[ efficacy of Rheum ribes L. stalk extract on lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic type II diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo - controlled, clinical trial]

Previous clinical and experimental studies suggested the valuable effect of some herbal medicines on hyperlipidemic profile. Rheum ribes an herbal medicine has been prescribed for the treatment of diabetes and hyperlipidemia by several herbalists in Iran. The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of Rheum ribes stalk extract on lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic type II diabetic patients. One month randomized double blind clinical trial was conducted on 36 hypercholesterolemic, type II diabetic patients, referred to Diabetic Clinic at Special Medical Center Tehran Iran. All the patients who participated were aged between 40 to 60 years had LDL cholesterol above 100 mg/dl and confirmed type II diabetes with fasting blood glucose above 150-200 mg/dl. The patients were not taking any antihyperlipidemic drug during last one month and continue their standard anti-diabetic therapy without any change during the study. The patients were randomly allocated in two groups. One group received 1200 mg Rheum ribes daily in three 400 mg capsule and other received placebo similarly. The patients fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, SGOT and SGPT were determined at the beginning and at the end of the study after one month. At the end of the study in Rheum ribes treated patients fasting blood glucose, LDL and total cholesterol significantly decreased as compared to placebo treated patients as well as compared to beginning of the study. In placebo treated patients all blood level of biochemical determination at the end of the study were not significantly changed as compared to beginning of the study. Rheum ribes stalk extract treatment had beneficial effect on lipid as well as glucose profile in type II diabetic hypercholesterolemia patients without any adverse effect on liver and kidney

chemical constituents and antibacterial activity of essential oil of peucedanum ruthenicum [M. Bieb.] rochel [Umbelliferae] leaf

The essential oil of Peucedanum ruthenicum leaf obtained by hydro distillation and was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Among the 17 identified constituents accounting for 100% of the total oil, the major component was Thymol [57.79%]. Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was investigated against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of P. ruthenicum showed activity against Gram-positive and Gram negative bacteria

Phytochemical analysis of Ferulogo Bernardii Tomk and M. Pimen

From the hexane extract of the aerial parts of Ferulago Bernardii [Apiaceae] four coumarins, namely prantschimgin 1, oxypeucedanin 2, psoralen 3 and umbelliferone 4; beta-sitosterol 5; and nonacosane 6 were isolated by Column Chromatography [CC], Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography [PTLC] and crystallization. The structures were elucidated by melting point, UV, IR, MS, 1H and 13C-NMR spectra. The presence of compounds 1, 2, 3 and 5 in some others Ferulago species could be used as chemotaxonomic marker in genus Ferulago. This is the first report on phytochemical analysis of Ferulago Bernardii Tomk. and M. Pimen

clinical investigation of securigera securidaca [L.] [degen and doerfler] seeds in type II diabetic patients; a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Securigera securidaca [L.] seeds are used by traditional herbalists for the treatment of diabetes in several parts of Iran. Clinical investigation of its efficacy and its toxicity in diabetic patients is of importance. A 2-month r and omized double blind clinical trial was conducted in 70 type II diabetic patients in two well - matched groups. One group [n=35] received 500 mg Securigera securidaca [L.] seeds capsule 3 times a day plus st and ard therapy, while the control group [n=35] received placebo plus st and ard therapy. The patients were visited monthly and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbAlc], fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, triglyceride, SCOT, SGPT, ALK, BUN, serum creatinine levels were determined at the beginning and the end of the study after two months. There was no significant change in HbAlc and fasting blood glucose level in Securigera securidaca [L.] seeds treated patients after two months as compared to beginning of the treatment and also as compare to placebo group. Serum lipid level also did not change significantly. The liver enzyme level and creatinine level in blood did not change significantly in Securigera securidaca [L.] seeds treated patients. No side effect was observed in any of patients in both of the groups. The results show that the Securigera securidaca [L.] seeds treatment with known antidiabetic property in traditional herbal therapy has no beneficial effect on improving glycemic profile in type II diabetic patients. The use of this herbal medicine in the dose of I500 mg in 3 divided dose showed no gasterointestinal symptom as well as liver and kidney abnormality during two months therapy. The long term efficacy and toxicity of this herbal medicine in higher dosage may be investigated in large multi center clinical study