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V. Parcha , M. Gahlot , J. Kaur , Y. Tomar

Abstract

A review of phytoconstituents and biological activities of Dysoxylum species has been presented, considering the fact that there are about 110 species of this genus distributed all around the world and many of these species occur in India. In Ayurveda, Dysoxylum species are used either alone or as an important ingredient of several formulations for the cure of inflammation, cardio-disorder, CNS disorder and tumor etc. Several of the chemical compounds (alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids etc) were isolated. This review focuses on the detail of its chemical constituents and medicinal uses with emphasis on the pharmacological action.

Keywords

Dysoxylum Species, Photochemical and Pharmacological Studies

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J. Kaur ¹, G. Kwatra , D. K. Badyal

Affiliations
1 Pharmacology Department, III^rd Floor, Health Science Block, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana-141008, IN

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, beta-cell dysfunction and hyperglucagonaemia, leading to hyperglycaemia. With the currently available antidiabetic agents, long term glycaemic control remains poor and attaining a glycosylated Hb (HbA1c) of < 7% is often not achievable. Further the antidiabetic agents available induce weight gain (except metformin), hypoglycaemia and have a negligible effect on beta-cell dysfunction. New classes of drugs that affect incretin hormones show promise in the treatment of T2DM. Incretins i.e. Glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptides (GIP) are peptide hormones secreted from the gut in response to ingestion of food and enhance the glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from the pancreas. T2DM patients are resistant to the insulin secreting action of GIP but are responsive to GLP-1. Therefore, GLP-1 shows promise in the treatment of T2DM as it enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and there are less chances of hypoglycaemia. In addition, it promotes insulin biosynthesis, suppresses glucagon secretion, improves fasting and post-prandial blood sugar, HbA1c, inhibits gastric emptying, reduces appetite and food intake. Further, GLP-1 has been found to prevent or reverse the destruction of β cells in preclinical studies and is also associated with beneficial effect on cardio-vascular risk factor including blood pressure (BP), weight, endothelial dysfunction and lipid profiles. The clinical use of GLP-1 is limited by its short t½ of 2 minutes, due to its degradation by the enzyme, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). To combat this problem, drugs have been developed to increase the level of GLP-1 in the body i.e. GLP-1 receptor agonist (incretin mimetics) and DPP-4 inhibitors (incretin enhancers).

Keywords

Incretin, Glucagon-Like Peptide (GLP-1), GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, DPP-4 Inhibitors.

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J. Kaur ¹, T. Sharma ¹, A. Wadhwa ¹, M. Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences Jalandhar, Punjab, IN

Abstract

Morphological variations of sternocleidomastoid are not uncommon. During our routine dissection, in the department of anatomy PIMS Jalandhar, we encountered a rare case of presence of third head of sternocleidomastoid, bilaterally. This anomalous head is arising from clavicle lateral to the clavicular head of sternocleidomastoid muscle. This report not only adds to the knowledge of anatomists but will hold good to surgeons, anaesthetists and radiologists as well.

Keywords

Sternocleidomastoid, Spinal Accessory, Sternal, Clavicular.

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