Protective Action of Carica papaya on ß-Cells in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of C. papaya L. leaf extract (CPLE) on pancreatic islets in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, as well as on cultured normal pancreatic cells with STZ in the medium. CPLE (3-125 mg/Kg) was administered orally for 20 days, while a group of diabetic rats received 5 IU/Kg/day of insulin. At the end of the treatment the rats were sacrificed. Blood was obtained to assess glucose and insulin levels. The pancreas was dissected to evaluate ß cells by immunohistochemistry. In addition, normal pancreatic cells were cultured in a medium that included CPLE (3-12 mg). One half of the cultured cells received simultaneously CPLE and STZ (6 mg), while the other half received CPLE and five days later the STZ. After three days of incubation, insulin was assayed in the incubation medium. The CPLE administered to diabetic rats improved the fasting glycemia and preserved the number and structure of pancreatic islets. However, when CPLE was added to pancreatic cells in culture along with STZ, the insulin concentration was higher in comparison with the cells that only received STZ. In conclusion, the CPLE preserves the integrity of pancreatic islets, improves the basal insulin secretion and protects cultured cells from the adverse effects of STZ.

Phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic activity of Carica papaya leaf in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The extraction of plant constituents is essential to isolate biologically active compounds, aimed to understand their role on the treatment of diabetes. This study was designed to explore the preliminary phytochemical and physicochemical analysis of Carica papaya L., Caricaceae, leaf, and further evaluation of its hypoglycemic effect on diabetic rats. C. papaya leaves were extracted using chloroform, n-hexane or ethanol. For each extract a phytochemical screening was performed. The tests were conducted in triplicate and the qualitative and quantitative determination of the various metabolites was done using analytical standards proposed by Mexican Herbal Pharmacopoeia. The chloroform extract, containing steroids and quinones as major components, was chosen to study C. papaya biological effects. The chloroform extract was evaporated to dryness, and doses 0, 31, 62, 125 mg/kg were orally administered in 300 µl polyethylene glycol to diabetic rats; and 0 and 62 mg/kg to non-diabetic rats. After a 20-day treatment with the chloroform extract, the animals were sacrificed and blood was obtained for biochemical studies. The main effect observed was a decrease in serum glucose, triglycerides and transaminases in diabetic rats after the administration of C. papaya chloroform extract. These results confirm the potential beneficial action of C. papaya to treat the symptoms of diabetic patients.

Investigación clinicoepidemiológica en envejecimiento: metodología del proyecto encuesta salud, bienestar y envejecimiento (SABE) en México / Epidemiological clinical research in aging: methodology of the project survey health, wellbeing and ageing in Mexico

La población de personas adultas mayores crece de forma paulatina y sostenida en el mundo y por ende en nuestro país. Sin embargo, la información que se tiene sobre la forma de vida, salud y bienestar de este grupo poblacional es limitada debido a que la mayor parte de las investigaciones en adultos mayores es derivada del estudio de grupos pequeños con patología bien circunscrita y características especiales. Por otro lado, la realización de estudios, en la población abierta, que permitan establecer la demografía y epidemiología de las personas mayores de 60 años requieren de una gran infraestructura y recursos tanto humanos como económicos. El Proyecto-Encuesta Salud Bienestar y Envejecimiento (SABE), mediante la realización de un estudio tipo encuesta, tiene la finalidad de obtener dicha información contando con la participación del Sector Salud, instituciones de educación superior así como organizaciones no gubernamentales lo que constituye un logro interinstitucional. Para la realización del proyecto SABE se ha seguido con rigurosidad científica el protocolo y para su puesta en marcha hubo la necesidad de la integración intersectorial de las instituciones que brindan atención a los adultos mayores mexicanos, ya sea dentro del contexto de la seguridad o asistencia social. Los alcances de SABE permitirán la creación y difusión del conocimiento derivado del mismo. En este documento, se expone y analiza de forma breve y concreta la metodología operativa de SABE México, lo que significa dar el primer paso para que otros investigadores interesados en el tema, realicen este tipo de estudios. Dada la experiencia que se ha ido generando en la realización de SABE México, este tipo de documentos sirven como base para proponer e iniciar las acciones al respecto.

The elderly population grows so gradual and sustained in the world and therefore in our country. However, information that is on the way of life, health and well-being of this population group is limited since most of the research in older adults is derived from the study of small groups with well circumscribed pathology and special features. On the other hand, open population studies to establish the demography and epidemiology of people older than 60 years require a large infrastructure and resources both human and financial. Project- Survey Health, Wellbeing and Ageing (SABE, in Spanish)), through a study type survey, has the purpose of obtaining such information with the participation of the Health Sector, institutions of higher education as well as organizations NGO constituting an interinstitutional achievement. For the implementation of the project SABE the Protocol has been followed with scientific rigor and for it simplementation underway there was the need to cross-sectoral integration of institutions providing care to Mexican older adults, either within the context of the social security or welfare. The reaches of SABE will enable the creation and dissemination of the knowledge derived from it. In this document, it exposes and analyzes operational methodology of a brief and concrete way of SABE Mexico, which means the first step so that other researchers interested in the topic, take place this type of study. Given the experience that has been generated in the implementation of SABE Mexico, this type of documents serves as the basis to propose and initiate actions in this regard.