Background: Recently with the changes in population lifestyle, prediabetes is constantly on the rise. Management of prediabetes currently is with lifestyle modifications like weight loss, exercise and diet control. Better drugs with acceptable safety profile are needed for better control of prediabetes. This study was thus designed to evaluate the antihyperglycaemic effect of one such potential compound Syzygium cumini (SC) (Jamun)in comparison to conventional antidiabetic drug Metformin. Methods: Rats were divided into four study groups (SC 100mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, metformin 90 mg/kg and SC 200 mg/kg with metformin 90 mg/kg). The glycaemic changes were followed up for a period of 8 weeks. Results: Streptozotocin (STZ) induced significant rise in blood glucose levels in the rats. SC100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg caused a reduction in BSL (192.50 ± 6.189 & 175.00 ± 6.782 respectively). SC 200 mg/kg alone and in combination with metformin caused a significant reduction in HbA1C levels at the end of 8th week (8.84 ± 0.65 &6.86 ± 0.40 respectively) as compared to their baseline levels. Increase in dose had led to more significant reduction in BSL at the end of 8th week in groups A & B (p < 0.05). However, reduction of BSL was superior with Metforminalone (159.17 ± 13.060) compared to Syzygium cumini administered alone. Also antihyperglycemic effect of Syzygium cumini administered along with metformin was significant (p < 0.05) compared to either doses of Syzygium cumini given alone. Conclusions: Syzygium cumini demonstratedantihyperglycemic activity in diabetic rats but less significant when compared to metformin. Antihyperglycaemic effect of Syzygium cumini with metformin was significantly better than either drugsgiven alone. In prediabetic or diabeticindividuals Syzygium cumini seed powdercan be suggested as a potential add-on therapy with conventional antidiabetic drugs. However more non-clinical and clinical studies need to be conducted to confirm the findings.

Background: Fluoroquinolones (FQ) are frequently prescribed because of their broad-spectrum applicability in treatment of community acquired pneumonia and urinary tract infections. Increased use has raised some concerns regarding side effects like dysglycaemia, tendon rupture and QT interval prolongation. Gatifloxacin was banned in India in 2011 for causing fatal hypoglycemia. This study compares the effect of different fluoroquinolones on blood glucose levels in rats.Methods: 24 rats were divided into four study groups. Each group was administered one fluoroquinolone namely levofloxacin 9 mg, moxifloxacin 7.2 mg, ciprofloxacin 18 mg and ofloxacin 14.4 mg respectively for five days. The changes in blood glucose levels were observed for 10 days.Results: The mean blood glucose levels in all the four groups dropped below the baseline by day five. A statistically significant reduction in mean glucose levels was found in the moxifloxacin, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin group. Among the rats that were given ofloxacin, the reduction in the mean blood glucose levels was not statistically significant. After stopping the drugs, the blood glucose levels in all the four groups returned near to the baseline within five days.Conclusions: The use of fluoroquinolones causes hypoglycemia in rats. The blood glucose level reduction associated with moxifloxacin was maximum, whereas ofloxacin appeared to have the minimum effect on blood glucose levels. These effects do not appear to be permanent and the dysglycaemia subsided after the drugs were stopped.

No abstract

Background: As of 2018, 2.1 billion people nearly 30% of the world’s population are either obese or overweight. Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. It is an emerging health problem with major adverse effects on health. It is a risk factor for many chronic diseases but is best known for its role in metabolic syndrome, which can lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as cardiovascular diseases. Anti-obesity drugs are available but have many side effects. Voglibose, an antidiabetic drug, is an alpha glucosidase inhibitor which shows promising results in the reduction of body weight with minimal side effects.Methods: Voglibose (7 mg/kg) was administered to rats fed with normal laboratory chows and high fat diet to see its effect on body weight, body mass index, abdominal and thoracic circumference, and lipid profile at the end of 12 weeks.Results: Administration of voglibose significantly reduced food consumption, feed efficiency and increase in body weight induced by high fat diet in rats. Rats fed on normal diet also showed reductions in the same parameters, suggesting its weight lowering effect. Reductions in the anthropometric measurements, hypolipidemic effects and glucose lowering effects were also observed.Conclusions: Voglibose prevented high fat diet-induced obesity and improvement in metabolic profile, which ultimately has systemic effects on body weight in rats. Further studies are needed to see its potential therapeutic use in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and related complications.