Comparative evaluation of the effect of Ocimum sanctum and metformin on serum lipid profile in high fat diet fed diabetic rats

Background: Dyslipidaemia is an important risk factor for development of macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ocimum sanctum (OS) and metformin have shown to have antihyperlipidaemic effects. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of OS and Metformin on body weight & plasma lipid levels of high fat diet fed diabetic ratsMethods: Total of 30 male wistar rats (100-150gm) were obtained. Animals were fed with a high fat diet throughout the study (6 weeks). Diabetes was induced by using single intra-peritoneal injection of Streptozotocin 50mg/kg at the end of 4 weeks. Diabetic rats were divided into groups of 6 each and treated as follows: Group 1- Diabetic control, was given vehicle orally. Group 2- O.S. ethanolic extract 100mg/kg body weight orally for 14 days. Group 3- O.S. ethanolic extract 200mg/kg body weight orally for 14 days. Group 4- Metformin 100mg/day for 14 daysResults: At the end of 4 weeks, body weight of rats were significantly increased (p <0.05). Maximum weight gain was seen in control group whereas weight gain was least in O.S. 200mg/kg group (p >0.05). Decrease in body weight was seen in metformin group. Abdominal circumference of rats also showed similar pattern (p >0.05). OS 200 caused significant reduction in serum LDL levels (p <0.05) and significant rise of serum HDL levels (p <0.05) as compared to control group. Metformin also favourably affected the lipid profile and its effects were not significantly different from effects of OS 200 (p> 0.05).Conclusions: Present study revealed that Ocimum Sanctum caused significant reduction in serum lipid levels in high fat diet fed diabetic rats. Metformin also exhibited antihyperlipidaemic activity. So, it is concluded that OS or metformin alone or in combination could be a novel adjunct to diet and life style modification for the management of dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetes. Further studies are required to confirm the antidyslipidaemic activities of individual phytoconstituents of Ocimum sanctum.

Comparative study of effects of ramosetron and ondansetron on global satisfaction of patients on cisplatin chemotherapy in head and neck cancers

Background: To compare level of satisfaction of the patients receiving ramosetron and ondansetron in prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with cisplatin chemotherapy.Methods: 60 patients were recruited in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to ramosetron (R) and ondansetron group (O). Patients were screened between day 1 and day 7. Study visits included clinic visits on day 8, day 9 and day 14. Patient diaries were used to record patients’ global satisfaction which was based on severity of nausea and vomiting using visual analogue scale (VAS), recorded daily until day 12 starting from day 8. On 14th day the patient diary cards were collected back.Results: VAS score was significantly lower in R group (46.2±4.95) as compared to O group (63.7±5.06) (p<0.01) in acute phase of nausea and vomiting indicating level of satisfaction higher in R group. Similarly, in delayed and overall phase R group (49.57±14.63 and 48.9±12.91 respectively) experienced lower range of scoring on VAS scale as compared to O group (63.0±8.49 and 63.10±7.38 respectively). The difference was statistically significant (p<0.01).Conclusions: Level of overall satisfaction of the patients in R group was significantly higher as compared to O group in patients receiving the two drugs for prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by cisplatin chemotherapy in head and neck cancer patients.

Alopecia associated with hyperthyroidism.

Alopecia(hair loss) can occur as a result of any chronic systemic illness, endocrinopathies, pregnancy, lactation and by certain drugs. Among endocrine disorders, thyroid disorders are common. Both hyper and hypothyroidism are associated with alopecia. A case of 28year old women who presented with thinning of eyebrow, loss of patch of scalp hair & leg hair was investigated. Her thyroid function studies confirmed the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. After treatment with antithyroid drugs, the eyelashes, scalp hair & leg hair regrew. So, it may be concluded that hair loss may be an early sign of hyperthyroid state.

Subtherapeutic Dose of Prazosincan Ameliorate Metformin Induced Lactic Acidosis in Renal Compromised Rats.

Incidence of lactic acidosis caused by metformin is rare but this can occur in renal compromised individuals because of metformin accumulation. The drug enters the liver through organic cationic transporter 1(OCT1) and reduces oxygen consumption in mitochondria resulting in reduced lactate clearance and lactic acidosis. In the present study, we investigated that inhibition of the transport of metformin in the liver could reduce the blood lactate levels. Eighteen healthy male albino rats were selected for the study. Group 1- control group included 6 rats, they were given normal saline for 10 days by i.p injection. Group 2- Twelve rats were induced nephrotoxicity by gentamicin at the doses of 40mg/kg given by i.p. route . Group 3- six rats from group 2 were given metformin according to human doses of 1000mg/day and group 4- included six rats from group 2 received metformin and prazosin at subtherapeutic dose i.e. according to 1mg/day human dose. Blood urea, serum creatinine and total urinary albumin were found to be significantly.