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Background: Endurance, defined as the ability to sustain exercise, involves multiple organs and physiological processes. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate of INDUS1710, a composition of 4-hydroxyisoleucine, trigonelline, and select glycosides-based standardised fenugreek seed extracts, during treadmill running exercise (EXE) for endurance enhancement in laboratory rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of 12 rats each and orally administered vehicle (distilled water, VC), INDUS1710 (20, 30, or 60mg/kg), L-arginine (308 mg/kg), or vehicle for 28 days. All groups, except VC, underwent EXE without incline at a speed of 14m/min for 6 days, followed by a speed of 20 m/min on the 7th day for 28 days until exhaustion. The physiological, functional, and metabolic parameters; relative organ weights; glycogen content of gastrocnemius muscle; and histological parameters of the heart were recorded. Results: Subacute supplementation with EXE of INDUS1710 resulted in a dose-dependent increase in time to exhaustion and prevented EXEinduced changes in organ function (heart, lungs, kidney, and liver), metabolic processes (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids), and skeletal muscle glycogen content without causing pathological changes in skeletal or cardiac muscles. Conclusion: INDUS1710 supplementation with EXE showed comprehensive endurance enhancement efficacy and safety in laboratory rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of herbal formulation rich in standardized fenugreek seed extract (IND-2) add-on therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients who were on insulin treatment in prospective, single arm, open-label, uncontrolled, multicentre trial. Methods: T2DM patients (n=30) with aged 18-80 years who were stabilized on insulin treatment with fasting blood sugar (FBS) level between 100-140 mg/dL received IND-2 capsules (700 mg, thrice a day) for 16 weeks. The primary endpoints were an assessment of FBS at week 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16. Secondary end-points include post-prandial blood sugar level, glycosylated Hb (HbA1c), reduction in the dose of insulin and number of hypoglycemic attacks, and improvement in lipid profile at various weeks. Safety and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed during the study. Results: Study was completed in twenty T2DM patients, and there was no significant reduction in FBS and post-prandial blood sugar level after addon therapy of IND-2. However, add-on therapy of IND-2 significantly reduced (P<0.01) the HbA1c values, requirements of insulin and hypoglycemic events as compared with baseline. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were significantly increased (P<0.01) after IND-2 add-on therapy. Body weight and safety outcomes did not differ significantly in IND-2 add-on therapy group at week 16. Additionally, add-on therapy of IND-2 did not produce any serious adverse events. Conclusions: The results of present investigation suggest that add-on therapy of IND-2 with insulin in T2DM patients improves glycaemic control through a decrease in levels of HbA1c and number of insulin doses needed per day without an increase in body weight and risk of hypoglycemia. Thus, IND-2 may provide a safe and well-tolerated add-on therapy option for the management of T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver fibrosis a complex process of excess collagen deposition resulted in disturbance of hepatic cellar function. Glycosides based standardized fenugreek seed extract (SFSE-G) has potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic properties. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the hepatoprotective potential of SFSE-G against bleomycin (BLM)-induced liver fibrosis in laboratory animals. Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (180--220 g) were assigned to various groups, namely, normal, sham, BLM control, SFSE-G (5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, p.o.), methylprednisolone (10 mg/kg, p.o.), and sildenafil (25 mg/kg, p.o.). Liver fibrosis was induced in various groups (except normal and sham) by single intratracheal BLM (6 IU/kg) injection. Various biochemical, molecular (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) and histological parameters were evaluated. Results: Intratracheal BLM administration caused significant induction (P < 0.001) of hepatotoxicity and liver fibrosis reflected by elevated levels of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total as well as direct bilirubin, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Administration of SFSE-G (20 and 40 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced (P < 0.001) levels of AST, ALT, and GGT and significantly increased (P < 0.001) the level of serum albumin. BLM-induced elevated liver oxidative stress and decreased total antioxidant capacity was significantly restored (P < 0.001) by SFSE-G (20 and 40 mg/kg) treatment. It also significantly inhibited BLM-induced alteration in liver Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) mRNA expression. SFSE-G treatment reduced histopathological alteration induced by BLM in liver. Conclusion: SFSE-G exerts its hepatoprotective potential via inhibition of oxido-nitrosative stress and modulation of FXR mRNA expression thus ameliorates BLM-induced liver fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate neuroprotective and antioxidant effect of Phoenix dactylifera ( P. dactylifera ) (PD) fruits. Methods Methanolic extract of P. dactylifera fruits (MEPD) at doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg was studied against permanent BCCAO (long-term hypoperfusion) in rats. Chronic occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (BCCA) caused significant elevation in malondialdehyde levels due to increased lipid peroxidation as well as decrease in levels of other biochemical enzymes i.e . glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferse, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Results Post occlusion treatment for 15 d with 100 and 300 mg/kg doses of MEPD significantly reduced the enhanced malondialdehyde levels and reversed the alterations in the declined levels of antioxidant enzymes in brain homogenates of hypoperfused rats. Long-term cerebral hypoperfusion in rats caused a propensity towards anxiety and restlessness (open field paradigm) accompanied by deficits of spatial learning and memory (Morris water maze testing). Additionally, histopathological observations in hypoperfused brains revealed reactive changes like shrinkage and necrosis of neurons. 100 and 300 mg/kg doses of MEPD significantly alleviated these alterations. Conclusions These results confirmed the protective role of P. dactylifera in ischemia hypoperfusion and thereby it's beneficial role in cerebrovascular insufficiency states and related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the nephroprotective effect of methanolic extract of Hygrophila spinosa (HSME) (Acanthaceae) in (CP)-induced acute renal failure in rats. Materials and Methods: HSME (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight), were administered orally to male wistar albino rats.CP was used to induce acute renal failure. The parameters studied included blood urea and serum creatinine and malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH peroxidase activities. Histopathological examination was also carried out. Results: The results revealed that HSME pretreatment signiûcantly reduced blood urea and serum creatinine levels elevated by CP administration. Furthermore, HSME signiûcantly attenuated CP-induced increase in MDA and decrease in reduced GSH, and CAT and SOD and GSH peroxidase activities in renal cortical homogenates. Additionally, histopathological examination showed that HSME markedly ameliorated CP-induced renal tubular necrosis. Conclusion: The results indicate that the aerial parts of H. spinosa are endowed with nephroprotective activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hygrophila spinosa (Acanthaceae) is traditionally used to treat urinary calculi. The present study aimed to evaluate the antiurolithiatic activity of methanolic extract of Hygrophila spinosa (Acanthaceae) in ethylene glycol induced nephrolithiasic rats. Materials and Methods: Methanolic extract of Hygrophila spinosa (HSME) (250 and 500 mg/ kg body weight) was administered orally to male Wistar albino rats. Ethylene glycol (EG) was used to induce nephrolithiasis. The parameters studied included water intake, urinary volume, urinary pH, urinary and kidney oxalate and calcium, urinary magnesium and serum uric acid. Results: Ethylene glycol feeding resulted in hyperoxaluria as well as increased renal excretion of calcium and serum uric acid along with decreased excretion of urinary magnesium. Treatment with HSME significantly reduced the elevated urinary oxalate, urinary calcium and serum uric acid with increase in reduced urinary magnesium. Ethylene glycol feeding also resulted in increased levels of calcium and oxalate in kidney which was decreased after the treatment with HSME. The increased deposition of stone forming constituents in the kidneys of ethylene glycol treated rats was significantly lowered by treatment with HSME. Conclusion: The results indicate that the aerial parts of Hygrophila spinosa are endowed with antiurolithiatic activity, thereby justifying its traditional claim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To evalueate hepatoprotective effects Feronia elephantum (F. elephantum) correa against thioacetamide (TA) induced liver necrosis in diabetic rats. Methods: Male wistar rats were made diabetic with alloxan (160 mg/kg) on day 0 of the study. They were intoxicated with hepatotoxicant (thioacetamide, 300 mg/kg, ip) on day 9 of study to produce liver necrosis. Effects of 7 day daily once administration (day 2 to day 9) of EF (400 and 800 mg/kg, po) were evaluated on necorosis of liver in terms of mortality, liver volume, liver weight, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and serum alanine transaminase (ALT), and histopathology of liver sections (for signs of necorosis and inflammation) on day-9 of the study. Separate groups of rats with treated only with alloxan (DA control), thioacetamide (TA control) and both (TA+DA control) were maintained. Results: FE significantly lowered the mortality rate and showed improvement in liver function parameters in TA-induced diabetic rats without change in liver weight, volume and serum glucose levels. Conclusions: FE showed promising activity against TA-induced liver necorsis in diabetic rats and so might be useful for prevention of liver complications in DM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effects of the standardized extract of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum–graecum L. Family: Leguminasae) seed (IND01) in animal models of peripheral neuropathy. Methods: IND01 was prepared from fenugreek seeds and standardized by high performance liquid chromatography to a marker compound, trigonelline. The effects of daily oral administration of IND01 (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) were studied in rats after partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL) and sciatic nerve crush injury (SNCI) during 30-days period. The measurements on thermal hyperalgesia (TH), motor function test (MFT) score and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were recorded. Results: IND01 offered sustained protection against TH and deranged MFT scores in both models from 7-day onwards. Fifteen days of daily oral administration of IND01 restored MNCV reduction in rats with SNCI but not with PSNL. Conclusions: IND01 was found to be effective in rat models of painful peripheral neuropathy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]