Purine metabolites can indicate diabetes progression.

AIM: To find the association between purine metabolites and diabetic complications in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Alloxan was administered to induce diabetes in rats. After 30 days, the levels of uric acid, inosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine and AMP were assessed in both plasma and liver tissues using HPLC technique. RESULTS: A significant increase in xanthine, hypoxanthine, AMP levels (p < .001 and t-value 2.78) and inosine in plasma and liver tissues (p < .05 and t-value 2.11) with a concomitant increase in uric acid levels (p < .001 and t-value 2.80) was observed in diabetic group. CONCLUSION: Purine metabolites like uric acid and other intermediate products of purine metabolism are increased in diabetes. These results can be used in addition or separately in evaluating the progression of diabetes.

An Assessment of the Risk Factors and Concerns of Postpartum Depression among Mothers Seeking Health Care in North Central Trinidad.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a debilitating mental disorder which affects mainly females usually after giving birth. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the risk factors and concerns of PPD among mothers seeking health care at regional health authority hospitals in Trinidad. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study consisted of 360 mothers from the postnatal and neonatal clinics of the North Central Regional Health Authority, Trinidad. Data were collected via a questionnaire using convenience sampling to study the risk factors and concerns of PPD among mothers. Participants were asked to sign a consent form before filling out the questionnaire. The questions were geared toward obtaining mother's perspective on predisposing factors of PPD, identifying if they are at risk for perinatal depression, the outcomes of having PPD, and determining if they were screened and treated for it. RESULTS: This study comprised 360 postnatal women among which 4.7% were diagnosed with postpartum while 40% scored ≥10 in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale which indicated a risk for PPD. This research revealed seven significant predictors of PPD: family history of mental illness, baby blues, mood swings during period, use of oral contraceptives, emotional support, life stress, and being diagnosed with depression (P < 0.05). Other characteristics like sociodemographics were not remarkably correlated but marginally indicative of depressive signs. CONCLUSION: The study shows that many risk factors of PPD exist, and screening and treatment should be used to avoid the consequences of PPD.

Serum visfatin and adiponectin - markers in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Aim: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a leading cause of female infertility. Adipose tissue releases various adipokines, including visfatin and adiponectin, which have influence on insulin resistance (IR).Objective: To determine serum insulin levels, IR, serum visfatin and adiponectin levels in PCOS subjects.Materials and methods: Case-control study on 100 diagnosed PCOS patients (50 obese and 50 non-obese) and 100 control subjects (50 obese and 50 non obese). Investigations included serum measurement of insulin, visfatin and adiponectin using an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay and Sinbe magnum technique.Results: There were higher levels of serum fasting glucose levels, serum insulin levels, IR and visfatin levels and lower levels of adiponectin in women with PCOS irrespective of body mass index, compared to their respective controls with a p value of < 0.001.Conclusion: The study suggests that serum visfatin levels positively correlate and serum adiponectin levels negatively correlate to insulin and IR in women with PCOS irrespective of obesity. Hence they can serve as markers in women with PCOS.

Identification of calcium, sodium, magnesium and chloride ion levels in hypertensive and non-hypertensive trinidadians.

Hypertension is a progressive cardiovascular disease with association to risk factors. These risk factors in conjunction with essential elements has become identifiable with the development of the progressive disease. The key purpose of this investigation was to identify the levels of the essential elements, Sodium (Na+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Chloride (Cl-) and Calcium (Ca2+) in both hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients in a Trinidadian population. To achieve this objective a case-control investigation was conducted in which both hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients were assessed. Patients were issued a questionnaire with a series of open-ended questions related to the study. Blood was then drawn from each patient once consent was obtained and sent to the lab to be assayed for the elements. Fifty hypertensive (50) patients were compared with 50 non-hypertensive patients. The average levels obtained for Na+, Cl-, Ca2+ and Mg2+ were 162.08±4.27 mmol/dL (P=0.53), 120.1±58.31 mmol/dL (P=0.51), 2.78±0.86 mmol/dL (P=0.47) and 0.52±0.31 mmol/dL (P<0.001) respectively for the hypertensive patients. The results in the present study revealed higher levels of Na+, Ca2+ and Cl- and lower levels of Mg2+ in the hypertensive patients. The hypertensive patients were also identifiable with having high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. Sixty-two (62%) of the hypertensive patients lived with the condition for more than 10 years. The results obtained for the Trinidadian population revealed in conclusion that hypertensive patients have higher levels of Na+, Ca2+ and Cl- and lower levels of Mg2+. These results are similar to the global results with small differences in their average level of each ion identified.

Controlling Lipids AIDS in the Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal lipid profiles are a characteristic feature of persons with chronic conditions in which the diabetic populations are recognized as the dominant group, regardless of gender and ethnicity worldwide. This study was conducted to identify and evaluate the abnormalities of serum lipid profiles in both nondiabetic and diabetic persons. METHODS: This study was a case-control investigation conducted between 2013 and 2015. The study enrolled 266 patients from the North Central and South West Regional Health Authorities of Trinidad. Of the 266 patients recruited, 126 were diabetic and 140 were nondiabetic. RESULTS: Our study observed that dyslipidemia was present among the nondiabetic populations as the nondiabetics had 55 women and 20 men with high cholesterol, 22 women and 14 men with high triglyceride (TG), 30 women and 25 men with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), 42 women and 21 men with high low-density level-cholesterol (LDL-C), 13 women and 8 men with high very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and also 30 women and 11 men with body mass index (BMI) over 30 kg/m2. We also observed that diabetic women had significantly lower TGs (P = 0.019) and higher HDL-C (P = 0.001) and LDL (P = 0.003) when compared with the diabetic men. In addition, the nondiabetic females also had higher HDL-C (P = 0.045) when compared to their male counterparts. Both diabetic and nondiabetic women exhibited significantly higher BMI of P = 0.000. A negative correlation was obtained among TGs and HDL (r = -0.356, n = 83, P = 0.001) and a positive correlation was observed among LDL and HDL (r = 0.230, n = 86, P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: This study observed the incidences in the abnormalities of serum lipid profiles in both nondiabetic and diabetic persons. It also presents the high occurrence of nondiabetic women with dyslipidemia as they presented with high cholesterol, high TG, low HDL-C, and high VLD-L with BMI over 30 kg/m2.

Effects of Jasminum multiflorum leaf extract on rodent models of epilepsy, motor coordination and anxiety.

Jasmine flowers and leaves are used extensively in folk medicine in different parts of the world to treat a variety of diseases. However, there are very few published reports on the neuropsychiatric effects of Jasmine extracts. Hence, the objectives of the present study were to examine the effects of an alcohol extract of Jasminum multiflorum leaves on topically-applied bicuculline (a model of acute simple partial epilepsy) and maximal electroshock (MES, a model of generalized tonic-clonic seizure) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The objectives also included an examination of the anxiolytic properties of the extract using an elevated plus maze and the effect of the extract on motor coordination using a rotarod treadmill. Phytochemical analysis of the extract showed the presence of three flavonoids and four additional compounds belonging to the steroid, terpenoid, phenol or sugar classes of compounds. The Jasmine alcohol extract, diluted with water and given orally or intraperitoneally, reduced the number of bicuculline-induced epileptiform discharges in a dose-dependent manner. The extract did not cause a significant increase in the current needed to induce hind limb extension in MES experiments. The extract significantly affected motor coordination when injected at 500mg/kg but not at 200mg/kg. At the latter dose, the extract increased open-arm entries and duration in the elevated plus maze to a level comparable to that of diazepam at 2mg/kg. We conclude that Jasmine leaf extract has a beneficial effect against an animal model of acute partial complex epilepsy, and significant anxiolytic effect at a dose that does not affect motor co-ordination.

Prevalence of Diabetes, Obesity and Dyslipidaemia in Persons within High and Low Income Groups Living in North and South Trinidad.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes Mellitus, obesity and dyslipidaemia are metabolic disorders characterized by similar risk factors, complications and outcomes including stroke, insulin resistance, MI and even death. Studies have indicated that impoverished and low income areas of developing countries are more prone to increasing obesity which when uncontrolled can lead to diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia. AIM: The study was aimed to compare the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, obesity and dyslipidaemia in high and low income groups of North and South Trinidad, to determine factors that contribute to its prevalence and to observe any associations between the three aforementioned diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 participants who visited the two major hospitals at south and north Trinidad where the mean differences between fasting glucose, lipid profile, BMI, waist and hip ratio and blood pressure of both diabetic and non-diabetic participants were obtained via questionnaires and then analysed using SPSS. RESULTS: Residents of south Trinidad showed a higher proportion of persons with diabetes and dyslipidaemia at 68.6% and 52% when compared to 28.6% and 27% respectively for the north population. Those from north Trinidad showed a higher prevalence of obesity at 45.9% with higher income levels. About 17.3% participants smoked or were exposed to cigarettes in north compared to 9.8% of participants whom smoked or were exposed to cigarettes in south. North had 2% of alcohol consumed daily and 3.9% consumed alcohol daily in south. In north, 21.4% of participants were stressed when compared to 18.6% from south. CONCLUSION: A significant correlation was established between cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides which lead to the conclusion that obesity is caused by dyslipidaemia. Also, our study concluded that stress and dyslipidaemia are income related.

Familial hypercholesterolemia presenting with multiple nodules of the hands and elbow.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common but commonly missed diagnosis. Tendon xanthomas are a physical sign strongly suggestive of FH. Physicians must identify tendon xanthomas, apply validated clinical scoring such as the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria and offer cascade screening. This approach will increase recognition of FH.

Wound healing activity of the fruit skin of Punica granatum.

The skin of the fruit and the bark of Punica granatum are used as a traditional remedy against diarrhea, dysentery, and intestinal parasites. The fruit skin extract of P. granatum was tested for its wound healing activity in rats using an excision wound model. The animals were divided into three groups of six each. The experimental group of animals was topically treated with P. granatum at a dose of 100 mg/kg every day for 15 days, while the controls and standard group animals were treated with petroleum jelly and mupirocin ointment, respectively. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of saponins, triterpenes, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and cardiac glycosides. Extract-treated animals exhibited 95% reduction in the wound area when compared with controls (84%), which was statistically significant (P<.01). The extract-treated wounds were found to epithelize faster compared with controls. The hydroxyproline content of extract-treated animals was significantly higher than controls (P<.05). The fruit skin extract did not show any antimicrobial activity against the microrganisms tested. P. granatum promotes significant wound healing in rats and further evaluation of this activity in humans is suggested.

Is it time to replace 24-hour urinary albumin excretion (UAE) assessment in Trinidad and Tobago

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to compare albuminuria measured by conventional 24-hour urine collection and by spot urine albumin and by determining ACR, in a spot sample of urine. METHODS: A first morning spot sample and 24 hour urine samples were collected from 64 subjects, irrespective of the prevailing pathology. The urinary albumin and creatinine in both the spot and 24 hour urine samples was analyzed using the fully automated chemistry analyzer. RESULTS: Of the 64 participants studied the 24 hour albumin varied from 30-3000 gm, the interquartile range 450-2814 mg. The sensitivity and specificity of the spot urine sample was 81.3% (95% CI 70.9-91.7) and 83.3% (95% CI 76.6-92). CONCLUSION: ACR did not provide any advantage over microalbumin measurement alone and in fact there was satisfactory agreement between the two measurements. ACR in addition requires a higher laboratory effort therefore in a low resource setting microalbumin measurement alone is the more convenient screening method in routine clininical practice especially in the developing world.

Association between altered lipid profile, body mass index, low plasma adiponectin and varied blood pressure in Trinidadian type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects.

BACKGROUND: The obesity and hypertension have become the causes for the development type 2 diabetes. There is a limited study done on the contribution of body mass index (BMI) to blood pressure (BP) in the Caribbean population. Aim of our study was to determine the associations between lipid profile, BMI, adiponectin, and BP in Trinidadian type 2 diabetic patients with regards to age and ethnicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cohort study comprised of 266 subjects (85 males and 181 females) attending primary and tertiary healthcare settings in central Trinidad. Of which, 126 diabetic subjects were matched with 140 non-diabetic subjects. Along with clinical history and anthropometry, adiponectin and lipid profile were measured in fasting blood samples. RESULTS: The diabetic group had higher triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and BP values which were statistically significant (P < 0.05) when compared to non-diabetic subjects. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and adiponectin were lower in diabetic subjects. HDL-c showed significant changes for ethnicity (P = 0.013) and gender (P = 0.043). The mean adiponectin concentrations were found to be significantly different among the ethnic groups (P = 0.001). Systolic pressure varied significantly with age (P = 0.018). As age increased, BP also increased. Ethnic groups had a significant difference in diastolic pressure (P = 0.027). East Indians had the highest mean diastolic pressure (80.74 ± 10.29) when compared to all other ethnic groups. CONCLUSION: HDL-cholesterol, low levels of adiponectin, and varied BP are associated in Trinidadian type 2 diabetic subjects with regards to age, gender, and ethnicity.

Plasma adiponectin levels are related to obesity, inflammation, blood lipids and insulin in type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic Trinidadians

AIMS: To determine the relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and obesity, inflammation, blood lipids and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics (T2DM) and non-diabetics in a patient population in Trinidad. METHODS: A cohort study of a total of 126 type 2 diabetic (42 males and 84 females) and 140 (43 males and 97 females) non-diabetic public clinic attendees were assessed between December 2008 and July 2009. Along with clinical history and anthropometry, adiponectin, TNF-α, IL-6, CRP, lipid profile, glucose, and insulin were measured in fasting blood samples and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. RESULTS: Diabetics had higher (p<0.05) glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides (TG), VLDL and systolic blood pressure than non-diabetics, but lower (p<0.05) HDL and adiponectin levels. Adiponectin levels were lower (p<0.05) in obese than in non-obese individuals regardless of diabetic status. There were significant gender differences in HDL, LDL and TG. Among non-obese persons, adiponectin correlated negatively with triglycerides (r=-0.280; adiponectin), IL-6 (r=-0.216; p<0.005), HOMA-IR (r=-0.373; p=000) and positively correlated with HDL (r=0.355; p=0.000). Diabetic status (p=0.025), TNF-α (p=0.048) and BMI (p=0.027) were identified as useful predictors of adiponectin by multiple linear regression methods. In addition binary logistic regression analysis found glucose (p=0.001) and adiponectin (p=0.047) to be useful indicators of type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin decreases with increasing adiposity and insulin resistance. Adiponectin and TNF-α appear to be related to differences in the insulin mediated glucose turnover.

Wound healing potential of ethanolic extract of Kalanchoe pinnata Lam. leaf--a preliminary study

The extract of K. pinnata was evaluated for its wound healing activity by using excision wound model in rats. On day 11, animals treated with the ethanolic leaf extract exhibited 86.33% reduction in the wound area, compared to petroleum jelly treated control (69.36%) and the mupirocin treated standard (85.49%). The hydroxyproline content of extract treated animals was higher, as compared to control and the standard groups. Histological analysis was also consistent with the proposal that K. pinnata leaf extract exhibits significant wound healing potential. The increased rate of wound contraction and hydroxyproline content in the extract treated animals supports the claims made by traditional healers of the benefits obtained from the medicinal use of K. pinnata.

Association of troponin T and altered lipid profile in patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether elevated levels of troponin T are associated with altered lipid profile. METHODS: Data were collected from 205 patients each of whom presented elevated troponin T levels. RESULTS: 195 patients presented with suspected myocardial infarction, 10 patients did not. Of which 68 had medium, 107 high and 20 presented with very high troponin T levels. The proportions were significantly different (p = 0.000215). Regression analysis showed that troponin T level was a useful quadratic predictor of total cholesterol (p = 0.000), triglycerides (p = 0.003), and low density cholesterol (p = 0.000); and a useful linear predictor of TC/HC ratio (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of myocardial infarction is associated with elevated troponin T levels; troponin T is positively correlated with total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and TC/HC ratio and negatively correlated with HDL. TC/HC ratio was not found to be a useful predictor of the likelihood of MI.

Nucleic acid distribution pattern as a possible biomarker for metabolic activities of neoplastic cells: a digitally-aided fluorescence microscopy study on normal and neoplastic lymphocytes of acute and chronic canine lymphocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic states of neoplastic cells are increasingly being relied upon for diagnostic and prognostic assessment of neoplastic conditions. The nucleic acid distribution pattern of cells in general, in terms of degree of condensation of the nuclear chromatin and overall spread of the nucleic acid within the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments, can reflect the metabolic state of the cell. This simple but logical concept appears not be put into consideration to date as numerous attempts are being made towards formulating reliable biomarkers for rapid diagnosis, prognosis and subsequent therapeutic interventions for neoplastic conditions. We comparatively evaluated nucleic acid distribution patterns of normal lymphocytes and neoplastic cells of lymphocytic lineage, employing light and fluorescence microscopy procedures, as well as digital imaging analytical methods. RESULTS: The results demonstrate distinctiveness in the pattern of nucleic acid distribution for the normal lymphocytes and three lymphocytic neoplastic cell-types of canine lymphocytic leukemia that are categorized as small, intermediate and large neoplastic lymphocytes. Variably-shaped cytoplasmic processes laden with single-stranded nucleic acids (SSNA) were observed for the small and intermediate-sized neoplastic lymphocytes, compared with large neoplastic lymphocytes and the normal lymphocytes; the latter two categories of cells being virtually devoid of similar processes. Prominent cytoplasmic and nuclear clumps of SSNA, indicative of a higher rate of metabolic activity, were also observed within the neoplastic cells compared with fewer and narrower SSNA of the normal cells. CONCLUSION: The comparative relative increases of SSNA in cytoplasmic processes and other cellular areas of small and intermediate-sized neoplastic lymphocytes is reflective of greater metabolic activity in neoplastic cells in general compared with their normal cellular counterparts.

Do current standards of primary care of diabetes meet with guideline recommendations in Trinidad, West Indies?

AIMS: Primary care management of diabetes was examined using the Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC) guidelines. METHODS: We retrospectively examined a cross-section of 646 type 2 people with diabetics over 12 months with 1st visit between 1997 and 2005. RESULTS: There were more women (65.8%) than men (34.2%) with age range between 29 and 89 years. Blood pressure and weight were evaluated in >95% of patients at each centre. Waist circumference and BMI were not measured at any time and HbA(1)c was infrequently measured (1.6-7%) over the 12 months. Information on family history (87.5%), smoking and alcohol (78.1%), exercise (21.4%), socioeconomic status (19.4%) and education (0.3%), and fasting blood sugar (97.2%), lipid profile (51.8%) and serum creatinine (37.9%) were assessed at the 1st visit. At follow-up patients were advised on treatment compliance (47.2%), diet (34.2%), exercise (18.5%) and rarely on home monitoring of blood glucose (0.3%). Peripheral sensations, pedal pulses (6%), visual acuity (3.3%), fundoscopy (12.1%) and ECG (3.9%) were scarcely examined at the annual visit. CONCLUSIONS: Current management of diabetes in primary care in Trinidad falls short of Caribbean guideline recommendations. The CHRC and Ministry of Health should jointly educate caregivers of diabetes to implement the guidelines, with annual audits to identify shortfalls in management.

Determination of RBC membrane and serum lipid composition in Trinidadian type II diabetics with and without nephropathy.

AIM: The rheological properties of erythrocytes are impaired in diabetes mellitus, especially because of changes in their membrane lipid composition.The aim of this study was to determine and examine the relationship between red blood cell (RBC) membrane and serum lipid composition in type II diabetes subjects with and without nephropathy. METHODS: Trinidadian subjects aged 18-65 years were recruited for the study regardless of gender and ethnicity. Fasting blood samples were collected from 60 subjects of whom 20 were healthy individuals, 20 had type II diabetes without complications, and 20 were type II diabetics with nephropathy. Weight, height, waist/hip ratio, and blood pressure were recorded. All the blood samples were analysed to determine the serum lipid concentration, membrane lipid composition and plasma glucose concentration. RESULTS: The body mass index and the systolic blood pressure of the diabetics (28.17 +/- 4.98 kg/m2, 153.21 +/- 22.10 mmHg) and those with nephropathy (25.87 +/- 4.68, 158.60 +/- 22.49 mmHg) were higher when compared with controls (24.67 +/- 5.18, 119.15 +/- 13.03 mmHg). The diabetic (175.89 +/- 102.73 microg/mgprotein) and diabetic nephropathy (358.80 +/- 262.66) subjects showed significantly higher levels of RBC membrane cholesterol compared with controls (132.27 +/- 66.47). The membrane phospholipids, protein and Na+/K+ATPase concentrations were altered in diabetics and diabetic nephropathy patients when compared with controls. The trends of increased serum cholesterol and decreased high-density lipoprotein in diabetics and diabetic nephropathy patients were noted as compared with controls but they are not significant as expected. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly higher in diabetics when compared with diabetic nephropathy and control subjects.

Correlation of microalbumin and sialic acid with anthropometric variables in type 2 diabetic patients with and without nephropathy.

AIM: The objective of this study is to correlate microalbumin and sialic acid levels with anthropometric variables in type 2 diabetic patients with and without nephropathy. METHODS: This study was a case control study and included 108 Trinidadian subjects (aged 15-60 years) of which 30 were healthy individuals, 38 had type 2 diabetes, and 40 were of type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy. Blood pressure and waist to hip ratio were recorded. Fasting venous blood samples and urine samples were collected from all the subjects. Blood samples were analysed for the glucose, C-reactive protein, and sialic acid. Urine sample was analysed for microalbumin and sialic acid. RESULTS: Urinary microalbumin was higher among diabetic subjects (28.9 +/- 30.3 mg/L) compared with controls (8.4 +/- 10.2 mg/L) and was significantly higher in diabetic patients with nephropathy (792.3 +/- 803.9 mg/L). Serum sialic acid was higher in subjects with diabetic nephropathy (71.5 +/- 23.3 mg/dL) compared to diabetics (66.0 +/- 11.7 mg/dL) and controls (55.2 +/- 8.3 mg/dL). Increased microalbumin and sialic acid were correlated with other cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and waist to hip ratios (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: From these results it can be concluded that the increased microalbumin and sialic acid were strongly correlated with hypertension and waist to hip ratios in Trinidadian type-2 diabetic patients. Measurement of sialic acid, microalbumin, and waist to hip ratio along with the blood pressure is recommended for all type 2 diabetic patients to reduce the cardiovascular risk.

Evaluation of the wound-healing activity of ethanolic extract of morinda citrifolia L. Leaf.

Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) is one of the most important traditional Polynesian medicinal plants. The primary indigenous use of this plant appears to be of the leaves, as a topical treatment for wound healing. The ethanol extract of noni leaves (150 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) was used to evaluate the wound-healing activity on rats, using excision and dead space wound models. Animals were randomly divided into two groups of six for each model. Test group animals in each model were treated with the ethanol extract of noni orally by mixing in drinking water and the control group animals were maintained with plain drinking water. Healing was assessed by the rate of wound contraction, time until complete epithelialization, granulation tissue weight and hydoxyproline content. On day 11, the extract-treated animals exhibited 71 per cent reduction in the wound area when compared with controls which exhibited 57 per cent. The granulation tissue weight and hydroxyproline content in the dead space wounds were also increased significantly in noni-treated animals compared with controls (P < 0.002). Enhanced wound contraction, decreased epithelialization time, increased hydroxyproline content and histological characteristics suggest that noni leaf extract may have therapeutic benefits in wound healing.

Wound healing activity of Carica papaya L. in experimentally induced diabetic rats.

The aqueous extract of C. papaya fruit (100 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 10 days) was evaluated for its wound healing activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats using excision and dead space wound models. Extract-treated animals exhibited 77% reduction in the wound area when compared to controls which was 59%. The extract treated wounds were found to epithelize faster as compared to controls. The wet and dry granulation tissue weight and hydroxyproline content increased significantly when compared to controls. The extract exhibited antimicrobial activity against the five organisms tested. Carica papaya promotes significant wound healing in diabetic rats and further evaluation of this activity in humans is suggested.