Gulam Mohammed Husain

Hypolipidemic and Antiobesity-Like Activity of Standardised Extract of Hypericum perforatum L. in Rats.

Hypericum perforatum is known to have diverse medicinal uses for centuries. The antidepressant activity of Hypericum perforatum is widely accepted and proved in both animal and clinical studies. Present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Hypericum perforatum in a battery of animal models for metabolic disorder. Hypericum is tested for hypolipidemic activity in normal rats, antiobesity activity in high-fat-diet induced obese rats, and fructose-fed rats. Hypericum was orally administered as suspension in 0.3% carboxymethyl cellulose at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight for 15 consecutive days. Hypericum significantly lowered total cholesterol and low-density cholesterol in normal rats. Hypericum significantly inhibited weight gain in high-fat-fed rats. In fructose-fed rats, Hypericum normalised the dyslipidemia induced by fructose feeding and improved the insulin sensitivity. Taken together, Hypericum could be the antidepressant therapy of choice for patients suffering from comorbid diabetes and obesity.

Antidiabetic Activity of Standardized Extract of Quassia amara in Nicotinamide–Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a standardized methanol extract of Quassia amara L. (Family: Simaroubaceae) in nicotinamide–streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus was induced by streptozotocin in rats pre‐treated with nicotinamide. Diabetic rats were treated with oral doses of Quassia amara extract (QaE; 100 and 200 mg/kg) or glibenclamide (10 mg/kg; as standard). QaE and glibenclamide were administered as a suspension in 0.3% carboxy methyl cellulose for 14 days. Control animals received an equal volume of vehicle. Blood samples were collected by retro‐orbital puncture on day 14, 1 h after last treatment. Plasma glucose, insulin and lipid parameters (total cholesterol, LDL‐C, HDL‐C and triglycerides) were measured using commercially available biochemical kits. The oral glucose tolerance test was performed to evaluate the effect of the extract on peripheral glucose utilization in normal rats. Both doses of QaE significantly (p < 0.01) reduced elevated fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. In the oral glucose tolerance test, QaE treatment significantly increased (p < 0.05) the glucose tolerance compared with the vehicle. QaE and glibenclamide, effectively normalized dyslipidemia associated with streptozotocin‐induced diabetes. The findings of the present study indicate that Quassia amara extract may be potentially valuable in the treatment of diabetes and associated dyslipidemia. Copyright

Pharmacodynamic Evaluation: Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicines are the primary therapy available to large segment of population across the globe. Globalization of herbal medicines has expanded their market to industrialized countries. Regulatory agencies have also extended their attention towards herbal medicines, although the majority of markets still remain largely unregulated. Further, important clinical information related to efficacy, effectiveness, dosage, adverse effects, and contraindications of herbal medicine needs to be generated to bring them into the mainstream healthcare. Research into molecular effects and clinical efficacy of the numerous herbs are ongoing. Pharmacodynamic evaluation of herbal medicine through clinical studies can provide scientific evidence on benefit/risk against a particular disease. However, there are numerous challenges in conducting efficacy studies on herbal medicines. The conduct of placebo controlled clinical trials of herbal medicine poses ethical issues. It is difficult and sometimes not feasible to mimic the organoleptic properties of herbal medicines while using placebo arm. Randomization of trial subjects may be against the principles of practice of systems of medicines based on holistic approach of treatment. Varying doses mentioned in literature also makes it difficult to optimize clinical dose for testing in humans. Lack of stringent quality control of formulation aspects can lead to varying outcomes in clinical studies. This chapter discusses the ethical aspects, design consideration, quality issue and pharmacokinetic and bioanalytical challenges in pharmacodynamic evaluation of herbal medicines in clinical setting.

Comparative toxicity study on classical and modified version of Jawarish Jalinoos (a traditional Unani formulation) in rats

Background Jawarish Jalinoos (JJ) is a classical semisolid traditional Unani formulation clinically used for the treatment of weakness of vital organs, liver, and stomach. Although JJ has been widely used clinically for several decades, no scientific report is available for its safety. Methods JJ and its sugar-free tablet version (SFJJ; formulated to target diabetic population) were assessed for safety in rats. Ninety-day repeated dose oral toxicity study was performed as per the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guideline 408. JJ was orally administered at the dose of 2000 mg/kg bw/d, whereas SFJJ was orally administered at the doses of 506 mg/kg body weight (bw)/d, 1012 mg/kg bw/d, and 2024 mg/kg bw/d for 90 days. The animals were periodically observed for clinical signs of toxicity, mortality, morbidity, body weight changes, and feed consumption. At the end of the study, hematology, clinical biochemistry, electrolytes, gross pathology, relative organ weight, and histological examination were performed. Results Treatment with SFJJ and JJ showed no significant differences in body weight gain, feed consumption, hematology, clinical biochemistry, and serum electrolytes. No gross pathological findings and differences in relative organ weights were observed between control and drug treated rats. Histological examination revealed no toxicologically significant abnormalities related with SFJJ or JJ treatment. Conclusion The 90-day repeated dose oral toxicity study demonstrates that the no observed adverse effect level of SFJJ and JJ is greater than 2024 mg/kg bw/d and 2000 mg/kg bw/d (p.o.) in rats, respectively. Both formulations were found to be safe up to the tested dose levels and experimental conditions, and therefore safe for clinical use as specified in the literature.