Effect of flavonoid rich fraction of Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers. on complications associated with streptozotocin-induced type I diabetes mellitus.

Globally, diabetes is a serious health issue affecting one in 11 adults and consumes 12% of global health expenditure. Prevalence of dyslipidemia in diabetes is not uncommon since decades. Further, patients with type II diabetes have 2-4 folds more risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Plants with antioxidant potential are known to have beneficial effects in diabetes and its complications. Natural compounds, flavonoids particularly, ameliorate hyperglycemia as well as CVD. Here, we evaluated common wasteland weed Tephrosia purpurea, used traditionally as folk medicine to treat many disorders including diabetes. We studied the effect of 8-wk treatment of flavonoid-rich fraction of T. purpurea (FFTp) (40 mg/kg/day/p.o.) on various biochemical, cardiovascular and lenticular parameters on streptozotocin (STZ) (45 mg/kg, i.v.) induced type I diabetic rats. STZ administration produced significant hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and altered cardiac biomarkers like lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase and reduced antioxidants in lenticular tissues of rats. Treatment with FFTp significantly prevented STZ-induced hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia as well as cardiovascular markers. We observed decreased rate of pressure development (+dp/dt) and decay (-dp/dt) in STZ diabetic hearts which was prevented by FFTp. Further, the soluble protein levels and the antioxidants were also elevated in the diabetic rats by the treatment. In conclusion, our data suggest that FFTp produces beneficial effects on diabetes induced cardiovascular complications and cataract. Such beneficial actions may be attributed to the antioxidant property of flavonoids, quercetin or rutin, present in T. purpurea.

Evaluation of effect of aqueous extract of Enicostemma littorale Blume in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats.

The present investigation was undertaken to standardize and study the dose-dependent effect of three weeks treatment with hot and cold aqueous extract of E. littorale (0.5, 1 and 2 g/kg, po) on streptozotocin (STZ) induced type I diabetic (confirmed by histopathology) rats (45 mg/kg, iv single dose). Treatment of rats with STZ produced cardinal signs of diabetes-mellitus like a significant loss of body weight, polyuria and polydipsia. There was also a significant increase in fasting blood glucose levels and AUCglucose associated with decrease in insulin levels and AUCinsulin in STZ-diabetic rats. Treatment with E. littorale hot extract (1 and 2 g/kg) significantly reduced the elevated food intake and water intake, glucose and AUCglucose levels of diabetic rats. There was also a significant increase in serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride in the STZ diabetic rats. Treatment with E. littorale hot extract (1 and 2 g/kg) significantly decreased all these elevated levels in diabetic rats. Hot aqueous extract of E. littorale at 0.5 g/kg produced a significant decrease in serum glucose and triglycerides. At this doses serum cholesterol and AUCglucose were not found to be altered significantly.TLC finger-print profiles were established for the aqueous extract using HPTLC. Swertiamarin, which was used as a chemical marker, was found to be one of the major components in the hot extract while it was absent in cold extract. The results suggest that E. littorale possesses potential antidiabetic activity and improves lipid profile at a small dose of 0.5 g/kg.

Association of HLA-B*1502 allele and carbamazepine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome among Indians.

Background: Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis are severe cutaneous reactions caused by certain drugs, including antiepileptic carbamazepine. A strong association has been reported between human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B*1502 and carbamazepine-induced SJS in Han Chinese patients. European studies suggested that HLA-B*1502 is not a universal marker but is ethnicity-specific for Asians. Aim: To study the association between HLA-B*1502 and carbamazepine-induced SJS in Indian patients. Methods: Eight individuals who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of SJS induced by carbamazepine were identified and HLA-B molecular typing was performed. HLA-B genotyping was carried out by polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific primers. Results: Out of eight patients studied for genotype, six patients were found to have the HLA-B*1502 allele. Conclusion: This study suggests an association between HLA-B*1502 and carbamazepine-induced SJS in Indian patients.

Efficacy of PercuSurge in acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing revascularization with a special emphasis on procedural time.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of the PercuSurge Guardwire(R) Plus Temporary Occlusion and Aspiration System, the actual procedural time involved and long-term follow-up in acute MI patients undergoing primary/rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS & RESULTS: It was a single centred, prospective study in 67 prospective AMI patients undergoing PCI. They were divided randomly into two groups depending on whether PercuSurge was used (n=30) or not used (control n=37) during PCI. Final TIMI flow, TMP grade and the time involved in or necessary for various steps of the PCI were recorded. PercuSurge showed significantly greater achievement of TIMI III flow and TMP III grade (p<0.01). Its use was associated with less total procedural time (p<0.05). The time required from guidewire crossing to stent placement; from guidewire crossing to TIMI III flow and from predilatation/stent placement to optimal TIMI flow was significantly reduced with its use (p<0.05 for all). Slow/no-reflow was significantly reduced (p<0.001), thus reducing intracoronary vasodilators and GP IIb/IIIa antagonists requirements. A 2 years' follow-up revealed four deaths in control and one death in PercuSurge group. CONCLUSION: PercuSurge reduced the total procedural time with better and faster optimal TIMI flow and TMP grade in primary/rescue PCI and was associated with less long term events.

Beneficial effects of Zingiber officinale Roscoe on fructose induced hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia in rats.

Fructose supplementation produced cardinal features of Syndrome-X including significant elevations in seum cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and insulin and also in body weight. While treatment with methanolic extract of dried rhizomes of Zingiber officinale produced a significant reduction in fructose induced elevation in lipid levels, bodyweight, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, treatment with ethyl acetate extract of Z officinale did not poduce any significant change in either of the last two parameters. However, it produced a significant reduction in elevated lipid levels and body weight The concentration of 6-gingerol was found to be higher in methanolic extract and less in ethyl acetate extract. The results suggest that the methanolic extract of Z officinale produces better effects as compared to ethyl acetate extract in fructose induced hyperlipidemia associated with insulin resistance. The extent of activity appears to be dependent on the concentration of 6-gingerol present in the extracts.