Pancreatic beta-cell regeneration

Cephalendra indica (41//v/v alcoholic extract of the wild variety of Cephalendra indica Naud.), on regular administration in doses ranging from 25uml to 75uml/100g of body weight (gbw) by the oral or intraperitoneal (ip) route produced a significant fall in blood sugar level in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Biochemical studies showed stabilization of blood sugar level in 70//of cases at fourteen to twenty days after withdrawal of the drug. Histopathological studies revealed regeneration of pancreatic B cells. The hypothesis is that the drug acts through the hypothalamo-hypophysial-pancreatic axis, producing selective regeneration of B cells. The drug may indirectly release inhibitory factors from hypothalamic neurons, inhibiting the secretion of growth hormone and triggering insulin secretions from B cells. The therapeutic action of the drug on pancreatic B cells and lack of acute and subacute toxicity may open up new prospects in the treatment of diabetes mellitus

A chemo-pharmacological study of Hypericum perforatum L

Arthritis was produced in adult albino rats weighing 120+-10g through intramuscular injections of 0.5ml of 2 percent w/w formalin beneath the plantar aponeurosis on the first and third day. The anterioposterior diameter of the ankle was recorded and statistically analyzed. It was evident that relatively low doses, 0.25ml/100g body weight, of tincture of Hypericum perforatum produced a significant 48 percent anti-inflammatory effect, whereas higher doses, 0.5ml/100g body weight, of the drug showed 32 percent activity under identical conditions. Parallel studies with 1mg/100g body weight hydrocortisone administration gave similar anti-inflammatory effects. Local application of an alcoholic extract of the drug in very small doses also produced significant skin softness and flexiblility of muscle