ABSTRACT
Background: There has been enormous curiosity in the development of alternative plant based medicinesto control diabetes, oxidative stress and related disorders. One of the therapeutic approaches is to reducepostprandial release of glucose in the blood. Two key enzymes that are involved in reducing postprandialglucose are a-amylase and a-glucosidase. Mentha arvensis L. has been traditionally used by several tribesas a medicinal plant to treat various disorders.Objective: The present study was undertaken to test M. arvenisis L. for inhibition of postprandialhyperglycemia.Material and method: We performed various in vitro and in vivo tests to evaluate efficacy of M. arvenisis L.for antidiabetic activity (postprandial hyperglycemia).Results: Methanolic extract of M. arvensis L. leaves showed DPPH free radical scavenging activity (morethan 78% mg/ml) and high antiglycation potential (more than 90% inhibition of AGE formation). Methanolic extract also showed remarkable inhibitory effects on a-amylase (more than 50% mg/ml) and aglucosidase (68% mg/ml) and significant inhibition of postprandial hyperglycemia in starch induced diabetic Wistar rats.Conclusion: The non-insulin dependent antidiabetic or inhibition of postprandial hyperglycemic activityof methanolic extract of M. arvensis L. leaves was shown by using in vitro and in vivo approaches in thepresent study.© 2018 Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore and World Ayurveda Foundation. Publishing Services byElsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
ABSTRACT
Background: Urolithiasis is the third common disorder of the urinary system affecting 10e15% of thegeneral population. In recent years, search for new antilithiatic drugs from natural sources has assumedgreater importance.Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the anti-urolithiatic activity of methanolic extract ofDuranta erecta leaves by in vitro and in vivo analysis.Materials and methods: The study was designed to determine presence of phytochemicals in D. erecta, itsyield in percentage, antioxidant activity against 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and anti-microbial property against few bacteria. In vitro analysis was carried out study anti-urolithiatic property ofD. erecta by nucleation assay and synthetic urine assay for inhibition of calcium oxalate and calciumoxalate monohydrate crystals formation. An in vivo experiment was performed on Wistar rats forconfirmation of anti-urolithiatic property of D. erecta in animal model.Results: D. erecta has the presence of primary and secondary metabolites like glycoside, saponins, sterols,flavonoids, phenols, tannins, alkaloids, carbohydrates and proteins. Methanolic extract of D. erecta gave avery good yield (60%). D. erecta proved its antioxidant potential by 93.51% inhibition of DPPH radical at aconcentration of 1000 mg/mL where ascorbic showed 94.71% of DPPH radical at the same concentration.In vitro tests like nucleation assay and synthetic urine assay showed that D. erecta inhibits formation ofcalcium oxalate and calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals. It also showed the anti-microbial property byformation of zone of inhibition against few bacteria. An in vivo experiment on Wistar rat animal modelconfirmed the anti-urolithiatic property of D. erecta L. leaves extract.Conclusions: Based on the results, we reported that D. erecta may treat calcium oxalate crystal depositionin the kidney by preventing hyperoxaluria-induced peroxidative damage to the renal tubular membranesurface (lipid peroxidation). It has anti-microbial potential so it may also inhibit the secondary bacterialinfection in kidney. Based on the data, it can be concluded that this herb can be used as a potential antiurolithiasis agent for kidney stone removal.© 2017 Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore and World Ayurveda Foundation. Publishing Services byElsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: An outbreak of influenza was investigated between June 24 and July 30, 2009 in a residential school at Panchgani, Maharashtra, India. The objectives were to determine the aetiology, study the clinical features in the affected individuals and, important epidemiological and environmental factors. The nature of public health response and effectiveness of the control measures were also evaluated. Methods: Real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was performed on throat swabs collected from 82 suspected cases to determine the influenza types (A or B) and sub-types [pandemic (H1N1) 2009, as well as seasonal influenza H1N1, H3N2]. Haemagglutination inhibition assay was performed on serum samples collected from entire school population (N = 415) to detect antibodies for pandemic (H1N1) 2009, seasonal H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B/Yamagata and B/Victoria lineages. Antibody titres ≥ 10 for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and ≥ 20 for seasonal influenza A and B were considered as positive for these viruses. Results: Clinical attack rate for influenza-like illness was 71.1 per cent (295/415). The attack rate for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 cases was 42.4 per cent (176/415). Throat swabs were collected from 82 cases, of which pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus was detected in 15 (18.3%), influenza type A in (6) 7.4 per cent and influenza type B only in one case. A serosurvey carried out showed haemagglutination inhibition antibodies to pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in 52 per cent (216) subjects in the school and 9 per cent (22) in the community. Interpretation & conclusion: Our findings confirmed an outbreak of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 due to local transmission among students in a residential school at Panchgani, Maharashtra, India.