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.

Cell population growth in chick blastoderms cultured in vitro.

Primitive streak stage chick blastoderms were cultured in vitro up to 30 hr by New's technique. Chick blastoderms reaching stages 4 to 12 in vitro cultures and in ovo were harvested and homogenized to release cell nuclei. Fluorescent ethidium bromide-stained nuclei in homogenates were counted in Neubauer's chamber and the size of total blastoderm cell population was determined. Linear regression analysis revealed that both in ovo and in vitro chick blastoderm cell population grows in a biphasic manner with comparable cell population doubling times and the morphogenesis is not affected in vitro during the culture period.