Effect of a Siddha drug (Vatharasavangam) on insulin release from isolated pancreatic islets in rabbits.

The Siddha drug--Vatharasavangam (VRV) was studied in rabbits for its hypoglycemic activity. The insulin level in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic animals increased significantly after treatment with VRV. The insulin release from the isolated islets to glucose stimulus and acid phosphatase activity in islets as an index to islet function were measured. The insulin released from the islets in hyperglycemic rabbits decreased from 70 microU/ml (control) to 32 microU/ml to low glucose stimulus. VRV-treated rabbits showed a significant increase in the insulin released from the islet cells (65 microU/ml) to the low glucose stimulus. Similarly, a significant increase of insulin secretion was observed for high glucose stimulus after 30 min in VRV treated rabbits (100 microU/ml), when compared to hyperglycemic rabbits (70 microU/ml). The islet cell acid phosphatase activity in the hyperglycemic rabbits increased significantly after VRV treatment. These findings suggest that VRV acts by stimulating beta-cells to secrete insulin to the glucose signal and improves blood glucose homeostasis.

Effect of perchlorate on mitochondrial function.

Administration of sodium perchlorate to rats for 45 days leads to decreased activities of citric acid cycle enzymes. The oxidation of succinate both in state 3 and state 4 conditions and endogenous ATP content of mitochondria decreased during perchlorate toxicity. The significant decrease in cytochrome aa3 in perchlorate-treated rats may be one of the prime factors involved in the decreased rate of respiration. The permeability of mitochondria of perchlorate-treated rats is altered as indicated by increased oxidation of NADH and low respiratory control ratio (RCR).

Lipoprotein profile during perchlorate toxicity.

Perchlorate administration to rats for 45 days alters the lipoprotein profile in plasma. The levels of cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides in HDL, LDL and VLDL fractions are significantly increased in perchlorate-treated rats. Post-heparin lipolytic activity of plasma of sodium perchlorate-treated rats is decreased. The risk factor, i.e. the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol, increases in the experimental animals, indicating that the treatment of rats with perchlorate may develop the susceptibility of the animals to cardiac heart disease.

Effect of vatharasavangam on U14C-glucose absorption and utilization in hyperglycemic rabbits.

Vatharasavangam (VRV) is a hypoglycemic drug mentioned in the Siddha Literature. Previous studies showed that VRV therapy brings down the blood glucose levels in the hyperglycemic rabbits. The present intestinal perfusion studies with labelled glucose indicate that the blood glucose homeostatis in VRV treated animals is brought about by a significant reduction in the rate of glucose absorption in the intestine. Further an enhanced incorporation of 14C glucose into tissue glycogen is observed in the VRV treated rabbits when compared to the hyperglycemic rabbits.