ABSTRACT
The garlic (Allium sativum L., Amaryllidaceae) has been popularly used in the treatment of diabetes and cardiac complications. In the present work, we have studied the possible mechanisms, sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) selectivity of allicin in diabetic hypertensive rats. Diabetic hypertension was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) followed by daily administration of dexamethasone (10 µg/kg, s.c.). Different parameters, blood pressure and blood glucose levels were studied in the rats weekly up to eight weeks. Allicin (8 mg/kg, p.o.) shows potent antidiabetic (*p<0.001) as well as antihypertensive effect (**p<0.001, *p<0.01). It may act as a vasodilator by hyperpolarizing the membrane of normal vascular smooth muscle cells. The hyperpolarization in vascular smooth muscle occurs due to K+ channel opener activity. Antihypertensive effect of allicin is inhibited by glibenclamide, nonselective SUR blocker while combination of allicin with nateglinide, selective SUR1 blocker exerted synergistic antihypertensive effect. The results indicates that allicin is effective in the treatment of diabetic hypertension; through a mechanism that might involve selective opening of SUR2.
ABSTRACT
Diabecon an ayurvedic formulation was tested for safety by estimation of heavy metal contents and also for acute and sub chronic toxicity. Heavy metal content in formulation were tested and found to be within limit as prescribed by WHO. In acute toxicity no toxic symptoms were seen at single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg, observed up to 14 days in rats. In sub chronic toxicity study, Diabecon was tested at the doses of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg p.o. once daily for 90 days in rats. The results did not show evidence of any treatment related changes in body weight, food and water intake and ill health or behavioral changes, when compared with the control animals. Some significant changes were observed in high dose treatment group (500 mg/kg) in hematological and serum chemistry parameters compared to control group but were within the normal laboratory limit and were considered as incidental.