such as the gel fiber present in Fenugreek seeds, reduce the rate of glucose absorption and may also delay gastric emptying thereby preventing the rise in blood sugar levels following a meal. In addition to its hypoglycemic effects, the hyperlipidemic effect of Fenugreek fibers has also been documented. The objective of the study was to study the effect of Trigonella foenum (methi) on Fasting Blood Glucose levels in Alloxan induced diabetes in Rabbits.Methods: Fenugreek seed extract was prepared. Study was carried out on alloxan induced diabetic rabbits. They were prepared for the study. Then they were grouped into 5 groups depending upon the drugs used for them. The drug solutions were prepared and administered to diabetic rabbits. The blood sugar levels were recorded before and after treatment for first 15 days and once in week for next three weeks. Daily fasting blood sugar readings were taken. The blood glucose was determined with standard procedures and methods.Results: Alcohol extract of fenugreek seeds using soxhlet apparatus produced significant (P <0.001) reduction in the blood glucose levels in the alloxan induced diabetic rabbits in the 3 doses i.e. 0.5 gm/kg, 1 gm/kg and 1.5 gm/kg body weight after oral administration compared to the vehicle treated group (5 ml of 2% gum acacia) over the period of 5 weeks. The standard oral anti-diabetic drug (Metformin) in the dose of 62.5 mg/kg body weight also reduced the blood glucose level in the Alloxan induced diabetic rabbits over 5 weeks period of treatment compared to vehicle group. (5 ml of 2% gum acacia).Conclusions: All the three doses of Trigonella foenum significantly (P<0.001) reduced blood glucose levels in Alloxan induced diabetic rabbits over a period of 5 weeks in comparison to vehicle (5 ml of 2% of gum acacia) orally

DOES EXPORT DIVERSIFICATION LEAD TO INCOME CONVERGENCE? EVIDENCE FROM CROSS-COUNTRY ANALYSIS

In this study, we examine the role of export diversification in the convergence of per capita income (output). By applying the dynamic system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator to a panel dataset consisting of 95 countries, we find evidence of both absolute and conditional divergence for the full sample and the subsamples based on income and regions. Thus, our findings suggest that, although high export diversification boosts the per capita income (output), it does not significantly reduce per capita income (output) gap between rich and poor countries.In this study, we examine the role of export diversification in the convergence of per capita income (output). By applying the dynamic system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator to a panel dataset consisting of 95 countries, we find evidence of both absolute and conditional divergence for the full sample and the subsamples based on income and regions. Thus, our findings suggest that, although high export diversification boosts the per capita income (output), it does not significantly reduce per capita income (output) gap between rich and poor countries

Design, Development and in Vitro Characterization of Emulgels Loaded with Fluconazole Solid Dispersion and Various Oils for Synergestic Anti-Fungal Effect

Topical Fungal Infections are the most common types of skin infections. Nearly a billion people are suffering from fungal infections of different types. Early accurate diagnosis and treatments may lead to complete cure of such infections, which if left untreated may lead to deadly results. Our current Research topic includes designing of antifungal emulgels that contain oil base which already has proven its efficacy against fungal infections and Fluconazole as the main active ingredients. Three oils were selected namely Tea tree oil, Neem oil and Lemon grass oil. To enhance the efficacy of BCS class II drug fluconazole, solid dispersions of the drug were prepared(F1-F6). Twelve formulations (EGF1-EGF12) containing various combination of oils, gelling agents, API, Aloe vera gel were prepared. Which were then evaluated and characterized for properties like drug content, Rheological study, spread ability, Drug release, pH, stability analysis etc. Among all the formulations EGF2 and EGF5 showed optimum results for drug content and drug release kinetics. The Best selected formulations were then compared with marketed gel formulation of Fluconazole and were kept for stability study analysis. Preformulation studies of the drug, preparation of solid dispersions, incorporation of these solid dispersions into emulgels and characterization of prepared emulgels by comparing with marketed formulations are the main key points of our Research work

DO PRICES CONVERGE AMONG INDONESIAN CITIES? AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

We investigate consumer price convergence for 82 Indonesian cities using monthly data from 2014 to 2019. To do so, we employ recent techniques of club convergence and weak sigma convergence. The results reveal, first, consumer price divergence, implying price rigidities across the cities. Second, we find four clubs, suggesting that Indonesian cities converge along four unique transition paths. Third, we find weak evidence of consumer price convergence, suggesting that prices among Indonesian cities adjust, but not freely. Policy should therefore consider unique convergence paths for each club to promote stronger consumer price convergence.We investigate consumer price convergence for 82 Indonesian cities using monthly data from 2014 to 2019. To do so, we employ recent techniques of club convergence and weak sigma convergence. The results reveal, first, consumer price divergence, implying price rigidities across the cities. Second, we find four clubs, suggesting that Indonesian cities converge along four unique transition paths. Third, we find weak evidence of consumer price convergence, suggesting that prices among Indonesian cities adjust, but not freely. Policy should therefore consider unique convergence paths for each club to promote stronger consumer price convergence

Activity of Tulsi leaves (Ocimum sanctum linn) in protecting gastric ulcer in rats by cold restrain method

Background: Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) common household plant, a potent adaptogen has been used for its medicinal property for many years. It is known in Ayurveda as Incomparable one, Mother of medicine of Nature and The Queen of Herbs. The present study evaluated the stress induced anti-ulcer effect of tulsi leaves in albino rats.Methods: Albino rats were randomly, allocated to different experimental groups and aqueous leaf extract of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is given for 7 days. Gastric ulcers were induced by cold restrain methods and results were compared with control using distilled water and standard drug Ranitidine.Results: The Anti-ulcer effect of aqueous extract of Tulsi was significant in a dose dependent manner with cold restraint model. The percentage of ulcer protection of Tulsi leaf extract at dose 100mg/kg is 68.85% and at dose of 200mg/kg showed 65.66% and the standard drug Ranitidine showed 78.23% ulcer protection which is significant (p <0.05).Conclusions: The study showed that when Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is given at dose 100-200mg/kg for 7 days i.e., pre-treatment in rats for anti-ulcer effect, it caused a significant reduction in the ulcer scores and ulcer index when compared with control group, as evidenced by the gross appearance and histological findings of gastric mucosa in rats. There were few signs of mucosal injury and the percentage of damage was less compared to control group. Serosal surface revealed very few dilated blood vessels and petechial hemorrhages and mucosal surface had few ulcers of varying sizes

Biotic elicitor enhanced production of psoralen in suspension cultures of Psoralea corylifolia L.

AbstractCell cultures of Psoralea corylifolia L. were established from the leaf disk derived callus. The effect of different biotic elicitors prepared from the fungal extract (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium notatum), yeast extract and chitosan with different concentrations was studied. The increased synthesis of psoralen in 16-day old cell cultures under 16h of light and 8h of dark period was studied. Elicitation of psoralen in A. niger elicitor treated cells was found 9-fold higher over control cells. Treating the cells with P. notatum, yeast extract and chitosan elicitors lead to four to seven-fold higher psoralen accumulation over control cells. The extract of A. niger at 1.0% v/v increased the significant accumulation of psoralen (9850μg/g DCW) in the cultured cells. Our study clearly shows that all the elicitors had the potential to increase the accumulation of psoralen but the A. niger elicitor at 1.0% v/v induced maximum accumulation

Prescription pattern of metformin for various indications: a prospective study

Background: Metformin, a biguanide is the most preferred choice of drug in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It has many advantages - it does not cause hypoglycaemia and weight gain, prevents insulin resistance besides being cheap and relatively safe. It has other pleiotropic benefits beyond its glucose-lowering effect with preclinical evidence for many indications. This prospective observational study was conducted to assess the prescribing pattern of metformin for various indications by physicians.Methods: Prescriptions containing metformin were collected from the inpatient and Outpatient Departments of different specialities. The data collected were analysed and grouped on the bases of age, gender, disease condition and analysed for significance.Results: A total of 218 patients were included in this study. All the prescriptions containing metformin were collected and analysed. Metformin was most extensively prescribed for Type 2 diabetes (51.83%) followed by Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) (26.14) and least number of prescriptions were collected for prediabetes (1.37%). Most common age group receiving metformin was 31-40 years (35.77%).Conclusions: Metformin is the oldest and most widely prescribed as a first choice antihyperglycemic drug for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. There are many experimental and clinical studies which have shown an array of potential benefits of metformin other than in the treatment of diabetes. But its clinical application is limited despite convincing basic evidence. The possible reasons could be absence of recommendations in the guidelines and insufficient evidence for use.