Glycemic control and antioxidant potential of distinct fractions of camelus dromedaries fresh milk in streptozocin induced diabetic rats.

To analyze the antiglycemic effects and to evaluate the anti-oxidant levels in pre and post-camel milk fractions treated albino diabetic rats, sixty male Swiss albino rats weighing 30-40gm aged 2 to 3 months were randomly divided into six groups, A, B, C, D, E & F, each comprised of 10 animals. as Group A: Normal control, Group B: Streptozocin induced Diabetic group while Groups C, D, E & F were diabetic groups treated with various fractions of camel milk. Noteworthy alteration in blood glucose and antioxidant activity was observed between disease control (group B) and all the treated groups with a percentage decrease of about 25%, 12.98%, 11.57% and 10.17% in blood sugar in groups C, D, E and F respectively. Changes in total antioxidant capacity were significant with the rise of 92.30%, 30.76%, 46.15% and 38.46% respectively in groups C, D, E and F. Percentage difference in superoxide dismutase between group B and Group C of 85% was highest as compared to 45.90 %, 52.45% and 39.34% for groups D, E and F. Group C also showed a significantly higher increase in serum copper, zinc and Vitamin C. It is inferred that Camel milk has significant antiglycemic and antioxidant potential and may prove good complementary therapeutics for diabetes.

Analysis of dose and duration dependent effects of Allium sativum Linn and other hypocholesterolemic agents exhibited on dyslipidemia in patients with essential hypertension.

Globally, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the most significant cause of organ failure, mortality and substantial escalation of health care cost. Dyslipidemia and hypertension poses significant risks in cardiovascular diseases and morbidity and mortality can be minimized by altering risks factors. Dyslipidemia is one of the major leading cause of rise of global incidences and socioeconomic burden which necessitates to explore the pharmacological options of significant antilipemic activity with minimal untoward effects at affordable price. Allium Sativum (Garlic) proved medicinally effective in different clinical trials, but further investigations are required to investigate its effects on diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia based on variable doses and duration. In this study dose and duration dependent effects of Garlic were evaluated on hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia. Study was randomized, single blind and placebo controlled. Effects of tablets of garlic (KWAI) 300 mg in doses of daily 0.3g, 0.6g, 0.9g, 1.2g and 1.5g for 24 weeks were compared in humans. Each tablet contains 1.3 percent of alliin and 0.6 % of allicin. Results showed remarkable improvements in different serum lipid levels (Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Low density lipoproteins and High density lipoproteins) based on different doses and duration as compared to placebo and standard Lipid-lowering agent simvastatin.

Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin in Reversing the Depression and Associated Pseudodementia via Modulating Stress Hormone, Hippocampal Neurotransmitters, and BDNF Levels in Rats.

Depressive state adversely affects the memory functions, especially in the geriatric population. The initial stage of memory deficits associated with depression is particularly called as pseudodementia. It is the starting point of memory disturbance before dementia. The purpose of this research was to study depression and its consequent pseudodementia. For this purpose 24 male albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Depression was induced by 14 days of chronic restraint stress (CRS) daily for 4 h. After developing a depression model, pattern separation test was conducted to monitor pseudodementia in rats. Morris water maze test (MWM) was also performed to observe spatial memory. It was observed that model animals displayed impaired pattern separation and spatial memory. Treatment was started after the development of pseudodementia in rats. Curcumin at a dose of 200 mg/kg was given to model rats for one week along with the stress procedure. Following the treatment with curcumin, rats were again subjected to the aforementioned behavioral tests before decapitation. Corticosterone levels, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurochemical analysis were conducted. Model rats showed depressogenic behavior and impaired memory performance. In addition to this, high corticosterone levels and decreased hippocampal BDNF, 5-HT, dopamine (DA), and acetylcholine (ACh) levels were also observed in depressed animals. These behavioral biochemical and neurochemical changes were effectively restored following treatment with curcumin. Hence, it is suggested from this study that pseudodementia can be reversed unlike true dementia by controlling the factors such as depression which induce memory impairment.

Supplementation of Taurine Insulates Against Oxidative Stress, Confers Neuroprotection and Attenuates Memory Impairment in Noise Stress Exposed Male Wistar Rats.

Noise has always been an important environmental factor that induces health problems in the general population. Due to ever increasing noise pollution, humans are facing multiple auditory and non-auditory problems including neuropsychiatric disorders. In modern day life it is impossible to avoid noise due to the rapid industrialization of society. Continuous exposure to noise stress creates a disturbance in brain function which may lead to memory disorder. Therefore, it is necessary to find preventive measures to reduce the deleterious effects of noise exposure. Supplementation of taurine, a semi essential amino acid, is reported to alleviate psychiatric disorders. In this study noise-exposed (100 db; 3 h daily for 15 days) rats were supplemented with taurine at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 15 days. Spatial and recognition memory was assessed using the Morris water maze and novel object recognition task, respectively. Results of this study showed a reversal of noise-induced memory impairment in rats. The derangements of catecholaminergic and serotonergic levels in the hippocampus and altered brain antioxidant enzyme activity due to noise exposure were also restored by taurine administration. This study highlights the importance of taurine supplementation to mitigate noise-induced impaired memory via normalizing the neurochemical functions and reducing oxidative stress in rat brain.

Spirulina platensis (Blue-green algae): A miracle from sea combats the oxidative stress and improves behavioral deficits in an animal model of Schizophrenia.

Spirulina platensis (blue-green algae) is a nutritional supplement. It constitutes of high content of protein, antioxidants, various phytopigments and possesses neuroprotective activities. Schizophrenia (SZ) is recognized as a neuropsychiatric disorder in humans with a reduced lifespan followed with impairments in social as well as vocational functioning. Major psychotic symptoms of SZ cluster into three categories: positive, negative and cognitive dysfunctions. Dizocilpine recognized as one of the best drugs to mimic full spectrum of SZ can develop an animal model of the disorder. Various antipsychotics are considered as approved treatment therapy for the psychotic symptoms of SZ but they also exert adverse effects. Thus, there is an excessive need for novel treatment(s) with negligible adverse effects. Present study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of spirulina in ameliorating the psychosis- like symptoms in dizocilpine-induced rat model of SZ. Spirulina was tested at the dose of 180 mg/kg. Results showed that administration of spirulina improved behavioral deficits and combated the oxidative damage evident by a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and increase in antioxidant level. Thus, from present findings it may be suggested that spirulina can be used as a therapy for preventive or therapeutic measures.