Phytosterols, phytostanols, and their conjugates in foods: structural diversity, quantitative analysis, and health-promoting uses

More than 400 traditional plant treatments for diabetes mellitus have been recorded, but only a small number of these have received scientific and medical evaluation to assess their efficacy. Traditional treatments have mostly disappeared in occidental societies, but some are prescribed by practitioners of alternative medicine or taken by patients as supplements to conventional therapy. However, plant remedies are the mainstay of treatment in underdeveloped regions. A hypoglycemic action from some treatments has been confirmed in animal models and non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients, and various hypoglycemic compounds have been identified. A botanical substitute for insulin seems unlikely, but traditional treatments may provide valuable clues for the development of new oral hypoglycemic agents and simple dietary adjuncts.

Traditional Plant Medicines as Treatments for Diabetes

Review on some plants of Indian traditional medicine with antioxidant activity.

Antioxidant actions of thymol, carvacrol, 6-gingerol, zingerone and hydroxytyrosol

time, probably by stimulation of the hepatic microsomal enzyme system3. Similar properties were exhibited by its roots. However, the petroleum ether extract (PEE) of the roots enhanced pentobarbitone sleeping time, probably due to CNS depression4. The PEE of the seed of Pongomia pinnata was further tested for nootropic activity in an experimental model of Alzheimer’s disease (created by ibotenic acid induced lesioning of nuclear basalis magnocellularis). It reversed both, the cognitive deficits and the reduction in cholinergic markers after 2 weeks of treatment. Reversal of perturbed cholinergic function appears to be the possible mechanism5.

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Pharmacology of medicinal plants and natural products

Hypolipidaemic effect of fruit juice of Emblica officinalis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Plumbagin (2-methyl-5-hydroxy, 1:4 naphthoquinone) isolated from the roots of Plumbago zeylanica when administered to hyperlipidaemic rabbits, reduced serum cholesterol and LDL-Chol. by 53 to 86 percent and 61 to 91 percent respectively. It lowered cholesterol/phospholipid ratio by 45.8 percent and elevates the decreased HDL-Chol significantly. Further, Plumbagin treatment prevented the accumulation of cholesterol and triglycerides in liver and aorta and regressed atheromatous plaques of thoracic and abdominal aorta. Plumbagin treated hyperlipidaemic subjects excreted more fecal cholesterol and phospholipids. In conclusion-Plumbagin feeding brings about a definite regression of atheroma and prevents the accumulation of cholesterol and triglycerides in liver and aorta.

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Hypolipidaemic and antiatherosclerotic effects of plumbagin in rabbits.

Antifertility studies of the root extract of the Barleria prionitis Linn in male albino rats with special reference to testicular cell population dynamics.

Aim: To evaluate the possible antifertility activity of Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb) Voigt. stem extract in male rats. Method: Male rats were given 70% methanol extract of S. acidum stem orally at dose levels of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day for 60 days. Fertility was evaluated with mating test. Sperm motility and sperm density in cauda epididymides were also assessed. Biochemical and histological analyses were performed on blood samples and on the reproductive organs. Results: S. acidum stem extract resulted in an arrest of spermatogenesis without any systemic side effect. Sperm motility as well as sperm density was reduced significantly. Treatment caused a 80% reduction in fertility at the 50 mg dose and complete suppression of fertility at the 100 mg dose. There was no significant change in RBC and WBC count, hemoglobin, haematocrit, sugar and urea in the whole blood and cholesterol, protein and phospholipid in the serum. The protein and glycogen content of the testes, fructose in the seminal vesicle and protein in epididymides were significantly decreased. Cholesterol in the testes was elevated. Treatment at both of the doses caused a marked reduction in the number of primary spermatocytes (preleptotene and pachytene), secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. The number of mature Leydig cells was decreased, and degenerating Leydig cells was increased proportionately. Conclusion: S. acidum stem extract arrests spermatogenesis in male rats without noticable side effects.

V. P. Dixit

Papers

Hypolipidaemic effect of fruit juice of Emblica officinalis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Hypolipidaemic and antiatherosclerotic effects of plumbagin in rabbits.

Antifertility studies of the root extract of the Barleria prionitis Linn in male albino rats with special reference to testicular cell population dynamics.

Effect of Sarcostemma acidum stem extract on spermatogenesis in male albino rats.

Effect of neem seed oil on the blood glucose concentration of normal and alloxan diabetic rats