Anti-diabetic activity of aqueous extract of Ipomoea batatas L. in alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats and its effects on biochemical parameters in diabetic rats

Diabetes is a condition where the fasting blood glucose level elevated above the normal range [80-120mg/dL]. This increase in blood glucose level may be due to the insulin deficiency i.e. insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM or type I] or due to insulin resistance i.e. non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM or type II]. Diabetes leads to severe complications in the body even life treating complications e.g. nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy increased vascular permeability and delayed wound healing if left untreated. Different drugs are used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, but synthetic drugs are costly and possess severe side effects. So, more emphasis is being placed on the use of traditional medicines because these sources have fewer side effects than the synthetics drugs and are economical. So the white skinned sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas L.] peel-off was selected for its anti-diabetic effect as well as to see its effects on biochemical parameters. Both young [3-4 months] and old [up to 1 year] Wistar rats were selected for current study. It was found that the aqueous extract of WSSP peel-off had shown beneficial effects. In addition to the decrease in blood glucose level it also decreased protein glycation level total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol. Increase in HDL-cholesterol was also observed after treating the rats with aqueous extract of Ipomoea batatas. Additionally, WSSP peel-off had also shown positive results on total protein concentration, albumin, globulin, and plasma enzymes [SGOT and SGPT]. Further research would be needed in order to purify the anti-diabetic components and it should be available in compact dose form for all diabetic patients

Porto-systemic shunt - an effective management of resistant variceal bleed - sohar experience

The three cases of variceal bleeding which remained refractory to conservative treatment and edoscopic sclerotherapy are presented here. These cases finally underwent surgical porto-systemic shunt and responded well to this treatment. Although in this era of minimal access surgery and development of interventional radiology, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt [TIPS] is considered as the treatment of choice for such patients but where this facility is not available, surgical porto-systemic shunt is still a life saving treatment modality