International Journal of Integrative Medical Sciences

79-86

Authors: P. Vijitha, M.V. Sailaja, N. Mallikarjuna Reddy.

Autonomic dysfunction worsens with old age. It results from an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. Autonomic function tests were carried out in 50 healthy subjects in the age group of 65 to 90 years and compared with 50 controls in the age group of 25 to 65 years. The Parasympathetic activity was assessed by heart rate response to deep breathing, valsalva maneuver and orthostatic tests. Sympathetic function was assessed by blood pressure response to cold pressor test and sustained hand grip exercise. We found a decline in sympathetic and parasympathetic function with advancing age. No gender variation in both sympathetic and parasympathetic function was observed in this study. The E: I ratio values were significantly decreased in geriatric population. (p-value 0.037). In cold pressor test, the SBP and DBP difference values were significantly reduced in geriatric population. (p-value-0.000). Heart rate response to hand grip test was reduced significantly (p-value-0.035). Autonomic status will have an important bearing on determining the therapeutic strategy and drug action in the elderly inwhom theremay be altered responsiveness to autonomic reflexes and receptor sensitivity. KEY WORDS: Autonomic function, sympathetic, parasympathetic, blood pressure, cold pressor test and hand grip exercise.

90-98

Authors: Kumeshini Sukalingam, Kumar Ganesan, Kumar Ponnusamy.

Background: The antidiabetic activity of the individual plant parts is well known, but the synergistic or combined effects are unclear. The concept of polyherbalism has been highlighted in Sharangdhar Samhita, an Ayurvedic literature dating back to 1300 AD. Polyherbal formulations enhance the therapeutic action and reduce the concentrations of single herbs, thereby reducing adverse events. The study focuses on polyherbal formulations of five different medicinal plants used for the treatment of Type II diabetic patients. Methods: In the present study five medicinal plants (Mango, Guava, Amla, Garlic and Onion) with proven antidiabetic and related beneficial effects were selected for the preparation. The efficacy of prepared formulations were tested on Type II diabetic patients and compared with placebo diabetic control patients. Results: The polyherbal formulations produced a significant decrease in blood glucose level after 8 weeks of treatment. Diabetic patients exhibited increase levels of lipid profiles such as cholesterol, triglycerides, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol), and a decrease in the level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) during the first week of treatment. The elevated lipid profiles were restored to near normal by the treatment of polyherbal formulations for all the estimated parameters at 8th week. In addition the polyherbal formulations also restored the BMI, blood pressure, haemoglobin, glycosylated haemoglobin and urinary parameters levelswhich indicates that they reduce the other complicacies of diabetes. The results of the formulations on Type II diabetic group were strong evidence that not only it restored the glycemic level but also reduced the lipid profile to the near normal. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the polyherbal formulations have significant antidiabetic potential for Type II diabetic patients KEY WORDS: Polyherbal formulations, Biochemical and hematological parameters, type 2 diabetic patients, Antidiabetic potential