Effect of spironolactone on cardiovascular complications associated with type-2 diabetes in rats.

We have studied the effect spironolactone (20 mg/kg/day) on cardiovascular complications in neonatal model of diabetes in rats, induced by administering 90 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ), i.p. in 2 day old rats. Diabetes was checked after 12 weeks. At the end of 8 weeks of treatment, various biochemical and cardiac parameters were measured. STZ produced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, increased creatinine, cardiac enzyme and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, worsened hemodynamic parameters, cardiac hypertrophy and oxidative stress. Chronic treatment with spironolactone significantly reduced serum glucose levels but did not alter insulin levels. It also significantly prevented the dyslipidemia and reduced elevated Lactate de-hydrogenase, creatinine kinase, CRP and creatinine levels. Chronic treatment with spironolactone prevented STZ-induced hypertension, tachycardia and elevated rate of pressure development and decay. Spironolactone also produced beneficial effect by preventing cardiac hypertrophy as evident from left ventricular collagen levels, cardiac and left ventricular hypertrophic indices and prevented oxidative stress. In conclusion, our data suggests that spironolactone prevents STZ induced metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular complications in animal model of type 2 diabetes.

Usage trends for memory and vitality-enhancing medicines: A pharmacoepidemiological study involving pharmacists of the Gujarat region.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to explore the trends and rationale of use of memory and vitality-enhancing medicines (MVEM) in the Gujarat region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective pharmacoepidemiological study involving pharmacists of Gujarat region was carried out in the year 2005. Pharmacists (n = 351) working in general and Ayurvedic medical stores were selected from 12 districts of Gujarat region. The pharmacists were explained about the objective of the study and were given a pretested, validated questionnaire. OUTCOME MEASURES: The questionnaire included the questions regarding herbal MVEM used most commonly, percentage sale of herbal MVEM - sold with or without prescriptions - age group of patients and professional groups who used these drugs most commonly. RESULTS: The number of individuals using MVEM was highest in the age group of 11-20 years (17.54%), followed by the 21-40 years group (17.12%), supporting the results that the professional group of students (17.29%) and the persons of business or service class (15.29%) are the highest users of these medicines. Evaluation of various constituents in the marketed polyherbal MVEM revealed that Brahmi (Bacopa monniera), Shankhpushpi (Evolvulus alsinoides), Ashwangandha (Withania somnifera), Jatamansi (Nardostychos jatamansi), Vacha (Acorus calamus) and Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) were the common ingredients in the polyherbal preparations. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights commonly used Ayurvedic medicines that can be explored for safely enhancing memory and vitality performance. Hence, detailed and scientifically designed research on these drugs would help to identify safe and effective drugs for enhancing the same.

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) a bio-sweetener: a review.

Studies revealed that Stevia has been used throughout the world since ancient times for various purposes; for example, as a sweetener and a medicine. We conducted a systematic literature review to summarize and quantify the past and current evidence for Stevia. We searched relevant papers up to 2007 in various databases. As we know that the leaves of Stevia plants have functional and sensory properties superior to those of many other high-potency sweeteners, Stevia is likely to become a major source of high-potency sweetener for the growing natural food market in the future. Although Stevia can be helpful to anyone, there are certain groups who are more likely to benefit from its remarkable sweetening potential. These include diabetic patients, those interested in decreasing caloric intake, and children. Stevia is a small perennial shrub that has been used for centuries as a bio-sweetener and for other medicinal uses such as to lower blood sugar. Its white crystalline compound (stevioside) is the natural herbal sweetener with no calories and is over 100-300 times sweeter than table sugar.

Hepatoprotective activity of Hemidesmus indicus R. br. in rats.

Treatment of rats with paracetamol and CCl4 produced a significant increase in the levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and direct bilirubin. Rats pretreated with methanolic extract of roots of H. indicus (100-500 mg/kg body weight, po) exhibited rise in the levels of these enzymes but it was significantly less as compared to those treated with paracetamol or CCl4 alone. The results of methanolic extract of H. indicus were comparable with the standard hepatoprotective agent silymarin (100 mg/kg). Maximum hepatoprotective effect was found to be at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight in case of CCl4 induced hepatic damage while 500 mg/kg body weight in case of paracetamol induced hepatic damage. The results suggest that methanolic extract of H. indicus roots possesses a potential antihepatotoxic activity.

Asparagus racemosus--an update.

Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) is recommended in Ayurvedic texts for prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers, dyspepsia and as a galactogogue. A. racemosus has also been used successfully by some Ayurvedic practitioners for nervous disorders, inflammation, liver diseases and certain infectious diseases. However, no scientific proof justifying aforementioned uses of root extract of A. racemosus is available so far. Recently few reports are available demonstrating beneficial effects of alcoholic and water extracts of the root of A. racemosus in some clinical conditions and experimentally induced diseases, e.g. galactogogue effect, antihepatotoxic and immunomodulatory activities. The present article includes the detailed exploration of pharmacological properties of the root extract of A. racemosus reported so far.

Effect of chronic treatment with Enicostemma littorale in non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) rats.

We have studied the effect of aqueous extract of Enicostemma. littorale (2 g/kg p.o.) daily for 6 weeks in neonatal non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats. To induce NIDDM a single dose injection of STZ (70 mg/kg; i.p.) was given to the 5-day-old pups. After 3 months of STZ injection when animals were confirmed as diabetic, E. littorale was administered for 6 weeks. Fasting and fed glucose and insulin levels in NIDDM were significantly (P<0.05) higher than control rats and they were significantly decreased by the treatment with E. littorale. Results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in both AUC(glucose) and AUC(insulin) values in NIDDM treated group. Insulin sensitivity (K(ITT)) index of NIDDM control was significantly lower as compared with Wistar control and this was significantly (P<0.05) increased after treatment with E. littorale. Treatment with E. littorale also decreased the elevated cholesterol, triglyceride and creatinine levels observed in NIDDM rats. Our data suggest that aqueous extract of E. littorale is a potent herbal antidiabetic. It produces an increase in insulin sensitivity, normalizes dyslipidaemia and provides nephroprotection in diabetic rats.

Blackwater fever treated with artemether.

Blackwater fever is a rare manifestation of falciparum malaria characterized by sudden intravascular hemolysis followed by fever and hemoglobinuria. We present a case of blackwater fever, having occurred after administration of quinine, which was treated successfully with artemether.

Oral zinc therapy in diabetic neuropathy.

The present double blind randomized study was conducted on 50 subjects; 20 age and sex matched healthy controls (Group--I); 15 patients of diabetes mellitus with neuropathy who received placebo for 6 weeks (Group--IIA); and 15 patients of diabetes mellitus with neuropathy who were given supplemental zinc sulphate (660 mg) for 6 weeks (Group--IIB). Serum zinc level, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and post prandial blood sugar (PPBS) levels and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were estimated on day 0 and after 6 weeks in all subjects. Serum zinc levels were significantly low (p < 0.001) in group IIA and IIB as compared to healthy controls (Group--I) at baseline. After 6 weeks the change in pre and post therapy values of FBS, PPBS and MNCV (median and common peroneal nerve) were highly significant (P = < 0.001) for group IIB alone with insignificant change (P = > 0.05) in group IIA. No improvement (P = > 0.05) in autonomic dysfunction was observed in either groups. Therefore, oral zinc supplementation helps in achieving better glycemic control and improvement in severity of peripheral neuropathy as assessed by MNCV.

Comparative effects of atenolol versus nifedipine on serum lipids and other biochemical parameters in diabetic and non-diabetic hypertensive subjects.

A controlled clinical trial on 65 patients was performed to compare the effects of nifedipine and atenolol in diabetic and non-diabetic hypertensive patients. Patients were from 45 to 70 years in age. The diabetic hypertensive patients and non-diabetic essential hypertensive patients randomly received atenolol (50-100 mg per day) or nifedipine (10-20 mg per day) for 9 months. Both the drugs effectively controlled the blood pressure throughout the therapy. Atenolol treatment significantly increased triglyceride levels and decreased the HDL-cholesterol levels after 9 months in both groups. However, nifedipine therapy did not alter lipid levels to any significant extent. Both drugs did not alter blood glucose, serum creatinine and blood urea levels. It may be concluded from the present study that nifedipine is preferable to atenolol as it does not alter lipid profile to any significant extent in diabetic and non-diabetic hypertensive patients.

Effects of chronic nifedipine treatment on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

We studied the effects of 6-week treatment with nifedipine (35 mg/kg/day orally, p.o.) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Injection of STZ [45 mg/kg intravenously, (i.v.) single dose] produced a significant increase in blood pressure (BP), bradycardia, hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism, depression in left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), cardiomyopathy, and nephropathy. Treatment of diabetic rats with nifedipine normalized the BP and prevented bradycardia. Insulin levels were decreased after nifedipine treatment in diabetic as well as nondiabetic rats. However, serum glucose levels were also partially decreased in diabetic animals by nifedipine treatment. In control animals as well, glucose levels were in the normal range despite lower insulin levels observed after nifedipine treatment. Nifedipine treatment significantly prevented STZ-induced increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Nifedipine treatment significantly prevented STZ-induced hypothyroidism and also prevented STZ-induced cardiac depression and cardiomyopathy. Our data indicate that nifedipine increases insulin sensitivity and has some beneficial effects on cardiovascular parameters. It may therefore be considered a preferred drug in the treatment of hypertension associated with diabetes mellitus.

Effects of sodium nitroprusside and verapamil on lower esophageal sphincter.

Infusions of verapamil (V) and sodium nitroprusside (NP) caused dose-dependent reductions in the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) in anesthetized opossums. Verapamil caused a gradual fall during the infusion and a gradual recovery upon cessation of the infusion. On the other hand, NP caused a prompt reduction and a prompt recovery. Both the agents also caused a fall in arterial blood pressure, but the fall in LESP was not related to the fall in the blood pressure. Both the agents antagonized the tonic and the phasic components of the LESP and, in large doses, both drugs almost abolished the LESP. Esophageal contractions were also antagonized by both agents, although verapamil was more effective than nitroprusside in this regard. These studies show that phasic and tonic components of LESP are not related to distinctive verapamil and nitroprusside sensitive calcium activation systems. Moreover, the V- and NP-sensitive calcium activation systems may lie in series rather than parallel.

Clinical trial in patients with diabetes mellitus of an insulin-like compound obtained from plant source.

Clinical study of an insulin-like compound obtained from vegetable source (vegetable insulin) was carried out on nine patients with diabetes mellitus. The active hypoglycaemic principle, purified protein extract, was obtained from fruits as well as from tissue cultures of the plant Momordica charantia L. This extract was homologous to insulin obtained from animal pancreas. It showed a consistent hypoglycaemic effect in patients with diabetes mellitus. The average fall in blood sugar level at the peak effect of vegetable insulin was found to be statistically significant. The onset of action was within 30-60 min with the peak effect six hours after the administration of the dose of plant insulin. No hypersensitivity reaction to this extract was observed in the group of patients studied.