Posted by admin on May 1, 2011 in |
In the present study we have explored the effect of Urtica dioica, a traditional antidiabetic herb used in India and Bangladesh, on insulinemic and chronic inflammatory status of type 1 diabetic model rats. The mature and fresh leaves of U. dioica was collected from the mountain range of Assam in India and the water extract of the leaves was used at a dose of 1.25g/kg body weight. Adult Long-Evans male rats, bred at BIRDEM Animal house, were used in this study. Type 1 DM was produced with single intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin using standardized methods. The experiment for semi-chronic effects was done with continuous feeding of water extract of U. dioica for 8 days. Serum glucose estimated by glucose oxidase (GOD-POD) method, serum insulin was measured by ELISA and CRP (as a marker for chronic inflammation) was also measured by an ELISA technique specific for rats. Serum lipids were measured by enzymatic-colorimetric methods. When compared to Control the water extract of U. dioica showed a significant hypoglycemic effect on...
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Posted by admin on May 1, 2011 in |
Momordica charantia Linn. which has been used mainly for edible purposes at different countries of the world including South East Asia and has also been extensively used in traditional medicines for the cure of various ailments. M. charantia belongs to the cucurbitaceae family. Extensive research has been carried out on the fruit, leaves, and seeds of the plant. Most importantly, all these research works have shown its efficacy on various cancer cell lines like lymphoid leukemia, lymphoma, choriocarcinoma, melanoma, breast cancer, skin tumor, prostatic cancer, squamous carcinoma of tongue and larynx, human bladder carcinomas and on Hodgkin’s disease. Clinical reports of some research on the use of M. charantia in diabetes and cancer patients showed promising results. The main active constituents of M. charantia are cucurbitane type triterpenoids which have some potent biological and pharmacological activities including antidiabetic, anti-obesity, anticancer, anti-HIV, anti-feedant and anti-oviposition activities. Since in the early 1960’s the constituents of M. charantia have been investigated and several classes of secondary metabolites including cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, glycosides and...
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Posted by admin on Apr 1, 2011 in |
The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of oral feeding of A. indica leaf (powder, aqueous and 80% ethanol extract) in STZ induced type 2 diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of STZ to 48hrs old pups and experiments were carried out three months later. For chronic experiment type 2 rats were divided into 5 groups: 1) Water control, 2) Glibenclamide (5gms/kg b.w.) treated, 3) A. indica powder [mixed with rat feed (1.25 g/kg b.w.)], 4) Aqueous extract and 5) 80% ethanol extract treated. The test drugs were used at a dose of 1.25 g/kg b.w. for 28 consecutive days. Body weight was checked every week. Blood was collected by cutting the tail tip at the beginning and on the days 7, 14, 21 and by decapitation on the 28th day. Results of the experiment showed that A. indica leaves exerted a gradual reduction in serum glucose level of type 2 diabetic rats. A significant reduction in serum glucose level was noticed on...
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Posted by admin on Apr 1, 2011 in |
The mainly deliberate endocrine product of the pineal gland, melatonin, has been reported to be involved in the feedback between neuroendocrine and immune functions and to exert oncostatic action, at least in certain experimental conditions. Melatonin seems to be a vital part of the immune system, by exerting direct and/or indirect stimulatory effects on both cellular and humoral immunity. Likewise, an antitumor activity of melatonin has been shown in several experimental models in vivo and in vitro. The means by which melatonin exerts its effects on immunity and neoplastic growth have not been elucidated. The different putative mechanisms of action of melatonin investigated so far are at this juncture briefly...
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Posted by admin on Feb 1, 2011 in |
Earthworm plays a major role in the proper functioning of the soil ecosystem. It acts as scavenger and helps in recycling of dead and decayed plant material by feeding on them. Earthworm increases the soil fertility and is often referred to as a farmer’s friend. Earthworms have been used in medicine for various remedies. In the present investigation, various solvent extracts of an earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae were prepared and anti-inflammatory activity of these extracts were determined. The petroleum ether fraction possessed maximum anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced albino rats in comparison to 95% ethanol and 0.2 M phosphate buffer (pH, 7.0) extracts. The paw volume was determined and was compared with that of aspirin, a standard anti-inflammatory drug. The results indicates that petroleum ether fraction of earthworm extract possessed similar anti-inflammatory activity as that of...
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