Anti-Diabetic Activity Of Few India Indigenous Medicinal Plants

The traditional system of medicine is so ingrained in our culture that, about 75% of the Indian population depends on this indigenous system for relief. With such a huge section of an ever increasing population relying on herbal remedies, it is imperative that the plant products which have been in use for such a long time be scientifically supported for their efficacy. Diabetes a metabolic disorders is most frequent occurring disease in India. The present paper reports with the investigation of antidiabetic potential of Eugenia jambolana (Bark), Phyllanthus niruri (Whole plant), Momordica charantia Linn. (Seeds) and Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Leaves).

Photo distributed Leprosy- An atypical case of Borderline Lepromatous Leprosy

A 43 year-old-women presented with multiple red raised skin lesions over her body. Clinical and histopathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of borderline lepromatous leprosy with type 2 lepra reaction. The lesions were strikingly limited over sun exposed areas. This case represents a rare instance of photo distributed borderline lepromatous leprosy.

Effect of pretreatment with chromium picolinate on haematological parameters during dengue virus infection in mice.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Dengue virus (DV) has caused severe epidemics of dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and is endemic all over India. We have earlier reported that exposure of mice to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] compounds increased the severity of dengue virus infection. Trivalent chromium picolinate (CrP) is used worldwide as micronutrient and nutritional supplement. The present study was therefore, carried out to investigate the effects of CrP on various haematological parameters during DV infection of mice. METHODS: The Swiss Albino smice were inoculated with dengue virus (1000 LD50, intracerebrally) and fed with chromium picolinate (CrP) in drinking water (100 and 250 mg/l) for 24 wk. Peripheral blood leucocytes and other haematological parameters, and spleens were studied on days 4 and 8 after virus inoculations and the findings were compared with those given only CrP and the normal control age matched mice. RESULTS: CrP in drinking water for 24 wk had no significant effects on peripheral blood cells of mice. On the other hand, there was significant decrease in different haematological parameters following inoculation of normal mice with DV. In CrP fed mice the effects of DV infection were abolished on most of the haematological parameters. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The findings of present study showed that the adverse effects of DV infection, specially on platelets and leucocytes, were abrogated by pretreatment of mice with CrP. The therapeutic utility of CrP in viral infections including dengue needs to be studied in depth.

Primary hydatid cyst of neck muscles.

Primary hydatid disease of muscle is very rare. This was encountered in the muscles of posterior triangle of the neck in a 12-year-old boy. Hydatid Cyst of neck was excised and was followed by albendazole for six weeks. Rarity of this disease in muscles warrants the need for this case report.

Effect of mercuric chloride on testicular activities in mice, Musculus albinus.

Impaired testicular function was observed after an exposure of Swiss albino mice (30 +/- 2 g) to mercuric chloride. A sublethal chronic exposure (0.5 ppm for 21 days) resulted in regressed histological and histochemical properties of the testis. The changes observed were degenerated tunica albuginea, abnormal configurations of seminiferous tubules, deformed primary and secondary spermatocytes, hypertrophy and vacuolization in interstitial cells and Sertoli cells. The 3 beta and 17 beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase enzyme and the level of testosterone hormone were significantly (p < 0.001) reduced. The diameter of different spermatogenic cells were significantly (p < 0.001) reduced.

Lipoprotein(a) in coronary heart disease: a case-control study.

To determine the significance of lipoprotein(a) levels in coronary heart disease patients, a case-control study was performed with 48 newly diagnosed coronary heart disease patients and 23 controls who were evaluated using clinical history and biochemical examination. Lipoprotein(a) was measured by quantitative latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric method. Geometric means of biochemical parameters were obtained. Comprehensive lipid tetrad index was calculated using a previously validated formula. There was no significant difference in prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and smoking in cases and controls. Dietary intake of calories, fats, fatty acids and antioxidant vitamins was also similar. The levels of fasting glucose, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly different in cases and controls (p > 0.05). Low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio (4.33 +/- 1.5 vs 4.29 +/- 1.8) and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein ratio (6.59 + 1.7 vs 6.69 +/- 2.2) were similar. The mean lipoprotein(a) levels were significantly greater in cases (11.95 +/- 2.8 mg/dL, range 1-102 mg/dL) as compared to controls (6.68 +/- 3.4 mg/dL, range 1-73 mg/dL) (t = 2.08, p = 0.041). As compared to controls, in coronary heart disease cases, mean lipoprotein(a) levels in patients upto 50 years (10.27 +/- 2.8 vs 7.27 +/- 3.4 mg/dL) as well as those over 50 years (12.99 +/- 2.9 vs 4.91 +/- 3.5 mg/dL) were significantly more (p < 0.05). Coronary heart disease patients had a slightly greater prevalence of high lipoprotein(a) levels, 20 mg/dL or more (31.3 vs 13.0%; chi 2 = 2.83, l-tailed p < 0.05). Comprehensive lipid tetrad index (total cholesterol x triglycerides x lipoprotein(a) divided by high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) was also slightly higher in cases (14688.2 +/- 3.6) than in controls (8358.2 +/- 4.3) (t = 1.68, 1-tailed p < 0.05). This study shows that lipoprotein(a) levels are significantly more in both younger and older coronary heart disease patients as compared to controls.

Dietary and serum iron, body iron stores and coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the role of body-iron stores as measured by serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin, ferritin and ferritin:transferrin ratio (FTR) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: A case-control study was performed in 58 newly diagnosed CHD patients and 24 controls who were evaluated using clinical history, dietary history and biochemical examination. Dietary iron was determined by history; serum iron and TIBC were measured biochemically and ferritin by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Case-control comparisons were performed by non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in mean age, prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and smoking, and dietary intake of calories and fats in cases and controls. Dietary iron intake was 11.2 +/- 3.4 mg/day in cases and 11.3 +/- 3.8 mg/day in controls (p > 0.05). Serum fasting glucose, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly different in cases and controls (p > 0.05). LDL/HDL ratio (4.17 +/- 1.4 vs. 4.62 +/- 2.3) and total cholesterol/HDL ratio (6.47 +/- 1.6 vs. 6.91 +/- 2.4) were also similar. In the whole study group serum iron (54.8 +/- 35.7 mcg/dl), transferrin (11.6 +/- 7.4%) and ferritin (52.4 +/- 57.8 ng/ml) levels were low. In cases as compared to controls serum iron (56.9 +/- 31 vs. 49.6 +/- 45 mcg/dl; z = 1.707, p = 0.088) and transferrin saturation (12.5 +/- 7.8 vs. 9.5 +/- 6.2%; z = 1.83, p = 0.066) were slightly more. Ferritin levels (48.8 +/- 55 vs. 60.9 +/- 64 ng/ml; z = 2.048, p = 0.040) as well as FTR (5.51 +/- 8.6 vs 7.47 +/- 6.1, z = 2.054, p = 0.040) was significantly lower in cases. CONCLUSIONS: In Indian CHD patients the body iron stores are lower as compared to controls.

Transurethral Resection in Superficial Urinary Bladder Carcinoma.

Retrospective analysis of 112 cases of superficial carcinoma of urinary bladder treated with transurethral resection was done and the success rate of the modality of treatment was analyed. Out of 112 patients there were 95 males and 17 females. Oldest patient was 80 year old and the youngest was 40 year old. Chief presenting complaint was haematuria. Average duration of haematuria was 9 months. Transurethral resection was done in these patients. The five year survival was 84% in stage A-I, 81% in stage A-II. It was however 54% in A-III. Recurrence rate was 20%, 26% and 52% in A-I, A-II and A-III respectively. Transurethral resection is thus an excellent approach for the treatment of superficial bladder carcinoma.

A clinical study of the patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever during the epidemic of 1996 at Lucknow, India.

This paper describes the clinical findings in 206 patients with dengue fever (DF) or with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) during the epidemic of 1996 at Lucknow. The age group affected most was 11 to 30 years and 21% of the patients were less than 10 years old. The male:female ratio was 1.9:1. The onset was abrupt in all the patients, severe frontal headache was observed in 97%, myalgia in 90%, skin rash in 40%, vomiting in 29% and arthralgia in knee and hip joints in 9%. Anuria was seen in two patients. Lymphadenopathy was noted in 14%, hepatomegaly in 4%, being associated with mild jaundice in one patient, and splenomegaly in 2% of the patients. Involvement of the heart and lungs was seen in one patient each and no case with encephalitis was recorded. Hemorrhages from various sites were observed in 54% patients and 17 patients had profound shock. The commonest bleeding site was gums. Profound shock was preceded by various warning signs, the commonest being sudden hypotension. Among the patients with profound shock the mortality was 47% while the overall fatality rate was 3.8%. A number of the risk factors existed for a long time in this part of the world, but what precipitated the present epidemic at this time, is not known.

Antioxidant phenolics and flavonoids in common Indian foods.

To determine antioxidant phenolics and flavonoids in commonly consumed Indian foods we chemically analysed 85 food-stuffs comprising of cereals, pulses, nuts, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits and beverages. Total phenolics were measured biochemically and flavonoids were measured as a sum of quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin and pelargonidin. High flavonoid content (> 100 mg/100 gm) was present in tea, coffee, apple, guava, terminalia bark, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, cinnamon, red chili powder, cloves and turmeric. Medium levels (50-100 mg) were found in Indian gooseberry, omum, cumin, cardamom, betel leaf and brandy. Small but significant amounts were also present in food-items of large consumption such as kidney beans, soyabeans, grapes, ginger, coriander powder, bajra and brinjal.

Squamous cell carcinoma in a horseshoe kidney.

Malignancy in a horseshoe kidney is uncommon. First case of malignancy in a horseshoe kidney was described by Hildebrand in 1895. Here a case of squamous cell carcinoma in a horseshoe kidney in a 62-year-old male is reported for its rarity.