Anti-hyperglycemic and Anti-nephropathic effects of Woodfordia fruticosa linn. in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes is a serious medical problem and affects millions of people worldwide. In Indian folk medicine, many plant species are suggested to be antidiabetic but lack concrete scientific proof. The present study investigated the antidiabetic potential of one plant species namely Woodfordia fruticosa [Linn]. Crude extract was administered acutely [3 g/kg b.w] and chronically [142 mg/kg b.w/day for 21 days] to alloxan monohydrate -induced diabetic rats. Controls were treated with DM SO and glibenclamide. Glucose levels were estimated at 0, 1, 3 and 5 hrs [for acute] and at day 1, 7. 14 and 21 [for chronic]. At end of treatments rats were sacrificed. Serum samples were evaluated for creatinine, urea, liver enzymes, ALT, AST ALP, cholesterol and tnglycerides. Histology of pancreas was done to assess histomorphology. Results showed that Woodfordia fruticosa extract caused a greater reduction [P< 0.001] in plasma glucose concentration in both acute and chronic treatments. ALT: AST and ALP and serum urea were significantly reduced in the extract treated diabetic rats [P < 0.001]. Cellular deformities in diabetic rat pancreas demonstrated restoration of pancreatic architecture. The present study demonstrates that Woodfordia fruticosa extract contains glucose lowering activity and can prove useful in diabetic and diabetes related pathologies

Hyperglycemia and hospital outcomes after faist myocardial infarction

To determine in-hospital outcomes post AMI hyperglycemia. 109 patients of acute myocardial infarction were included in this study. Physical examination, ECG tracings, random plasma glucose, serum cholesterol, triglycerides and cardiac enzymes [CPK, LDH and AST] were measured. Hyperglycemic patients [plasma glucose 126mg/dl] were sub-divided into those with a previous history of diabetes and those without any such history. Post AMI plasma glucose levels were exceptionally higher in female patients aged 61-70 years while they were moderately higher in males of age groups 31-40 and 51-60, and females of age group 41-50 years. In-hospital mortality rate was greater in hyperglycemic patients. Most importantly also, significantly greater complications of the heart were encountered in hyperglycemics. Post AMI patients are at a greater risk of developing diabetes and concurrent AMI attack

Passive immunization using purified IgYs against infectious bursal disease of chickens in Pakistan

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is an acute and highly contagious disease of young chickens caused by Birnavirus. Mortality of infected birds can be best prevented if injected with antibodies. The present study was an attempt to raise specific hyper-immune polyclonal antibodies against IBD virus in Pakistan. Commercial layers divided into four groups were injected with IBD vaccine subcutaneously according to four different treatment regimens. Eggs were collected daily and antibodies were purified from yolk with dextran sulphate. Titers of antibodies in serum and yolk were evaluated with enzyme linked immunosorbant assay and agar gel precipitation test. Antibody titers were significantly higher in yolk than serum. Eggs collected at 28 days post-vaccination had maximum antibody titers. Of treatment regimens, T3 was found to be most effective for hyperimmunization. Lyophilized antibodies stored at 4oC did not lose their activity till the end of experiment. IBD virus infected birds were injected with purified antibodies which induced 92% recovery as compared to control birds. The study implicates that the purified antibodies may be useful as a therapeutic agent to cure IBD infected birds.