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Antidiabetic activity and HPLC-PDA profile of herbal formulation in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial
Full text linkThe use of herbal medicines is widely common to control blood sugar. This study was performed in the way of a triple-blind clinical trial to study the effects of standardized herbal formulation (Eryngium billardieri, Urtica dioica, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Abelmoschus esculentus, Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Rosa canina) on fasting plasma glucose and Hemoglobin A1c. This placebo controlled trial was performed on 88 patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients were followed up at the beginning and after the end of the 3-months for assessment of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), Hb-A1c, and body mass index (BMI). The intervention group received 200 mg/day herbal formulation extract capsules and the control group received placebo. To standardize the herbal formulation, RP-HPLC-PDA was used. The amount of FPG and Hb-A1c were significantly reduced (p=0.001) in the intervention group compared to the control group; FPG difference=53.20 (95% CI: 34.51, 71.89; p=0.001); Hb-A1c difference=1.60 (95% CI: 1.15, 2.05; p=0.001). It is noteworthy that, no adverse events were observed during the study. According to HPLC analysis, the amount of benzoic acid, rutin, naringenin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, resveratrol, and apigenin (609.6, 265.4, 220.2, 188.4, 164, 109, 29.9 μg/capsule, respectively) was specified in the herbal formulation. The results of this trial indicated that standardized herbal formulation can be effective in reducing FPG and Hb-A1c among patients with type 2 diabetes. It may be used as a dietary or medical supplement to control blood glucose. However, further investigation is suggested
Anti-diabetic activity of Kataka Khadirādi Kasāyam in Wistar albino rats
Full text linkKatakakhadirādi Kaṣāyaṃ is an Ayurvedic herbal preparation used for treating diseases such as diabetes, skin, and urinary tract ailments. The objective of present study was to assess antidiabetic potential of Kataka Khadirādi Kaṣhāyaṃ, in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic Wistar rats for a period of 90 days. Treatment with Katakakhadirādi Kaṣhāyaṃ demonstrated significant efficacy, reducing blood glucose levels to near normal by the 5th week in diabetic rats, showing a 58% reduction compared to day 1 and a 47% reduction in comparison to the diabetic control group's blood glucose levels. However from 7th week onwards, a marked elevation was observed in blood sugar levels of all diabetic rats. Katakakhadirādi Kaṣāyaṃ treatment resulted in 35% reduction in blood level glucose values when compared to that of diabetic control group in 13th week. Hence it can be inferred that, Kaṣāyaṃ had maintained notable hypoglycemic activity despite insulin resistance. Kaṣāyaṃ treatment shows protective nature on liver tissues by reducing the increased levels of serum ALT, AST and ALP. Also it significantly reduced TG levels with a marked reduction in TC, HDL and LDL values. Histological examination also revealed mild to moderate reduction in degenerative changes of liver and kidney tissues and marked regeneration of islet architecture in pancreatic tissues. Katakakhadirādi Kaṣāyaṃ might be able to control the pancreatic beta-cell damage and has hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and organ protective potential in STZ -induced diabetic rats. Mechanisms of action during insulin resistance is yet to be explored
Pharmacological safe dose assessment of Mangifera indica Linn. leaves extract according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 420 standards
Full text linkMangifera indica Linn. leaves extract owns various medicinal properties including antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-cancerous, and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study is to find out the safe oral dose of ethanolic extract of M. indica leaves on Swiss albino mice for pharmacological purpose. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guideline 420 was followed to assess the acute oral toxicity. M. indica leaf extract was administered in a dose dependent manner orally at dosages of 50-, 300-, and 2000- mg kg-1 body weight (b.w.) in the sighting study, with one animal used for each dosage. Based on the sighting study, the highest dose of 2000 mg kg-1 b.w. of M. indica leaves extract was selected for the main study. Continuous monitoring for successive 14 days was done for any behavioural sign of toxicity. Body weight and relative organ weight and biochemical parameters were assessed, and gross necropsy was performed on 15th day. Further, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the liver, kidney and testes was performed. The body weight was significantly increased in both studies without any major changes in relative organ weight (ROW), and histology of H&E-stained tissues, wherein no obvious signs of toxicity and mortality were seen. The results of this study suggest that the M. indica leaves extract can be categorized as unclassified according to the Globally Harmonised Classification System for chemical substances and mixtures. Therefore, our study concludes that ethanolic extract of M. indica leaves less than 2000 mg kg-1 b.w. can be considered safe for traditional therapeutic uses
Reviving the design concepts and material culture of paraphernalia and receptacles used for the traditional toddy tapping in Kalutara, Sri Lanka
Full text linkThe artificial extraction of sweet sap, or toddy, from the incised young inflorescences of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) has long been a captivating cottage industry in the coastal region of Kalutara, Sri Lanka. Freshly tapped toddy contains little to no alcohol and is considered a nutritious beverage, though it rapidly ferments into an alcoholic drink. Historical references to toddy and its distillation into arrack date back to the fifth century, yet it is widely believed that the current techniques of toddy tapping were introduced to the Kalutara region by the toddy tappers from the tropical coasts of South India during British colonial rule. Drawing on the author's hands-on experience and interviews with the local community who have been involved in toddy-tapping for generations, this paper reviews the design principles and material culture used in the paraphernalia and receptacles used for Kalutara's traditional toddy-tapping industry. These paraphernalia and receptacles, which have been used for decades, demonstrate the community's capacity to craft their implements from sustainable, locally sourced materials. As this study reveals, these traditional techniques and tools continue to provide practical solutions while preserving the rich history and cultural identity of the toddy-tapping communities in the coastal region of Kalutara. The preservation of this traditional knowledge is essential for safeguarding both the cultural heritage and the economic future of the toddy-tapping industry in Sri Lanka
Effect of herbal Kunapjala (a traditional form of liquid organic manure) on plant growth, oil yield and oil quality of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.)
Full text linkKunapjala, a liquid organic manure of antiquity mentioned in Surpala’s Vrikshayurveda, acts as an efficient source of plant nutrients. To check the impact of Kunapjala on cultivation of chamomile, an important essential oil- bearing plant, a field experiment was conducted at Medicinal Plant Research and Development Centre, Pantnagar using three different doses (D1-D3) of three types of herbal Kunapjala (K1-K3). The experiment was performed in Randomized Block Design consisting of 10 treatments (T1-T10) with three replications each and results were compared to recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers (RDF). Various treatments of Kunapjala significantly affected different floral parameters. Highest concentration of nettle based Kunapjala (T3) initiated early bud formation along with increased flower size. Similarly, essential oil content (0.27%) and number of bioactive compounds (33) in chamomile oil was also maximum with nettle based Kunapjala (T3). Contrary to floral parameters, vegetative parameters were significantly promoted with RDF. Maximum number of flowers and flower yield was also seen in T10 (RDF). From the results of the current investigation, it can be concluded that nettle based herbal Kunapjala can be used as an effective and viable alternative to the conventional methods for increasing flower size as well as yield and quality of essential oil of chamomile.
Evaluation of underutilized fern Cyathea gigantea from Northeast India for its potentiality in food processing
Full text linkCyathea gigantea is a species of tree fern found in the North-Eastern part of India in Arunachal Pradesh. Pith of Cyathea gigantea fern is a useful but underutilized part, popularly known as tashe, has traditionally been consumed by the natives of Arunachal Pradesh. From time immemorial, tashe rich in carbohydrates has been consumed as a supplementary food by several tribes like Solungs, Nyishis, Tagins and Adis when faced under natural calamities like famine and earthquake. Tashe being an important source of healthy diet was studied to determine its physico-chemical characteristics to validate the traditional knowledge about its goodness in consumption. The physical and functional properties selected for evaluation were bulk density, colour and pasting properties and nutritional properties selected for evaluation were the content of moisture, ash, protein, fat, crude fibre, carbohydrate, energy value and antioxidant levels as per the standard procedure. From the study it has been found that moisture content in tashe flour is less offering a longer shelf life. The lower fat per cent of tashe makes it an ideal health food option, particularly for those who are overweight. Tashe flour has a low bulk density of less than 1 g/cm3, making it ideal for preparation of complementary foods. It has been concluded from the study that tashe flour can be used to replace traditional flours in a number of flour-based products due to its promising properties
Contextualizing traditional water knowledge with modern water challenges in India: A hydrological review
Full text linkDuring last few decades many new challenges in the field of water have emerged such as impacts of climate change, declining groundwater levels, decline in groundwater recharge, water logging, encroachment of water sources, decline in green cover, increasing menace of flood and silting due to encroachment of floodplain of rivers, increasing water pollution due to inappropriate and inadequate disposal of solid and liquid wastes, cloudburst, flash flood, cyclone and other disasters, etc. Due to increasing water demand and decreasing water availability, ensuring water security has emerged as a big challenge. India is a unique country where rivers are worshiped and respected since ancient times. Evidences are available in ancient scriptures about hydrological knowledge and importance of water management. Various traditional systems of water harvesting, conservation and management are still available and some are being used since ancient times. In spite of this traditional knowledge and cultural values, the water resources of India are in turmoil due to rapid industrialization, urbanization and materialistic approach towards over-exploitation of natural resources. This paper attempts to contextualize Indian traditional water knowledge with contemporary water challenges in India. Such traditional structures and knowledge, if adopted and practiced prudently, can provide sustainable solutions even today
Ethnobotany to bioprospecting of medicinal plants from Western Ghats, India – A review
Full text linkPlants are the sources of traditional medicine since time immemorial and several drugs that are currently used in clinic are from plant origin. Western Ghats of India, one of hotspots in the world comprises valuable medicinal plants and hardly a limited number of which have been scientifically validated. Thus it is worth exploring the other medicinal plants from these regions. The information on ethnobotanical studies, indigenous knowledge, traditional knowledge on the medicinal plants from Western Ghats of India were collected using online search engines such as Google, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Google scholar, PubMed. The collected information was analysed to understand role of different plant species and families in treating various diseases and disorders using pharmacological approaches. It was found that around 1630 plants species belonging to 170 families were used for treating major ailments such as pain and inflammatory, gastrointestinal and dermatological disorders. Furthermore, plant families including Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Acanthaceae were largely preferred. Amongst the reported species around 134 were endemic, 4 critically endangered and nearly threatened. Around 3 species were endangered and rare. 1 species is at risk. However, only 115 plants have been validated for their pharmacological properties using in vivo experiments and clinical trials/uses. The available literature on medicinal plants from the Western Ghats strongly suggests that these plants can be a potential source of the newer drug. Further in-depth studies on the screening of medicinal plants to isolate and characterize the pharmacologically important active principles are essential to contribute to the healthcare sector
