Diabetes

ABSTRACTSome herbal remedies are said to have antioxidant activity, reducing oxidative stress in cells and are therefore useful in the treatment of many diseases such as diabetes. This study consisted of the evaluation of the antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo of an aqueous extract of Vernonia amygdalina (EAVa) in healthy rats and diabetic rats. The antioxidant power of EAVa, evaluated in vitro by assaying the anti-free radical activity by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl test, shows that this extract (IC50 = 26.07 ?g/mL), just like gallic acid (IC50 = 2.13 ?g/mL), reduces this free radical, and therefore has an antioxidant power. The study of antioxidant activity in vivo on rats shows that EAVa, at a dose of 1200 mg/kg BW, strengthens the antioxidant balance in healthy animals and decreases the state of oxidative stress induced by the injection. streptozotocin (STZ). In fact, the injection of STZ disrupts the oxidative defense system in rats. In pathological changes caused by the presence of oxygen radicals, EAVa causes depletion of hepatic glutathione levels and increased levels of liver malondialdehyde, catalase and superoxide dismutase. EAVa thus maintains the balance of the antioxidant balance of liver cells, which allows it to be used against diseases associated with oxidative stress, and therefore the pathological state of diabetes. This antioxidant power of the aqueous extract of Vernonia amygdalina would justify the use of this plant in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and associated pathologies. Keywords: Diabetes, antioxidant, Vernonia amygdalina, hepatic glutathione, catalase, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase.

ABSTRACTDiabetes mellitus is a common serious metabolic disorder with well-known serious secondary complications. Long term hyperglycemia induced- neurotoxicity leads to many adverse effects on various parts of both central and peripheral nervous system. The mechanisms responsible for the diabetes-related neuro-chemical alteration and structural abnormalities in the brain are not fully understood as yet. The aim of this current experimental study was to carry out a histological and histomorphological analysis of the diabetes-related changes in the cerebellar cortex of STZ-induced diabetic rats. 36 Albino rats weighing approximately 250 g were included in the study and divided in to control and diabetic groups and each group having 6 rats. Diabetic group received single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg/bw, i.p.) and control animals received normal saline. The induction of diabetes was confirmed by measuring the blood glucose levels from the lateral tail blood and blood sugar level above 250 mg/dL were considered diabetic. After experimental period all groups’ rats were sacrificed and coronal sections were taken from the cerebellum and stained with Cresyl violet, LFB, and PSR. The number of Purkinje and thickness of different layers of the cerebellum was evaluated for histomorphometry. Light microscopic studies and biochemical estimation revealed that there is reduction of number as well as diameter of Purkinje cells and reduced thickness of molecular and granular layer of cerebellar cortex. There is progressive increase in the amount of collagen fibers around tunica adventitia of cerebellar cortical as well as medullary vessels and choroid plexus of fourth ventricle. Alteration of biochemical changes in the form of increased serum creatinine level and decreased serum total protein was also noticed with increasing duration of hyperglycemia. It is therefore concluded that long-standing hyperglycemia leads to reduction of number Purkinje cells and thickness of cerebella

Diabetes is a chronic disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The present study objective is to assess the prescription pattern of anti diabetics in diabetic patients. A prospective observational study was carried out for a period of one month in the department of medicine of BMCH&RC teaching hospital. The study result shows that among 56 patient’s 26 (46.4%) males and 30 (51.78%) females were enrolled.  Among these 17 (30.35%) were in the age group of 61-70 years. Among the various anti diabetics, sulfonylureas were accounted for 8.77%. Among the study Population, 40 (70.17%) patients were treated with insulin Inj and 10 (17.54%) of the total drugs were fixed dose combination. our study concluded that insulin and sulfonylurea’s were the most commonly prescribed and more patients were treated with poly-pharmacy. The average numbers of drugs per prescription were 6. Study was conducted for a short period of time hence the no. of patients were less.

Previous researches have shown that diabetes and its major complications result in patients’ poor quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate health related quality of life in diabetic patients and to explore associated socio-demographic parameters that needed intervention. A cross sectional study carried out at the endocrinology clinic of  Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital had 150 elderly type2 diabetic patients aged 50years and above. Necessary information was collected from patients' files. RAND 36 health-Item questionnaire (version 1.0) was used for self-evaluation of health related quality of life. Scores were on a scale of 0-100. While 0 indicated poor, 100 indicated excellent health status. Statistical package for social sciences 16.0 was employed for statistical analysis with p value at ≤0.05.  Mean age of patients was 65.8±10.0. No statistical differences between males and females except in occupation where majority (59.3%) of the females were artisans/traders. Significant higher scores in role limitations due to physical health and role limitations due to emotional problems (p< 0.05) were found in males when compared to females. Significant physical functioning scores were found among the singles, primary level education and those with FBS < 126mg/dl.  The overall quality of health of this study group was very poor. This study reveals all the socio-demographic variables assessed needed intervention which might bring about optimal patient outcome. Educating them about their disease, counseling them on adherence to their medications and to life style modifications will be a good step in the right direction.

Now a days Diabetes is a dreadful disease which alter the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fatty acids. Most commonly occurring type is non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus which may affect 90-95% of the people. Incretins are becoming popular these days. Incretins are gut hormones secreted in response to food. They mainly increase the secretion of insulin. Now a days Incretin mimetics, DPP- IV inhibitors are used in the treatment of type-2 diabetes. However, many oral hypoglycemics are available, but still there is a need to overcome the problems associated with oral hypoglycemics.

There is a close link between hyperglycemia, oxidative stress and diabetic complication. This study was carried out to clarify the effect of ginger and silymarin, as beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. Forty adult male albino rats were used in this study divided into four groups of ten rats each: group 1 represent normal control group, group 2 diabetic groups induced by alloxan, group 3 was diabetic and received daily  ginger, group 4 was diabetic and received daily silymarin. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats, showed a significant increase of plasma glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL–cholesterol, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and uric acid while HDL–cholesterol and insulin levels are significantly decreased. Glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly decreased in homogenates of liver and kidney, while malondialdehyde levels were increased in tissue homogenates of liver and kidney. Plasma levels of glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL–cholesterol and uric acid were decreased significantly after treatment with silymarin or ginger, while HDL–cholesterol and insulin were increased. Nitric oxide levels were decreased significantly in rats treated with silymarin only. In liver homogenates of rats treated with silymarin or ginger, malondialdehyde were decreased significantly, and catalase increased significantly, while superoxide dismutase activities and glutathione peroxidase were increased significantly in liver and kidney after silymarin or ginger treatment. The effects of both agents may be useful in delaying the complicated effects of diabetes due to imbalance between free radicals Moreover; silymarin may be more powerful free radical scavenger than ginger.

The effect of Nigerian dietary vegetable mixtures composed of Vernonia amygdalina, Ocimum gratissimum, Gongronema latifolium, Solanum melongena, Phyllanthus amarus, and Piper nigrumas acclaimed as potent anti-hyperglycaemic agents were evaluated in accordance with local finished medicine products and practices in alloxan-induced diabetic guinea pigs. Blood glucose level analysis was used as diabetic indices. Taken together, the results of the present study, suggests that the strong cooperative additive/synergistic effects of the dietary vegetable mixtures (50/50/50) significantly (p