Spices and condiments: safer option for treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Hyperlipidemia is a lipoprotein metabolic disorder characterized by high serum Low density Lipoprotein and blood cholesterol. It is a major risk factors in the development and progression of atherosclerosis that eventually lead to cardiovascular diseases. This poses a major problem to majority of society because of the close correlation between cardiovascular diseases and lipid abnormalities. There are various features which are associated directly or indirectly as etiological factors viz. heredity, age, obesity, sex, diet, physical inactivity, hypertension, lifestyle disorders and various stress factors. For alleviation and treatment there are many ways such as allopathic medications, alternative systems like Ayurvedic, Diet control, lifestyle discipline etc. Recently Spice therapies are seen useful and effective. In India, Ayurveda and other Indian literature mentions the use of various plants and spices. Spices in diet are useful as they play effective role in the functioning of various body systems such as gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and nervous system. Along with proper food habits, diet which contains variety of spices which have been proved as hypolipidemic, can be effective in controlling hyperlipidemia. Spices used in day-to-day life as food, can also be used in the treatment of various human ailments. Along with the taste, flavor, colour and preservative property, spices also possess hypolipidemic effects. This review is focused mainly on the beneficial hypolipidemic effect of five spices (Dill, Garlic, Fenugreek, Ginger, Coriander) in the management of hyperlipidemia. This article is based on the traditional knowledge, mechanism of action for hypolipidemic activity and some experimental scientific studies done to support the use of these spices in the management of hyperlipidemia

Oxidative stress in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia.

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common health problem in aging male. Free radicals and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are produced in overwhelming quantity with advancement of age. When in oxidative stress, these reactive species cause extensive damage to various organ in the body, may be associated with pathogenesis of BPH also. This study aimed at assessing Malondialdehyde (MDA), the marker of lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidants e.g. alpha-Tocopherol and Ascorbate status in plasma in BPH patients. Forty eight (n=48) cases of BPH and forty six (n = 46) healthy age matched controls were enrolled. Plasma MDA level showed 4.81+/-1.87 nmol/ml in cases compared to 3.69+/-1.56 nmol/ml in healthy controls (p<0.001). There were significant decrease in plasma alpha-Tocopherol and ascorbate level which were 0.85+/-0.12 mg/dl and 0.93 +/- 0.13 mg/dl in cases compared to 1.37+/-0.31 mg/dl and 1.44+/-0.38 mg/dl in healthy controls respectively. Inverse correlation of plasma MDA with alpha-Tocopherol (r = -0.09, p>0.05) and Ascorbate (r =-0.51, p=0.008) was found in BPH patients. There was mild elevation of PSA in BPH patients compared with control but was not statistically significant. Thus, our study showed the evidence of association of oxidative stress in BPH patients.

Oxidative stress in benign prostate hyperplasia.

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) is the common health problem in ageing male. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced more with advancement of age leads to oxidative stress. This study aims to assess Malondialdehyde (MDA), the marker of lipid peroxidation and vitaminic antioxidants e.g. alpha-Tocopherol (Toc) and Ascorbate (Asc) status in plasma of BPH patients. This is a case control study conducted in Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with Dept of Surgery, BPKIHS. Forty eight (n = 48) confirmed patients of BPH and forty six (n = 46) healthy age matched controls were enrolled. Plasma MDA, Asc and alpha-Toc were estimated. Plasma MDA level showed 4.81 +/- 1.87 nmol/ml in BPH patients compared to 3.69 +/- 1.56 nmol/ml in healthy controls (p < 0.001). There were significant decrease in plasma alpha-Toc and Asc level which were 0.85 +/- 0.12 mg/dl and 0.93 +/- 0.13 mg/dl in BPH patients compared to 1.37 +/- 0.31 mg/dl and 1.44 +/- 0.38 mg/dl in healthy controls respectively. Inverse correlation of plasma MDA with a- Toc (r = -0.09) and Asc (r = -0.51) was found in BPH patients. There was mild elevation of PSA in BPH patients compared with control but was not statistically significant. Thus, our study showed the evidence of association of oxidative stress in BPH patients.

Hypertension and CHD risk: whither alpha-1 blockers?

With the inclusion of alpha-blockers in the list of drugs recommended as firstline agents for managing hypertension, there has been a resurgence of interest in this group of drugs. The selective alpha-1 blockers reduce peripheral vascular resistance by blocking the alpha-1 receptors and preventing norepinephrine from reaching them. Their antihypertensive efficacy has been shown to be comparable to all other major classes of antihypertensive agents. They are also as well tolerated as the other currently used drugs, both facts being confirmed by the TOMHS. What differentiates them from the rest of the drugs is their beneficial effects on various other coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. While lowering blood pressure (a CHD risk factor by itself), the selective alpha-1 blockers also reduce serum total cholesterol and increase serum HDL cholesterol (yet another major CHD risk factor). These drugs have been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels. In addition, they also cause regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. Given these added beneficial effects, the lipid- and glucose-friendly selective alpha-1 blockers are increasingly being used.

Silent myocardial ischaemia and cardiac autonomic neuropathy in diabetics.

Treadmill exercise electrocardiography was performed in 47 patients of diabetes to detect latent coronary artery disease. Eighteen patients (36.3%) were found positive on treadmill test. All forty seven subjects were evaluated for cardiac autonomic neuropathy. The incidence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy in treadmill positive group was 72.2% as compared to 31.0% in treadmill negative group, (p < 0.01). Nine patients from the positive group and 4 patients from the negative group were subjected for coronary angiography, which revealed significant CAD in 8 and 1 subjects in both groups respectively. It is concluded that the incidence of silent myocardial ischaemia in diabetics is very high and cardiac autonomic neuropathy seems to be the most probable reason for absence of pain.

Metoclopramide and experimentally-induced gastric ulceration in guinea-pigs.

Anti-gastric activity of metoclopramide was studied in guinea pigs using three different models of gastric ulceration. The effect of metoclopramide on gastric acidity was also studied. It was observed that metoclopramide affords protection against all types of experimentally induced gastric ulceration, without affecting the gastric acid secretion. The protective effect, therefore, is probably due to its ability to promote gastric drainage and to prevent the pyloric reflux, thus preventing corrosive effects of bile and acid on the stomach mucosa.