Anil Kumar Sharma

Antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of β-sitosterol in streptozotocin-induced experimental hyperglycemia.

Background:  Oxidative stress, produced under diabetic conditions, may cause tissue damage. Although several drugs are currently available for the treatment of diabetes, their continued use may cause unwanted side effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of β‐sitosterol (BS), a phytosterol from Solanum surattense, using an experimental model for diabetes‐induced oxidative damage.

Antioxidant activity and protection of pancreatic β-cells by embelin in streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Objectives:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant potential of embelin in streptozotocin‐induced diabetes.

Evaluation of antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of lupeol in experimental hyperglycaemia.

Oxidative stress, produced under diabetic conditions, is a possible cause of various forms of tissue damage. The concentrations of antioxidant enzymes in cases of diabetes are significantly decreased, with a concomitant increase in lipid peroxidation. In this study, lupeol, a phytoconstituent from Solanum xanthocarpum, is shown to suppress the progression of diabetes after 21 days. Lupeol treatment caused decreases in glycated haemoglobin, serum glucose and nitric oxide, with a concomitant increase in serum insulin level. Furthermore, treatment with lupeol also increased antioxidant levels, with a decrease in the level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive oxygen species.

Phytochemical evaluation and antispermatogenic activity of Thevetia peruviana methanol extract in male albino rats

This study was conducted to evaluate the antifertility potential of Thevetia peruviana (Apocynaceae) in male albino rats with their phytochemical evaluations. Phytochemical examination showed that plant is rich in active constituents, i.e. α-amyrin acetate, lupeol acetate, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, lupeol and thevetigenin. T. peruviana stem bark methanol extract (TPMtE) administered orally to male rats at the dose level of 100 mg/rat/day did not cause any significant reduction in body weight, while the weight of reproductive organs reduced significantly. A significant fall in the total protein and sialic acid content of the testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate, as well as in the glycogen content of testes was also observed; however, cholesterol was increased significantly. TPMtE also caused a decline in spermatogenic elements, i.e. preleptotene and pachytene spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, round spermatids and mature Leydig cells. At this dose level Leydig cell nuclear diameter, seminiferous tubular diameter and Sertoli area were significantly reduced (p < 0.001). The reduction in sperm density and motility resulted in 18% residual fertility. In conclusion, T. peruviana inhibited spermatogenesis in rats, indicating the possibility of developing a herbal male contraceptive.

Effect of Methanolic Extract of Dendrophthoe falcata Stem on Reproductive Function of Male Albino Rats

In spite of the considerable development in contraceptive technology, search for male antifertility agents in plants continues to be a potential area of investigation. Many plants have been known to possess antifertility activity, but limited attempts have been made to scientifically evaluate these claims. Hence the purpose of this study was to evaluate the antifertility and reproductive toxicity potential of Dendrophthoe falcata(Loranthaceae) in male Wistar rats. An oral 70% methanolic extract of stem of D. falcata at a dose level of 100 mg/kg wt/day fed to male albino rats for 60 days did not decrease body weight, while the testes and epididymides were significantly reduced, and the seminal vesicles and ventral prostate also showed a significant reduction (P < 0.01). Treated animals showed a notable depression of spermatogenesis. As a result of 100 mg/kg extract feeding, the preleptotene spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, step-19 spermatids and the mature Leydig cells decreased by 74.36%, 80.03%, 79.87%, 32.37%, respectively. At this dose Leydig cell nuclear area and cytoplasmic area, as well as the cross sectional surface area of Sertoli cells, were significantly reduced (P<0.001) when compared to controls. The reduced sperm count and motility resulted in 100% negative fertility at 100 mg/kg dose level. A significant fall in the total protein and sialic acid content in the testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate, as well as in the glycogen content of testes was also observed. The level of serum protein, cholesterol, billirubin, SGOT, SGPT, blood urea, and hematological indices were unaltered. In conclusion, Dendrophthoe falcata brought about the inhibition of spermatogenesis.