Standardization of Vyoshadi Saktu a Pathykalpana (Nutritional supplement) in Diabetes

Abstract

Neuropathy and Cardiac complications are the most common trouble in diabetes mellitus with progressive damage due to complex pathogenesis. Many conventional pharmacological agents were withdrawn from clinical studies either due to lack of efficacy or due to side effects on major organs. Over the period of time traditional herbal plants were utilized in the treatment & management of diabetic complications. The aim of the present research work was to investigate efficacy and dynamics of Operculina turpethum root (OT) in STZ induced diabetic neuropathy and cardiac complications. Chronic treatment of crude extract of OT (500 mg/kg) showed positive effect in diabetic animals with significant reduction in blood glucose level, serum nitrite, brain homogenate nitrite & nerve homogenate nitrite levels as compared to diabetic control animals. Treatment with OT showed significant rise in body weight compared to Control animals & polyphagia were observed in diabetic animals persisted throughout the period of 8 weeks. Significant improvement was observed by treatment with OT in behavioural parameters like tail flick latency reduction and rise in pain threshold capacity. Nerve conduction velocity measured through BIOPAC system showed significant (P<0.05) improvement in diabetic animals, while improvement were observed in ECG profile, R-R interval, R wave amplitude, heart rate & cardiac hypertrophy index in diabetic animals when treated with OT. It was concluded from results that there is definite role of Operculina turpethum in the treatment and management of major diabetic complications.