Flora-Glad Chizoba Ekezie ¹, W. Jessie Suneetha ¹, K. Uma Maheswari ¹, T. N. V. K. V. Prasad ², B. Anila Kumari ¹

Affiliations
1 Post Graduate and Research Centre, Department of Foods and Nutrition, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad - 500 030, IN
2 Nanotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Frontier Technology, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Tirupati - 517 502, IN

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a multifunctional disorder which is increasing rapidly in most parts of the world. It has been estimated that up to one third of patients with diabetes mellitus use some form of complementary and alternative medicine. One plant that has received the most attention for its anti-diabetic properties is Momordica charantia commonly referred to as bitter gourd. In this study, bitter gourd was extracted in various media i.e. ethanol, water, citric acid, sodium carbonate and sodium chloride. The samples were evaluated for their in-vitro ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes activity. Ethanol extract was observed to have maximum inhibition against these enzymes. The IC₅₀ values recorded for inhibition of α-amylase activity were 81.34, 87.56, 83.89, 97.71 and 83.12 μg/ml respectively for crude extracts of ethanol, water, citric acid, Na₂CO₃ and NaCl. Similarly, the ability of extracts to inhibit α-glucosidase was reflected in the result pattern ethanol<Na₂CO₃<NaCl<aqueous<citric acid (i.e. 72.81<75.66<80.15<81.22<83.85 μg/ml). Therefore, ethanol extract has potential applications in developing drug therapy for the treatment of diabetes using bitter gourd.

Keywords

Momordica Charantia, α-Amylase Activity, A-Glucosidase Activity, Phytochemical Properties, Anti-Diabetic Properties.

Full Text

     

W. Jessie Suneetha ¹, M. Siva Prasad ², S. M. Aradhya ², T. P. Krishnakantha ¹

Affiliations
1 Dept of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570 020, IN
2 Dept of Fruits and Vegetable Technology, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570 020, IN

Abstract

Fruits are undoubtedly man's oldest food. Some of the fruits like date palm and pomegranate have been cultivated from 7000 BC. These fruits are rich sources of vitamins, trace minerals, dietary fiber as well as a wide variety of biologically active compounds. A variety of phytonutrients found are carotenoids, polyphenols, anthocyanins, flavanoids, isothiocyanates, sulfides and phytosterols. All these natural compounds have overlapping and complementary biological functions at cellular level providing protection to body from conditions like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, osteoporosis, muscular degeneration and cataracts. Also they are rich sources of antioxidants. Consumption of pomegronate juice reduced oxidative stress and showed anti-atherogenic properties by inhibiting platelet aggregation. Phenolic components of olive oil affected platelet aggregation by inhibiting Thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) and 12-L-hydroperoxyl-5, 8, 10, 14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) productions.

Full Text

     

W. Jessie Suneetha ¹, T. P. Krishnakantha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore - 570 020, IN

Abstract

Platelets, the nucleus deficient cells participate in physiological and pathological processes like haemostasis, thrombosis and atherosclerosis. These platelets measure about 2 to 4 microns in diameter and are biconvex in shape, Platelet count is 2,5 to 5 lakhs per milliliter of blood. They have a life span of 7-10 days. Platelets circulate passively along the intact monolayer of endothelial cells and respond to endothelial cell injury through a series of exquisitely co-ordinated responses that culminate in the formation of a precisely localised haemostatic plug.

Full Text