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BACKGROUND: Yoga has been shown to be a simple and economical therapeutic modality that may be considered as a beneficial adjuvant for type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the impact of Hatha yoga and conventional physical training (PT) exercise regimens on biochemical, oxidative stress indicators and oxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This prospective randomized study consisted of 77 type 2 diabetic patients in the Hatha yoga exercise group that were matched with a similar number of type 2 diabetic patients in the conventional PT exercise and control groups. Biochemical parameters such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined at baseline and at two consecutive three monthly intervals. The oxidative stress indicators (malondialdehyde - MDA, protein oxidation - POX, phospholipase A2 - PLA2 activity) and oxidative status [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities] were measured. RESULTS: The concentrations of FBG in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups after six months decreased by 29.48% and 27.43% respectively (P < 0.0001) and there was a significant reduction in serum TC in both groups (P < 0.0001). The concentrations of VLDL in the managed groups after six months differed significantly from baseline values (P = 0.036). Lipid peroxidation as indicated by MDA significantly decreased by 19.9% and 18.1% in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups respectively (P < 0.0001); whilst the activity of SOD significantly increased by 24.08% and 20.18% respectively (P = 0.031). There was no significant difference in the baseline and 6 months activities of PLA2 and catalase after six months although the latter increased by 13.68% and 13.19% in the Hatha yoga and conventional PT exercise groups respectively (P = 0.144). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrate the efficacy of Hatha yoga exercise on fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes and suggest that Hatha yoga exercise and conventional PT exercise may have therapeutic preventative and protective effects on diabetes mellitus by decreasing oxidative stress and improving antioxidant status. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12608000217303. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional supplements are gaining traction for their effects in mitigating the impacts of various health conditions. In particular, many supplements are being proposed to reduce the impacts of type 2 diabetes (T2D), a metabolic condition that has reached global epidemic proportions. Recently, a supplement of oleic acid (OA) and succinic acid (SA; 1 : 1, w/w) was reported to improve glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic (T2D) Sprague-Dawley (S-D) rats through ameliorating insulin release and sensitivity. Here, we investigate the effects of the supplement (OA and SA) on hepatic and pancreatic function in T2D S-D rats. Eighteen (18) S-D rats were rendered diabetic and were divided into three equal groups: diabetic control, diabetic treatment, and diabetic glibenclamide. Another 12 S-D rats were obtained and served as the normal groups. The animals were treated daily with the vehicle, OA and SA (800 mg/kg body weight (bw); 1 : 1), or glibenclamide (10 mg/kg bw) which served as the positive control. The findings indicated that treatment with the supplement resulted in a 35.69 ± 4.22% reduction ( p =0.006) in blood glucose levels (BGL). Analysis of hepatic enzymes depicted that the nutritional supplement reduced the activity of the gluconeogenesis enzyme, glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P) while improved the activity of catabolic enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and pyruvate kinase (PK). Furthermore, the supplement attenuated oxidative stress through restoration of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Finally, the supplement showed no liver or kidney toxicity and improved the size and number of pancreatic islets of Langerhans, indicating its potential application in treating T2D. The study highlighted that a supplement of the two organic acids may be beneficial in reducing the rate of pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it may offer therapeutic value as a dietary or nutritional supplement in the approach against diabetes and its complications., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Kemmoy G. Lattibeaudiere and Ruby Lisa Alexander-Lindo.)

Succinic acid (SA) and oleic acid (OA) are the primary hypoglycaemic agents in Desmodium canum, a plant traditionally employed for its potential health benefits. The synergy of the two organic acids exhibits potency in retarding blood glucose levels (BGL) in euglycaemic Sprague Dawley (S-D) rats following a single-dose administration. A cocktail of the two compounds is being investigated for its antidiabetic properties in fructose-fed streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Eighteen type 2 diabetic S-D rats were divided into 3 groups and treated for 28 d with either the cocktail (OA + SA, 800 mg/kg body weight [BW]), glibenclamide (10 mg/kg BW), or vehicle (10% polysorbate 20). Another 12 S-D rats served as euglycaemic animals and were divided into two groups, fed either the cocktail (OA + SA, 800 mg/kg BW) or vehicle. Changes in BW, blood pressure (BP), BGL, water and food consumption, serum insulin, serum glucagon and insulin resistance (IR) were monitored. Treatment with the cocktail showed no change in euglycaemic animals; however, there was a significant reduction in the BGL of diabetic treated animals when compared with diabetic control (14.48 ± 1.92 vs. 25.56 ± 1.38 mM; p =0.012). Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and glucose/insulin (G/I) scores for IR indicated an improvement in insulin response in the diabetic treated animals. Additionally, there was a noticeable reduction in food and water consumption when compared with diabetic control animals, which was accompanied by a reduction in weight. Overall, the cocktail elicited antidiabetic properties and may serve an important therapeutic role as a nutritional supplement in type 2 diabetics., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2022 K. G. Lattibeaudiere and R. L. Alexander-Lindo.)

Introduction: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in developing countries like the Caribbean, negatively affect multiple income-generating sectors, including the tourism industry upon which island states are highly dependent. Insect-transmitted NTDs include, but are not limited to, malaria, dengue and lymphatic filariasis. Control measures for these disease, are often ignored because of the associated cost. Many of the developing country members are thus retained in a financially crippling cycle, balancing the cost of prophylactic measures with that of controlling an outbreak.The purpose of the paper is to bring awareness to NTDs transmitted by insects of importance to humans, and to assess factors affecting such control, in the English-speaking Caribbean., Method: Comprehensive literature review on reports pertaining to NTDs transmitted by insects in the Caribbean and Latin America was conducted. Data search was carried out on PubMed, and WHO and PAHO websites., Results and Conclusion: Potential risk factors for NTDs transmitted by arthropods in the English-speaking Caribbean are summarised. The mosquito appears to be the main insect-vector of human importance within the region of concern. Arthropod-vectors of diseases of veterinary importance are also relevant because they affect the livelihood of farmers, in highly agriculture based economies. Other NTDs may also be in circulation gauged by the presence of antibodies in Caribbean individuals. However, routine diagnostic tests for specific diseases are expensive and tests may not be conducted when diseases are not prevalent in the population. It appears that only a few English-speaking Caribbean countries have examined secondary reservoirs of pathogens or assessed the effectivity of their insect control methods. As such, disease risk assessment appears incomplete. Although continuous control is financially demanding, an integrated and multisectoral approach might help to deflect the cost. Such interventions are now being promoted by health agencies within the region and various countries are creating and exploring the use of novel tools to be incorporated in their insect-vector control programmes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared no conflict of interest., (© 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Desmodium canum (Strong back) commonly consumed as a tea or tonic is believed to possess hypoglycaemic activity. This paper sets out to isolate potential hypoglycaemic compounds present within the plant and investigate their synergistic effects on blood glucose levels in euglycaemic Sprague Dawley rats. The milled plant was sequentially extracted using hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The ethyl acetate extract was subjected to column chromatography yielding seven major fractions and were subsequently bioassayed using the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Further chromatographic separation and analysis using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy enabled the identification of two hypoglycaemic compounds, oleic acid (OA) and succinic acid (SA). These were bioassayed individually and as a cocktail to determine the synergistic effects using OGTT. Intravenous administration of these compounds individually indicated both are very potent in retarding blood glucose levels. However, the most significant activity was observed on synergistic administration. The cocktail (1 : 1) displayed significant hypoglycaemic activity throughout the entire study. It also significantly differed from OA at the 120 min interval (3.43 ± 0.22 mmol/L vs. 4.98 ± 0.19 mmol/L, resp., p =4.29 × 10 -7 ) and significantly differed from SA at 30 min (3.95 ± 0.43 mmol/L vs. 5.17 ± 0.32 mmol/L, resp., p =0.003), 90 min (4.35 ± 0.36 mmol/L vs. 5.49 ± 0.69 mmol/L, resp., p =0.04), and 120 min intervals (3.43 ± 0.22 mmol/L vs. 4.94 ± 0.31, resp., p =1.54 × 10 -5 ). Oral administration of the cocktail showed comparable potency to that of metformin ( p > 0.05) throughout the OGTT curve. The synergistic effects of the naturally isolated compounds yielded higher potency levels than individual administration and when administered orally, the hypoglycaemic effect was similar to that of metformin. This may assist in paving a way to attempt a novel method in approaching antidiabetic therapy., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Kemmoy Lattibeaudiere et al.)

Oral glucose tolerance test on male Sprague-Dawley rats was done to determine the hypoglycemic effect of the n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol fruit extracts (50 mg/kg BW; oral administration) of two varieties of Rubus rosifolius. Metformin was used as a positive control (15 mg/kg BW; intravenous administration). The n-hexane extract was most potent and was investigated phytochemically to yield compound 1, a mixture of triacylglycerols. In its oxidized state compound 1 produced a significant hypoglycemic effect which was more effective than metformin for the first 30 min of the assay (p = .03) and not significantly different for up to 120 min. Mechanisms through which the oxidized triacylglycerol species could form were explored and presented. This is the first account of the hypoglycemic activity of R. rosifolius and it is also the first account of this activity being credited to compounds other than polyphenols and terpenes in Rubus plants. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: A significant percentage of the world's population is affected by diabetes and diabetes-related illnesses. One of the most popular antidiabetic drug on the market is metformin which is used to lower blood glucose concentrations. The findings of this study indicate that an oxidized mixture of triacylglycerols is more fast-acting than metformin for the first 30 min of an oral glucose tolerance test. This effect was also not significantly different from that of the popular drug up to 120 min. These results demonstrate the hypoglycemic activity of an oxidized R. rosifolius fruit extract and indicate its potential use in applications such as functional food product development and drug discovery. Therapeutic applications can also include the plant extract as a potential primary treatment or as adjunct therapy to conventional medications., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Food Biochemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

This study evaluated the effect of combined inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) and inositol supplement on organ weight, intestinal ATPase activities, complete blood count, and serum analytes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic rats. High-fat diet and a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg body weight) were used to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus in Sprague-Dawley rats. The diabetic groups were then treated with either combined IP6 and inositol supplement or glibenclamide for four weeks. Organ weights, intestinal ATPase activities, complete blood count, serum α -amylase, total protein, albumin, and globulin content were determined. Pancreatic weight was significantly reduced while relative kidney and liver weights were elevated in the group treated with combined IP6 and inositol supplement compared to the nondiabetic control. Serum α -amylase activity for the glibenclamide and combination treated groups was significantly improved compared to that of the untreated diabetic group. Red cell distribution width percentage was significantly lower in the combination treated group compared to that in the untreated diabetic group, while intestinal ATPase activities were unaffected by the treatment regime. Combined IP6 and inositol supplement consumption may protect people with diabetes from increased risk of cardiovascular diseases due to the supplement's ability to maintain red cell distribution width percentage towards the normal control group., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Shadae R. Foster et al.)

Diabetes mellitus, as a result of microvascular and macrovascular injury, causes organ dysfunction in a wide variety of tissues. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of combined inositol hexakisphosphate and inositol supplement on renal and pancreatic integrity in type 2 diabetic rats. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n=6 per group). Type 2 diabetes was induced in three groups using high-fat diet combined with a single dose of streptozotocin (35mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally). Two of the diabetic groups were treated with combined IP6 and inositol or glibenclamide. Serum biochemical markers of kidney damage kidney, antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation were measured. Histomorphological and morphometric examinations of the H&E stained pancreas were also carried out. The administration of combined IP6 and inositol supplement resulted in 64% and 27% increase in CAT activities and GSH levels respectively and a 25% decrease in lipid peroxidation level compared to the diabetic control. Serum uric acid, creatinine and BUN levels in the combination treated group was comparable to the normal control. Examination of H&E stained pancreatic sections showed a significant increase (107%) in the number of islets in the combined IP6 and inositol treated group compared to the untreated diabetic group. Overall, the treatment of type 2 diabetic rats with combined IP6 and inositol supplement resulted in the improvement of renal and pancreatic function., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Diabetes mellitus is associated with elevated reactive oxygen species, lipid abnormalities, reduced antioxidant activity and organ damage. This study examines the effects of combined inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) and inositol supplement on antioxidant levels and other biochemical parameters in the liver of type 2 diabetic rats. Five groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Six rats were fed normal diet (non-diabetic control), while 24 rats were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks. Diabetes was induced in 18 of the rats fed HFD by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were separated into three groups namely: combined IP6 and inositol, glibenclamide and diabetic control. The non-diabetic group fed high-fat diet was classified as a high-fat control group. For the final four weeks of the experiment, all rats were fed normal diet and given their respective treatment regimes. Hepatic antioxidant status, metabolic enzyme activity, lipid profile, peroxidative damage and liver histology, as well as, serum aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, and total bilirubin concentration were assessed. Treatment with combined IP6 and inositol supplement significantly increased liver reduced glutathione and high-density lipoprotein levels while liver triglyceride levels and serum alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly reduced by 27%, 50%, 38.5%, and 69.2% respectively compared to the diabetic control. Hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were significantly upregulated by 55%, 26% and 53% respectively in the diabetic rats treated with combined IP6 and inositol compared to the diabetic control. Combined IP6 and inositol treatment resulted in the preservation of liver cell integrity and improved antioxidant status in type 2 diabetic rats., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Tea prepared from the aerial parts of Antigonon leptopus is used as a remedy for cold and pain relief in many countries. In this study, A. leptopus tea, prepared from the dried aerial parts, was evaluated for lipid peroxidation (LPO) and cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzyme inhibitory activities. The tea as a dried extract inhibited LPO, COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes by 78%, 38% and 89%, respectively, at 100 μg/mL. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract yielded a selective COX-2 enzyme inhibitory phenolic aldehyde, 2,3,4-trihydroxy benzaldehyde. Also, it showed LPO inhibitory activity by 68.3% at 6.25 μg/mL. Therefore, we have studied other hydroxy benzaldehydes and their methoxy analogs for LPO, COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes inhibitory activities and found that compound 1 gave the highest COX-2 enzyme inhibitory activity as indicated by a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) at 9.7 μg/mL. The analogs showed only marginal LPO activity at 6.25 μg/mL. The hydroxy analogs 6, 7 and 9 showed 55%, 61% and 43% of COX-2 inhibition at 100 μg/mL. However, hydroxy benzaldehydes 3 and 12 showed selective COX-1 inhibition while compounds 4 and 10 gave little or no COX-2 enzyme inhibition at 100 μg/mL. At the same concentration, compounds 14, 21 and 22 inhibited COX-1 by 83, 85 and 70%, respectively. Similarly, compounds 18, 19 and 23 inhibited COX-2 by 68%, 72% and 70%, at 100 μg/mL. This is the first report on the isolation of compound 1 from A. leptopus tea with selective COX-2 enzyme and LPO inhibitory activities.

Objectives: This study investigated the knowledge, awareness and practices of health care workers towards universal precautions at the University Hospital of the West Indies. The study also examined the prevalence of injuries experienced by health care workers, as well as incidence of accidents and compliance with post-exposure prophylaxis., Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted in September and October 2007. A 28-item self-administered questionnaire was provided to two hundred health care workers including medical doctors, medical technologists, nurses and porters to assess knowledge and practices regarding universal precautions, prevalence of injuries and incidence of accidents., Results: Almost two-thirds (62.3%) of the respondents were aware of policies and procedures for reporting accidents while one-third (33.2%) were unsure. All nurses were aware of policies and procedures for reporting accidents, followed by medical doctors (88%) and medical technologists (61.2%). The majority (81.5%) of the respondents experienced splashes from bodily fluid. Over three-quarters of medical doctors (78%) and two-thirds of nurses (64%) reported having experienced needle stick injuries, while the incidence among medical technologists was remarkably lower (26%). The majority of the respondents (59%) experienced low accident incidence while just over one-tenth (14%) reported high incidence. Eighty four respondents reported needle stick injuries; just under two-thirds (59.5%) of this group received post-exposure treatment., Conclusions: The study found that majority of health care workers were aware of policies and procedures for reporting accidents. Splashes from body fluids, needle stick injuries and cuts from other objects were quite prevalent among health care workers. There is a need for monitoring systems which would provide accurate information on the magnitude of needle stick injuries and trends over time, potential risk factors, emerging new problems, and the effectiveness of interventions at The University Hospital of the West Indies and other hospitals in Jamaica.

The most abundant water soluble natural food colors are betacyanins and anthocyanins. Similarly, lycopene, bixin, beta-carotene, and chlorophyll are water insoluble colors. Pure betanin, bixin, lycopene, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside were isolated from Beta vulgaris, Bixa orellana,Lycopersicum esculentum, Spinacia oleracea, Daucus carrota, and Prunus cerasus, respectively. These natural pigments, alone and in combination, were evaluated for their relative potencies against cyclooxygenase enzymes and tumor cell growth inhibition by using MCF-7 (breast), HCT-116 (colon), AGS (stomach), CNS (central nervous system), and NCI-H460 (lung) tumor cell lines. Among the colors tested, betanin, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, lycopene, and beta-carotene inhibited lipid peroxidation. However, all pigments tested gave COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition and showed a dose-dependent growth inhibition against breast, colon, stomach, central nervous system, and lung tumor cells, respectively. The mixtures of these pigments were also evaluated for their synergistic effects and chemical interactions at various concentrations. The mixture of anthocyanin and betanin negated their efficacy in the cell growth inhibitory assay and did not enhance the COX enzyme inhibitory activity. This is the first report of a comparative evaluation and the impact on biological activities of these pigments alone and in combination.

Intravenous administration of the hexane extract of the bark of Anacardium occidentale (cashew) in normal, healthy dogs produced a significant lowering of the blood glucose levels. Pursuit of the hypoglycaemic principle(s) in the hexane extract resulted in the isolation and characterization of two compounds, stigmast-4-en-3-ol (1) and stigmast-4-en-3-one (2). These compounds were purified by chromatographic methods and the structures were characterized by spectroscopic methods. Both compounds produced significant hypoglycaemic activity after intravenous administration at a dose of 1.3 mg/kg body weight. The bark of the cashew plant, A. occidentale, exhibited a hypoglycaemic effect probably due to the presence of these compounds., (Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)