title: The study of aqueous extract of Ficus religiosa Linn. on cytokine TNF-α in type 2 diabetic rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic systemic inflammation is an early process in pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Hence the present study was aimed to investigate the effect of traditionally known plant Ficus religiosa on elevated glucose and inflammatory marker namely tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in type 2 diabetic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Type 2 diabetes was induced by administering streptozotocin (90 mg/kg, i.p.) in neonatal rat model. Aqueous extract of F. religiosa at a dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg was given orally to desired group of animals for a period of 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of drug treatment, parameters such as fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose and TNF-α in serum were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aqueous extract of F. religiosa at both dose levels i.e., 100 and 200 mg/kg decreased the elevated glucose and TNF-α in type 2 diabetic rats. The extract at 200 mg/kg had more pronounced effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modulation of cytokine TNF-α by the aqueous extract of F. religiosa indicates that the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory property of the plant is related with its potential anti-diabetic activity.
authors: T.V.M. College of Pharmacy, Gandhi Nagar, Bellary-583 103, India.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Kirana
authors: M V
authors: MV
authors: Jali
authors: B P
authors: BP
authors: Srinivasan