Many ayurvedic remedies have been used in 6X homeopathic potency with good results. Maybe this is another.
Some extracts below.
Regards.
Sarvadaman Oberoi
H 485 FF Ansals Palam Vihar
Gurgaon 122017 Haryana INDIA
Mobile: +919818768349 Tele: +911244076374
Website:
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email:
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From:
minutus@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
minutus@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of prestonfoell
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2007 9:57 PM
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Subject: [Minutus] looking for further info re: COCCIN --- a 'smaller' remedy
Hello,
If anyone would have knowledge of this remedy,
EXTRACTS FROM INTERNET
Coccinia indica (cocci-i.) RADAR 9.2
Data only on internet
Medicinal Uses( –Ayurvedic?)
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr ... ia+grandis
Disclaimer
Hypoglycaemic; Laxative; Miscellany; Poultice; VD.
The juice of the roots and leaves is used in the treatment of diabetes.
The leaves are used as a poultice in treating skin eruptions.
The plant is laxative. It is used internally in the treatment of gonorrhoea.
Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plant have shown hypoglycaemic principles.
Influence of Coccinia indica on certain enzymes in glycolytic and lipolytic pathway in human diabetes.
http://www.indianjmedsci.org/article.as ... ble;type=0
ORIGINAL ARTICLE © 2004 Indian Journal of Medical Sciences
Year : 1998 Volume : 52 Issue : 4 Page : 143-6
Kamble SM, Kamlakar PL, Vaidya S, Bambole VD
Dried extract of C Indica in doses of 500 mgm/kg body weight were administered orally to 30 diabetic patients for six weeks. Blood samples were collected 15 minutes after administration of 10 IU heparin for estimation of LPL, before and after treatment with C. Indica Non heparinised samples were utilized for estimation for G-6-p (ase), LDH and blood sugar. Severity of disease were assessed by the findings of blood sugar level. Mild diabetes had no effect on LPL, LDH and G-6-P (ase). But, reduced activity of enzyme LPL and raised level of G-6-P (ase) and LDH in plasma of severe diabetics were found to be highly significant (p < 0.001). The alteration in these parameters in untreated diabetics were restored after treatment with C. indica Hence, it can be postulated that the ingredients present in the extract of C. indica, act like insulin, correcting the elevated enzymes G-6-p (ase), LDH in glycolytic pathway and restore the LPL activity in lypolytic pathway with the control of hyperglycemia in diabetes.
Effect of Coccinia indica leaves on antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract
1: J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Feb;84(2-3):163-8.
* Venkateswaran S ,
* Pari L .
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608 002, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India.
The antioxidant effect of an ethanolic extract of Coccinia indica leaves, an indigenous plant used in Ayurvedic medicine in India, was studied in Streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Oral administration of Coccinia indica leaf extract (CLEt) (200 mg/kg body weight) for 45 days resulted in a significant reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides. The extract also causes a significant increase in reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase in liver and kidney of streptozotocin diabetic rats, which clearly shows the antioxidant property of CLEt. The effect of CLEt at 200 mg/kg body weight was more effective than glibenclamide Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
PMID: 12648810 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Effect of Coccinia indica leaf extract on plasma antioxidants in streptozotocin- induced experimental diabetes in rats.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... s=12820225
1: Phytother Res. 2003 Jun;17(6):605-8.
* Venkateswaran S ,
* Pari L .
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, India.
The present study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant effect of an ethanolic extract of Coccinia indica leaves, an indigenous plant used in Ayurvedic Medicine in India, in Streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Oral administration of Coccinia indica leaf extract (CLEt) (200 mg/kg body weight) for 45 days resulted in a significant reduction in plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydroperoxides, vitamin E and ceruloplasmin. The extract also caused a significant increase in plasma vitamin C and reduced glutathione, which clearly shows the antioxidant property of CLEt. The effect of CLEt at 200 mg/kg body weight was more effective than glibenclamide. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PMID: 12820225 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Protective effect of Coccinia indica on changes in the fatty acid composition in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... s=12857005
1: Pharmazie. 2003 Jun;58(6):409-12.
* Pari L ,
* Venkateswaran S .
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, India.
paribala@sancharnet.in
The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Coccinia indica, an indigenous plant used in Ayurvedic Medicine in India, on blood glucose, plasma insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids and phospholipids and fatty acid composition of total lipids in liver, kidney and brain of normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Oral administration of the ethanolic extract of Coccinia indica leaves (200 mg/kg body weight, CLEt) for 45 days to diabetic rats decreased the concentrations of blood glucose, lipids and fatty acids, viz., palmitic, stearic, and oleic acid whereas linolenic and arachidonic acid and plasma insulin were elevated. These results suggest that CLEt exhibits hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects in STZ induced diabetic rats. It also prevents the fatty acid changes produced during diabetes. The effect of CLEt at 200 mg/kg body weight was better than that of glibenclamide.
PMID: 12857005 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Hypoglycaemic activity of Coccinia indica and Momordica charantia in diabetic rats: depression of the hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and elevation of both liver and red-cell shunt enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articl ... id=1134299
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/about/copyright.html
Biochem J. 1993 May 15; 292(Pt 1): 267–270.
B A Shibib, L A Khan, and R Rahman
Department of Biochemistry, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Abstract
Coccinia indica leaves were extracted with 60% ethanol, solvents were evaporated and the residue was suspended in water. This suspension was administered orally at a dose of 200 mg/kg body wt. after 18 h of fasting to normal fed and streptozotocin-induced male diabetic rats (180-250 g). After 90 min the rats were killed, and blood-glucose, hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and red-cell G6PDH were assayed. Blood sugar was depressed by 23% (P < 0.01) and 27% (P < 0.001) in the normal fed and streptozotocin-diabetic rats respectively compared with controls which were given distilled water. Hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activities were depressed by 32% (P < 0.001) 30% (P < 0.05) respectively in the streptozotocin-diabetic rats, compared with 19% (P < 0.02) and 20% (P < 0.01) depression in the normal fed controls, whereas both the red-cell and hepatic G6PDH activities were found to be elevated by feeding the extract in the streptozotocin-diabetic and in the normal fed controls. Similar results were obtained with the 95%-ethanolic extract of Momordica charantia. Taken together, these results indicate that Coccinia indica and Momordica charantia extracts lowered blood glucose by depressing its synthesis, on the one hand through depression of the key gluconeogenic enzymes glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and on the other by enhancing glucose oxidation by the shunt pathway through activation of its principal enzyme G6PDH.
Coccinia indica (cocci-i.)
Coccinia grandis
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr ... ia+grandis
Physical Characteristics
Perennial growing to 3m. It is hardy to zone 9. It is in flower from August to September. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). The plant not is self-fertile. We rate it 2 out of 5 for usefulness.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Woodland, Sunny Edge, By Walls, By South Wall, By West Wall.
Edible Uses
Fruit; Leaves.
Young leaves and long slender stem tops - cooked and eaten as a potherb or added to soups[46, 61, 105, 177, 183].
Young and tender green fruits - raw in salads or cooked and added to curries etc[2, 46, 61, 105, 177, 183].
Ripe scarlet fruit - raw. Fleshy and sweet[183]. The fruit is up to 5cm long[200].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Hypoglycaemic; Laxative; Miscellany; Poultice; VD.
The juice of the roots and leaves is used in the treatment of diabetes[240].
The leaves are used as a poultice in treating skin eruptions[240].
The plant is laxative[61]. It is used internally in the treatment of gonorrhoea[240].
Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plant have shown hypoglycaemic principles[240].
Other Uses
None known
Cultivation details
Succeeds in any soil[1] but prefers a sunny sheltered position in a humus-rich open soil[164]. Keep the plant well watered in the growing season[164].
Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit in tropical and sub-tropical zones[46, 61], this plant is not hardy in Britain and normally requires greenhouse protection if it is to fruit here[200]. However, it may succeed outdoors as a tender annual in hot summers if given a suitable position and started off early in the greenhouse.
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed and fruits are required.
Propagation
Seed - sow March in a warm greenhouse in pots of fairly rich soil placing 2 - 3 seeds in each pot. The seed usually germinates within 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c[164]. Thin to the best seedling in each pot and grow them on fast, giving occasional liquid feeds. Plant out after the last expected frosts and give the plants some protection such as a cloche until they are growing away well.
DIABETES HERBS
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Coccinia indica
Coccinia indica (Bimba in Sanskrit) known as Ivy Gourd has a long history in ancient Indian medicinal system for its use in diabetes, bronchitis and skin diseases. It is a climbing perennial herb, growing wild throughout India.
Dried extract of Coccinia indica is clinically proven in 30 diabetic patients, where it has been postulated to act like insulin, correcting the elevated enzymes glucose-6- phosphatase and LDH in the glycolytic pathway and restore the LPL activity in the lypolytic pathway with the control of hyperglycemia in diabetics. In yet another double blind controlled trial with a preparation from the leaves of the plant on uncontrolled, maturity onset diabetics, out of the 16 patients who received the experimental preparations 10 showed marked improvement in their glucose tolerance while none out of the 16 patients in the dummy group showed such a marked improvement.
Preclinical studies using extract of leaves of coccinia indica reported that blood sugar was depressed by 23% and 27% in the normal fed and streptozotocin-diabetic rats respectively compared with controls which were given distilled water. Thus extensive studies prove the hypoglycemic activity of the leaf extract of Coccinia indica.
Enicostemma littorale
Mamijava (Enicostemma littorale) is a glabrous perennial herb. Traditionally it is used as a stomachic and bitter tonic, used as a substitute for Swertia chirata (the famous Indian bitter) and hence commonly referred as Chota chirayata.
Recent preclinical data has documented the use of extract of E. littorale proving significant increase in the serum insulin levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats at 8 h. further investigations led to the results suggesting the glucose lowering effect of extract of E. littorale to be associated with potentiation of glucose-induced insulin release through K (+)-ATP channel dependent pathway but did not require Ca(2+) influx.
Yet another preclinical experimental data suggest that the extract of E. littorale is a potent herbal antidiabetic.
Lagerstroemia speciosa
Lagerstroemia speciosa a member of family Lythraceae is a large deciduous tree occurring almost throughout India. Commonly known as Banaba is conventionally used as purgative and diuretic. A decoction of the leaves, also of dried fruit, prepared like tea, is used for diabetes mellitus in Philippines.
Phytochemical studies showed presence of alkaloids, saponins and flavanoids in leaves.
Another triterpene compound known as Colosolic acid is identified in the leaves of
Lagerstroemia speciosa & is commonly referred as Botanical insulin.
Randomized clinical trial involving Type II diabetics demonstrated the antidiabetic activity of an extract from the leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa standardized to 1% corosolic acid. The extract showed a significant reduction in the blood glucose levels. Oral hypoglycemic activity of banaba leaf extract was studied on mild alloxan induced diabetes in albino rats. Significant hypoglycemic activity was observed at a dose of 250 mg/ 100 g body weight as compared with tolbutamide 20 mg/kg body weight.
Yet another study using hereditary Type II diabetic mice demonstrates the hypoglycemic effects of Lagerstroemia speciosa. The mice were fed a test diet containing 5% of the water extract from banaba leaves for a feeding period of 5 weeks. The elevation of blood plasma glucose level in diabetic mice almost entirely suppressed by addition of banaba extract in the diet. The level of serum insulin and the amount of urinary excreted glucose were also lowered. Plasma total cholesterol level was also lowered in mice fed with banaba extract. It is suggested that banaba leaves extract have beneficial effects on control of the plasma glucose level in Type II diabetes mellitus.
Gymnema sylvestre
Gymnema sylvestre has been used in India for the treatment of diabetes for over 2,000 years. The leaves, when chewed, interfere with the ability to taste sweetness, which explains the Hindi name gurmar—”destroyer of sugar.” Gymnema sylvestre is known as Periploca of the woods in English and meshasringi (meaning “ram’s horn”) in Sanskrit. The primary application was for adult-onset diabetes (NIDDM), a condition for which it continues to be recommended today in India. The major phytoconstituent Gymnemic acid have been shown to block sweet taste in humans.
The effectiveness of Gymnema sylvestre extract is clinically proven in 22 Type 2 diabetes patients. It was administered for 18-20 months as a supplement to the conventional oral drugs. During the supplementation, the patients showed a significant reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and glycosylated plasma proteins, and conventional drug dosage could be decreased. Five of the 22 diabetic patients were able to discontinue their conventional drug and maintain their blood glucose homeostasis with the extract alone. These data suggest that the beta cells may be regenerated/repaired in Type 2 diabetic patients on Gymnema sylvestre extract supplementation. This is supported by the appearance of raised insulin levels in the serum of patients after supplementation.
Yet another clinical study on extract of the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, was administered to 27 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on insulin therapy. Insulin requirements came down together with fasting blood glucose. Gymnema sylvestre therapy appears to enhance endogenous insulin, possibly by regeneration/revitalisation of the residual beta cells in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Trigonella foenum-graeceum
Trigonella foenum-graeceum commonly known as fenugreek has been used since ancient times both as a food and medicine. In India the young shoots form a favorite vegetable.
Clinically the effects of extracts of Fenugreek seeds is proven in 25 diabetes patient (type 2 diabetes). It was demonstrated that adjunct use of fenugreek seeds improved glycemic control and decreased insulin resistance in mild type-2 diabetic patients. Another clinical studies, effect of fenugreek seeds on blood glucose and the serum lipid profile was evaluated in insulin-dependent (Type I) diabetic patients. The fenugreek diet significantly reduced fasting blood sugar and improved the glucose tolerance test. There was a 54 per cent reduction in 24-h urinary glucose excretion. Serum total cholesterol, LDL and VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides were also significantly reduced.
Preclinical studies demonstrates that the therapeutic role of fenugreek seed powder in type-i diabetes can be attributed to the change of glucose and lipid metabolizing enzyme activities to normal values, thus stabilizing glucose homeostasis in the liver and kidney.
Momordica charantia
The generic name “Momordica” comes from Latin meaning “to bite”, referring to the jagged edges of the seed that appears as if the leaves have been bitten. The plant lives up to its ‘Bitter Melon’ name as all parts of the plant including the fruit tastes very bitter.
Number of preclinical studies on extracts of Momordica charantia was tested for their hypoglycemic effects on normal and diabetic rat models. Results have produced a significant hypoglycemic effect both in fasting and in postprandial states. Another studies demonstrates that Momordica charantia fruit extract exhibits hypolipidemic as well as hypoglycemic effects in the STZ-induced diabetic rat.
Clinical studies of Momordica charantia, on fasting and post prandial (2 hours after 75 gm oral glucose intake) serum glucose levels were studied in iOO cases of moderate non-insulin dependent diabetic subjects. Significant reduction of both fasting and postprandial serum glucose levels. This hypoglycaemic action was observed in 86% cases.
1044 BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL 12 APRIL 1980
Treatment of diabetes mellitus with Coccinia indica
Coccinia indica is a creeper that grows wild and in abundance in Bengal. The plant has been used since ancient times for treating diabetes mellitus in the Indian system of medicine known as ayurvedha.’ We report the findings of a double-blind controlled trial using the leaves of the plant to treat patients with untreated but uncomplicated maturity-onset diabetes.
Patients, methods, and results
Patients with diabetes mellitus attending the outpatient clinic of this institute were admitted at random to the trial if they gave informed consent. Only patients with uncontrolled and untreated diabetes were considered suitable for the study. Patients with ketone bodies in their urine or those who were thought to need immediate treatment with insulin were excluded.
The patients received at random either tablets made from the homo— genised and freeze-dried leaves of Coccinia indica or placebo tablets prepared with chlorophyll, and were told to take three tablets twice daily for six weeks. They were also told to continue on the same diet as before, and not to take any other medication. An oral glucose tolerance test (50 g) was done at the beginning and at the end of the trial and fasting blood glucose concentrations were estimated during the trial for all the patients. Two doctors, unaware of which treatment had been given, classified the results of blood glucose estimations as showing marked improvement, mild improvement, or no improvement. When glucose tolerance became normal or almost normal the patient was classified as “markedly improved.” The two groups of patients were comparable in respect of age, sex, weight, and severity and duration of diabetes.
Out of the 16 patients who received the C indica tablets, glucose tolerance considerably improved in 10, while none of those taking placebo showed such an improvement. This difference is highly significant (x2 with Yates carrection = 117, p <0001). If patients who showed modest improvement are included, then 11 out of 16 in the group taking C indica tablets and three out of 16 on placebo showed improvement in glucose tolerance, a difference that is also highly significant (x’—PP, p 300 mg/ dl were classified as diabetic and were included in study as described earlier by our laboratory (14). Animals were divided into three groups of five each. Group 1 animals served as healthy controls, while those of the group 2 were untreated diabetic rats. Rats of group 3 were diabetic treated for 8 weeks with 300 mg of water extract of A. augusta plus Coccinia indica. (13 — 14). Blood samples were collected from overnight fasted rats at 0 and 8 weeks. Blood glucose serum total cholesterol, HDL and LDL- cholesterol, triacylglyerol, and Glycosylated hemoglobin were determined using kits from Randox Mumbai. Total proteins albumin and creatinine in serum were determined by the method of Reinhold (15). Assay of plasma glucose and albumin and creatinine and total cholesterol, LDL-VLDL & HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were estimated as described earlier (12-16-1 7). Lipid peroxidation products were estimated as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in plasma & tissues (16-17).
Statistical analysis:
All the data were statistically evaluated and the significance calculated using student’s test. All the results were expressed as mean ± SD.
RESULTS AND DISSCUSSION
The results obtained with untreated diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated with A. augusta plus C. indica on fasting blood glucose and GTT are compared with normal healthy controls and shown in (Tables 1 and 1A). It is seen that treatment with water extract of A. augusta plus C.indica at a dose of 300mg / kg body wt brought down fasting blood glucose (Tablel), from a higher value of 166.9 ±25.4 mg/dlto a normal value of 85.4±2.3 mg/dl while in the untreated group the FBG increased from the initial value of 172.2±5.4 to 285.6±42.6 mg/dl. There was considerable fall in FBG in diabetic rats treated with A. augusta alone or C. indica alone. The effect was more with C. indica. But the effect of the two plants in combination was more than that with either of the plants alone. Similar improvement to normal glucose tolerance was seen in GTT also (Table 1B). In the diabetic untreated rats the blood sugar was 269.0 ±92.2 mg/dl even after 2 hrs of glucose load in GTT. But in the A. augusta plus C. indica treated rats the 2 hr blood glucose value was in the normal range of 75.2±1 .0 mg/dl. The fasting (Ohr) blood glucose values which were higher in the diabetic animals (160.5 ± 32.1)were brought down to 81.0 ± 3.Smg/dI, when 300 mg ofthe extract of the mixture of the two plants was administered for 8 weeks. There was improvement in glucose tolerance in diabetic rats treated alone with either of the plants. The exact mechanism of action of the plant extracts either alone or in combination cannot be stated. However it is possible that these extracts increase blood insulin levels and also stimulate utilization of glucose by liver and extrahepatic tissues. The changes in the lipid profile have also been studied (Table2). Before treatment the total cholesterol, (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL- C) and TG were higher than in normal animals. After 8 weeks, the TC, LDL- C, LDL- Cl HDL- C and TG values were still higher in diabetic untreated animals then in control animals. There was no change in HDL- C in untreated diabetic animals. However in the case of diabetic treated animals, with A. augusta alone, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and LDL- Cl HDL- C values returned to near normal values. There was very slight fall in TG values probably because these plants could not show much effect on triglycerols. But further improvement in increase in HDL- C value was seen. With C. indica and A. augusta plus C. indica treatments similar values were obtained. Further there was reduction in TG values also. This shows again that the water extract of the mixture of two plants, which contains less than 300mg of each of the two plants is as effective as 300mg of water extract of each of the two plants. Improvement in lipid profile is suggestive of the action of the two plants on enzymes and lipid metabolism. The total proteins, albumin and creatinine in serum, glycosylated hemoglobin in blood and total body weight and weight of kidneys (in the animals killed after the experiment) were also analyzed after 8 week of treatment and the values are shown in (Tables 3 and 4). The untreated diabetic animals showed signs of neuropathy eg. tropic ulcer on tail (Fig 1), slight edema in the paws of the legs (Fig2). The animals looked lethargic and sickly. All these symptoms disappeared after treatment for 8 weeks with water extract of the two plants A. augusta and C. indica. The treatment with water extract was so effective that the above-mentioned complications seen in the untreated diabetic rats disappeared (Fig 3). The treated diabetic animals showed appearance almost like normal rats. The overall behavior of the rats was normal. In conclusion it can be stated that the two plants A. augusta and C. indicia, have a synergistic effect when given together. They have a strong antihyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effect. In the table, only values of with water extract of combination of the two plants are shown. An interesting observation is that glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) decreased to 9.8 ±2.4 and returned to normal value after 8 weeks of treatment.
Glycosylated hemoglobin content rather than FBG is considered as a more reliable index of glycemic control in the management of diabetes mellitus. Return to normal of HbA1 (Table 4) af[ertreatment is a clear indication that the diabetic state was well regulated after the treatment of diabetic animals. Serum albumin, total body weight and kidney weight increases in diabetic untreated animals. There was increase in total proteins, serum creatinine, and serum acid in diabetic animals. Af[ertreatment there was decrease except in total protein. But after treatment the values were closer to the normal value. There was an improvement in the hemoglobin content of the blood also (Table 4) Herbal treatment improved the weight of liver and kidney in diabetic rats fed high fat diet, although it was not completely reversible in liver. (Tables 5, 6,). Recovery from this type of neuropathy is the elute, although months and even years may elapse before it happens. This form of neuropathy is often referred to as diabetic amyotrophy. When the clinical picture is dominated by deep sensory loss, ataxia and stone of the bladder, with only slight weakness of limbs, the similarity can be heightened by the presence of lancinating pains in the legs, unreactive pupils and neuropathic arthropathy. Loss of nerve fibers is a prominent pathologic finding in the distal symmetric form of neuropathy. Since myelin is formed from the cell membranes of Schwan cells, one may infer that the Schwas cell is a primary target of the pathologic process in this type of diabetic neuropathy.
In conclusion, it appears that the water extract of combination A. august plus C. indicia has got good hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect and also corrects complications associated with diabetes such as, retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and musculopathy. Further research is needed to corroborate the same beneficial effects and to discuss the underlying mechanism involved in the above findings.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are grateful to Dr. Paul Ratnasamy, Ex- Director National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, for their interest and encouragement to this work.
Table I
Effect of treatment for 8 weeks with water extract of (300mg/kg bw) A. augusta
and C. indica and mixture of the two plants on fasting plasma glucose level
in streptozotocin diabetic rats.
Plasma glucose (mg/dl ) mean ± S.D.
a =p <0.001
Group of 5 animals were used for each set of experiments
All the data were statistically evaluated and the significance was calculated using student’ s ‘t ‘—test. AlIthe results were expressed as mean ± S.D.
Table IA
Effect of water extract (300mg/kg b.w) of A. augusta and C. indica and mixture of the two plants on Plasma glucose during glucose tolerance in diabetic rats
Blood glucose (mg/dl ), mean ± S.D.
Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistiy, 2003 57
Group
0 weeks
8 weeks
Control
99.4±19.5
89.8±5.21
Diabetic
172.2 ±5.4
285.6 ±42.6
Diabetic+A. augusta
164.6 ±25.0
105.4 ±26.6
Diabetic + Coccinia .indica
158.6 ± 1 0.Oa
98.2 ± 25.2a
Diabetic + A.augusta + C. indica
166.9 ± 25. 4
85.4 ±2.3
Group
0 hr
0.5 hr
1 hr
1.5 hr
2 hr
Control
94.3 ± 21.0
140.2 ± 11.2
132.6 ± 27.3
116.2 10.0
102.0 ± 12.0
Diabetic untreated
160.5 ± 32.1
245.0 ± 68.6
273.4 ±89.3
290.6 ±82.6
269.0 ± 92.2
Diabetic + A. augusta
87.9 ± 25.6
112.2 ± 20.6
114.3 ± 15.0
102.0 ± 10.3
95.6 ±24.0
Diabetic + C. indica.
82.0± 4.2
86.0 ± 4.3
81.0 ± 3.9
80.0 ± 3.2
84.0 ± 3.2
Diabetic +A. augusta + C. indica
81.0 ± 3.5
84.0 ± 4.2
86.0 ± 3.3
81.0 ± 3.6
75.2 ± 1.0
Table 2
Effect of (300 mg 1kg Ibody) treatment for 8 weeks with water extract of A. augusta and C. indica and both
A. augusta + C. indica on plasma lipid profile in diabetic rats.
TC, LDL-C, HDL-C = total. Low density and high-density lipoprotein Cholesterol respectively. Number of animal is 5 in each group.
Table 3
Effect of water extract of A. augusta plus C. indica on glycosylated hemoglobin and body weight, values shown are those at the end of 8 weeks treatment, hemoglobin in blood and serum
albumin total proteins, and creatinine.
The values are mean ± S.D.
*a p <0.05 when compared with diabetic untreated group
Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistiy, 2003 58
Group TC (mg/dl) LDLC(mg/dl) HDLC(mg/dl) LDLC/HDLC TG (mg/dl) (±S.D.) (±S.D.) (±S.D.) (±S.D.) (±S.D.)
Control
170.3 ±10.3
78.0 ±12.2
44.9 ± 13.3
1.7 ± 0.3
1156±42.6
Diabetic untreated
250.0 ± 14.9
152.2 ± 12.6
45.0 ± 12.0
3.3 ± 0.4
181 .8 ± 18.8
Diabetic+A.augusta
175.0±12.3
99.7±16.8
51.3±8.4
1.9±0.4
174.0±15.8
.Diabetic+C.indica
187.0±14.9
95.6±15.7
50.2±8.5
1.6±0.3
135.0±13.2
Diabetic +A. augusta+C. indica
174.0±10.3
51.3±6.3
48.3 ± 8.2
1.8±0.5
131.0±11.2
Parameter
Normal (± S.D.)
iabetic (± S.D.)
Diabetic treated (± S.D.)
Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1 ) %
3.04 ± 0.02
9.4 ± 2.4
4.8 ± 0.1
Albumin (g/l)
55.0± 1.4
45.0 ± 3.1
52.9 ± 3.0 a
Totalprotein (g/l)
69.0±3.0
73.2±2.9
78.2±3.8a
Creatinineml/min
0.75 ±0.04
1.30 ±0.15
0.91 ±0.05 a
Body weight (g)
283.6 ± 25.8
225.5 ± 45.0
280.4 ± 9.0
Kidney weight (g)
1.40 ± 0.05
2.92 ± 0.08
1.06 ± 0.10
Hemoglobin
16.0±4.2
ND
Urine sugar
10.5±1.2
+++
++
Urine albumin
ND
++
ND
Table 4
Effect of water extract of A. augusta and C. indica on serum total cholesterol, triglyceride,
phospholipid in hyperlipidemic rats
*p values, a =NS; *b £ 0,05 c £0.01 df 0.001 compared with 0 hr
Table 5
Effect of water extract of A. augusta plus C. indica on the serum lipid profile in rats fed on high fat diet.
p < 0. 0005 *C p < 0. 01
Total Cholesterol (mgldl) Triglyceride (mgldl) Phospholipid (mgldl)
Untreated C. indica A. augusta Untreated C. indica A. augusta Untreated C. indica A. augusta
Fasting
94.9±6.6
100.2±6
105.4±7
106.9
116±3
108±5
144.6±7
142.5±
150.4±9.0
Ohr
678±50.9
700±52.3
710±14
300±11
314±17
360±20
210±13.3
240±14
360±24
+6hr
724±90.2a
530±.5±41.lc
600±10c
314±6a
300.5±llb
305±15.0b
200±700
240.5±16
340±17
%faII
24.4
13.6
12.4
17.5
3.00
3.75
8.00
+l2hr
695±73a
303±12.6d
550±10d
311±10.4a
162±9.3b
180±10.0a
194±16d
197±19d
330±14a
+%faII
55.0
22.2
53.8
22.5
6
21.5
14.00
+24hr
660±lla
148.4±15.5d
450±10d
300±8a
80±5d
253±14.7d
181±10.00a
155.6.7d
300.2±12a
%faII
3.5
80.00
34.5
1.00
76.4
33.00
10
58.00
24.3
TC mg/dl
TG mg/dl
LDL
HDL-C
Normal rats
198.7±44.9
94.9±7.1
83.8±16.2
42.3±1 9.2
High-fatrats
622.3±1.4
34.7±09
3.58±0.11
31.0±0.10
High —fat diet plus extracts
182.5±4.2
171.8.0
148.8±8.0
173.1±23.4
Table 6
Effect of water extract on liver and kidney weight in rats fed on high fat diet.
TISSUE
Normal rats
High-fat diet untreated
High -fat diet Plus extracts of two plants.
Liver(gm)
7.82± 0.33
10.4 ± 0.41
9.8 ± 0.1 8b
Kidney(gm)
0.99±0.05
1.08±0.08
0.99±0.06c
I,
Fig 1.: The untreated diabetic animals showing signs of neuropathy eg. Tropical ulcer on tail.
Fig 2. : The animals looking lethargic and sickly.
Fig 3 : All the pathological changes of diabetics disappeared after treatment with combination of
A. augusta and C. indica (L)
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