R G Singh
Banaras Hindu University, India
Title: The Tribal drug Salacia in the management of diabetic, kidney disease
Biography
Biography: R G Singh
Abstract
Different variety of herbal plant salacia (from celastracea family) are available.The important species of salacia are oblonga, chinesis, rosburgai, reticulatea etc. Out of that salacia, oblonga is quite effective. This plant has been used by tribal population for treating no. of medical ailment. The root of the plant was initially used to tide over the hunger at the time of femine since it produces temporary anorexia. After taking small bit of root the person did not feel hunger for one to two days. Subsequently few reports have suggested that it lowers the blood sugar level in diabetics, thus helps in controlling blood sugar and diabetes and also preventing long term complication of diabetes. No. of studies have revealed that it also reduces LDL, VLDL, total cholesterol and TG and increases HDL cholesterol causing beneficial effects in lipid metabolism
Various components like athocyanidins, catechins, phenolic acids, quinines, friede-oleananes triterpene quinine-methides and related triterpenoids (celastroloids), mangiferin, gutta-percha, and dulcitol have been isolated from plants of the salacia species.
The animal studies with highest single dose-2000mg/kg. of body weight in rat was given and no untoward effects was noticed in neurobehavioral toxity , histamine levels, hemopoitic function, LFT and renal function. In the clinical study with one year follow up 102 patients were included in the study out of which only 90 completed the follow up. They were devided in two groups age, sex, matched. Both the groups received antihypertensive specially calcium channel blocker, centrally acting antihypertensive drugs and vitamin supplements. One group was given the trial drug (salacia oblonga) as add on therapy for one year and followed at monthly interval. The salient findings are as follows.
Male pre-dominated 78-80 % in both the groups, common symptoms at presentation were weakness, anorexia, vomiting and edema. There was no significant symptomatic deteriotation in DN patients who received salacia no adverse effect or allergic reaction was noticed in patients suggesting that the salacia is safe. Majority of patients at presentation were hypertensive and baseline blood pressure in group 1 and 2 were comparable respectively. Strict blood pressure control was achieved in both the groups. There was stable kidney function as measured by serum creatinine and blood urea in patients who received, salacia as compared to DN patients who did not receive the trial drug, suggesting that the drug may retard the progression of patients of diabetic nephropathy. The salacia group also showed anti-proteinuric effect and had significant impact on fasting blod glucose level in diabetic nephropathy but there was no effect on post-prandial glucose level. It had no significant effect on cholesterol , HDL, LDL, and TG. Drug decreased the level of Homocystine significantly in DN patients. C-Reactive protein and Endothelin levels also decreased significantly in the trial group. TNF-α did not decrease in diabetic nephropathy patients who received herbal compound.
In conclusion it seems that salacia a tribal drug seems to have promising role in the management of diabetic kidney disease.