No abstract

Background Changes in blood lipid level (dyslipidemia) play a central role in the onset and pathogenesis of macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Traditional herbal healers commonly use anti-diabetic polyherbal formulations to provide a multi-therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. The effect of the aqueous leaf extracts of Leptadenia hastata (pers) Decne, Momordica balsamina Linn and their combination on lipid profile of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was therefore evaluated in the present study. Results We evaluated the serum lipid profile and blood glucose level of STZ-induced diabetic rats (60 mg/kg body weight) treated with the aqueous leaf extracts of L. hastata (400 mg/kg) and M. balsamina (200 mg/kg) alone and in combination (400 + 200 mg/kg) after a period of 4 weeks. A significantly decreased (p < 0.05) level of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and increased (p < 0.05) level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was observed in all the treated groups when compared to the untreated diabetic rats. Furthermore, the combination treatment was potentially a more effective blood lipid-lowering (p < 0.05) agent when compared to the single treatments. Conclusion Results from this study demonstrated the blood lipid-lowering potential of the aqueous leaf extracts of L. hastata, M. balsamina, and their combination. However, the polyherbal combination could be more potent in controlling diabetes mellitus, associated dyslipidemia, and its complications.

BACKGROUND: Inhibition of intestinal maltase and sucrase prevents postprandial blood glucose excursions which is beneficial in ameliorating diabetes-associated complications. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the inhibitory effects of fruit extracts of Parinari macrophylla, Detarium microcarpum, Ziziphus spina-christi, Z. mairei and Parkia biglobosa were investigated against intestinal maltase and sucrase. METHODS: Rats were given co-administration of the fruit extracts with maltose or sucrose and blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 30, 90 and 120 min. RESULTS: The glucose-time curves indicated that all the fruits had the most potent inhibitory effects on both maltase and sucrase within the first 30 min. The computed Area Under the Curves (AUC 0-120 ) for all the fruits indicated more potent inhibitory effects against intestinal maltase than sucrase. The ED 50 range for the fruits extract against maltase and sucrase were 647. 15-1118.35 and 942.44-1851.94 mg/kg bw respectively. CONCLUSION: The data suggests that the fruits could prevent postprandial hyperglycemia via inhibition of intestinal maltase and sucrase.

Our previous studies have shown that Gasca D™; a polyherbal formulation made from three well known antidiabetic plants in Nigeria, possess anti-hyperglycemic, body weight and blood lipid lowering potentials in rats. In view of this, the present study was therefore designed to evaluate the complementary therapeutic efficacy of Gasca D™ supplementation with lifestyle modification in a clinical setting. The randomized cohort trial was conducted in sixty (60) newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients on life style modification as first-line therapy who willingly volunteered to participate. The subjects that satisfy our inclusion criteria were randomly assigned into Gasca D™ (GG) and lifestyle (LG) groups. The GG group received 2000 mg Gasca D™ capsules daily over a twelve weeks period whereas the LG group received none. Biochemical estimates were conducted on subjects to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the polyherbal supplement at the end of the intervention period. Mean fasting blood sugar (FBS) showed a decrease of 23.4% (p < 0.05) in the GG group contrary to a 9.6% mean FBS observed in the LG (p < 0.05) group. Variation in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was in line with that of FBS. Safety of Gasca D™ was demonstrated by a normal renal and liver function profile in both groups. Our finding suggests that, Gasca D™ can successfully be used as an effective and safe complementary nutraceutical for the control of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic patients on life style modification.

The identification of coliforms has been extensively used as an indicator of drinking water quality. The study was aimed to identify the presence or absence of E. coli from drinking water. Samples were collected from different filtration units and tap water sources of an institution in Dhaka city. All the samples were tested through presumptive, confirmed and completed bacteriological test through MPN (most probable number) using 3 sets of lactose broth (LB) media and MF (membrane filtration) technique using bacteriological filter and nutrient agar media to find out the CFU (colony forming unit). About 10% of samples showed positive results for E. coli in completed test, and also gave positive results in confirmed test and gram staining; having no more than 1100 MPN per 100 ml for samples of filter taps but the source water remained negative.