Effect of Grewia asiatica fruit on Glycemic index and phagocytosis tested in healthy human subjects

The Grewia asiatica [commonly known as Phalsa or Fasla] is a shrub or small tree found in southern Asia. It produces purple to black color fruit when ripe. In folk medicine the edible Grewia asiatica fruit is used in a number of pathological conditions. The current study described the effects of Grewia asiatica fruit on glycemic index [GI] and phagocytosis in healthy non-diabetic human subjects. The results showed that Grewia asiatica fruit has low GI value of 5.34 with modest hypoglycemic activity. Luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assay was carried out to determine the production of reactive oxygen species [ROS] in the oxidative burst activity of whole blood. ROS production was found to be significantly affected, having the 78.3, 58.6 and 30.8% when the subjects were fed with D-glucose, mixture of D-glucose and Grewia asiatica fruit and Grewia asiatica fruit alone respectively as compared to the control. The aqueous, methanolic and butanolic extracts of Grewia asiatica fruits were found to produce a stimulatory effect on ROS production however; the chloroform, hexane and ethanol-acetate extracted exerted significant inhibitory effect. These results demonstrated that Grewia asiatica fruit has desirable effects on blood glucose metabolism manifested as low glycemic response and modulation of ROS production

In vitro modulation of oxidative burst via release of reactive oxygen species from immune cells by extracts of selected tropical medicinal herbs and food plants

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate in vitro immunomodulating properties and potential cytotoxicity of six tropical medicinal herbs and food plants namely Antidesma madagascariense (Euphorbiaceae) (AM), Erythroxylum macrocarpum (Erythroxylaceae) (EM), Faujasiopsis flexuosa (Asteraceae) (FF), Pittosporum senacia (Pittosporaceae) (PS), Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) (MC) and Ocimum tenuiflorum (Lamiaceae) (OT).@*METHODS@#Initially, the crude water and methanol extracts were probed for their capacity to trigger immune cells' NADPH oxidase and MPO-dependent activities as measured by lucigenin- and luminol-amplified chemiluminescence, respectively; as compared to receptor-dependent (serum opsonised zymosan- OPZ) or receptor-independent phorbol myristerate acetate (PMA).@*RESULTS@#Preliminary screening on whole human blood oxidative burst activity showed significant and concentration-dependent immunomodulating properties of three plants AM, FF and OT. Further investigations of the fractions on isolated human polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and mice monocytes using two different pathways for activation of phagocytic oxidative burst showed that ethyl acetate fraction was the most potent extract. None of the active samples had cell-death effects on human PMNs, under the assay conditions as determined by the trypan-blue exclusion assay. Since PMA and OPZ NADPH oxidase complex is activated via different transduction pathways, these results suggest that AM, FF and OT does not affect a specific transductional pathway, but rather directly inhibit a final common biochemical target such as the NADPH oxidase enzyme and/or scavenges ROS.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our findings suggest that some of these plants extracts/fractions were able to modulate significantly immune response of phagocytes and monocytes at different steps, emphasizing their potential as a source of new natural alternative immunomodulatory agents.

Effect of wet cupping therapy on virulent cellulitis secondary to honey bee sting - a case report

Cellulitis is clinical condition that is caused by the inflammation of sub-cutaneous tissue. Conventional treatment of cellulites is based on the use of antimicrobials. Treatment by Cupping is one of the oldest ways of healing for more than 5000 years; now remerging in this modern age and is being practice in many countries such as USA, UK, Germany and China. This is the first reported case in which, twice a healthy subject was stung by honeybee and was effectively treated by cupping therapy. In the first attack of honeybee sting, a virulent cellulites developed on the ventral surface of the right forearm. The subject was treated with antimicrobials with no response. Later as an adjunctive treatment, cupping therapy was applied at the site of cellulitis with remarkable and immediate clinical recovery. Interestingly, 45 days later, same individual was applied; that gave quick relief and no inflammation developed. Cupping therapy may be an effective measure in the treatment of honey bee sting induced cellulitis

Effect of natural honey on human platelets and blood coagulation proteins

Present study was conducted to determine the effects of honey on blood hemostasis, in-vitro effect of honey was observed on platelet aggregation and blood coagulation employing, activated partial prothrombin time [aPTT], prothrombin time [PT], thrombin time [TT] and fibrinogen levels in blood. Honey samples showed moderate inhibition of platelet aggregation with IC[50] 5-7.5%. The coagulation assays showed that at higher concentrations [>/= 15%] honey samples increased whole blood clotting time. When assayed in platelet poor plasma [PPP], honey samples significantly [P >/= 0.005] prolonged aPTT, PT, and TT. The honey samples [at 3.75% and 7.5% concentrations] cause mean increment of aPTT = 19 +/- 10% and 62 +/- 10%; PT 6 +/- 5% and 40 +/- 5%; TT 35 +/- 15% and 112 +/- 30% respectively. Moreover, PPP isolated from whole blood pre-incubated with honey samples [9.0% for 10 minutes] showed mean prolongation of aPTT, PT and TT of 45 +/- 21%, 26 +/- 9% and 105 +/- 24% respectively. Interestingly, incubation of honey at 6.25% and 11.75% concentrations in PPP considerably [P >/= 0.005] reduced fibrinogen levels i.e. 13 +/- 4% and 86 +/- 30% respectively. The present study outlines the inhibitory effect of natural honey on platelet aggregation and blood coagulation. These observations provide first line data for modulatory role [s] of honey on process of hemostasis