Rakesh Kumar Singh

Antidiabetic effect of Ficus bengalensis aerial roots in experimental animals.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Herbal preparations of Ficus bengalensis had been considered as effective, economical and safe ethnomedicines for various ailments in Indian traditional system of medicine. AIM OF STUDY The present study was aimed to explore scientifically the antidiabetic potential of Ficus bengalensis aerial roots as its bark had already been reported to possess antidiabetic efficacy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Effect of variable doses of aqueous extract of Ficus bengalensis aerial roots on blood glucose level (BGL) of normal-, sub- and mild-diabetic models have been studied and the results were compared with the reference drug Glipizide and elemental Mg and Ca intake as glycemic elements. RESULTS The dose of 300 mg kg(-1) showed the maximum fall of 43.8 and 40.7% in BGL during FBG and glucose tolerance test (GTT) studies of normal rats, respectively. The same dose showed a marked reduction in BGL of 54.3% in sub- and 51.7% in mild-diabetic rats during GTT. The concentration of Mg (1.02%) and Ca (0.85%) identified through laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in the most effective dose could be responsible for this high percentage fall in BGL as they take part in glucose metabolism. CONCLUSION The hypoglycemic effect in normoglycemic and antidiabetic effect in sub- and mild-diabetic models of aqueous extract of aerial roots of Ficus bengalensis are due to the presence of these glycemic elements in high concentration with respect to other elements.

Glycemic Properties of Trichosanthes dioica Leaves

In continuation of our previous work on Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), the aim of this study was to screen the glycemic attributes of an aqueous extract of Trichosanthes dioica leaves in normal as well as various diabetic models. The variable doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg kg− 1 body weight (bw) of the extract were administered orally to normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced sub- and mild-diabetic rats in order to define its glycemic potential. The dose of 500 mg kg− 1 bw was identified as the most effective dose which brings down the blood glucose level (BGL) by 32.9% (P < 0.001) at 6 h during fasting blood glucose (FBG) studies in normal rats. However, glucose tolerance test (GTT) showed the maximum reduction of 30.9% (P < 0.001) in BGL at 5 h in normal rats with the same dose, whereas the reduction observed was by 40.3% and 88.6% (P < 0.001) in sub- and mild-diabetic rats, respectively, at 3 h of glucose administration only. This evidence clearly indicates that the aqueous extract of Trichosanthes dioica leaves has good hypoglycemic potential along with a high anti-diabetic profile.

Antidiabetic effect of Raphanus sativus root juice

Context: Many plants have been explored scientifically and systematically and claimed to be useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus by various research groups worldwide. The present study is a further effort in the direction of developing a novel oral antidiabetic agent of high potential with minimal or no side effects. Objective: This study screened the glycemic attributes of Raphanus sativus L. (Brassicaceae) root juice in normal as well as sub- and mild-diabetic models. Materials and methods: The variable doses of 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg kg−1 body weight (bw) of the extract were administered orally to normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced sub- and mild-diabetic rats in order to define its glycemic potential. Glibenclamide was used as a reference drug. Results: The dose of 300 mg kg−1bw was identified as the most effective dose which lowers the blood glucose level (BGL) by 33.4% (p < 0.001) at 6 h during fasting blood glucose (FBG) studies in normal rats. However, the glucose tolerance test (GTT) revealed the maximum reduction of 15.9% (p < 0.001) in BGL at 3 h in normal rats with the same dose, whereas the reduction observed was by 23.8 and 28.3% (p < 0.001) in sub- and mild-diabetic rats, respectively, at the same interval of time. Discussion and conclusion: This evidence clearly indicates that Raphanus sativus root juice possesses good hypoglycemic potential coupled with antidiabetic efficacy.

Anti-diabetic activity of Emblica officinalis in animal models

The aqueous extract of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (syn: Phyllanthus emblica L.) (Euphorbiaceae) seeds was investigated for its anti-diabetic activity in animal models. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes models were used for the study. The standardized doses of 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg kg−1 body weight of the extract were administered orally to normal and diabetic rats in order to define its glycemic potential. The maximum fall of 27.3% (p < 0.001) in the blood glucose level of normal rats was observed at 6 h during fasting blood glucose studies, with the dose of 300 mg kg−1 identified as the most effective dose. The same dose produced a fall of 25.3% (p < 0.001) in the same models during the glucose tolerance test (GTT) at 3 h after glucose administration. However, the dose of 300 mg kg−1 of aqueous seed extract in sub- and mild-diabetic animals produced a maximum fall of 34.1 and 41.6% (p < 0.01), respectively, during the GTT at 3 h after glucose administration. This evidence clearly indicates that the aqueous extract of E. officinalis seeds has definite hypoglycemic potential as well as anti-diabetic activity.

Curative effect of Cynodon dactylon against STZ induced hepatic injury in diabetic rats

The aim of the study was to ascertain the role of ethanolic extract of Cynodon dactylon against hepatic complications in streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetic models. Effect of the pre identified most effective dose of 500 mg/kg body weight was studied on hepatic injury caused by chemically induced diabetes by 55 mg/kg body weight i.p. injection of STZ in male Wistar rats. The dose of 500mg/kg body weight given once daily for 14 days reduced the levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and urine sugar significantly (P<0.05) with increase in total protein, haemoglobin and body weight was increased. High LD50 validates its high margin of safety.

Green Electronics Design: Curriculum, Content, and Learning for Engineering

Energy consumption, material application, packaging, and recyclability are the major areas to be considered for greener electronic products with reduced environmental effects and increased eco-efficiency. Design for green electronics includes lead-free solders, conductive adhesives, environmentally friendly packaging and design technologies, LCA and assessment, life cycle cost analysis, and data management. Engineering graduates should be taught sustainability, its principles, and how these principles can be incorporated into the design and manufacturing processes. Engineering students have to be exposed to design for the environment, directives, environmental law, technology, waste management, and electronic waste recycling. This paper gives introduction to green electronics, sustainability principles, curriculum, and content, teaching, and learning methods needed for green electronics. This paper analyzes the content necessary and the methods for educating the engineers for sustainability, problem solving, and the skills required. This paper enlightens the reader of the content, skills, and the design methods for sustainable engineering.