Antidiabetic activity of aqueous leaves extract of Sesbania sesban [L] Merr. in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

The aqueous leaves extract of Sesbania sesban [L] Merr. [Family: Fabaceae] was evaluated for its antidiabetic potential on normal and streptozotocin [STZ]-induced diabetic rats. In the chronic model, the aqueous extract was administered to normal and STZ- induced diabetic rats at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight [b.w.] p.o. per day for 30 days. The fasting Blood Glucose Levels [BGL], serum insulin level and biochemical data such as glycosylated hemoglobin, Total Cholesterol [TC], Triglycerides [TG], High Density Lipoproteins[HDL] and Low Density Lipoproteins [LDL] were evaluated and all were compared to that of the known anti-diabetic drug glibenclamide [0.25 mg/kg b.w.]. The statistical data indicated significant increase in the body weight, liver glycogen, serum insulin and HDL levels and decrease in blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol and serum triglycerides when compared with glibenclamide. Thus the aqueous leaves extract of Sesbania sesban had beneficial effects in reducing the elevated blood glucose level and lipid profile of STZ-induced diabetic rats

In vitro antioxidant activity of roots of Thespesia lampas Dalz and Gibs

The free radical scavenging potential of roots of Thespesia lampas Dalz and Gibs was studied by different antioxidant models. Free radicals are implicated for more than 80 diseases including Diabetes mellitus, arthritis, cancer, ageing etc. In the treatment of theses diseases, antioxidant therapy has gained an utmost importance. Current research is directed towards finding naturally occurring antioxidant of plant origin. In Indian system of medicine, Thespesia lampas is an important medicinal plant and its root juice has been used in various ailments and as health tonic. To understand the mechanisms of pharmacological actions, the in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of Thespesia lampas was investigated for the activity of scavenging superoxide anion radicals, nitric oxide radical and lipid peroxidation assay. In all the testing, a significant correlation existed between concentrations of the extract and percentage inhibition of free radicals, metal chelating, reducing power or inhibition of lipid peroxidation. These results clearly indicate that Thespesia lampas is effective against free radical mediated diseases

Anti-inflammatory activity of aerial parts of tephrosia purpurea linn.

The crude extracts of aerial parts of Tephrosia purpurea Linn. was tested for anti-inflammatory activities. The effect of ethanolic and aqueous extracts were investigated in rats to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity. Carrageenan-induced and histamine-induced rat paw oedema methods were employed to test anti-inflammatory activity. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts [250 mg/kg] showed the inhibition of carrageenan-induced rats paw oedema and also found to be effective in histamine-induced method. The results indicate that both ethanolic and aqueous extracts showed significant [P<0.001] anti-inflammatory activity when compared to control