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.

Maceration-Mediated Liquid-Liquid Extraction and Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Based Pragmatic Analysis of Silybins.

This study presents a pragmatic and easily scalable maceration-mediated liquid-liquid extraction (MMLLE) and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC)-based determination of Silybins from plant material (Curcuma longa L.). The processing of calibration standards revealed that the RP-HPLC method was linear over a concentration range of 1-100 µg/mL with regression coefficient (R2) > 0.9950, limit of detection 0.02 µg/mL and limit of quantification <0.07 µg/mL. The optimum chromatographic conditions resolved Silybin A, Silybin B, Isosilybin A and Isosilybin B within 5 min of analysis time. The reproducible recovery rates of spiked flavonolignans (96.24-115.40%) from quality controls established the effectiveness of MMLLE procedure prior to HPLC determination. The real-time analysis revealed the presence of silybins in C. longa roots. The results further endorse that MMLLE prior to chromatographic determination may provide a more pragmatic analytical solution for the analysis/isolation of silybins.

Variation in biochemical and antioxidant attributes of Raphanus sativus in response to foliar application of plant leaf extracts as plant growth regulator.

The present study was aimed to appraise the variations in biochemical, antioxidant and nutritional attributes of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) under foliar application of plant leaf aqueous extracts i.e., mulberry leaf extract (MLE), brassica leaf extract (BLE), sorghum leaf extract (SLE) and moringa leaf extract (MoLE) as natural growth regulators. Samples were collected after three sprays of extracts and analyzed. Total phenolic constituents were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent method, whereas antioxidant potential was evaluated by 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical radical scavenging and reducing power assays. Results revealed that application of MLE, BLE, SLE, and MoLE not only improved growth, but also enhanced biochemical and antioxidant activities. Foliar spray of MoLE furnished relatively three folds higher amounts of extractable bioactive compounds (37.65 ± 0.94%), phenolic constituents (54.51-182.71 mg GAE/g f.w). The radical scavenging capacity (RSC) and reducing potential were also enhanced considerably. Furthermore, the moisture, dietary fiber, crude protein, and carotenoids were also enhanced in response of foliar spray of plant extracts. From results, it is concluded that plant extracts are effective sources of natural growth regulars and might be useful for the production of vegetables with improved nutritional value and antioxidant activity.

Effects of Allium sativum (garlic) on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.

The present study evaluated the effects of garlic on blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. Patients (n=210) with stage 1 essential hypertension were divided into 7 groups named as A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Each group comprised of 30 patients. Each patient in group A, B, C, D and E has received garlic tablets at the dose of 300/mg. 600/mg, 900/mg, 1200/mg and 1500/mg in divided doses per day respectively for 24 weeks while Group F & group G were given tablet atenolol and placebo respectively. Blood pressure readings were recorded at weeks 0, 12 and 24. Present study showed significant decrease in both Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure in both dose and duration dependent manner. In each garlic treated group, significant reduction in SBP and DBP (p<0.005) were observed when compared with atenolol (P<0.005) and placebo.

Garlic (Allium sativum) supplementation with standard antidiabetic agent provides better diabetic control in type 2 diabetes patients.

Garlic has been used safely since ancient times as both food and medicine in human populations, but studies of its efficacy in the management of diabetes have yielded conflicting results. This study has evaluated the potential hypoglycemic effects of garlic in type 2 diabetic patients. The study was conducted in diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients (n=60) with fasting blood sugar level above 126 mg/dl to evaluate the effects of adding garlic tablets with standard antidiabetic therapy on blood sugar. Patients were divided randomly into 2 groups. Group 1 (n=30) was given tablet Garlic (KWAI) 300 mg thrice daily + Metformin 500 mg twice daily and Group 2 (n=30) was given Placebo+Metformin 500 mg twice daily respectively for 24 weeks. Serum lipids and fasting blood glucose were measured at week 0, 12 and week 24. Group1 showed significant reduction in fasting blood sugar at week 24 with a percentage decrease of (-3.12 percent) (P = <0.005) as compared to group 2 (0.59 percent). At the end of week 24, GR1 group also showed considerable decrease in mean total cholesterol (6.2 mg/dl, -2.82%, P=<0.005), LDL-C (-3 mg/dl, 2.18% P=<0.005), triglycerides (-5.2 mg/dl, 3.12%, P<0.005) while HDL cholesterol was significantly increased (2.36 mg/dl, 6.72%, P<0.005) as compared to GR2 group. Combination of garlic with typical antidiabetic remedy has shown to improve glycemic control in addition to antihyperlipidemic activity. Garlic may be a good addition in the management of patients with diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

Effects of garlic on dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Garlic (Allium Sativum) has been used in herbal medicine for centuries for various ailments. In recent years garlic has been the focus of serious medical and clinical attention because of beneficial effects on several cardiovascular risk factors like reduction of serum lipids, blood pressure and plasma viscosity. There is also wide spread belief among general public that garlic has beneficial effects on cardiovascular system. The purpose of present study was to evaluate the effects of garlic on one of the major cardiovascular risk factors i.e. dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHOD: This 12 week randomized, single-blind, placebo controlled study was conducted on Type 2 diabetic patients with newly diagnosed dyslipidemia (n=70). Patients were selected from Diabetic OPD of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre, Karachi and were divided into two groups each comprising of 35 patients, they were given tablet garlic (Garlex-Bosch Pharmaceuticals) 300 mg (containing 1.3 % allicin) twice daily and identical placebo tablets respectively. Both groups were given diet and exercise plan. RESULTS: After 12 weeks the garlic treated group (n = 33) had a significant reduction in total cholesterol (-28 mg/dl, - 12.03 % P= <0.001), LDL - C (-30 mg/dl, - 17.99 % P=<0.001) while the placebo treated group ( n=32) had a non significant decrease in total cholesterol (- 2 mg/dl, - 0.9 % p= ns) and LDL-C (-3 mg/dl, -1.6 % p=ns). HDL cholesterol was significantly increased in patients treated with garlic (3.35 mg/dl, 8.81% P= <0.05) compared with placebo group (0.62, 1.6% P= n.s) but there was no significant difference in triglyceride was observed between two groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests possible small short term benefits of garlic on dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients. Garlic significantly reduced serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and moderately raised HDL cholesterol as compared to placebo. Controlled Clinical Trials of longer duration are needed to assess the long term benefit of garlic on vascular and circulatory disease processes.