RESUMEN
Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder of glucose metabolism characterised by hyperglycaemia. Long standing diabetes mellitus leads to various complications affecting multiple organ systems. Management of diabetes mellitus includes lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy. Pharmacotherapy of diabetes mellitus includes a wide variety of drugs that help in achieving adequate glycaemic control. Anti-diabetic medications are however associated with several adverse effects. Phytochemicals are being used extensively for the treatment of various diseases. Use of phytochemicals would minimize adverse effects due to various anti-diabetic drugs and improve patient compliance. In the present study, authors studied the effect of turmeric on alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in albino rats.Methods: Albino Wistar rats of either sex weighing 180 - 250grams were utilized for the present study. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan. Ethanolic extract of turmeric was administered to diabetic rats daily orally for duration of 28 days. Blood glucose levels were monitored using glucometer before and after intervention with turmeric.Results: Statistically significant reduction in mean blood glucose levels (p value <0.05) was seen after intervention with turmeric in diabetic rats. There was a significant reduction in mean blood glucose levels.Conclusions: Ethanolic extract of turmeric showed antihyperglycemic effect in diabetic rats.
RESUMEN
Background: Nephrotoxicity is a known deleterious effect of Aminoglycoside antibiotics. This class of antibiotics is used very frequently. It is well known that Gentamicin causes renal tubular necrosis in the proximal tubular cells. Phytochemicals are being studied extensively and have proved to be of benefit in various diseases. The use of phytochemicals would minimize the adverse effects encountered with these antibiotics. Comparison between various phytochemicals would help in optimizing dosage and duration of treatment. In the present study we studied and compared the nephroprotective effect of Hemidesmus Indicus Linn. and Withania Somnifera Linn. on Gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in Albino rats.Methods: Wistar albino rats weighing 180-250Gms were utilized for the present study. The root extract of these Hemidesmus Indicus Linn. and Withania Somnifera Linn. was administered orally to rats for 10 days concurrently with Gentamicin. Nephrotoxicty was assessed following a single dose injection of Gentamicin. Nephroprotective effect was assessed after 10 days of administering Hemidesmus Indicus Linn. and Withania Somnifera Linn. Renal function was assessed using Blood Urea, Serum Creatinie, SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) and MDA (Malondialdehyde) as parameters.Results: Statistically significant improvement in renal function (p <0.05) was seen after administration of Hemidesmus Indicus and Withania Somnifera in Gentamicin treated rats. There was significant reduction in blood urea, serum creatinine and MDA levels with an increase in SOD levels.Conclusions: Withania Somnifera and Hemidesmus Indicus had nephroprotective effect. However, Withania Somnifera was found to be more nphroprotective than Hemidesmus Indicus.