Salacia reticulata improves serum lipid profiles and glycemic control in patients with prediabetes and mild to moderate hyperlipidemia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

The present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Salacia reticulata leaves and root bark extracts in 29 patients with prediabetes and mild to moderate hyperlipidemia. Patients received either Salacia extracts (500 mg/day) or placebo along with therapeutic lifestyle changes for a period of 6 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated in terms of change in lipid profile and glycemic levels. The safety and tolerability was evaluated by a physical examination and clinical laboratory evaluations. Improvements in lipid profiles and glycemic levels were observed in Salacia extract-treated groups when compared to placebo at week 6. A statistical significant reduction was observed in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels at week 3 and 6 when treated with root bark extract. The leaves extract-treated group showed statistically significant reduction in FBS levels at week 6 only. No adverse events occurred and all safety parameters were within normal ranges during the study. This study revealed that treatment with S. reticulata was safe and well-tolerated and may be beneficial in the management of prediabetes and mild to moderate hyperlipidemia.

Hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect of Ceiba pentandra L. Gaertn in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn, commonly called silk-cotton tree, has been extensively used by traditional medicine practitioners in Northern and Eastern Nigeria in the control and management of diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hypoglycaemic and anti-hyperglycaemic effect of ethanolic extract of Ceiba pentandra bark in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. METHOD: Screening activity of the extract was carried out by OGTT. Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin and graded doses of the ethanolic bark extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, b.w.) were then administered to the experimentally diabetic rats. The blood glucose level was measured at different time intervals. RESULTS: The single dose study of C. pentandra extract at two different doses produced no significant hypoglycaemic effect in normal rats but C. pentandra (200 mg/kg) significantly decreased blood glucose level in diabetic rats. In OGTT, C. pentandra (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced elevated glucose level in normal and diabetic rats. In long term (21 days) study, C. pentandra (200 mg/kg) significantly decreased blood glucose level, total cholesterol and triglycerides level, prevented degeneration of liver and pancreas, and increased serum insulin level and liver glycogen content in diabetic rats. Acute toxicity study in rats did not show any signs of toxicity up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w. CONCLUSION: The results reveal that the extract improved glucose tolerance in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Thus the study suggests that the C. pentandra bark extract could be beneficial in the management of type I diabetes.

Involvement of opioid, adenosine and 5-HT(3) receptors in antinociceptive effects of an ayurvedic polyherbal formulation.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of an ayurvedic polyherbal formulation in rats and mice employing the tail immersion test and acetic acid-induced writhing test, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With the tail immersion method, rats received two different doses (270 and 405 mg/kg BW, p.o.) of a formulation, pethidine (5.4 mg/kg BW, p.o.) as a reference standard and the combination of the higher dose of the formulation with naloxone (2 mg/kg, i.p.), an opioid receptor antagonist, and caffeine (16 mg/kg, i.p.), used as an adenosine receptor antagonist. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, mice received two different doses (390 and 585 mg/kg, BW, p.o.) of formulation, diclofenac sodium (15 mg/kg, BW, p.o.) as a reference standard and the combination of the higher dose of the polyherbal formulation with ondansetron (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), a serotonin receptor antagonist. RESULTS: The polyherbal formulation (405 mg/kg) exhibited a significant (p < 0.01) antinociceptive effect using the tail immersion method. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the formulation showed significant (p < 0.01) dose-dependent activity. The antinociceptive effect of the polyherbal formulation apparently involved an opiate-like mechanism, since its antinociceptive action was attenuated by naloxone pretreatment. In addition, antinociceptive activity was attenuated by caffeine and reversed by ondansetron pretreatment. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the polyherbal formulation possessed centrally and peripherally mediated antinociceptive properties. The activity could be mediated through opioid, adenosine, and serotonin receptors and via inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase- and/or lipoxygenase-dependent pathways.

Comprehensive decongestive therapy in postmastectomy lymphedema: an Indian perspective.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema following breast cancer treatment is one of the most morbid conditions affecting breast cancer survivors. Currently, no therapy completely cures this condition. Comprehensive Decongestive Therapy (CDT), a novel physiotherapeutic method offers promising results in managing this condition. This therapy is being widely used in the West. Till date, there are no studies evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of this therapy in the east. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The therapeutic responses of 25 patients with postmastectomy lymphedema were analyzed prospectively in this study. Each patient received an intensive phase of therapy for eight days from trained physiotherapists, which included manual lymphatic drainage, multi layered compression bandaging, exercises, and skin care. Instruction in self management techniques were given to the patients on completion of intensive therapy. The patients were followed up for three months. Changes in the volume of the edematous limb were assessed with a geometric approximation derived from serial circumference measurements of the limb and by water displacement volumetry. Changes in skin and sub cutis thickness were assessed using high frequency ultrasound. RESULTS: The reduction in limb volume observed after therapy was 32.3% and 42% of the excess, by measurement and volumetry, respectively. The maximum reduction was obtained after the intensive phase. The reduction in skin and subcutis thickness of the edematous limb followed the same pattern as volume reduction. Patients could maintain the reduction obtained by strictly following the protocols of the maintenance phase. CONCLUSIONS: CDT combined with long-term self management is effective in treating post mastectomy lymphedema. The tropical climate is a major factor limiting the regular use of bandages by the patients.

Nootropic activity of Celastrus paniculatus seed.

The effect of Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Celastraceae) seed aqueous extract on learning and memory was studied using elevated plus maze and passive avoidance test (sodium nitrite induced amnesia rodent model). The aqueous seed extract was administered orally in two different doses to rats (350 and 1050 mg/kg) and to mice (500 and 1500 mg/kg). The results were compared to piracetam (100 mg/kg, p.o.) used as a standard drug. Chemical hypoxia was induced by subcutaneous administration of sodium nitrite (35 mg/kg), immediately after acquisition training. In elevated plus maze and sodium nitrite-induced amnesia model, Celastrus paniculatus extract has showed statistically significant improvement in memory process when compared to control. The estimation of acetylcholinesterase enzyme in rat brain supports the plus maze and passive avoidance test by reducing acetylcholinesterase activity which helps in memory performance. The study reveals that the aqueous extract of Celastrus paniculatus seed has dose-dependent cholinergic activity, thereby improving memory performance. The mechanism by which Celastrus paniculatus enhances cognition may be due to increased acetylcholine level in rat brain.

Phytopharmacology of Ficus religiosa.

Herbs have always been the principal form of medicine in India. Medicinal plants have curative properties due to the presence of various complex chemical substances of different composition, which are found as secondary plant metabolites in one or more parts of these plants. Ficus religiosa (L.), commonly known as pepal belonging to the family Moraceae, is used traditionally as antiulcer, antibacterial, antidiabetic, in the treatment of gonorrhea and skin diseases. F. religiosa is a Bo tree, which sheltered the Buddha as he divined the "Truths." The present review aims to update information on its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.