ABSTRACT
Introduction:Obesity is closely associated with various types of illness, primarily caused by more calorie intake than body burn. In adipocytes, Calcium (Ca2+) is an important second messenger involved in theregulation of many physiological functions which are essential for survival. In the present research, we have investigated the role of Ca2+ions in obesity by manipulating cytosolic Ca2+ion concentration by selective blocking/advancing the Ca2+ions through the voltage-gated calcium channels. Voltage-gated calcium channel (vCa) plays a key role in regulating intracellular and extracellular Ca2+concentration.Cytoplasmic level of Ca2+was manipulated by supplying calcium carbonateand by using vCa blockers i.e. nifedipine-(N-type-vCa-CCB) and ethosuximide (T-type, vCa-CCB).Methods:Obesity was induced by progesterone in female mice and test drugs were co-administered with progesterone whereas sibutramine was used as standard. The treatment was carried out for 28 days, during and afterthetreatment periodvarious parameters were studied viz food consumption, change in body weight and temperature, the effect on WAT (white adipose tissue, adiposity index, histology of fat pad) and fecal lipid content.Results:Calcium carbonate treated group has shown promising effects in the decrease in body weight by increasing fecal lipid content and lipolysis which was reflected by an increase in body temperature. Ethosuximide also offered significant protection by decreasing the food intake but has not shown any notable effect on fecal fat content, whereas nifedipine has not offered any protection against the obesity induced by neurosteroid.Conclusion:Calcium carbonate has significant anti-obesity activity by including thermogenesis, and increasing fecal lipid content
ABSTRACT
Kidney stones or urolithiasis is a growing global problem. It is a complex phenomenon which results due to physiochemical changes including super saturation, crystallization and retention within the renal tubules. The problem of the stone formation is considered as a medical challenge due to its high rate of recurrence and also due to multifactorial etiology. Medicinal plants are found to be useful in this metabolic disorder from ancient days due to its no or low-toxic nature, easily available in rural areas, cheap, there are less chances of recurrence. The purpose of this paper is to critically review available literature on herbal medicines and screening models for urolithiasis inorder to develop effective drug to treat the disease.