Effects of slow breathing exercise on cardiovascular functions, pulmonary functions & galvanic skin resistance in healthy human volunteers - a pilot study.

Background & objectives: Regular practice of slow breathing has been shown to improve cardiovascular and respiratory functions and to decrease the effects of stress. This pilot study was planned to evaluate the short term effects of pranayama on cardiovascular functions, pulmonary functions and galvanic skin resistance (GSR) which mirrors sympathetic tone, and to evaluate the changes that appear within a short span of one week following slow breathing techniques. Methods: Eleven normal healthy volunteers were randomized into Pranayama group (n=6) and a non-Pranayama control group (n=5); the pranayama volunteers were trained in pranayama, the technique being Anuloma-Viloma pranayama with Kumbhak. All the 11 volunteers were made to sit in similar environment for two sessions of 20 min each for seven days, while the pranayama volunteers performed slow breathing under supervision, the control group relaxed without conscious control on breathing. Pulse, GSR, blood pressure (BP) and pulmonary function tests (PFT) were measured before and after the 7-day programme in all the volunteers. Results: While no significant changes were observed in BP and PFT, an overall reduction in pulse rate was observed in all the eleven volunteers; this reduction might have resulted from the relaxation and the environment. Statistically significant changes were observed in the Pranayama group volunteers in the GSR values during standing phases indicating that regular practice of Pranayama causes a reduction in the sympathetic tone within a period as short as 7 days. Interpretation & conclusions: Beneficial effects of pranayama started appearing within a week of regular practice, and the first change appeared to be a reduction in sympathetic tone.

Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Activity of Mulberry (Morus Indica) in Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

Mulberry is known to have hypoglycemic, hypotensive and diuretic property. Andallu et al in 2001 have shown hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of mulberry in comparative clinical trial with glibenclamide. Methods: Mild newly diagnosed patients of DM type 2, (having fasting blood sugar > 126 mg %) were randomized into 2 groups of 9 each .One of the groups received crude Mulberry (Morus Indica) leaves preparation of 1gm tds in capsule form and the other group received Glibenclamide 5 mg /day for a total study period of 30 days. Results: Within group (pre and post) analysis revealed, group receiving glibenclamide showed significant reduction in post meal blood sugar levels (p<0.05). Whereas group on Mulberry treatment demonstrated statistically significant decrease in fasting and post meal blood sugar levels (24.6% and 19.9% respectively; p<0.05), triglyceride (16.04%, p<0.05), VLDL (10.7%, p<0.05) and total cholesterol (10%, p<0.05) levels. This Mulberry wing also showed a decreasing trend in LDL and a rising trend in HDL levels, although statistically not significant. Mulberry group had more favourable effect on subjective symptoms eg, fatigability (90% vs 70%), sense of well-being (100% vs 60%) and cramps and leg pain (66.66% vs 42.9 %). Between group analysis (comparison for change in parameters). Both the groups did not show statistical difference when compared for change in parameters over one month. Conclusion: Mulberry (Morus Indica) has the potential to be useful in mild type 2 DM for its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic action.