Studies on antihyperlipidemic and endothelium modulatory activities of polyherbal formulation [POL[4]] and its ingredients in high fat dietfed rats

A compound herbal formulation [POL[4]] is used traditionally in interior parts [Distt. Badin] of Sindh, Pakistan, for the treatment of metabolic disorders like diabetes and hyperlipidemia. This study is aimed to determine the effectiveness of POL[4] and its ingredients in hyperlipidemia and associated endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. POL[4] is composed of equal proportion of Nigella sativa, Cichorium intybus, Trigonella foenum graecum and Gymnema sylvestre mixed in powdered form. Chronic [6 to 7 weeks] administration of POL[4] and its ingredients mixed in diet caused a notable attenuation in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, atherogenic index, Creactive protein and glucose, while it has increased high density lipoprotein levels. POL[4] intervention markedly [p<0.01] reduced systolic blood pressure in rats to 127+/-1.92 vs. 145.4+/-1.07 mm of Hg using tail-cuff method and significantly [p<0.05] improved endothelium-dependent relaxation [75+/-2.88 vs. 82.75+/-1.22%] to acetylcholine in isolated aortae of rats in treatment groups using force transducer and PowerLab system. Similar activities were assessed on the part of ingredients of POL[4]. These findings indicate that POL[4] and its ingredients possess antihyperlipidemic, endotheliumdependent modulatory and antihypertensive activities, thus providing an evidence to the vernacular use of POL[4] in hyperlipidemia and hypertension

Hypoglycaemic effects of methanolic extract of Canscora decussata [Schult] whole-plant in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits

In present study hypoglycaemic effects of the crude powdered C. decussata and its methanolic extract [ME] in alloxan diabetic rabbits were evaluated. The hypoglycaemic effect was measured by blood glucose, insulin level, HbA1c and his to pathology of pancreas. Glucose lowering effect of the ME was studied in diabetic rabbits. The effects of extract on blood glucose, body weight, food in take, fluid intake, OGTT were also evaluated. The results showed that 0.5,1 and 2g/kg of the powder significantly decreased blood glucose levels in normal rabbits and diabetic rabbits at the intervals checked. Oral intake of pioglitazone also reduced the levels in these rabbits. Synergistic hypoglycaemic effect of 600mg/kg of ME with different doses of insulin [2 and 3unit/kg, s/c] further reduced blood glucose levels of treated alloxan-diabetic rabbits. The oral glucose tolerance test revealed lowered area under curve values in ME treated rabbits. Treatment with ME [400 and 600 mg/kg] for 30 days showed highly significant decrease in blood glucose level by augmenting insulin secretion, HbA1cand significant increase in body weight, serum insulin levels in treated diabetic rabbits. Histopathology study showed regeneration of beta -cells. These studies have, therefore, supported the traditional use of this herb in diabetic patients

Cardiotonic activity of methanolic extract of Saussurea lappa Linn roots

The cardiac activity of Saussurea lappa roots was evaluated in isolated perfused rabbit heart by the Langendorff's technique. Heart rate, contractility and coronary flow were determined in the presence of different concentrations of methanolic extract of Saussurea lappa, digoxin and diltiazem. The extract exhibited significant [p<0.01] positive inotropic effect at the first three doses [0.5/ Micro g, 2.5/ Micro g and 5.0/ Micro g] while a significant negative chronotropic effect and coronary flow rates were observed at all the doses tested. These effects were comparable to the effects of digoxin and diltiazem. The increase in force of contraction with decrease in heart rate and coronary flow rates were also observed to be dose dependent as increase in the dose of test extract further enhanced the effects except contractility that started decreasing at higher doses. It is conceivable therefore, that Saussurea lappa roots contain certain pharmacologically active compounds that could be involved in the cardiotonic activity of the extract

Antidiabetic evaluation of mucuna pruriens, linn seeds

Effects of powdered Mucuna pruriens seeds on blood glucose levels were investigated in normal and alloxan-diabetic rabbits. In normal group 0.5,1 and 2g/kg of M. pruriens pulv significantly decreased the blood glucose levels while in alloxan-diabetic rabbits only 1 and 2 g/kg body weight caused a significant fall. The reference drug, acetohexamide in 500 mg/kg dose significantly reduced the blood glucose levels but in normal rabbits only. High levels of trace elements like manganese, zinc, and others were found in these seeds. Therefore, it is conceivable that M. pruriens seeds contain hypoglycaemic principles, may be both organic and mineral, which seem to act indirectly by stimulating the release of insulin and/or by a direct insulin-like action