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Background: Increasing global incidence of diabetes is a serious issue and large number of researches are undergoing to find promising cure of this chronic disease. Many Ayurveda drugs have been evaluated for anti-diabetic properties; however, researches on metallic/mineral based drugs are very few. The present study aimed to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of Shashti Puta Naga Bhasma (SNB) - Trimshati Puta Naga Bhasma (TNB) with Nisha-Amalaki Churna (NAC), NAC and metformin in the management of type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods: In this prospective, randomized, double blind, active controlled study; 132 patients with type 2 diabetes were included and randomly divided into four groups. Patients were treated with NAC (125 mg) with placebo (roasted Sooji; course powder of wheat flour), SNB (62.5 mg) with NAC (125 mg), TNB (62.5 mg) with NAC (125 mg) twice daily before food with honey while patients in last group were continued with their ongoing Tablet Metformin 500 mg prescribed by physician as standard control without any other additional intervention for 90 days. The assessment of changes observed in blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid profile, hemogram, hepatic, renal profile, and clinical symptoms was carried out. Results: After 90 days of medication, fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels and clinical symptoms in three groups were significantly decreased when compared with baseline except NAC group. Hemogram and hepatic and renal profiles (safety parameters) in the four groups were not significantly different from the baseline. No adverse events were reported with the use of the studied medicine. Conclusion: SNB along with NAC possessed more symptomatic relief in comparison to TNB with NAC, NAC alone and Metformin thereby improving the quality of life of patients along with significant glycemic control and free from any significant side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was carried out to study the epidemiology, clinical signs, bleeding profile, kidney function, and pathology and to evaluate the therapeutic protocol for viperine snake envenomation in zebu cattle over a period of 14 years. A total of 98 cases of viperine bite were reported with the highest incidence during monsoon months in grazing male zebu cattle. Ascending swelling over the affected limb with lameness or asymmetrical swelling over the face with dyspnea was a consistent clinical finding. Increased bleeding tendency was invariably observed in ailing cattle with major bleeding from the site of the bite. Hematobiochemistry showed neutrophilic leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, prolonged capillary blood clotting time, and elevation of BUN and creatinine. The characteristic gross pathological lesions observed were widespread petechial to ecchymotic hemorrhages in the lungs, liver, heart, spleen, abomasal mucosa, and intramuscular or subcutaneously at the site of bite. Histopathological examination revealed presence of necrohemorrhagic changes within the liver, heart, kidneys, skeletal muscles, and subcutaneously or intradermally at the site of bite. Diagnosis of viperine snakebite was made based on circumstantial evidence of bite, progressive swelling, and bleeding at the site of bite. The severity was assessed based on prolongation of capillary blood clotting time, thrombocytopenia, and kidney dysfunction. Therapeutic protocol comprising polyvalent anti-snake venom along with supportive therapy for 5–9 days showed encouraging results with 88.30% survival rate. In conclusion, the precise diagnosis of viperine snake envenomation in cattle can be made from history and typical clinical signs while severity and treatment can be monitored based on bleeding profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]