Toxicity studies on herbal formulation used in diabetes mellitus

In current study herbal formulation was prepared for Diabetes mellitus [type 2]. It consists of the extracts of Salacia reticulate, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Camellia sinensis and Gymnema sylvester. Toxicity studies were carried out on heart, liver, kidney and blood of both male and female rabbits. Drug was administered in a dose of 15mg/kg body weight daily for 90 days. On 91[th] day, blood was drawn from animals and investigated for changes in biochemical and hematological levels. After that animals were sacrificed and their organs [liver, heart and kidney] were analyzed for histo-pathological changes. In biochemical tests for lipid profile, significant decreased [male-70.64 +/- 0.321; female-69.80 +/- 0.365] in triglycerides level were observed, no significant change was recorded in Cholesterol HDL ratio, LDL, VLDL level. A significant increase [male-16.00 +/- 1.418; female-10.00 +/- 0.709] was observed in HDL level. In liver function test significant decrease was observed in Gamma GT [male-10.08 +/- 0.862; female-7.00 +/- 0.709]. Alkaline phosphatase [male-79 +/- 0.838; female-51.1 +/- 1.810], SGPT [male-54 +/- 0.709; female- 43.04 +/- 2.060], direct bilirubin [male-0.024 +/- 0.005; female-0.014 +/- 0.002] and total bilirubin [male-0.109 +/- 0.003; 0.106 +/- 0.049] were observed. Non-significant changes were observed in serum total protein, globulins, albumin and A/G ratio. No significant changes were noticed in urea level and serum electrolytes. In cardiac enzymes significant decrease was observed in LDH [male-443 +/- 5.61; female-360 +/- 1.848] and SGOT [male-27 +/- 0.709; female-28 +/- 1.418] level and highly significant rise in CPK [male- 3128 +/- 8.478; female-1598 +/- 7.483] and CK[-]MB [male-446 +/- 2.308; female- 438 +/- 2.819]. In hematological profile, significant decrease was observed in Hb [male-12.3 +/- 0.392; female-12.4 +/- 0.1], RBC count [male-6.60 +/- 0.167; female-5.74 +/- 0.25] and Hematocrit [HCT/PCV] % in both male and female rabbits [male- 45.70 +/- 0.255; female-43.50 +/- 0.448] and significant [p<0.5] increased in WBC count [male-8.40 +/- 0.401; female- 9.10 +/- 0.054]. Significant [p<0.5] decrease in blood glucose level and HbA1c [male-3.36 +/- 0.113; female-3.16 +/- 0.076] was observed. In histopathological studies mild edema was observed in heart and there was no change in histo-architecture of liver and kidneys. It is concluded that formulation does not showed any chronic toxicity in adult dose

Use of mind body complementary therapies (MBCTs) and health related quality of life (HRQoL) of cancer patients

Prayers, spiritual healing, yoga, meditation, t’ai chi, qigong and support groups are classified as mind body complementary therapies (MBCTs). The study aimed to examine the prevalence of MBCTs use and the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a group of Malaysian cancer patients. Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted on 184 cancer patients at the oncology clinic of Penang general hospital, Malaysia. MBCTs was assessed using a self- administered questionnaire while the HRQoL of the participants was assessed by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Results: Among the complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) users, 75(40.7%) patients self-reported using MBCTs while having cancer. Majority of MBCTs users were female 60(80%, p=0.01), aged between 38 and 57 (58%), and were of Malay ethnicity (61%). Socio-demographic factors including age (r=0.15, p=0.03) and monthly house-hold income (r= -0.25, p<0.001) were significantly correlated with MBCTs use. Prayers for health reasons was the most frequently practised MBCTs modality, followed by spiritual practices 20(10.8%), meditation 7(5.9%), t’ai chi 7(3.8%), music therapy 4(2.1%), qigong 1(0.5%), hypnotherapy 1(0.5%), and reiki 1(0.5%). Recommendations from friends and family members 53(70%) were the most common reasons of MBCTs use followed by patient’s own will 22(29.3%). Health related Quality of Life (HRQoL) scores showed significant difference in all functional and symptoms scores among MBCTs users and non-users (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study helps to identify numerous MBCTs commonly practised by a group of Malaysian cancer patients. Prayers specifically for health reasons and spiritual practices were somewhat common among patients. Viewing MBCTs, not as alternative but to complement conventional cancer therapies may help to address cancer patients’ emotional and psychological needs.