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Biomedical subjects

S S Rathi

Publications and source records attributed to S S Rathi.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Prevention of experimental diabetic cataract by Indian Ayurvedic plant extracts.

The efficacy of Momordica charantia (MC), Eugenia jambolana (EJ), Tinospora cordifolia (TC) and Mucuna pruriens (MP) was assessed in the prevention of murine alloxan dibetic cataract. Alloxan (120 mg/kg) was used as the diabetogenic agent. While controls and diabetic controls did not receive any plant extract, treated rats received lyophilized aqueous extract of MC and EJ (200 mg/kg p.o.), alcohol extract of TC (400 mg/kg) and MP (200 mg/kg p.o.) every day until 4 months. Serum glucose concentration was assessed and cataracts examined with both the naked eye and through a slit lamp. Of the eight animals in the diabetic control group, four developed cortical cataract (stage IV) by day 90 while the remaining four developed it by day 100. The incidence rate of cataract in MC, EJ, TC and MP treated groups at 120 days was only 0, 0, 1 and 2. Oral feeding of MC, EJ, TC and MP extracts for 1 month produced a fall of 64.33%, 55.62%, 38.01% and 40.17%, respectively, in the serum glucose levels in comparison with the 48 h level. After 2 months of treatment, the respective values were 66.96%, 59.85%, 40.41% and 45.63%. MC and EJ prevented the development of cataract while the protective effect was less with TC and MP along with a significant reduction of plasma glucose levels (p < 0.001).

Administration, Oral↗

The effect of Momordica charantia and Mucuna pruriens in experimental diabetes and their effect on key metabolic enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.

The Indian traditional system of medicine prescribed traditional plant therapies. Two such plants, i.e. Momordica charantia (MC) and Mucuna pruriens (MP), earlier shown to reduce hyperglycaemia, were assessed for their anti hyperglycaemic effect on varying degrees of hyperglycaemia and diabetic complications. Alcohol and aqueous extracts of MC (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day) and only an alcohol extract of MP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day) were evaluated in a pilot study (plasma glucose >180 mg/dL, 21 days), a chronic study in alloxanized rats (plasma glucose >280mg/dL, 120 days) and streptozotocin (STZ) mice (plasma glucose >400 mg/dL, 60 days). In the pilot study, the maximum antihyperglycaemic effect occurred with an aqueous extract of MC at week 3 and an alcohol extract of MP at week 6 at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day. In chronic alloxanized rats, the selected dose of MC led to a significant fall of 64.33%, 66.96%, 69.7% and 70.53% in plasma glucose levels at 1, 2, 3 and 4 months, respectively. MP showed a decrease of 40.71%, 45.63%, 50.33% and 51.01% at the same time period. In chronic STZ diabetic mice, MC led to a mean reduction of 15.37%, 18.68% and 22.86% in plasma glucose levels on days 40, 50 and 60 of sampling while MP had no significant effect. The alteration in hepatic and skeletal muscle glycogen content and hepatic glucokinase, hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate and phosphofructokinase levels in diabetic mice were partially restored by MC but not by MP. The mechanism of action of MC and MP is discussed.

Animals↗

Evaluation of anti-hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn, Ocimum sanctum Linn and Pterocarpus marsupium Linn in normal and alloxanized diabetic rats.

The hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous (Aq) extract of the bark of Pterocarpus marsupium (PM) and alcoholic (Alc) extract of seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum (FG) and leaves of Ocimum sanctum (OS) was investigated in both normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The Aq extract of PM (1 g/kg PO) significantly (P<0.001) reduced the blood sugar levels from 72.32+/-5.62 to 61.35+/-1.2 mg% 2 h after oral administration of the extract and also significantly lowered the blood glucose in alloxan diabetic rats from 202.91+/-5.44 to 85.22+/-11.28 mg% 21 days after daily oral administration of the extract (P<0.001). Similarly, reduction was seen with Alc extract of FG (74.33+/-4.77 to 60.56+/-1.9 in normal rats and 201.25+/-7.69 to 121.25+/-6.25 in diabetic rats) (P<0.001) and OS (204.48+/-11.0 to 131.43+/-7.86 in normal rats and 73.54+/-3.7 to 61.44+/-2.3 in diabetic rats) (P<0.001). In addition, the extract also showed a favorable effect on glucose disposition in glucose fed hyperglycemic rats.

Alloxan↗

Amelioration of experimental diabetic neuropathy and gastropathy in rats following oral administration of plant (Eugenia jambolana, Mucuna pruriens and Tinospora cordifolia) extracts.

Extract of M. charantia (200 mg/kg), E. jambolana (200 mg/kg), M. pruriens (200 mg/kg) and T. cordifolia (400 mg/kg) was administered for 50 days in STZ induced diabetic mice, the plasma glucose concentration was reduced by 24.4, 20.84, 7.45 and 9.07% respectively. Tail flick latency (TFL) and gastric transit percentage were significantly higher in diabetic controls versus normal controls. M. charantia and E. jambolana modified it favorably while M. pruriens and T. cordifolia did not exert any favorable change.

Administration, Oral↗

Association between lower hair zinc levels and neural tube defects.

Though folic acid supplementation has reduced the incidence of Neural Tube Defects (NTD), NTD still constitutes one of the important congenital malformations having wide medical, social and ethical implications. Zinc deficiency has been reported to produce NTD in animals. This study was designed to evaluate zinc status of the newborn babies with NTD and their mothers. Eighty newborn babies with NTD and their mothers served as cases. Eighty apparently normal newborn babies and their mothers served as controls. Serum and scalp hair zinc levels were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean (+/- SD) serum and hair levels in normal mothers were 74.1 +/- 4.1 micrograms/dl and 142.3 +/- 8.0 micrograms/g respectively. The mean (+/- SD) serum and hair levels of the mothers who delivered NTD babies were 75.7 +/- 5.6 micrograms/dl and 129.9 +/- 5.3 micrograms/g respectively. The mean (+/- SD) serum and hair levels in normal newborn babies were 77.8 +/- 5.3 micrograms/dl and 188.8 +/- 6.2 micrograms/g respectively. The mean (+/- SD) serum and hair levels in NTD babies were 80.1 +/- 12.9 micrograms/dl and 174.2 +/- 10.7 micrograms/g respectively. The hair zinc levels of the affected babies and their mothers were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than the controls. This study has found association between NTD and decreased hair zinc levels and large population based studies are recommended to confirm the association between zinc and NTD and to investigate whether zinc supplementation would reduce the overall incidence of NTD.

Developing Countries↗

Treatment with extracts of Momordica charantia and Eugenia jambolana prevents hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in fructose fed rats.

Insulin resistance has been implicated as a major contributor to the development of hyperglycemia in NIIDM patients. Herbal extracts of Momordica charantia (MC) and Eugenia jambolana (EJ) have been shown to reduce hyperglycemia in diabetic animal models and human patients. However, no work has been done so far to assess their effect on insulin resistance. This study was undertaken to study the effects of different doses (100,200 and 400 mg per day) of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of MC and EJ on the metabolic parameters (body weight and serum glucose, insulin and triglycerides levels) of fructose fed rats. Fructose feeding for 15 days increased serum glucose and insulin levels markedly and triglycerides levels marginally vs. control (75.46+/-2.41 vs. 55.59+/-2.89 mg/dl, 6.26+/-1.27 vs. 15.04+/-2.43 mg/dl and 50.93+/-3.30 vs.41.1+/-3.33 mg/dl, respectively). Treatment with 400 mg per day of aqueous extracts of MC and EJ for 15 days substantially prevented hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia induced by a diet high in fructose (63.52+/-2.9 and 66.46+/-2.2 vs. 75.46+/-2.4, respectively).

Analysis of Variance↗

Traditional Indian anti-diabetic plants attenuate progression of renal damage in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of daily oral feeding Momordica charantia (MC) (200 mg/kg), Eugenia jambolana (EJ) (200 mg/kg), Mucuna pruriens (MP) (200 mg/kg) and Tinospora cordifolia (TC) extracts for 40 days on blood glucose concentrations and kidney functions in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Plasma glucose levels, body weight, urine volume and urinary albumin levels were monitored on every 10th day over a 40-day period while plasma creatinine levels were assessed at the beginning and end of experiment. Renal hypertrophy was assessed as the ratio between the kidney weight and total body weight. Plasma glucose concentrations in STZ-diabetic mice were reduced by the administration of extracts of MC, EJ, TC and MP by 24.4, 20.84, 7.45 and 9.07%, respectively (P<0.005 for MC, EJ, MP and P<0.05 for TC). Urine volume was significantly higher (P<0.005) in diabetic controls and MC, EJ, MP and TC treatment prevented polyuria (P<0.001, 0.0001, 0.01 and 0.001, respectively). After 10 days of STZ administration urinary albumin levels (UAE) were over 6 fold higher in diabetic controls as compared to normal controls. Treatment with MC, EJ, MP and TC significantly prevented the rise in UAE levels from day 0 to 40 in comparison to diabetic controls (P<0.0001, 0.0001, 0.05, 0.05, respectively). Renal hypertrophy was significantly higher in diabetic controls as compared to non-diabetic controls. MC and EJ partially but significantly (P<0.05) prevented renal hypertrophy as compared to diabetic controls. TC and MP failed to modify renal hypertrophy. Results indicate that these plant drugs should be studied further.

Albumins↗

Extracts of Benincasa hispida prevent development of experimental ulcers.

Benincasa hispida (B. hispida) is recommended in Ayurveda for the management of peptic ulcers. Therefore, anti-ulcerogenic activity of different extracts of B. hispida (fresh juice, supernatant and residue fraction of centrifuged juice, alcoholic and petroleum ether extract) were studied in aspirin plus restraint, swimming stress, indomethacin plus histamine and serotonin-induced ulcers in rats and mice. The oral feeding of different doses of the extract significantly reduced the ulcer index produced by various ulcerogens. The anti-ulcerogenic effect was dose-dependent in stress induced model of ulcer and not in other models. B. hispida probably has a CNS component in prevention of stress induced ulceration. However, antihistaminic, anti-cholinergic effects and prevention of disturbance in gastric micro-circulation as possible modes of action cannot be ruled out. Chronic toxicity studies carried out for 3 months revealed no deleterious effect of fresh juice of B. hispida on various hematological and biochemical parameters studied. Thus, extracts of B. hispida may be considered to be a drug of natural origin possessing anti-ulcer activity.

Animals↗

A single-centre experience of retroperitoneoscopy using the balloon technique.

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience in one centre of the efficacy and safety of retroperitoneal laparoscopic procedures (RLPs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: During 1991-2000, 351 RLPs using the balloon technique were undertaken in 340 patients (mean age 34.9 years, range 4-74); the details and outcome were reviewed. Initial access was by the mini-open digital dissection technique in 152 and by the closed percutaneous technique in the remaining 199 procedures. Patients had not undergone previous retroperitoneal procedures, except for nine who had a percutaneous nephrostomy and eight ipsilateral abdominal surgery. There were 172 renal, seven adrenal, 97 ureteric, 50 gonadal, 13 lymphatic system, three vesical, two autonomic nervous system and seven vertebral RLPs. Nitrous oxide was used for pneumo-insufflation in 103 procedures, instead of CO2. RESULTS: The RLP was successful in 318 of the 351 procedures (90.6%). The operative duration was 0.5-5.5 h, depending on the difficulty of the procedure and the presence or absence of adhesions. The overall incidence of complications was 12.9%, but decreased to 9% for the last 100 procedures. There were only five major complications, e.g. avulsion of the ureter, torn renal pelvis, colonic injury and severe hypotension, but none were related to balloon dissection. The mean blood loss was 37.7 mL and the reason for transfusion in three patients was not operative blood loss but displacement of the ligature in two and severe hypotension after removing a phaeochromocytoma in one. The mean duration of analgesic use was 2.5 days, the hospital stay 3 days and return to work 14 days. CONCLUSION: Retroperitoneal laparoscopy using the balloon technique is a reasonably safe, efficient and reliable minimally invasive procedure. The efficiency, efficacy and safety of RLPs depend more on experience than on the type of access technique, type of balloon or medium used to inflate the balloon. Balloon rupture causes no tissue damage, and expansion to approximately 800 mL in adults is safe if the retroperitoneal space has not previously been invaded. The use of nitrous oxide for pneumo-insufflation in the retroperitoneal space is safe if proper precautions are taken.

Adolescent↗

Anti-hyperglycemic effect of Eugenia jambolana and Tinospora cordifolia in experimental diabetes and their effects on key metabolic enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.

In India, the decoction of kernels of Eugenia jambolana (EJ) and extracts of Tinospora cordifolia (TC) are used as a household remedy for diabetes. These also form constituents of many herbal formulations for diabetes that are marketed in this country. The anti-hyperglycemic effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts as well as lyophilized powder of these two plants was evaluated in diabetic animals using different doses of diabetogenic agents for varying duration (21-120 days) so as to assess their effect in mild (plasma sugar>180 mg/dl, duration 21 days), moderate (plasma sugar>280 mg/dl, duration 120 days) and severe (plasma sugar>400 mg/dl, duration 60 days) diabetes mellitus. In the pilot study (mild diabetes), maximum reduction of 73.51 and 70.37% in glucose levels was seen in animals receiving 200 mg/kg per day of lyophilized powder of EJ and 400 mg/kg per day of aqueous extract of TC after 3 and 15 weeks of treatment, respectively. There percent reduction in glucose decreased significantly in the moderate and severe diabetes; 55.62 and 17.72% for EJ and 48.81 and 0% for TC at the similar time intervals. The alteration in hepatic and skeletal muscle glycogen content and hepatic glucokinase, hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate and phosphofructokinase levels in diabetic mice were partially restored by EJ but not by TC. The mechanism of action of EJ and TC is discussed.

Animals↗

Electrogustometry in Hansen's disease (study of 225 cases).

An electrogustometric study of 225 cases of Hansen's disease revealed impairment of taste in 55.1% of the cases. It was related to the duration of the disease, and was seen in 74.6% of the cases of lepromatous leprosy, 49.3% of the cases of borderline leprosy, and 41.3% of tuberculoid leprosy cases. Only in lepromatous cases was complete ageusia seen (9.39% of cases). All of the cases having lesions in the oropharynx and those with facial nerve palsy revealed impairment of taste, but it was not related to the type of antileprosy drug used or to the development of ENL reaction.

Adolescent↗

Zinc levels in women and newborns.

Zinc is an important trace element having a definitive role in the metabolism, growth and development and reproduction. During pregnancy the requirements for zinc increase. This study was designed to evaluate the zinc status of normal women, normal pregnant women and their newborn babies. Forty normal adult females, 40 normal pregnant women and their newborn babies were randomly selected and their serum and hair zinc levels were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean serum and hair zinc levels in normal women were 69.47 +/- 1.4 micrograms/dl and 147.45 +/- 6.12 micrograms/g respectively. The mean serum and hair zinc levels in normal pregnant women were 69.0 +/- 3.22 micrograms/dl and 142.83 +/- 4.39 micrograms/g respectively while the mean serum (cord blood) and hair levels in normal new born babies were 72.77 +/- 5.14 micrograms/dl and 188.36 +/- 4.12 micrograms/g respectively. There was a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in hair zinc levels during pregnancy. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in zinc levels in new born babies when the time interval between the previous delivery and the present delivery was less than 3.4 years. The results of the present study reinforce the need for zinc supplementation during pregnancy especially if the interval between pregnancies is short.

Adult↗

Olfaction in leprosy.

Olfactory test was carried out in 225 cases of Hansen's disease with 75 cases each of lepromatous leprosy (L.L.), borderline leprosy (B.L.) and tuberculoid leprosy (T). Impairment of olfaction was found in 94(41.7%) cases. It was seen in 69.33% cases of L.L., 33.33% cases of B.L. and 22.6% cases of T. Total anosmia was present in 5(6.61%) cases of L.L. only. Males were more affected than the females. Impairment of olfaction was related to the duration of the disease, severity of the nasal condition, and E.N.L. reaction. It was not related to the type of antileprosy drug used.

Adolescent↗