Ajijur Rahman

Effects of Aqueous Extract of Fresh Leaves of Abroma augusta L. on Oral Absorption of Glucose and Metformin Hydrochloride in Experimental Rats

To get better control in disease conditions, many people take herbs with conventional medicines, therefore, posing a risk of potential pharmacokinetic interactions between herbs and conventional drugs. The aqueous extract of the fresh leaves of Abroma augusta L. (Family: Sterculiaceae, Bengali name: Ulatkambal, English name: Devils cotton, DC) is viscous and used traditionally to treat diabetes mellitus. This study was done to investigate the probable mechanism by which the aqueous extract of Abroma augusta L. is beneficial in managing type 2 DM and to observe the effects of this extract on absorption of metformin hydrochloride from the gastrointestinal tract. Studies were conducted in healthy Long Evans rats using Na-carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as positive control. Both Na-CMC and WSF of DC significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the absorption of glucose administered orally in fasted rats. On the other hand, WSF of DC significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the absorption of metformin hydrochloride in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The results of this study suggest that WSF of DC may be beneficial in diabetic patients to improve glycemic control but should not be coadministered with metformin HCl for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Water-soluble Fraction of Abelmoschus esculentus L Interacts with Glucose and Metformin Hydrochloride and Alters Their Absorption Kinetics after Coadministration in Rats.

This study was done to investigate the effects of water-soluble fraction (WSF) of the fruits of Abelmoschus esculentus L (okra/ladys fingers) on absorption of oral glucose as well as metformin from the gastrointestinal tract in the Long Evans rats. WSF of A. esculentus significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the absorption of glucose as studied in the 24 hrs fasting rats. The effect of WSF of A. esculentus on metformin absorption was studied in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the average blood glucose level from 2 to 24 hours after metformin therapy in presence (33.6 to 34.2 mmol/L) or absence (15.2 to 20.2 mmol/L) of oral WSF of A. esculentus. In both of the experiments, Na-carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was used as positive control. The results of this study indicate that A. esculentus may improve glycemic control but should not be taken concurrently with metformin hydrochloride in controlling diabetes mellitus.

Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Co-culture of Streptomyces sp. ANAM-5 and AIAH-10 Isolated From Mangrove Forest of Sundarbans, Bangladesh.

In this study we investigated the antimicrobial and anticancer activities of ethyl acetate extract of co-culture of Streptomyces sp. ANAM-5 and AIAH-10 isolated from soil of mangrove forest Sundarbans, Bangladesh. The antimicrobial activity of ethyl acetate extract was determined using broth-dilution method against Candida albicans, Saccharromyces cerevaceae and Aspergillus niger whereas anticancer activity was evaluated against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells in Swiss albino mice with the dose of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg body weight (i.p). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of ethyl acetate extract was found 32μg/ml against Candida albicans while 64 μg/ml against Saccharromyces cerevaceae and Aspergillus niger. The antineoplastic activity of the crude extract was increased in dose dependent manner with a significant value (p<0.01). Bacterial crude extract enhanced the mean survival time (MST) of tumor bearing mice at 71.79% and maximum cell growth inhibition was found 75.75 % with dose of 100 mg/kg body weight (i.p.). Our study revealed that ethyl acetate extract of co-culture of Streptomyces sp. ANAM-5 and AIAH-10 is an excellent source of antimicrobial and anticancer compounds which may become helpful to treat infections and cancer.