Salma Khanam

Protective role of glibenclamide against nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced nuclear damage in diabetic Wistar rats

Objective: To evaluate the protective effect of glibenclamide against the experimental diabetes-induced nuclear damage in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The anti-mutagenic effect of glibenclamide (0.5, 5 and 50 mg/kg, p.o daily for 4 weeks) was evaluated against the nicotinamide (NA)-streptozotocin (STZ) induced type-2 diabetes mellitus using bone marrow micronucleus and sperm abnormalities tests. The antioxidant status was tested by estimating the serum levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Results: The results indicated that glibenclamide at 50 mg/kg decreased the frequency of micronuclei in erythrocytes (P < 0.05) and sperm shape abnormality (P < 0.01) besides enhancing the antioxidant status (P < 0.05) in the diabetic rats. However, glibenclamide treatment did not enhance the polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes (P/N) ratio and sperm count in the diabetic condition. Conclusion: The observations indicate that the glibenclamide has anti-mutagenic potential which could be related to the antioxidant effect and might also possess anti-proliferative property.

Effect of Thiazolidinediones on the Erythropoeitic and Germinal Cells in the Male Wistar Rats

Hyperglycemia is the main determinant of long term diabetic complications mainly through induction of oxidative stress responsible for secondary defects including cancer, infertility etc. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are known to posses the antioxidant potential against the reactive oxygen species. The ability of clinically used TZDs like Rosiglitazone (RSG) and Pioglitazone (PIO) in diabetic complications is still need to be studied extensively in the literature. In this study, the role of RSG and PIO on the frequency of nuclear and germinal cell damage was studied using bone marrow micronucleus (MN) test, sperm shape abnormality and sperm count in normal animals. The drugs were tested in the three doses (1, 10 and 100 mg/kg) after acute (48 hrs and 72 hrs) and chronic (4 weeks) treatment. The results indicated that RSG has produced significant (p < 0.01) decrease in P/N (polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes) ratio at 10 and 100 mg/kg without affecting the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes, sperm shape morphology and sperm count. PIO in the tested doses did not induce any change in P/N ratio and sperm count but the higher dose (100 mg/kg) showed suppression of MN in normochromatic erythrocytes and % sperm shape abnormality compared to the control group.

Failure to detect the anti-mutagenic effect of insulin in experimental type-2 diabetic rats

Background: The oxidative stress is known to cause mutation-related disorders in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: The present study was designed to investigate the anti-mutagenic effect of insulin in nicotinamide (NA: 230 mg/kg, i.p.) and streptozotocin (STZ: 65 mg/kg, i.p.) induced nuclear defects. Bone marrow micronucleus (MN) test and caudal epididymal sperm abnormalities were detected to find the somatic and germinal cell mutations, respectively. The antioxidant status was determined by estimating serum lipid peroxidation, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels. Results: The experimental type diabetes significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the antioxidant status and enhanced MN frequency and sperm defects compared to control animals. Although administration of insulin (1, 3, 5 and 7 IU/kg, s.c. for 4 weeks) significantly (P < 0.001) reduced hyperglycemia, it did not alter the antioxidant status, and somatic and germinal cell defects in diabetic rats. Conclusion: The results suggest that insulin did not have protective effect against the genotoxicity induced by NA-STZ diabetes.

Comparative physicochemical evaluation of kharekhasak (Tribulus terrestris linn.) before and after mudabbar process

Background and Objectives: Mudabbar/Tadbeere advia is referred to the processes performed on the drugs to detoxify, purify, and enhance therapeutic action and to reduce its doses before making the formulations in Unani medicine. It improves quality of drugs either by optimizing its desirable characteristics or minimizing the undesirable ones; it makes drug effective, safe, and specific. There is a need of comparative evaluation to understand its significance. Tadbeer of Kharekhasak (KK) khurd (Tribulus terrestris Linn. fruit) is described by Rabban Al-Tabari in Firdausul Hikmat, Akbar Arzani in Qarabadeene Qadri, etc., during the compounding of aphrodisiac formulations. Mudabbar Kharekhasak (MKK) used in Safoofe Kharekhasak mentioned in Al-Qarabadeene was evaluated in this work. Methods: Mudabbar/Tadbeer process was carried out by blending fresh KK. Juice with powdered dry KK and drying it under the sun. Juice used for process is thrice the weight of dry KK powder. The KK before and after the process was evaluated using physicochemical tests: powder characterization, extractive value, alcohol and water soluble matter, ash value, loss on drying (LOD) at 105°C, pH, high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting, and diosgenin content. Results: Powder characterizations were set in. Increase in successive and nonsuccessive extractive values in various solvents, water/alcohol-soluble content, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, water-soluble ash, and sulfated ash of MKK was noted in comparison with KK. Decrease in LOD at 105°C and pH of MKK powder was observed. HPTLC fingerprinting data were developed for the identification and evaluation. Quantification of diosgenin content increased to 432.1 g/g in MKK as compared to 144.5 g/g in KK, suggesting significant increase in saponin content. Conclusion: Data obtained clearly indicated changes in MKK validating the classical Mudabbar process, probably to enhance/modify the action of drug. Standards for crude and MKK were established for future reference. Abbreviations Used: KK: Kharekhasak, TT: Tribulus terrestris, MKK: mudabbar Kharekhasak, SK: Safoofe Kharekhasak, LOD: loss of weight on drying, HPTLC: High performance thin layer chromatography, BSS: British standard sieve, μl: microliter, SEM: Standard error of mean, nm: nanometer, g: gram.

Standardization of unani antidiabetic tablet - Qurse Tabasheer

Background: Quality control of Unani polyherbal formulations is the need of the day for better acceptance of Unani medicine. Qurse Tabasheer (QT) is a Unani polyherbal formulation containing six ingredients, Tabasheer (Siliceous concretions) (Bambosa arundinaceae Retz.), Gule Surkh (Rosa damascena Mill. flower), Gulnar (Punica granatum Linn. flower), Tukhme kahu (Lactuca sativa Linn. seed), Tukhme khurfa (Portulaca oleraceae Linn. seed), and Gile Armani (bole) widely used in treatment of diabetes. The present study was taken up to scientifically evaluate the various physicochemical parameters to standardize the formulation. Objective: To evaluate various physicochemical parameters including ash values, moisture content, extractive values, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance TLC (HPTLC), friability, disintegration, uniformity, and weight variation for standardization of QT. Materials and Methods: Ingredients were identified by the experts. The method mentioned in national formulary of Unani Medicine with modification was followed for preparation of the tablets. Physicochemical standards were established for ideal batch of tablets on the basis of set parameters regarding friability, hardness, and disintegration. Various parameters such as organoleptic characters, extractive values for the extract and HPTLC fingerprinting postcompression were carried out for evaluation of QT. Results: Parameters for loss of weight on drying, pH, ash values, extractive values documented. Qualitative chemical tests indicated the presence of alkaloid, glycoside, tannins, and steroids. TLC and HPTLC fingerprinting studies showing the presence of major peaks were documented. Friability, hardness, and disintegration time of ideal batch was 0.09 ± 0.0057, 4.03 ± 0.087, and 25.57 ± 0.4860 min, respectively, and it was found to be within the set limit. Weight variation was <5%. Total fungal and bacterial counts were found to be within the limit. Conclusion: Standards were established for poly herbal formulation QT, which may be used as reference for preparation and standardization of QT.