Faiyaz Ahmed

Glucose-lowering, Hepatoprotective and Hypolipidemic Activities of Stem Bark of Ficus racemosa in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The present study evaluated the antihyperglycemic, hepatoprotective, and hypolipidemic effects of F. racemosa bark powder and aqueous extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (n = 6) were treated with F. racemosa Linn (Moraceae) bark powder (FRP) and aqueous extract (FRAE) for six weeks. Blood glucose was determined every 15 days using a portable glucometer. At the end of the study period, the rats were sacriÞ ced and levels of serum glucose, protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, AST, ALT, TBARS, and glutathione were determined as indicators of antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic, and hepatoprotective activities, as well as of antioxidant potential. TBARS and glutathione levels were determined in the liver and the kidneys also. Both the bark powder and aqueous extract of F. racemosa bark caused a signiÞ cant reduction (P ≤ 0.05) in blood glucose (54 and 66% respectively). A signiÞ cant reduction (P ≤ 0.05) was also observed in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels to the control levels. The aqueous extract was more effective and caused a signiÞ cant reduction (P ≤ 0.05) in TBARS, AST, ALT levels compared to untreated diabetic rats. However, it did not reach control levels. A signiÞ cant increase in glutathione concentrations over the control levels was also observed in rats treated with F. racemosa bark. It is concluded that F. racemosa bark has a signiÞ cant hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effect besides being a potent antihyperglycemic agent. Key words: Antihyperglycemic, antioxidant effect, Ficus racemosa, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective.

Cholinesterase inhibitors from botanicals.

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, wherein a progressive loss of cholinergic synapses occurs in hippocampus and neocortex. Decreased concentration of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh), appears to be critical element in the development of dementia, and the most appropriate therapeutic approach to treat AD and other form of dementia is to restore acetylcholine levels by inhibiting both major form of cholinesterase: Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Consequently, researches have focused their attention towards finding cholinesterase inhibitors from natural products. A large number of such inhibitors have been isolated from medicinal plants. This review presents a comprehensive account of the advances in field of cholinesterase inhibitor phytoconstituents. The structures of some important phytoconstituents (collected through www.Chemspider.com) are also presented and the scope for future research is discussed.

Isolation and characterization of pepsin-solubilized collagen from the integument of sea cucumber (Stichopus vastus).

BACKGROUND Sea cucumber (Stichopus vastus) is considered an underutilized resource, since only its stomach and intestines are eaten raw as salad in a few countries and the remaining parts, especially the integument rich in collagen, is discarded. Hence a valuable by-product having potential nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications is wasted. In the present investigation, pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) from the integument of S. vastus was isolated, purified and characterized. RESULTS Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis showed that the purified collagen was of type I, consisting of three α1 chains of approximately 122 kDa each. The peptide map of PSC digested by V8 protease was different from that of calf skin type I collagen. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the triple helical structure was well preserved in isolated collagen. The denaturation temperature of PSC was 21.23 °C and showed good gel-forming capability at pH 6.5 and 300 mmol L⁻¹ NaCl. CONCLUSION It is inferred that the collagen isolated from S. vastus integument has potential for use as an alternative to land-based mammalian collagen in food, nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical industries.

Traditional Uses and Pharmacological Potential of Ficus exasperata Vahl

In traditional medicine, different parts of Ficus exasperata Vahl. (Moraceae) are used as analgesic, antiarthritic, diuretic, wound healing, antiparasitic, vermifuge, abortifacient, ecbolics and for treating hemorrhoids and venereal diseases. The plant parts are also used as animal fodder. The present review is aimed to comprehend the fragmented information available on the botany, traditional uses, pharmacology and toxicology of F. exasperata to explore its therapeutic potential and find potential research opportunities in the near future. Among different parts of F. exasperata, leaves are of particular importance from the traditional medicinal point of view. Major ethno-medicinal usage has been reported throughout Africa; Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone being the folkloric hubs. The extracts used are mostly remains uncharacterized and no detailed informations are available on the active components except for the class of compounds such as phenolics and tannins being major components. Crude extracts have been reported to exhibit a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities like, antidiabetic, anticonvulsant, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, antiulcer, anxiolytic and hypotensive. Conflicting results on the toxicity F. exasperata has also been reported. Experimental studies have validated a number of traditional claims, however reports suggests some degree toxicity involved. Additionally, not much scientific information is available on the bioactive compounds. Thus, an in-depth research on the standardization and characterization of the extracts and their toxicological evaluation is the need of the hour for its safe and better therapeutic utilization.

In vitro hypoglycemic effects of Gymnema sylvestre, Tinospora cordifolia, Eugenia jambolana and Aegle marmelos

Medicinal plants can exert their hypoglycemic effect by several mechanisms such as modulation of glucose diffusion, inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes, manipulation of glucose transporters etc. Therefore, the present study was planned to evaluate the in vitro hypoglycemic effects of some common medicines used in the management of type 2 diabetes in India. The present study evaluated the effect Gymnema sylvestre (GS), Tinospora cordifolia (TC), Eugenia jambolana (JB) and Aegle Marmelos (AM) on the movement of glucose in the intestinal lumen using suitable in vitro techniques. All the samples effectively adsorbed glucose and retarded its diffusion across the dialysis membrane. The glucose adsorption capacities of all the samples were higher than that of wheat bran (WB) and acarbose (ACB). WB exhibited significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) glucose diffusion rate at all time compared to other samples. The maximal glucose diffusion retardation index (GDRI) was exhibited by AM followed by JB and TC. All of these mechanisms might create a concerted function in lowering the rate of glucose absorption and as a result decrease postprandial blood glucose concn. It is concluded that the mechanism of hypoglycemic action varies greatly from one medicinal plant to other and hence, there is a need for in-depth research to establish the mode of action of each medicinal plant for their effective utilization as therapeutic agents.

Protective effects of Ficus racemosa stem bark against doxorubucin-induced renal and testicular toxicity.

Background: Ficus racemosa Linn. (Moraceae) bark is a rich source of phenolic compounds known to possess potential antioxidant activity offering numerous health benefits. Materials and Methods: The present study evaluated the protective effects of sequential acetone extract of Ficus racemosa bark at two doses (FR250; 250 mg kg-1 and FR500; 500 mg kg-1 p.o.) against doxorubicin-induced renal and testicular toxicity in rats. Results: Doxorubicin administration resulted in significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in total protein and glutathione concentrations, while increased (P ≤ 0.05) serum urea, creatinine and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Extract pretreatment restored biochemical parameters toward normalization. FR250 and FR500 decreased serum creatinine levels by 22.5% and 44%, while serum urea levels were decreased by 30.4% and 58.8%, respectively. Extract pretreatment (500 mg kg-1) decreased TBARS and increased glutathione levels in the kidney and testis to control levels. These observations were substantiated by histopathological studies, wherein normal renal and testicular architecture was restored in FR500 group. Conclusion: Doxorubicin exposure results in pronounced oxidative stress, and administration of F. racemosa stem bark extract offers significant renal and testicular protection by inhibiting lipidperoxidation-mediated through scavenging free radicals.

Pharmacological effects and active phytoconstituents of Swietenia mahagoni: a review

The usage of Swietenia mahagoni, a popular medicinal plant in India and some African countries, dates back to ancient times for its curative properties in diseases like malaria, diabetes, and diarrhea. It is also used as an anti-pyretic, bitter tonic and astringent. Its pharmacological activities are being widely explored. Although many important groups of phytochemicals have been identified and isolated from various parts of the plant, most of these researches have been focused on seeds. Toxicological studies have established the safety of many of these plant extracts, and found insignificant side effects. Here we present a comprehensive review of all the pharmacological effects and constituent phytochemicals of the plant.

Antioxidative Effect and DNA Protecting Property of Moringa oleifera Root Extracts

Moringa oleifera root (dehydrated) powder, extracts - aqueous (WE), acetone (AE) and methanol (ME) were analyzed for phytochemical and antioxidant components by various in vitro assays. The root was found to be a good source of phytochemicals viz, glutathione, a-Tocopherol polyphenols, tannins, alkaloids, saponins. All three solvent extracts exhibited a dose dependent antioxidant activity. The antioxidant properties were established on free radicals; its ability to reduce iron and FeSO4-induced microsomal lipid peroxidation. All three extracts were able to protect DNA from oxidative damage. The suggestive antioxidant mechanism of action of Moringa oleifera is by scavenging reactive oxygen species.

IAPSM declaration 2018: Definition, role, scope of community medicine and functions of community medicine specialists

Preface With changing global and health environment, discipline of Community Medicine (CM) needs to be made more relevant to India’s need. This declaration is prepared to provide much-needed direction to the discipline and aims at strengthening the teaching of CM by creating better understanding of the discipline, its roles, scope, and functions of CM specialist; to the undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as the faculty of CM. It also aims to build the capacity of the CM department of medical colleges. This declaration is first in the series of activities planned by the Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine (IAPSM) core committee in this direction.