effect officus carica [Fig] fruit on some biochemical parameters in a sample of healthy young male Yemenis

Fig is the Ficus carica, family Moraceae. It is widely produced in the Mediterranean countries particularly Turkey, Greece and Spain. It is mentioned in the traditional Islamic medicine as a remedy for gout and haemorrhoids. This article is performed to study the effect of Figs on the fasting blood sugar, serum cholesterol and serum uric acid in a sample of 14 healthy young male Yemenis. Two clinical trials were performed, in the first trial each volunteer received two placebo tablets daily for 14 days, and in the second trial each volunteer received 100 g of figs daily for 14 days. A washout period of two weeks was kept between the two successive trials. The results showed that figs significantly lowered the fasting blood sugar by 16% and increases serum cholesterol by 22%, while insignificantly increases serum uric acid by 5%. Finally placebo tablets did not change these parameters in the volunteers. The blood sugar lowering-effect of fig may be attributed mainly to its laxative action, and the serum lipid increasing-effect may be attributed to its high content of fixed oil. Fig fruit may have a beneficial effect in patients with diabetes

[Preliminary study of the effect of Piper betle [Paan] leaves on the blood pressure, the pulse rate and some biochemical parameters in a sample of a faculty of pharmacy students, Sana'a university]

Piper betle is one of piperaceae family, and it is an Indian subcontinent plant. In South Asia, the leaves of this plant are widely masticated with some additions, as their effect induced inebriation. These leaves contain large numbers of volatile oils [e.g., Estragole]. To study the effect of piper betle's leaves on blood pressure, pulse rate, and some biochemical parameters. 17 yemenian healthy pharmacy students of Sana'a University, from different yemenian countries, were selected as volunteers. Each volunteer was given orally 3 leaves of piper belte, at morning, for 10 days. Pressure, pulse, fast sugar concentration, enzymes of liver functions [SGOT and SGPT], creatinine, cholesterol, and uric acid of each volunteer were measured before and after administration of piper betle's leaves and after ten days of daily administration. The results showed that piper betle's leaves decreased uric acid concentration significantly by 19.9% [P<0.01]. Irrespective of this result, piper betle's leaves did not change the other parameters significantly. This uric acid reduction effect could be due to the volatile oil content of piper betle's leaves. This study demonstrated beneficial effect of piper betle's leaves on gout patients

effects of cinnamomum camphora and zinigiber officinal beverages and their combination on different clinical parameters in humans

The Effects of Cinnamomum camphora and Zingiber officinal beverages and their combination has been studied on different clinical parameters in thirteen adult healthy Yemeni volunteers age 23-25 years. Three trials have been conducted, in which the volunteers received ginger, camphor and the combination of ginger and camphor. Before the trials and after each trial the following parameters were measured: the systolic and diastolic blood pressures, the pulse rate, serum cholesterol, and the fasting blood sugar. Moreover the sperm count was also measured. The two beverages showed opposite actions on the blood pressure, the pulse rate, and on the sperm count. Where ginger increased these parameters while camphor decreased them. Either ginger or camphor lowers fasting blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and the combination of both lowers these parameters further

Sub-acute toxicity studies of Catha edulis [Khat]

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of [Catha edulis on some biochemical parameters on short and long-term basis. Fresh Khat in a dose of 20 grams/kilogram, was given to three groups of rabbits [nine each], for one, two, and three weeks, and a fourth group was left as a control, and in another trial fresh Khat was given in three doses 20, 30 and 40 gram/kilogram to three groups of rabbits [six each], for six months, and a fourth group was left as a control. The results were as follows: fasting blood sugar [FBS], triglyceride [TG], GOT, and GPT were increased in both trials. The CBC which was measured only in the second trial showed that Khat lowered hemoglobin, WBCs, and lymphocytes while it increased neutrophils. The Khat treated groups showed lowered body weights in the second [six months] trial. The heart weight relative to the body weight was increased in the first trial, while this result was not seen in the second trial