Posted by admin on Sep 1, 2012 in |
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) were widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have shown that TZDs have paradoxical effects on cardiovascular diseases. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of TZDs (Rosiglitazone and Pioglitazone) in High Fructose Diet (HFD) induced hypertension in rats. HFD was given for 14 weeks. After 8 weeks of hypertension induction period, treatment phase was started with Rosiglitazone (ROSI 10 and 30 mg/kg, p.o.) and Pioglitazone (PIO 10 and 30 mg/kg, p.o.) to the respective groups which were continued till 6 weeks. Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) was measured weekly and serum glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and HDL-C were measured at the end of study period. In HFD fed rats hypertension was observed after 8 weeks. Treatment with the test drugs significantly reversed the changes in serum enzyme levels as well as SBP made by HFD feeding compared to the control group. The study concludes that TZDs possess antihypertensive effect as exhibited in the present experimental...
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Posted by admin on Aug 1, 2012 in |
Ceiba pentandra (C. pentandra) has been traditionally used in the ayurveda system of medicine for the treatment of obesity and atherosclerosis. The present study was undertaken to evaluate anti-obesity and hypolipidaemic activity of the ethanolic leaf extract of C. pentandra in Cafeteria diet (CD) treatedWistar albino rats. Obesity was induced in Wistar albino rats by feeding CD daily for twelve weeks. Body weight was measured initially and then every week thereafter. Food and water intake was measured daily. On day 85th, the serum biochemical parameters were estimated and the animals were sacrificed with over dose of anesthetic ether. The liver and fat pads (perirenal, mesenteric and epididymis) were removed and weighed immediately. The intestinal activity of enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was determined. Administration of C. pentandra (125 mg/kg) prevented the increase in body weight in cafeteria diet treated animals. Administration of C. pentandra showed significant decrease in body weight gain in CD treated obese rats. The significant decrease in ALP level was observed in C. pentandra treated rats. Administration...
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Posted by admin on Jul 1, 2012 in |
The use of medicinal plants and preparations derived from them as dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, functional foods and herbal medicinal products has become more widely accepted in developing countries. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the adverse effects of these plants and their preparations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of the methanol extracts Plumeria acuminata (MEPA) and Galega purpurea (MEGP) by single the long-term oral administration in mice. The study of chronic toxicity was determined by oral feeding male mice daily with the MEPA and MEGP at the dose of 300, 600 and 1,200 mg/kg body weight continuously for 270 days. The results of chronic toxicity showed no abnormalities in the test groups as compared to the controls. Hematological and blood chemical values in treated groups were normal in comparison with the control group. Non-toxicity effect of MEPA and MEGP were present as no changes in body weight, internal organ weight, and general behaviors. Macroscopic or microscopic of internal organs or tissues in treated rats...
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Posted by admin on May 1, 2012 in |
Garlic a perennial erect plant is known to have sulphur-containing compounds that act on the hypothalamus increasing the sensitivity of the hypothalamus to leptin which alters the set point at which satiety is reached causing an organism to eat less. Nine mice (six of which were obese) were used in this study and grouped into three. Groups A and B were made of 3 obese mice each whereas group C consisted of 3 non-obese mice. For group A and group C mice, 20 ml aqueous garlic extract was added to their feed daily whereas no garlic was added to the feed of group B mice. The study was carried out over a period of 44 days. The weight and blood glucose was measured weekly and the average for each group was computed. Results indicated that Group A mice recorded a reduction in mean body weight by 46.5% (p<0.05). Group B mice had significant increase in mean body weight by 46.2% (p<0.05). The blood glucose level dropped significantly by 18.5%...
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Posted by admin on May 1, 2012 in |
Coriandrum Sativum family Umbelliferae is highly reputed ayurvedic medicinal tree commonly known as the Dhanya. It is a glabrous, aromatic, herbaceous annual plant, small sized tree growing throughout India, Italy, Netherlands, Central and Eastern Europe, China and Bangladesh. Essential oil, flavonoids, fatty acids, and sterols have been isolated from different parts of C. sativum. The different parts of this plant contain monoterpenes, α-pinene, limpnene, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, borneol, citronellol, camphor, geraniol, coriandrin, dihydrocoriandrin, coriandrons A-E, flavonoids and essential oils. Various parts of this plant such as seed, leaves, flower and fruit, possess antioxidant activity, anti-diabetic activity, anti-mutagenic activity, anti-helmintic activity, sedative-hypnotic activity, anticonvulsant activity , diuretic activity, cholesterol lowering activity, protective role against lead toxicity, antifungal activity, anti-feeding activity, anticancer activity, anxiolytic activity, hepatoprotective activity, anti-protozoal activity, anti-ulcer activity, post-coital anti-fertility activity, heavy metal detoxification. Various phytopharmacological evaluations have been reported in this literature for the important potential of the Coriandrum...
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