Diabetes is associated with declining sexual function in both male 1) and female 2) individuals. In case of female, diabetic symptoms consistent with autonomic neuropathy associated with decreased subjective sexual arousal. 3) In recent study Erol et al. noted that women with type 2 diabetes experienced higher prevalence rates of sexual dysfunction when compared to non diabetic. 4) Approximately 80% of diabetic patients complained loss of libido, 60% had diminished clitoral sensitivity, 50% experienced organic dysfunction, 40% experienced vaginal discomfort, and 40% experienced vaginal dryness. 5) Type 1 diabetic women experienced higher prevalence of reduced vasocongestion and reduced vaginal lubrication to erotic stimuli. 6) Thus these clinical studies suggest that both type 1 and type 2 impede the sexual arousal responses in women.Male reproductive alterations have been widely reported in model animals and human with diabetes. 7) Streptozotocin induced diabetes in male rats resulted atrophy of sex organ, changes in histoarchitecture of ventral prostate, 8) diminution in sperm count, 8) along with low levels in plasma gonadotrophins 9,10) and testosterone. 11) The copulatory behavior of diabetic rat has been collapsed 12) along with low fertility in induced normal mating. 12) In human, diabetes is associated with erectile dysfunction 13,14) along with loss of libido 1,5) and abnormal morphology of sperm, low plasma levels of gonadotrophins and testosterone. 15) Though there are several reports about dysfunctions of the male reproductive activity in diabetic state but the data are confusing, and the exact role that insulin plays in the regulation of male reproductive function is still unclear.In traditional practice, medicinal plants are used in many countries to control diabetes mellitus. The National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, established in 1998 by the United States Government where development of herbal medicine is one of the important subjects of study. 16,17) Moreover the herbal drug is of first choice at present because plant drugs are to be less toxic and more free from side effect than synthetic one. 18) M. paradisiaca is a tree like herb belonging to the Musaceae family and different parts of the plant have medicinal value. 19,20) T. indica LINN is tree type of plant belonging to the Caesalpiniaceae family was used as a traditional medicine for the management of diabetes mellitus. 21) E. Jambolana is used as traditional medicine for the management of diabetes. 19) This plant is found all over India and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. Jambu bark cure hemorrhages, burning sensation, dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, excessive thirst, dyspepsia, cough and asthma and is used in preparation of astringent decoction for gargles and washes. 20) Seeds are used for the treatment of diabetes. 20) Coccinia indica is under Cucurbitaceae family and has medicinal importance as observed earlier by others. 22) In our previous work we have reported the antidiabetic effect of some of these plant pa...

the nutritional status of Kora-Mudi children in West Bengal is critical. Appropriate measures should be taken by the respective authorities to improve childhood health and nutritional status.

The present study was designed to investigate diabetes induced germ cell apoptosis in testis and its protection by treatment with hexane fraction of hydro-methanolic extract of root of Musa paradisiaca and leaf of Coccinia indica in composite manner. Testicular oxidative stress injury was reflected by diminution in the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-s-transferase along with elevation in levels of conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in diabetic condition. Serum testosterone and insulin levels were decreased in association with elevation in apoptosis of pancreatic islet cells in diabetic rats. Giant cells number along with elevation in the number of apoptotic cells were noted in seminiferous tubules in diabetic model animals. Significant improvements in the levels of blood glucose, serum insulin and testosterone and testicular oxidative stress parameters were noted versus control after treatment of said fraction at a dose of 2 mg (1 : 3)/0.2 ml olive oil per 100 g body weight per day for 45 days to diabetic rats. Numbers of giant cells in seminiferous tubules, apoptotic germ cells and apoptotic pancreatic islet cells were decreased significantly in fraction treated diabetic group versus control. From UV-spectroscopic and TLC studies in connection with phytochemical screening of the said fraction, phenol, flavonoid and alkaloid types of compound were found. From these results it may be concluded that the active ingredient(s) present in hexane fraction of root of Musa paradisiaca and leaf of Coccinia indica have the potential to correct diabetes-induced testicular germ cell apoptosis.

We evaluated the antihyperglycaemic properties of aqueous-methanolic (40:60) extract of root of Musa paradisiaca and leaf of Coccinia indica in separate as well as in composite manner by conducting experiment on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. We measured food and water intake ability, the fasting blood glucose level, glucose tolerance, activities of important carbohydrate metabolic enzymes like glucose-6-phosphatase, glucose-6phosphate dehydrogenase, hexokinase in liver along with quantification of glycogen in liver and in skeletal muscle and serum insulin level. We noted that after treatment of aqueous methanolic extract of above plant parts in separate as well as in composite manner at a concentration of 80mg/100g body weight/day to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat resulted in a significant remedial effect on blood glucose level as well as carbohydrate metabolic enzymes and the quantity of liver and skeletal muscle glycogen. Serum insulin level that was diminished in streptozotocininduced diabetic rat recovered significantly after the co-administration of extract of above plant parts. All the above parameters showed a more potent remedial effect after composite extract treatment with respect to separate treatment and none of the extract has any general metabolic toxicity induction.

Diabetic therapeutic and antioxidative effects of an ethereal fraction of the ethanolic extract of the seed of Syzygium cumini was studied in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes resulted in a significant elevation in the fasting blood glucose level and in the activity of hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase. There was diminution in the levels of glycogen in the liver and skeletal muscle along with diminution in the activities of hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, catalase and peroxidase in diabetic rats when compared with controls. Hepatic levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and conjugated dienes (CD) were elevated in respect to control. Oral coadministration of the above fraction to diabetic rats resulted in significant protection in all these parameters. Histological studies of the pancreas showed a qualitative diminution in the area and volume of the islet's of Langerhans, but coadministration of the specific fraction resulted in a significant recovery of the islet's of Langerhans. Chromatography study revealed that the used fraction was ferulic acid (FA). Treatment with FA in normoglycemic rats did not show any significant change in the levels of the selected biosensors. The possible hypothesis for the therapeutic effect of FA against diabetes may be due to its pancreatic beta-cell regenerative effect and/or due to its antioxidant properties.