Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a standardized hydroalcoholic root extract of Sala¬cia oblonga (SOE) on the Random Blood Glucose (RBG) levels, serum insulin, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and the serum lipid profile in long standing, experimentally induced Diabetes Mellitus (DM) with glibenclamide (Glb) as the standard. Materials and Methods:Streptozotocin (STZ) induced, diabetic, Wistar rats of either sex were treated with two oral doses of SOE, 100 and 50mg/kg body wt /day, for a period of 16 weeks. The RBG was estimated at day-1 and at the end of the 16 weeks by using a glucometer. The fasting serum insulin was determined by an ELISA technique. The plasma HbA1c was evaluated by a Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (TINIA) and the lipid profile was estimated enzymatically.Results and Analysis: A 45% decrease in the RBG was seen after the treatment with the higher dose of SOE, whereas a 44% decrease was observed with the lower dose as com¬pared to the diabetic control. Serum insulin was significantly increased (P<0.05) in all the treated groups as compared to the diabetic control. Plasma HbA1c was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The serum Triacyl Glycerol (TG) levels were signifi¬cantly decreased (P<0.05) in the treated rats as compared to the diabetic control. A significant increase in HDL-cholesterol (P<0.05) in the diabetic rats as a result of the 100mg/kg SOE treatment was a remarkable finding.Conclusion: SOE improves the glycaemic parameters in diabetic rats after a prolonged treatment. The serum TG levels were normalized on treatment. A higher dose of the extract could not alter the parameters significantly, except for HDL-C.

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Salacia oblonga (S. oblonga) is a component of several antidiabetic medications in alternative and folklore medicine. An evaluation of the hydroalcoholic root extract of S.oblonga (SOE) on the hepatocellular and pancreatic environment in the diabetic (Streptozotocin) rodent model was designed. SOE was fed in two doses for a period of 16 weeks. Regeneration of endocrine pancreas, significant increase in hepatic and pancreatic Vitamin C, reduced Glutathione (GSH), Protein thiols (PT) and decrease in Malondialdehyde (MDA measured as TBARS) and Carbonyl proteins (CP) were observed on treatment with SOE. Conversely, there was also an increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT). Corroborating the above findings, histopathological examination of the liver and pancreatic tissue showed disrupted architecture in treated rats. It may be suggested that SOE has a sustained hepatic antioxidant effect and improved β-cell structure and function in diabetic rats, but the higher dose was mildly toxic to hepatocytes necessitating an exercise of caution in using SOE for therapy for prolonged periods.

Introduction and Aim: Blood is a lifesaving component on many occasions.  Despite increasing awareness of the importance of blood, there is a wide gap between the demand and supply of blood and its various components. The aim was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices on blood donation among the students of a medical college in Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada.   Materials and Methods: The present descriptive observational study was based on the students’ response to the pre-validated questionnaire which had questions regarding the knowledge, attitudes and practices of blood donation. The students studying in different classes of MBBS had been included in the study. The data was analysed using the statistical software SPSS version 28. Qualitative variables were presented as frequency and percentage and quantitative variables as mean± SD. Chi square test was used to find the association of knowledge and attitudes among the gender, p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.   Results: The MBBS students had an overall good knowledge and favourable attitudes about blood donation. However, many failed to answer some questions regarding the advantage of blood donation and the number of patients who benefited from one unit of blood. We observed a poor practice of blood donation among the MBBS students. This was attributed to lack of opportunity.   Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for awareness programs and advertisements regarding voluntary blood donation.