Arenes and heteroarenes as antihyperglycemic agents

Even after nearly 100 years of research, diabetes is the fourth leading killer disease in the developed world. Over 200 million diabetics live worldwide, accounting for huge economic and social burden. Thus the development of new effective therapeutic agents is the major thrust for research and is germane in both the national and international scenario. In India, diabetes is projected to three-fold increase, from 19.4 million in 1995 to 57.2 million in 2025. Here is a review on some of the recent medicinally active agents used against diabetes mellitus

Anti-diabetic potential of acorus calamus rhizome in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Acprus calamus [Araceae] rhizomes are widely recommended to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes mellitus in traditional system of medicine in India and other Asian countries. In the present study, the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant potential of the plant rhizome was evaluated by using in vivo methods in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats with an objective to delineate its possible mechanism of action. After the oral administration of dichloromethane [DCM] or aqueous fraction of methanol extract of Acorus calamus rhizome at the doses of 1.5 mg/kg [b.w.], blood glucose levels were monitored at specific time intervals. Tolbutamide was used as a reference drug. The results indicated that both the fractions demonstrate significant antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities conferring its folkioric use

Potential preservatives interaction in pharmaceutical formulations

Pharmaceutical products contain number of excipients besides active principle, e.g. diluents, vehicles, antioxidants, chelating agent and preservative etc. Each excipient performs intended specific function. Antimicrobial preservatives are used to reduce the likelihood of microbial growth in pharmaceutical products. Preservatives interact specifically or non-specifically with either active or non active principles of formulation or in some cases both. In general interactions arc antagonistic in nature. However, in some cases this interaction may synergise the preservative activity or are beneficial in some other form. This review article highlights documented interactions both synergistic and antagonistic in nature between preservatives and other components of formulation. It may also help in acquiring better understanding and appreciation of implication of adding preservative to the formulation