Background Diabetic retinopathy is a slow progressing complication of diabetes mellitus with multifactorial aetiology affecting approximately 80% of diabetics worldwide. Chronic hyperglycemic milieu of Diabetes induces biochemical changes which contribute to the pathogenesis of Diabetic retinopathy. Objective The present study examined the protective effect of Vasant Kusumakar Ras , an Ayurvedic herbo-mineral formulation, in diabetic retinopathy. Materials and Methods Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg). Rats were kept without any treatment for period of three weeks for induction of Diabetic retinopathy followed by treatment with Vasant Kusumakar Ras (11.25 mg/kg, p.o) for further 5 weeks. Fasting blood glucose levels, lipid profile and HbA1c were determined. Eye tissue homogenates were subjected to biochemical analysis to determine the levels of oxidative stress parameters (superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation), vascular endothelial growth factor and aldose reductase activity. Histopathological analysis of retinal tissue was conducted using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. Results Vasant Kusumakar Ras treatment restored serum lipid profile which was altered in diabetic rats. Treatment with Vasant Kusumakar Ras significantly ameliorated the oxidative stress in eye tissue resulting in decreased lipid peroxidation and increase in endogenous antioxidant levels. Levels of aldose reductase and vascular endothelial growth factor in eye tissue were significantly decreased in Vasant Kusumakar Ras treated rats. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining indicated that the Vasant Kusumakar Ras treatment significantly restored the normal architecture of the retinal tissue. Conclusion Vasant Kusumakar Ras exhibits protective effect and prevents the development of Diabetic retinopathy through its effects on multiple biochemical pathways implicated in pathogenesis of Diabetic retinopathy.

BackgroundIncreasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has become alarming, burdening health care systems throughout the world. Prediabetes is an intermediate step before manifestation of full blown DM. Effective intervention at this step would help stop/slow progression to DM.ObjectiveThis study aimed at use of a polyherbal combination (PDBT – constituted of Tinospora cordifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Gymnema sylvestre, Zingiber officinale and Momordica charantia) along with life style modification compared to a placebo in prevention of DM among prediabetic individuals.Materials and MethodsThe study was a double blinded, placebo controlled randomized clinical trial. Participants were divided in to a group on PDBT and life style management (LSM) and second on placebo and LSM. Participants in the intervention group received 2 gm/day of PDBT. All participants received the intervention for a period of 6 months.ResultsOne hundred and fourteen participants were enrolled in the study, 57 each in intervention and control group. At the end of the study, 8 participants from the intervention group, compared to 15 participants in the control group had converted to DM. There was a 47% risk reduction in the intervention group. Participants in the intervention group showed statistically significant decrease in their blood glucose level (fasting and PP), HbA1c, fasting serum insulin and HOMA-IR values. There was no significant change in BMI. No adverse effects were reported by any participants.ConclusionPDBT along with LSM in prediabetic participants was associated with reduction in conversion to DM than placebo along with LSM without any adverse effects.

The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of an herbal product DRF/AY/4013 for its hypolipidemic activity in various experimental rat models. An indigenous polyherbal formulation DRF/AY/4013, composed of different phytoconstituents like Terminalia arjuna, Commiphora mukul, Allium sativum, Cyperus rotundus and Acorus calamus extracts, exhibited potential hypolipidemic activity treatment in triton induced hyperlipidemic rats. Further, it also showed promising hypolipidemic activity in both high fat diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemic rats and propylthiouracil (PTU) induced hyperlipidemic rats. In all the experimental hyperlipidemic models, DRF/AY/4013 treatment demonstrated dose dependent hypolipidemic activity at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg dose levels by decreasing serum lipid and lipoprotein profile, atherogenic index (AI) and lipid peroxidation process. Furthermore the 800 mg/kg dose level group V rats exhibited pronounced hypolipidemic activity almost comparable to atorvastatin standard drug (10 mg/kg) treated group VI rats. In HFD induced hyperlipidemic rat model, DRF/AY/4013 treated groups III, IV, V exhibited mild, minimal and negligible degree of cytoplasmic fatty infiltration respectively in hepatocytes as compared to marked degree in untreated control HFD induced group II rats. In short, the DRF/AY/4013 treatment demonstrated a promising hypolipidemic activity in all experimental rat models and therefore, needs further clinical evaluation in humans.

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In Prediabetes blood sugar levels are found to be higher than normal levels. It is considered as pre stage of diabetes as people with prediabetes, if remain undiagnosed, have chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Studies show that if diabetes is treated in the prediabetic stage, it results in complete cure of diabetes. The objective of the present study was to investigate effect of PDBT capsules containing extracts of well-known Ayurvedic plants such as Zingiber officinale, Tinospora cordifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Gymnema sylvester, and Momordica charantia on prediabetic condition induced in Wistar rats. High fat fructose diet was fed to male Wistar rats to induce prediabetes. After induction on 11 th week of study, the prediabetic rats were divided in different groups. Treatment groups received Pioglitazone (3 mg/kg) (standard control), test formulation, PDBT capsule (200mg/kg) (test group) along with high fat fructose diet. Normal diet control group received normal diet and high fat fructose diet control group received only high fat fructose diet. The different biochemical parameters, blood glucose levels and body weights were monitored. Animals were sacrificed at the end of study period. Histopathological studies on the major organs such as liver, kidney, pancreas was performed. High fat fructose diet induced of prediabetes in rats. Significant decrease in levels of fasting blood glucose and biochemical parameters in treatment groups was observed. The histopathological study showed no abnormalities. The present research show that PDBT capsules can be efficiently used in prediabetes treatment. Hence, PDBT capsule can be a potential agent for the treatment of prediabetes.