ABSTRACT:
Vitalex, a marketed Ayurvedic preparation is being used extensively for the treatment of stress and strain syndrome, metabolic disorders, hormonal disturbance, chronic illness, etc. Literature survey revealed involvement of oxidative stress in several diseases. Oxidative stress can be reduced by using antioxidant. Therefore, it was decided to carry out clinical study of this marketed Ayurvedic preparation to assess its antioxidant property and its use in diabetic induced stress. Clinical study was carried out in healthy volunteers as well as in diseased patients by considering two parameters namely behavioural and oxidative stress parameters. Behavioural parameters included anxiety, depression, acidity, constipation etc. and these parameters were further marked as mild, moderate and severe according to the intensity. Oxidative stress parameters included lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione content (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity (CAT). The protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee at J. N. Medical College and Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha. Both parameters were studied before and after treatment with the marketed Ayurvedic preparation. After completion of protocol of behavioural parameters, blood was withdrawn from diabetic patients and was analyzed for various oxidative stress parameters. The present finding revealed decrease in LPO level and increase in level of GSH, SOD and CAT activity by the treatment of Vitalex, indicating reduction in oxidative stress in diabetes. Thus, it was concluded that the Vitalex had antioxidant property because of which there was reduction in oxidative stress.