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

Enhanced production of Lovastatin by filamentous fungi through solid state fermentation

Lovastatin is a natural competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme-A [HMG-CoA] reductase and inhibits specifically rate limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis. Further, lovastatin in comparison with synthetic drugs has no well-reported side effects. Four pure isolated filamentous fungal strains including Aspergillus niger IBL, Aspergillus terreus FFCBP-1053, Aspergillus flavus PML and Aspergillus nidulans FFCBP-014 have been cultured by solid state fermentation [SSF] using rice straw as substrate for the synthesis of lovastatin. After selecting Aspergillus terreus FFCBP-1053 as the best producer of lovastatin, various selected physical parameters including pH, temperature, inoculums size and moisture content were optimized through response surface methodology [RSM] under center composite design [CCD] for lovastatin hyper production. Maximum lovastatin production of 2070+/-91.5 was predicted by the quadratic model in the medium having moisture content 70% and pH 4.5 at 35 degree C which was verified experimentally to be 2140+/-93.25Mug/g DW of FM [microgram/gram dry weight of fermentation medium], significantly [P<0.05] high as compared to un-optimized conditions while it was noted that lovastatin production is independent on inoculum size [P>0.05] measured by spectrophotometer at 245 nm against standard. It was determined that optimized conditions for the hyper-production of lovastatin from fungal sources have a significant effect

Effects of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Ipomoea batatas L on mineral contents level [calcium and magnesium] in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

In diabetic patients, electrolyte disorders frequently occur with the characteristic changes in minerals like calcium and magnesium etc. Several medicines are used to manage diabetes mellitus but they exert adverse effects. Plants are a valuable alternative to synthetic medicines because they are easily available, economical and have fewer side effects. Ipomoea batatas L is a well-known antidiabetic plant [sweet potato] but its effects on calcium and magnesium concentration have not studied. The prime focus of this study is to estimate the potential of Ipomoea batatas L peel-off on magnesium and calcium level in Alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Alloxan monohydrate was mixed in 0.9% NaCl solution and administrated [150 mg/kg [S/C]] to male Wistar rats to induce diabetes. After three days blood samples were collected and blood glucose level was recorded. Wistar rats having a blood glucose level of 200 mg/dl and above were selected for the study. Methanol and water extract of Ipomoea batatas L peel–off was given orally with a dose rate of 4g/day. Calcium and magnesium estimation was done using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Our results revealed an increase in both the calcium and magnesium level in heart, brain, liver, hind limb, and forelimb after Ipomoea batatas extract treatment. In kidneys decreased calcium level was noted as they excrete calcium. Mineral [Calcium, magnesium] level was increased in all organs except kidney after both extracts treatment. Ipomoea batatas being anti-diabetic in nature also maintain the homeostasis of calcium and magnesium in diabetes. Therefore, we propose the long-term use of such agents might help in the prevention of diabetes-associated complications. However, the validation of these results to human population needs further extensive study

evaluation of efficacy and safety of Cough [EMA] granules used for upper respiratory disorders

Ivy leaf is used for the treatment of respiratory diseases with the intensive mucus formation, respiratory infections, and irritating cough coming from the common cold. Conferring to clinical trials, the efficacy, and tolerability of ivy leaf is good. The main compounds accountable for biological activity are triterpene and saponins. Ivy leaves show convulsive/antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, anthelmintic and anti-thrombin activity. Not only ivy but also marshmallow and mustard seeds are used for these indications. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Cough [EMA; European Medicines Agency] granules used for upper respiratory disorders. This clinical trial was conducted on 150 patients, out of which 75 received the Cough [EMA] granules and 75 received the placebo. The age range of patients was 3 years to above 15 years. The sample paired t-test was applied to evaluate the significant level. Cough [EMA] granules were found effective in the treatment of cough, cold, and flu symptoms. The new treatment Cough [EMA] granules were safe and well tolerated in patient at given specific age group. The study recommends that Cough [EMA] granules can be used effectively in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infection

Phytochemical analysis and hepatoprotective effect of polyherbal formulation on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in mice

The potent phytotherapeutic modalities against the hepatotoxicity have motivated us to explore numerous plants and polyherbal preparations because conventional drug discovery is more expensive and tedious. So, this study was conducted to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of a polyherbal formulation [PHF], comprising of Solanum nigrum, Silybum marianum, Atrmesia absinthium, Achillea millifolium and Cichorium intybus against carbon tetrachloride [CCl4] induced hepatotoxicity in experimental rats. CCl4 intoxication induced vacuole formation and fast degeneration so selective liver enzymes including alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and total bilirubin in rat's plasma, as well as liver histological architecture, were used to evaluate the effect of herbal treatments with different doses [ranging 100-500 mg/kg] for two weeks. Statistical analysis showed that PHF significantly [P<0.05] improved the level of liver enzymes as well as improved the liver architecture comparative to control groups. It could be concluded from current findings that PHF prepared from Solanum nigrum, Silybum marianum, Atrmesia absinthium, Achillea millifiloium and Cichorium intybus have some hepatoprotective activities

Effect of caffeine on anti-clotting activity of warfarin in healthy male albino rabbits

Drug-drug interactions are most commonly occurring phenomenon in clinical practice. Many physicians are afraid of being involved in an allegation of malpractices due to the occurrence of any severe interaction. These interactions not only occur between drugs but also between any kind of food, tobacco smoke, caffeine and alcohol etc. Therefore, the present study was directed to inspect the effect of caffeine on the anticoagulation activity of warfarin in healthy adult male albino rabbits. Blank blood samples were collected from each rabbit. Rabbits were given warfarin [0.5mg kg-1] orally via stomach tube and blood samples were collected in PT/INR vials at various intervals. After a washout period of 14 days, warfarin was orally administrated at same dose rate along with caffeine [5 mg kg-1 every twelve hours for three days] and same sampling schedule was repeated. Prothrombin time [PT] and the international normalized ratio [INR] of blood samples were determined to estimate changes in the anticoagulation activity of warfarin after its concurrent administration with caffeine. The PT data revealed that Rmax and AUC increased significantly [P

Pharmacokinetic behavior of montelukast in indigenous healthy male volunteers

Aim of present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic behavior of Montelukast in the healthy male volunteers under indigenous conditions. One tablet of montelukast 10 mg was administered in each subject and blood at different time intervals. Concentration of montelukast in plasma samples was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography method to calculate pharmacokinetic parameters. The plasma concentration of montelukast was in the range of 1.31-1.76 micro g/mL at 0.5-12 hours with C[max] value of 1.59+/-0.16 micro g/mL at 3.71+/-0.64 hours. These values of plasma drug concentrations were above the minimum effective concentration of montelukast during the entire study hours. Absorption and elimination half-lives of the montelukast were evaluated as 2.52+/-0.54 hours and 2.63+/-0.35 hours, respectively. The volume of distribution and total body clearance of montelukast were investigated as 0.34+/-0.01 L/kg and 0.01+/-0.00 L/hr/kg, respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters i.e. Cmax, AUC, t1/2, Vd and ClB of montelukast calculated in present study were found different as compared to that of the previous literature values which was due to genetic and environmental variation