1. Type 1 diabetes (due to b-cell destruction, usually leading to absolute insulin deficiency) 2. Type 2 diabetes (due to a progressive insulin secretory defect on the background of insulin resistance) 3. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (diabetes diagnosed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy that is not clearly overt diabetes) 4. Specific types of diabetes due to other causes, e.g., monogenic diabetes syndromes (such as neonatal diabetes and maturity-onset diabetes of the young [MODY]), diseases of the exocrine pancreas (such as cystic fibrosis), and drugor chemical-induced diabetes (such as in the treatment of HIV/AIDS or after organ transplantation)

Classification and diagnosis of diabetes

In the last three decades the discovery of metabolites with biological activities from macroalgae has increased significantly. However, despite the intense research effort by academic and corporate institutions, very few products with real potential have been identified or developed. Based on Silverplatter MEDLINE and Aquatic Biology, Aquaculture & Fisheries Resources databases, the literature was searched for natural products from marine macroalgae in the Rhodophyta, Phaeophyta and Chlorophyta with biological and pharmacological activity. Substances that currently receive most attention from pharmaceutical companies for use in drug development, or from researchers in the field of medicine-related research include: sulphated polysaccharides as antiviral substances, halogenated furanones from Delisea pulchra as antifouling compounds, and kahalalide F from a species of Bryopsis as a possible treatment of lung cancer, tumours and AIDS. Other substances such as macroalgal lectins, fucoidans, kainoids and aplysiatoxins are routinely used in biomedical research and a multitude of other substances have known biological activities. The potential pharmaceutical, medicinal and research applications of these compounds are discussed.

Medicinal and pharmaceutical uses of seaweed natural products: A review

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.

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

Antidiabetic activity of Terminalia catappa Linn fruits.

Male sexual behavior comprises a complex pattern of genital and somatomotor responses. Hormones act via receptors in brain, spinal, and peripheral sites to bias sensory inputs and motor outputs to favor sexual responsiveness. Copulation includes mounts, intromissions, and ejaculations, followed by sexual quiescence. After 6–12 ejaculations, male rats become sexually satiated. Neural controls include chemosensory inputs via the main and accessory olfactory systems to the medial amygdala, which transmits information directly and indirectly to the medial preoptic area (mPOA), which integrates sensory and hormonal information and elicits genital reflexes and copulatory patterns and contributes to sexual motivation. Genital sensory input arrives via the central tegmental field/dorsolateral tegmentum (including the subparafasicular nucleus) directly or indirectly into the mPOA. Output from the mPOA is via the paraventricular nucleus and midbrain and brainstem sites. The mesocorticolimbic dopamine pathway contributes motivational fervor, and neural programs for erection and ejaculation reside in the lumbosacral spinal cord. Dopamine facilitates male sexual behavior, whereas serotonin (5HT) is largely inhibitory, although stimulation of 5-HT1A receptors facilitates ejaculation. Norepinephrine has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on copulation, via α1- and α2-adrenoceptors, respectively. Endogenous opioids play a complex modulatory role in all aspects of copulation. The brain areas that regulate male sexual behavior also influence other social behaviors.

Male Sexual Behavior

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of mature fresh leaves of Vitex negundo.

Antidiabetic activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Piper betle leaves in rats.

Aim To evaluate the aphrodisiac potential of Tenminalia catappa Linn. seeds using a suspension of its kernel (SS) in 1% methyl cellulose in rats. Methods Male rats were orally treated with 1,500 mg/kg or 3,000 mg/kg SS or vehicle, and their sexual behaviour was monitored 3 h later using a receptive female. Another group of rats was orally treated with either 3,000 mg/kg SS or vehicle for 7 consecutive days. Their sexual behaviour and fertility were evaluated on days 1, 4 and 7 of treatment and day 7 post-treatment by pairing overnight with a pro-oestrous female. Results The 1,500 mg/kg dose, had a marked aphrodisiac action (prolongation of ejaculation latency) but no effect on libido (% mounting, % intromission and % ejaculation), sexual vigour (mounting-and-intromission frequency), or sexual performance (intercopulatory interval). In contrast, the higher dose (3,000 mg/kg) reversibly inhibited all the parameters of sexual behaviour other than mounting-and-intromission frequency and copulatory efficiency. The effects of high dose SS were not due to general toxicity, liver toxicity, haemotoxicity, stress, muscle deficiency, muscle incoordination, analgesia, hypoglycaemia or reduction in blood testosterone level. They were due to marked sedation. Conclusion The kernel of T. catappa seeds has aphrodisiac activity and may be useful in the treatment of certain forms of sexual inadequacies, such as premature ejaculation.

Effects of Terminalia catappa seeds on sexual behaviour and fertility of male rats.

Diuretic activity of Spilanthes acmella flowers in rats.

Diabetes mellitus has no known permanent cure and is highly prevalent worldwide. In traditional medicine and Ayurveda it is correlated with disease called Madhumeha. In Sri Lanka, Traditional and Ayurvedic physicians treat diabetes mellitus very effectively. Information was obtained from traditional and Ayurvedic physicians, Ayurvedic text books and old manuscripts. According to these, various parts of several herbs are used: flowers (Butea monospema), leaves (Adhathoda vasica), fruits (Momordica dioica), seeds (Syzygium cumini), stems (Tinospora cordifolia), stem bark (Ficus religiosa), root bark (Salacia reticulate ) roots (Oryza sativa), aerial roots (Ficus benghalensis), rhizome (Alpinia galanga) bulb (Allium sativum), creeper (Passiflora foetida) and entire plant (Scoparia dulcis). These are prepared in different forms like powders, decoctions, juices and pastes. Decoctions are made using single or multiple herbs. Multiple decoctions usually contain hyperglycaemic herbs such as Cyperus rotundus, Aloe vera to minimize drastic hypoglycaemic complications as usually evident with allopathic drugs. In addition, patients are recommended to consume antidiabetic herbs as food or drinks: as chyme (Osbeckia octandra), curries (Lassia spinos), salads (Centella asiatica), spices (Trigonella foenum-graecu), fresh fruits (Phyllanthus embelica), or as a drink (Camellia sinesis). About one hundred and twenty six plants belonging to fifty one families are used to treat diabetic patients in Sri Lanka.

W.D. Ratnasooriya

Papers

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of mature fresh leaves of Vitex negundo.

Antidiabetic activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Piper betle leaves in rats.

Effects of Terminalia catappa seeds on sexual behaviour and fertility of male rats.

Diuretic activity of Spilanthes acmella flowers in rats.

A Review on Herbs Used in treatment of Diabetes Mellitus by Sri Lankan Ayurvedic and Traditional Physicians