Antioxidant Effect of Caffeic Acid on Oxytetracycline Induced Lipid Peroxidation in Albino Rats

Caffeic acid is a well-known phenolic compound widely present in plant kingdom. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effect of caffeic acid (CA) against oxytetracycline (OXT) induced hepatotoxicity in male Albino Wistar rats. A total of 30 rats weighing 150–170 g were randomly divided into five groups of six rats in each group. Oral administration of OXT (200 mg/kg body weight/day) for 15 days produced hepatic damage as manifested by a significant increase in serum hepatic markers namely aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin and increased plasma and hepatic lipid peroxidation indices (TBARS and hydroperoxide). The present finding shows that the levels of enzymatic antioxidants namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly decreased in OXT intoxicated rats. Upon oral administration of caffeic acid (40 mg/kg body weight/day) there were decreased hepatic marker activities, bilirubin and lipid peroxidation and increased enzymatic antioxidants in OXT + Caffeic acid group compared to Normal + OXT group(P < 0.05). Our study suggests that caffeic acid has antioxidant property and hepatoprotective ability against OXT induced toxicity.     

Effect of arogh—A polyherbal formulation on the marker enzymes in isoproterenol induced myocardial injury

To study the protective role of Arogh on isoproterenol induced myocardial damage in rats. The effect of Arogh pretreatment on isoproterenol induced myocardial damage was assessed by studying the levels of lipid peroxides and changes in the activity of marker enzymes such as creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and transaminases in serum and heart tissue. In isoproterenol administered rats, a significant decrease was observed in the activity of marker enzymes in the heart with a corresponding increase in their levels in serum. Lipid peroxide levels increased significantly in the serum and heart. In rats pretreated with arogh, the level of lipid peroxides and the activity of marker enzymes were maintained at near normal values. Pretreatment with Arogh offered a protective effect against isoproterenol induced myocardial damage in rats as evidenced by LDH isoenzyme patterm and histopathological studies of heart tissue.     

Biochemical Evaluation of Patients of Alcoholic Liver Disease and Non-alcoholic Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is due to excessive alcohol intake for long duration. Distinguishing ALD from non-ALD (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatitis of viral origin) is difficult as patient may deny alcohol abuse. Clinical examination, histology and serology may not differentiate these conditions. Accurate diagnosis is important as management of ALD differs from non-ALD patients. The aim of our study was (1) To evaluate the patients of ALD and non-ALD by biochemical parameters compared to controls, (2) To assess whether these parameters can differentiate ALD from non-ALD. Study was carried out on 50 patients of ALD in group I and 35 patients of NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) and acute viral hepatitis each in group II. Age matched healthy controls n = 50. Selection criteria—history of alcohol intake (amount and duration), clinical examination, sonography of abdomen, serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and bilirubin levels. Blood samples were analyzed for bilirubin, aspartate transaminase (AST), ALT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) by kinetic method. Statistical analysis was done by Student unpaired ‘t’ test. Patients of ALD have raised AST/ALT ratio (De Ritis ratio) (>2), ALP and GGT compared to controls (P < 0.01).There is significant difference in AST/ALT ratio, serum GGT and ALP in ALD group compared to that in NASH and acute viral hepatitis (P < 0.05). This study suggests that De Ritis ratio >2 in ALD patients may be due to alcohol induced hepatic mitochondrial injury and pyridoxine deficiency. High GGT and ALP values may indicate enzyme induction by alcohol and mild cholestasis. Thus ALD patients have severe hepatic damage. De Ritis ratio <1 and normal to mild elevation in GGT level in NASH and acute viral hepatitis suggest mild hepatic injury of non-alcoholic origin. Our study concludes that ALD patients can be differentiated from NASH and acute viral hepatitis with certainty by measuring serum AST/ALT ratio, GGT and ALP. These biochemical parameters may help clinicians to support the diagnosis of ALD and non-ALD.     

Effects of interaction of vitamin A and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rauwolfia vomitoria</Emphasis> root bark extract on marker enzymes of cardiac diseases

Serum creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are key players in the diagnostic study of cardiac complications. These enzymes are specific diagnostic markers of myocardial infarction and hypertension is a disease condition characterized with a wide range of complications, including myocardial infarction. In this study, we determined the effects of interaction of vitamin A and Rauwolfia vomitoria (RV) root bark extract on marker enzymes of cardiac diseases. CK and CK-MB activities had significant decrease in the group of animals with concomitant administration of vitamin A (40 IU/kg body wt.) and 150 mg/kg body wt. of RV root bark extract. At the interaction of vitamin A with 300 mg/kg body wt. RV root bark extract, CK-MB only showed significant (p ≥ 0.05) decrease while CK decreased insignificantly. Also at the interaction of vitamin A with 300 mg/kg body wt. RV root bark extract, AST increased significantly but decreased significantly at the interaction of vitamin A (40 IU/kg body wt.) and 150 mg/kg body wt. of RV root bark extract. Our findings showed that vitamin A dose did not lower the activities of cardiac marker enzymes. However, concomitant administration of RV root bark extract at 150 mg/kg body wt. with vitamin A shows significant reduction in the activities of CK, CK-MB and AST. These findings suggest that interaction of vitamin A with RV root bark extract would be a meaningful ethno-pharmaceutical approach in the management of myocardial infarction and treatment of hypertension.     

Effect of Isoproterenol on Tissue Defense Enzymes,Hemodynamic and Left Ventricular Contractile Function in Rats

Present study investigated the effects of isoproterenol-induced oxidative stress on hemodynamic and ventricular functions in rats. Subcutaneous injections of isoproterenol (85 mg/kg for two consecutive days at 24 h interval) significantly decreased myocardial antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in heart. Isoproterenol-induced oxidative stress was also evidenced by significant depletion of reduced glutathione and increased formation of lipid peroxidation product, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances along with depletion of myocyte injury specific marker enzymes; creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme and lactate dehydrogenase. The deleterious outcome of oxidative stress on hemodyanmic parameters and ventricular function were further evidenced by decreased systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, ventricular contractility; [(+)LVdP/dt] and relaxation; [(−)LVdP/dt], along with an increased left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP). Subsequent to changes in heart rate and arterial pressure, isoproterenol also decreased rate pressure product. Present study findings clearly demonstrate the detrimental outcome of isoproterenol induced-oxidative stress on cardiac function and tissue antioxidant defense and substantiate its suitability as an animal model for the evaluation of cardioprotective agents.     

1-Deoxynojirimycin from Bacillus subtilis improves antioxidant and antibacterial activities of juvenile Yoshitomi tilapia

BackgroundJuvenile Yoshitomi tilapia is often infected by pathogens and results in low-level survival rate. Bacillus subtilis, as a probiotic, may have beneficial effects on Y. tilapia with compound 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which has antibacterial activities. The effects of dietary probiotic supplementation on Y. tilapias were evaluated.ResultsJuvenile Y. tilapia was fed with B. subtilis for 56 d. Y. tilapia was infected by Aeromonas hydrophila and survival rate was compared. Dietary B. subtilis increased weight gain rate, specific growth, food conversion ratios and food intake rate of Y. tilapia. The diet improved the cumulative survival rate (CSR) of juvenile Y. tilapia when the concentration of B. subtilis was more than 2.05 × 10¹⁰ cfu/kg and CSR reached a maximum rate when the concentration of bacillus was 4.23 × 10¹⁰ (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, B. subtilis improved total antioxidant capacity (TAC), spleen index, the activities of serum lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (P < 0.05). In contrast, B. subtilis reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and C3 complement (P < 0.05). DNJ was isolated from secondary metabolisms and proved to increase the levels of SOD, CAT and reduce the levels of AST, ALT and MDA at cell levels. After A. hydrophila infection, DNJ prevented the reduction in survival rate of Y. tilapia (P < 0.05).Conclusions1-Deoxynojirimycin from Bacillus subtilis can be used to improve the growth performance of juvenile Y. tilapia by affecting its antioxidant and antibacterial activities.     

Clinicopathological spectrum of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among patients in Kerala

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its more aggressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are entities that are becoming more and more interesting to the medical community in general. A total of 93 Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients (64 male and 29 female) within the age range between 28 to 63 years were studied. All of them showed elevated alanine aminotransferase level (104.07 ± 56.04). Aspartate aminotransferase level (58.13 ± 31.96) was elevated more than its normal level in 82% cases and AST to ALT ratio was found 0.59 ± 0.26. Predisposing factors were diabetes mellitus (37%), obesity (13%) and hyperlipidemia (41%). In addition, 32% of the subjects were overweight.18% of the patients had elevated serum bilirubin. Our findings recommend a lower cutoff value than suggested by the World Health Organization for overweight and obesity among this racial-ethnic group.     

Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Effect of Curcumin Against Copper Toxicity in Rats

Curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant with several potential health benefits. Although it has been examined in several metals toxicity studies, but its role in the protection against copper toxicity has not been investigated. In this study; the detoxification and antioxidant effect of curcumin were examined to determine its prophylactic/therapeutic role experimentally in rats. Forty albino rats were divided into five groups; control, CuSO₄ (4 mg/kg body weight), curcumin (80 mg/kg body weight), curcumin post-treatment (CuSO₄ for 15 days followed by curcumin for the next 15 days) and curcumin co-treatment (CuSO₄ plus curcumin for 30 days). All rats were treated orally by stomach tube for 30 days/once a day. Changes were observed in hepatic marker enzymes such as: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase-(ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), besides the serum total protein, urea and creatinine. Concentration of liver and kidney antioxidants such as: catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione-(GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. An increased in the activities of liver marker enzymes, urea, creatinine and the MDA contents were detected after exposure to CuSO₄. Meanwhile, the activities of serum total protein, hepatic and renal antioxidants were decreased. Changes in all biochemical parameters were alleviated by the post-treatment and co-treatment of curcumin. Our finding suggests that the curcumin showed protective effects on CuSO₄-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.     

β-Adrenoreceptor Agonist Isoproterenol Alters Oxidative Status,Inflammatory Signaling,Injury Markers and Apoptotic Cell Death in Myocardium of Rats

Sustained high levels of circulating catecholamines are reported to induce cardiotoxicity. Isoproterenol (ISP), a synthetic catecholamine has been widely employed to induce myocardial injury, though the role of inflammation and apoptosis is not well established. This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanism of oxidative damage, inflammatory signaling, cell death in ISP induced myocardial infarction in rats. Wistar albino rats were divided in two groups: group I (sham control) and group II (ischemic control). ISP (85 mg/kg, s.c.) was administered at an interval of 24 h to group II for two consecutive days. On day third, after 48 h of the first injection of ISP, blood was collected from retro orbital plexus of rat eyes to estimate the biochemical parameters. Glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured for antioxidant status. Similarly, malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured as an index of lipid peroxidation. Cardiac markers (SGOT, CK-MB, TropI and LDH) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, CRP and TNF-α) were also estimated in ISP-induced rats. At the end of experiments animals were sacrificed for histopathological studies. GSH and SOD showed significant decrease after ISP challenge as compared to sham (control) group (p < 0.01) while MDA level, increased significantly (p < 0.01). ISP, also increased the level of cardiac markers and markers of inflammation significantly (p < 0.01), which was further verified by histopathological studies of the heart tissues. The study confirmed that ISP causes detrimental changes in the myocardium by altering cardiac and inflammatory markers, which leads to severe necrosis. The deleterious effects produced by ISP substantiate its suitability as a novel animal model for evaluation of cardioprotective agents/drugs.     

Effect of antihypertensive drugs on cardiac enzymes in hypertension with myocardial infarction in NIDDM

Enzymology is a diagnostic indicator for myocardial infarction and diabetes in hypertension patients. Therefore the selection of methods for measurement of cardiac enzyme, Aspartate transaminase (AST), Creatine kinase(CK), and isoenzyme of creatine kinase (MB form), determine the effectiveness of antihypertension drug would provide the physician with diagnostic and prognostic clinical evidence.     

The Effects of Onion Consumption on Prevention of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

It is well known that dietary intakes play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH); however, the role of each component of diet has not yet been elucidated. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of onion consumption on prevention of NAFLD/NASH development. Sprague–Dawley rats were fed either high-fat, high sugar diet (model group), or high-fat, high sugar diet plus 7% onion powder (model + onion), or chow diet ad libitum for 7 weeks. Serum levels of fasting glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, liver enzymes, insulin, and hepatic tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene expression were determined. Hepatic histology was examined by H&E stain. Model + onion group had significantly lower hepatic steatosis, ballooning, lobular inflammation, and portal inflammation (p < 0.001), lower hepatic TNF-α gene expression (p < 0.001), lower plasma levels of ALT (p = 0.026), AST (p = 0.041), insulin (p < 0.001), TG (p = 0.041), and glucose (p = 0.009) compared with model group; however, weight gain, food intake, plasma total cholesterol and LDL levels were not significantly different between these two groups. Our data indicate that regular consumption of onion can prevent NAFLD even in the presence of the other risk factors such as obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and high energy, fat, and sugar intakes.     

Kinetics of Inhibition of Monoamine Oxidase Using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cymbopogon martinii</Emphasis> (Roxb.) Wats.: A Potential Antidepressant Herbal Ingredient with Antioxidant Activity

The study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and effect of Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats. (Poaceae) leaves on the activity of monoamine oxidase and kinetics of enzyme inhibition. Ethanol extract of C. martinii and rat brain mitochondrial monoamine oxidase preparation ware used to study the kinetics of enzyme inhibition using double reciprocal Lineweaver–Burk plot. The DPPH was used as a source of free radical to evaluate antioxidant potential. It is observed that, the ethanolic extract of C. martinii inhibits the monoamine oxidase activity with competitive mode of inhibition. The V _max (0.01 mM/min) remained constant while, K _m varied from 21.00 ± 1.1, 43.33 ± 1.5 and 83.33 ± 1.4 mM for 100–500 μg/ml concentration of C. martinii. The K _i values were calculated to be 90.00 ± 0.87, 75.00 ± 0.69, 68.18 ± 0.68 μg for 100–500 μg/ml concentration of C. martini. It also shows a significant DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazine) radical scavenging (IC₅₀ = 0.34 ± 0.05 mg/ml) and reducing activity (IC₅₀ = 0.70 ± 0.22 mg/ml). The C. martini can be considered as a possible source of MAO inhibitor used in the treatment of depression and other neurological disorders.     

Cardioprotective activity of synthetic guggulsterone (E and Z-isomers) in isoproterenol induced myocardial ischemia in rats: A comparative study

Guggulsterone, a mixture of cis (E) and trans (Z) isomers (7∶3 w/w) was synthesized from 16-DPA. The isomers were separated by column chromatography and evaluated for cardioprotective and antioxidant activities. Myocardial necrosis induced by isoproterenol in rats caused marked increase in serum creatine phosphokinase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase. Simultaneously in ischemic heart, phospholipase, xanthine oxidase and lipid peroxides were enhanced following depletion of glycogen, phospholipids and cholesterol. Treatment with guggulsterone and its both isomers at the dose of 50 mg/kg po., significantly protected cardiac damage as assessed by the reversal of blood and heart biochemical parameters in ischemic rats. The cardioprotective activity of guggulsterone and of both the isomers were compared with that of gemfibrozil at the same doses. Guggulsterone and both the isomers at tested concentrations (5–20mM) inhibited oxidative degradation of lipids in human low-density lipoprotein and rat liver microsomes induced by metal ionsin vitro. The drug counteracted against the generation of superoxide anions (O₂) and hydroxyl radicals (OH⁻) in non-enzymic test systems. It is suggested that cardioprotective and antioxidant activities of synthetic guggulsterone and guggulsterone obtained from gum resinCommiphora mukul that contains isomers E & Z in the ratio of 46∶54w/w are the same.     

Dyslipidaemia Associated with Type 2 Diabetics with Micro and Macrovascular Complications among Ghanaians

In this study, differences in lipid levels amongst diabetics with and without complications were assessed to determine lipid disorders that are associated with diabetic complications other than cardiovascular diseases. A Cross sectional study design was employed. The study included 288 diabetics and 108 non diabetics with different types of complications such as hypertension, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. The mean serum total cholesterol was higher in patients with complications compared to those without complications and the non-diabetic controls. The normotensive diabetic patients had the lowest total cholesterol among the diabetic patients’ groups (4.65 ± 0.17 mmol/l) compared to the diabetics with hypertension (6.051 ± 0.20 mmol/l), retinopathy (6.26 ± 0.29 mmol/l), neuropathy (5.80 ± 0.17 mmol/l) and nephropathy patients 5.74 ± 0.26 mmol/l (P < 0.05). The prevalence of dyslipidaemia among diabetic subjects was between 19.2 and 84.0%. The study shows that, in addition to macrovascular complications, dyslipidaemia is common in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with microvascular complications.     

Changes in the levels of glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans in diabetes associated with myocardial infarction

Changes in the levels of glycoprotein (GP) and glycosminoglycans (GAG) were studied in diabetes associated with myocardial infarction in rats. Diabetes was induced by alloxan while myocardial infarction was induced using isoproterenol. Most of the GAG fraction increased in the heart and aorta in diabetes superimposed with myocardial infarction. The carbohydrate of GP also increased in heart while in serum only sialic acid showed an increase. The activity of lysosomal enzymes showed an increase in the case of β-glucuronidase and β-hexosaminidase while in the case of β-galactosidase and β-fucosidase it showed a decrease in the heart.     

Evaluation of Anti-hypertrophic Potential of Enicostemma littorale Blume on Isoproterenol Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the anti-hypertrophic potential of the aqueous extract of Enicostemma littorale (E. littorale) against isoproterenol induced cardiac hypertrophic rat models (male albino Wistar rats) through biochemical investigations. Aqueous extract of E. littorale known for various beneficial properties was administered (100 mg/kg, 12 days, oral) to isoproterenol (ISO) induced cardiac hypertrophic rats (low ISO—60 mg/kg, 12 days and high ISO—100 mg/kg, 12 days, subcutaneous) and were compared with group that was treated with the reference drug, Losartan (10 mg kg, administered for 12 days, oral). The anti-hypertrophic effect of E. littorale was evaluated by analysing the morphometric indices of the heart, ECG tracings, changes in blood biochemical parameters viz., serum glucose, serum total protein, serum albumin, lipid profile, cardiac specific enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and LDH) and histopathological examination of the heart tissue. The results fundamentally revealed that the plant extract efficiently ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy induced by ISO injected in experimental rats. The outcomes of biochemical investigations of this study highlighted the association between the hypertrophic β-adrenergic receptor signalling (β-AR) and the 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)—peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) axis in the metabolism of cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy. This β-AR/AMPK-PGC1α signalling stem can serve as a key target in ameliorating cardiac hypertrophy through focus on its principal regulators. To add, we also propose that the glycoside, swertiamarin present in this plant with the reported anti-fibrotic potential in liver can be further isolated and evaluated for its anti-hypertrophic potential to treat cardiac hypertrophy.     

Elimination of lipaemic interference by high-speed centrifugation

IntroductionIn order to deliver high quality results, detection and elimination of possible analytical interferences, such as lipaemia, is crucial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of high-speed centrifugation in eliminating lipaemic interference and to define own lipaemic index (LI) for the studied biochemical analytes.Materials and methodsEvaluated analytes were: albumin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), calcium, creatinine, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), glucose, phosphates, total proteins, urea and total bilirubin. Those analytes and LIs have been analysed in duplicate in the Roche Diagnostics-c8000 analyser in samples centrifuged at 3000 rpm/10 minutes in the SL16 (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, USA) centrifuge and according to an own high-speed centrifugation protocol (12,900 rpm/15 minutes) in the MicroCL17R (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, USA) centrifuge. Lipaemia has been measured in each sample. The efficiency of high-speed centrifugation is verified by the Wilcoxon test (P < 0.05). In cases where significant differences are observed, our own LI is calculated. For ALT and AST, it is verified by McNemar test (P < 0.05). For creatinine, both Wilcoxon and McNemar test were applied.ResultsThere were statistically significant differences in analyte concentration before and after high-speed centrifugation for: albumin, creatinine, GGT, glucose, phosphates, urea and total bilirrubin. Own LI is calculated. McNemar test shows statistically significant diferences in the proportion of delivered results before and after high-speed centrifugation in ALT, AST and creatinine.ConclusionsThis study confirms the efficacy of high-speed centrifugation protocol for all the considered analytes, excepting calcium, alkaline phosphatase and total proteins.     

Antidiabetic Effect of GII Compound Purified from Fenugreek (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trigonella foenum graecum</Emphasis> Linn) Seeds in Diabetic Rabbits

Aim is to study the antidiabetic effect of a compound GII purified earlier from the water extract of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) seeds by Murthy and his colleagues (patented in India and USA) in diabetic rabbits. Diabetes was induced in rabbits by injecting 80 mg/kg bw of alloxan intravenously into rabiits. Rabbits were subdivided into subdiabetic [fasting blood sugar (FBG) up to 120 mg/dl with abnormal glucose tolerance in glucose tolerance test (GTT)], moderately diabetic (FBG below 250 mg/dl) and severely diabetic (FBG above 250 mg/dl). Blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) were estimated by procedures in the kits of Stangen Immunodiagnostics, Mumbai using, respectively, glucose oxidase method and absorbance at 415 nm. Serum insulin was estimated by the ELISA method as described in the kit of Boehringer Mannheim Immunodiagnostics, Mumbai, India. GII was found to improve blood glucose utilization in GTT and reduced FBG and HbA1C. In the present communication detailed studies were carried out with GII in the subdiabetic, moderately diabetic and severely diabetic rabbits. GII at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw per day brought down the elevated FBG levels in the untreated subdiabetic (FBG 96.6 ± 7 mg/dl), moderately diabetic (150.1 ± 14 mg/dl) and severely diabetic rabbits (427 ± 46 mg/dl) to normal in 12, 15 and 28 days of treatment. It improved serum HbA1C and insulin levels also in these rabbits. Intermittent therapy once a week for 6 weeks with GII at the same dose brought down the FBG values to normal in the subdiabetic (FBG 96.0 ± 2 mg/dl) and in the moderately diabetic rabbits to 133.0 ± 12 mg/dl. After stopping therapy of the subdiabetic and moderately diabetic rabbits whose FBG values came to normal after treatment with GII 50 mg/kg bw, the values remained normal for 1 week and showed a tendency to increase only after 15 days. If these animal studies are applicable to humans these results indicate that a diabetic person need not take GII daily when once the FBG value comes to normal or near to normal. Patients might be able to take GII only when the FBG value shows tendency to increase. So, intermittent therapy is possible with the potent product GII of the fenugreek seeds which is of a great advantage.