Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome including diabetes mellitus (DM). The inhibition of alpha-amylase is an important therapeutic target in the regulation of postprandial increase of blood glucose in diabetic patients. The present study investigated the alpha-amylase inhibitory and antioxidant potential of selected herbal drugs used in the treatme...

We described a partitioned enzyme-sensor system, which incorporates an immoblized substrate and three or more discrete immobilized enzymes. This instrument measures alpha-amylase activity by passing the solution containing alpha-amylase over a column packed with immobilized starch. The resulting oligosaccharides are successively exposed to a column or columns containing immobolized glucose oxid...

Leukotriene (LT)B4 in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) has been reported to be elevated in airway inflammation. The origin of leukotrienes in EBC is, however, not established. The aims of this study are to measure LTB4 levels in EBC collected in two challenges characterised by a strong neutrophilic airway inflammation and to compare LTB4 levels in EBC with levels in sputum and saliva. LTB4 and a...

The fine structure of plastids and their starch deposits in differentiating sieve elements was studied in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Ultrastructural cytochemistry employing two carbohydrases specific for different linkages was then used to compare the chemical nature of "sieve tube starch" (the starch deposited in sieve elements) with that of the ordinary starch of other cell types. Hypocoty...

Seven Holstein steers (234 +/- 6.4 kg) surgically fitted with pancreatic cannulas, ruminal and abomasal infusion cannulas, and hepatic-portal vein catheters were used in a 4 x 7 incomplete Latin square design experiment to examine the influence of ruminal and abomasal carbohydrate infusion on enzyme secretion and composition of pancreatic juice. Four treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factoria...

CONTEXT Stress is defined as an alteration of an organism's balance in response to a demand perceived from the environment. Diverse methods exist to evaluate physiological response. A noninvasive method is salivary measurement of cortisol and alpha-amylase. A growing body of evidence suggests that the regular practice of Yoga would be an effective treatment for stress. AIMS To determine the K...

Diabetes Mellitus is a major health care problem in India with prevalence of about 66.8 million and it was expected to reach 80 million by the year 2025. Type II diabetes (T2DM) accounts for the majority of all diagnosed cases of diabetes in the world with its prevalence increasing sharply in recent decade.The inhibition of alpha-amylase an enzyme involved in the digestion of carbohydrates, can...

BACKGROUND Good physical fitness seems to help the individual to buffer the potential harmful impact of psychosocial stress on somatic and mental health. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of physical fitness levels on the autonomic nervous system (ANS; i.e. heart rate and salivary alpha amylase) responses to acute psychosocial stress, while controlling for established fact...

Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disease. The nature has a plentiful sources as a remeady for this slow-killing condition. The aim of the present to assess the medicinal plants for anti-diabetic activity by using -amylase and -glucosidase inhibition assay. Anti-diabeticactivities of medicinal plants weredetermined by -amylase and -glucosidase inhibition assay. Results revealed that methono...