Journal of ethnopharmacology
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Comparative Study
Toxicity and effects on the central nervous system of a Cerbera odollam leaf extract.
The immediate and delayed toxicity of Cerbera odollam leaf extract was studied in mice. Under the experimental conditions adopted, using macroscopic and microscopic examinations, Cerbera odollam leaves appeared to be relatively devoid of the marked toxicity found in seeds, a common source of poisoning. At doses smaller than the maximal dose never lethal (14.5 g/kg i.p.), the leaf extract decreased mice spontaneous motor activity significantly, increased the reaction time to a thermal stimulus, reduced the duration of pentylenetetrazole-induced tonic seizures and mortality, and potentiated sodium pentobarbital-generated hypnotic effects.
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Clinical Trial
Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
GS4, a water-soluble extract of the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, was administered (400 mg/day) to 27 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on insulin therapy. Insulin requirements came down together with fasting blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and glycosylated plasma protein levels. ⋯ IDDM patients on insulin therapy only showed no significant reduction in serum lipids, HbA1c or glycosylated plasma proteins when followed up after 10-12 months. GS4 therapy appears to enhance endogenous insulin, possibly by regeneration/revitalisation of the residual beta cells in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
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Clinical Trial
Antidiabetic effect of a leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients.
The effectiveness of GS4, an extract from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, in controlling hyperglycaemia was investigated in 22 Type 2 diabetic patients on conventional oral anti-hyperglycaemic agents. GS4 (400 mg/day) was administered for 18-20 months as a supplement to the conventional oral drugs. ⋯ These data suggest that the beta cells may be regenerated/repaired in Type 2 diabetic patients on GS4 supplementation. This is supported by the appearance of raised insulin levels in the serum of patients after GS4 supplementation.
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The effect of Iscador, a commercial preparation made from Viscum album was studied on several cell lines using in vitro tissue culture as well as tumor-bearing animals. Iscador was found to be cytotoxic to animal tumor cells such as Dalton's lymphoma ascites cells (DLA cells) and Ehrlich ascites cells in vitro and inhibited the growth of lung fibroblasts (LB cells), Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO cells) and human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (KB cells) at very low concentrations. ⋯ The effect of the drug could be seen when the drug was given either simultaneously, after tumour development or when given prophylactically, indicating a mechanism of action very different from other chemotherapeutic drugs. Iscador was not found to be cytotoxic to lymphocytes.
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An investigation was carried out to evaluate the ability of Melothria maderaspatana to protect the livers of albino rats from carbon tetrachloride-mediated alterations in liver histopathology and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. Treatment with an aqueous extract of Melothria aerial parts (either before or after CCl4 administration) markedly decreased CCl4-mediated alterations in liver histopathology as well as serum enzyme levels. Results provide supportive evidence for the folklore view that this plant is a good hepatotonic.