This research study evaluates the effect of Ocimum sanctum leaf extract on the entero-insular axis and the hyperglycemia due to oral glucose tolerance test in albino rats. Methanolic leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum was prepared by Sami labs, Bangalore and used for the study. After obtaining Institutional Animal ethical committee clearance male albino rats (155-215 g) were divided into 4 groups. 6 albino rats were randomly assigned to Control (Normal saline) group, Standard (Vildagliptin 50 mg/kg) group, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract (100 mg/kg) and (200 mg/kg) groups. After overnight fasting the baseline biochemical evaluation in the fasting state blood glucose, Insulin level, Glucagon level, GLP-1 (Glucagon like peptide-1), GIP (Glucose dependent Insulinotropic peptide) level were measured for all the above groups. Control, Vildagliptin (STD) and the extracts were orally administered by using rat oral feeding tube. 30 minutes later oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done. Blood samples were evaluated for blood sugar, Insulin, Glucagon, GLP-1 and GIP at 0, 15 and 45 minutes after oral glucose load. Ocimum sanctum (200 mg/kg) showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in blood glucose at 45 minutes when compared to control. Ocimum sanctum (100 mg/kg & 200 mg/kg) showed significant (p ≤ 0.001) increase in GIP levels at 45 minutes of OGTT. Ocimum sanctum leaf extract showed significant antihyperglycemic and incretin enhancing effects. Further indepth animal and clinical studies are necessary to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this extract for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the nature and incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to radiographic contrast media (oral and intravenous) reported during a 1½ years’ period in a tertiary care hospital in South India.Methods: The study was an observational prospective study of ADRs to radiographic contrast media (oral and intravenous) observed during a period of 1½ years from July 2014 to October 2015 in Department of Radio Diagnosis at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chromepet. The observations were analyzed for demographic profile, frequency, severity, causality, and temporal relationship of contrast administration to the occurrence of ADRs.Results: A total of 33 ADRs were observed for oral and intravenous radiographic contrast media administered for radiographic study for the above-mentioned period. It included 17 (51.5%) males and 16 (48.5%) females. Among the 33 ADRs, 19 (57%) were for oral and intravenous radiographic contrast and 14 (42%) for intravenous radiographic contrast alone. The most frequent ADRs were vomiting and nausea 16 (48%), skin rashes 9 (27%), and thrombophlebitis 9 (27%). As per Naranjo’s algorithm and WHO causality assessment, all reactions are probable except in one patient who received intravenous contrast administration was possible. According to the Hartwig severity scale, 23 (69%) reactions were mild, 7 (21%) reactions were moderate, and 3 (9%) reactions were severe. There was no fatality observed. Adverse events required immediate treatment in 22 (66%). Most of the reactions, i.e., 21 (63%) appeared immediately after contrast administration. 12 (36%) reactions appeared within next 30 minutes after contrast administration.Conclusion: The common adverse reactions to radiographic contrast were mild in severity such as nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, and giddiness. Most of the reactions occur immediately after administration of contrast. The causality of majority of the ADRs is probable. Pharmacovigilance is an important tool in detection, reporting and thereby preventing ADRs due to radiographic contrast media.

This study is carried out to investigate the correlation between the in-vitro and in-vivo studies which demonstrates the antihyperglycemic effect of Trigonella foenum graecum, Ocimum sanctum and Curcuma longa extracts. Methanolic seed extract of Trigonella foenum graecum, methanolic leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum, ethyl acetate rhizomes extract of Curcumina longa are prepared and supplied by Sami labs, Bangalore, India on request. In-vitro studies such as alpha glucosidase inhibitory and DPP-IV inhibitory activity were done for all the three extracts as per previous studies. After Institutional animal ethical committee clearance male albino rats (155-215 g) were divided into 5 groups. Each group consists of randomly assigned 6 albino rats. The placebo (Normal saline) control group, Standard (Vildagliptin) group and 3 above mentioned extract groups. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done. Blood samples were collected for blood sugar estimation at-30 (before extract),0, 15, 45 minutes and blood sugar levels were done by enzymatic assay. Results: The maximum alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity at 100 μg/ml by Trigonella foenum graecum extract was 68% with IC 50 value of 57.25, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract was 65% with IC 50 value of 59.55, Curcuma longa was 72% with IC 50 value of 56.79 when compared to the Acarbose (STD) of 94% with IC 50 values of 42.78. The maximum % of DPP IV inhibition at 320 μg/ml of Trigonella foenum graecum extract was 77.84% with IC 50 value of 52.26, Ocimum sanctum extract was 86.98% with IC 50 value of 46.08 and Curcuma longa was 76.47% with IC 50 value of 55.06 when compared to the Vildagliptin (STD) was 80.15% with IC 50 value of 22.98. The OGTT results of Ocimum sanctum (200 mg/kg) shows reduction in blood glucose (p=<0.05) at 15 minutes and significant reduction (p=<0.001) at 45 minutes and Trigonella foenum graecum (2 gm/kg) showed significant reduction in blood glucose (p=<0.001) at 15 minutes when compared to control. Further clinical studies are necessary to establish the therapeutic potential of these extracts in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Trigonella foenum graecum seed extract shows significant alpha-glucosidase and DPP-IV inhibitory activity which correlates with the antihyperglycemic effects by in-vivo oral glucose tolerance test. Further clinical studies are necessary to establish the therapeutic potential of these extracts in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: The objective of this study is to find the effect of seed extract of Trigonella foenum graecum on the inhibition of α-glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) enzyme activity by in vitro method.Methods: Methanolic seed extract of T. foenum graecum seed was prepared and supplied by Sami Labs, Bengaluru, on request. For alpha-glucosidase inhibition assay, the following concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 μg/ml) of extracts and for DPP-4 inhibition assay (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, and 320d μg/ml) concentrations were used. The absorbance was measured at 540 and 405 nm using multiplate reader, and the percentage of α-glucosidase and DPP-4 enzyme inhibitory activity of extract fractions was calculated. Acarbose for alpha-glucosidase inhibition and vildagliptin for DDP-4 inhibition were used as standard drugs. The IC50 value for alpha-glucosidase inhibition and DPP-4 inhibition was determined.Results: The maximum alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity of T. foenum graecum extract at 100 μg/ml was 68% (p<0.05) with IC50 value of 57.25 when compared to the acarbose (STD) of 94% with IC50 values of 42.78. The maximum percentage of DPP-4 inhibition of T. foenum graecum extract at 320 μg/ml is 77.84% (p<0.01) with IC50 value of 52.26 when compared to the vildagliptin (STD) it is 80.15% with IC50 value of 22.98.Conclusion: The results of the in vitro studies show that T. foenum graecum seed extract has significant alpha-glucosidase and DPP-4 inhibition. Further in vivo and clinical studies are necessary to establish the antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic potential of T. foenum graecum seed extract for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus.