Gaurang B. Shah

Bio: Gaurang B. Shah is an academic researcher from Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya. The author has contributed to research in topics: Insulin & Insulin resistance. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 67 publications receiving 971 citations.

Antiulcer activity of tephrosia purpurea in rats

Abstract: Objective: To study the antiulcer activity of aqueous extract of roots of Tephrosia purpurea (AETP) using different models of gastric and duodenal ulceration in rats. Methods: Antiulcer activity of AETP was studied in rats in which gastric ulcers were induced by oral administration of ethanol or 0.6 M HCl or indomethacin or by pyloric ligation and duodenal ulcers were induced by oral administration of cysteamine HCI. AETP was administered in the dose of 1 to 20 mg/kg orally 30 min prior to ulcer induction. The antiulcer activity was assessed by determining and comparing the ulcer index in the test drug group with that of the vehicle control group. Gastric total acid output and pepsin activity were estimated in the pylorus ligated rats. Omeprazole was used as a reference drug. Results: The ulcer index in the AETP treated animals was found to be significantly less in all the models compared to vehicle control animals. This antiulcer property was more prominent in animals in whom ulcers were induced by HCl, indomethacin and pyloric ligation. Omeprazole (8 mg/kg) produced a significant gastric and duodenal ulcer protection when compared with the control group. The anti-ulcer activity of AETP was however, less than that of omeprazole. Conclusion: Our results suggest that AETP possesses significant antiulcer property which could be either due to cytoprotective action of the drug or by strengthening of gastric and duodenal mucosa and thus enhancing mucosal defence.

Oculohypotensive effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in acute and chronic models of glaucoma.

Abstract: We have studied the effects of various angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on intraocular pressure (IOP) of rabbits with experimentally induced ocular hypertension and their mechanism of action. Acute ocular hypertension was induced by infusion of 5% glucose (15 ml/kg) through marginal ear vein, whereas chronic glaucoma was induced by injection of alpha-chymotrypsin into the posterior chamber of the eye. IOP was measured by tonometer. All ACE inhibitors were instilled topically in the eye in a sterile solution. The effect of ACE inhibitors also was studied on serum cholinesterase (true and pseudo) and the enzyme ACE in vitro. Enalaprilat, ramiprilat, and fosinopril produced a time-dependent decrease of IOP in both acute and chronic models of ocular hypertension in rabbits. The decrease in IOP was observed for >4 h, and the extent of decrease was comparable to that with both pilocarpine and betaxolol. Prodrugs enalapril and ramipril failed to produced any change in IOP. Losartan also produced a significant decrease in IOP in the chronic model of ocular hypertension in rabbits. All the three ACE inhibitors were found to inhibit ACE activity in aqueous humor. The enzyme cholinesterase was found to be inhibited by enalaprilat, ramiprilat, and fosinopril. However, atropine did not alter the IOP-lowering effect of enalaprilat in rabbits. Indomethacin pretreatment produced slight but significant inhibition of the IOP-lowering effect of enalaprilat in rabbits. Our data suggest that ACE inhibitors enalaprilat, ramiprilat, and fosinopril produce a significant ocular hypotensive effect in acute and chronic models of ocular hypertension in rabbits. Inhibition of ACE in aqueous humor, and in ocular tissues, resulting in reduced angiotensin II formation, could be one of the major mechanisms responsible for the IOP reduction by ACE inhibitors in rabbits.

Effect of piperine in the regulation of obesity-induced dyslipidemia in high-fat diet rats.

Abstract: Objective: The present study was undertaken to explore the effect of piperine in obesity-induced dyslipidemia. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for the first eight weeks, to develop obesity-induced dyslipidemia. Later on piperine (40 mg / kg) and sibutramine (5 mg / kg) were administered for three weeks along with the continuation of HFD to two separate groups, which served as the test and standard groups, respectively. Body weight, food intake, serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, and HDL were measured at the end of the fourth, eighth (before treatment), and eleventh (after treatment) week, while the fat mass was measured at the end of the eleventh week in the normal, HFD-control, test, and standard groups. Results: Supplementing piperine with HFD significantly reduced not only body weight, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, and fat mass, but also increased the HDL levels, with no change in food intake. Conclusion: The above results suggest that piperine possesses potential fat reducing and lipid lowering effects, without any change in food appetite, at a small dose of 40 mg / kg. The mechanism of action for such an activity needs to be determined. However, looking to structural similarity with the presently known Melanocortin-4 (MC-4) agonists, involvement of MC-4 receptors in its activity can be guessed.

Hepatoprotective activity of Hemidesmus indicus R. br. in rats.

Abstract: Treatment of rats with paracetamol and CCl4 produced a significant increase in the levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and direct bilirubin. Rats pretreated with methanolic extract of roots of H. indicus (100-500 mg/kg body weight, po) exhibited rise in the levels of these enzymes but it was significantly less as compared to those treated with paracetamol or CCl4 alone. The results of methanolic extract of H. indicus were comparable with the standard hepatoprotective agent silymarin (100 mg/kg). Maximum hepatoprotective effect was found to be at the dose of 250 mg/kg body weight in case of CCl4 induced hepatic damage while 500 mg/kg body weight in case of paracetamol induced hepatic damage. The results suggest that methanolic extract of H. indicus roots possesses a potential antihepatotoxic activity.

Physiological Implications of Hydrogen Sulfide: A Whiff Exploration That Blossomed

Abstract: The important life-supporting role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has evolved from bacteria to plants, invertebrates, vertebrates, and finally to mammals. Over the centuries, however, H2S had only been known for its toxicity and environmental hazard. Physiological importance of H2S has been appreciated for about a decade. It started by the discovery of endogenous H2S production in mammalian cells and gained momentum by typifying this gasotransmitter with a variety of physiological functions. The H2S-catalyzing enzymes are differentially expressed in cardiovascular, neuronal, immune, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive, liver, and endocrine systems and affect the functions of these systems through the production of H2S. The physiological functions of H2S are mediated by different molecular targets, such as different ion channels and signaling proteins. Alternations of H2S metabolism lead to an array of pathological disturbances in the form of hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, diabetes...

The Wealth of India

Abstract: IT may occasion some surprise to those men of science who are ill-acquainted with India, and who so frequently express the view that Governments are unappreciative of the importance of science to learn that as far back as 1886 the Government of India arranged for Dr. George (later Sir George) Watt, professor of botany in the Presidency College, Calcutta, to prepare a "Dictionary of the Economic Products of India". The six volumes of this standard work were published during the years 1889-99. In 1908 Sir George Watt published a condensed version, "The Commercial Products of India". Whatever the defects of these 'dictionaries', they have been of inestimable value to all interested in Indian natural products. The Wealth of India A Dictionary of Indian Raw Materials and Industrial Products. Raw Materials, Vol. 1. Pp. xxvii+254+39 plates. 15 rupees ; 24s. Industrial Products, Part 1. Pp. xii+182+8 plates. 8 rupees ; 12s. (New Delhi : Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, 1948.)

In vitro models for antioxidant activity evaluation and some medicinal plants possessing antioxidant properties: An overview

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a class of highly reactive molecules derived from the metabolism of oxygen. ROS, including superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide molecules are often generated as by products of biological reactions or from exogenous factors. There is extensive evidence to involve ROS in the development of degenerative diseases. Evidence suggests that compounds especially from natural sources are capable of providing protection against free radicals. This has attracted a great deal of research interest in natural antioxidants. It is necessary to Screen out medicinal plants for their antioxidant potential. Therefore an attempt has been made to review different in vitro models for estimating antioxidant properties of natural products from medicinal plants. All the models are described along with the different standards that can be used for estimation. In the end, a large number of plants showing in vitro antioxidant activity are listed but in vivostudies are lacking. Key words: Antioxidant assay, in vitro models, antioxidant medicinal plants.

Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide: A Bifunctional Glucose-Dependent Regulator of Glucagon and Insulin Secretion in Humans

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To evaluate the glucose dependency of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) effects on insulin and glucagon release in 10 healthy male subjects ([means ± SEM] aged 23 ± 1 years, BMI 23 ± 1 kg/m 2 , and HbA 1c 5.5 ± 0.1%). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Saline or physiological doses of GIP were administered intravenously (randomized and double blinded) during 90 min of insulin-induced hypoglycemia, euglycemia, or hyperglycemia. RESULTS During hypoglycemia, GIP infusion caused greater glucagon responses during the first 30 min compared with saline (76 ± 17 vs. 28 ± 16 pmol/L per 30 min, P P P = 0.26) was observed with GIP and saline infusions. In addition, during hyperglycemia, GIP more than doubled the insulin secretion rate ( P CONCLUSIONS In healthy subjects, GIP has no effect on glucagon responses during hyperglycemia while strongly potentiating insulin secretion. In contrast, GIP increases glucagon levels during fasting and hypoglycemic conditions, where it has little or no effect on insulin secretion. Thus, GIP seems to be a physiological bifunctional blood glucose stabilizer with diverging glucose-dependent effects on the two main pancreatic glucoregulatory hormones.