The main characteristic feature of diabetes mellitus is the disturbance of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism, which results in insulin insufficiency and can also lead to insulin resistance. Both the acute and chronic diabetic cases are increasing at an exponential rate, which is also flagged by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Treatment of diabetes mellitus with synthetic drugs often fails to provide desired results and limits its use to symptomatic treatment only. This has resulted in the exploration of alternative medicine, of which herbal treatment is gaining popularity these days. Owing to their safety benefits, treatment compliance, and ability to exhibit effects without disturbing internal homeostasis, research in the field of herbal and ayurvedic treatments has gained importance. Medicinal phytoconstituents include micronutrients, amino acids, proteins, mucilage, critical oils, triterpenoids, saponins, carotenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, and coumarins, which play a dynamic function in the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus. Alkaloids found in medicinal plants represent an intriguing potential for the inception of novel approaches to diabetes mellitus therapies. Thus, this review article highlights detailed information on alkaloidal phytoconstituents, which includes sources and structures of alkaloids along with the associated mechanism involved in the management of diabetes mellitus. From the available literature and data presented, it can be concluded that these compounds hold tremendous potential for use as monotherapies or in combination with current treatments, which can result in the development of better efficacy and safety profiles.

Reactive carbonyl species (RCS) may originate from the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and sugar in conditions of pathology. They are known to have high reactivity towards DNA as well as nucleophilic sites of proteins, resulting in cellular dysfunction. It has been considered that various pathological conditions are associated with an increased level of RCS and their reaction products. Thus, regulating the levels of RCS may be associated with the mitigation of various metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. In order to perform a comprehensive review, various literature databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, along with Google Scholar, were utilized to obtain relevant articles. The voluminous review concluded that various synthetic and natural agents are available or in pipeline research that hold tremendous potential to be used as a drug of choice in the therapeutic management of metabolic syndrome, including obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and diabetes-associated complications of atherosclerosis, neuropathy, and nephropathy. From the available data, it may be emphasized that various synthetic agents, such as carnosine and simvastatin, and natural agents, such as polyphenols and terpenoids, can become a drug of choice in the therapeutic management for combating metabolic syndromes that involve RCS in their pathophysiology. Since the RCS are known to regulate the biological processes, future research warrants detailed investigations to decipher the precise mechanism.

: Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth has shown potent antidiabetic effect in the past; however, none of the studies have been carried out to explore its effect in diabetic complications including diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. Thus, this review will aim to explore and propose multiple hypotheses regarding its mechanism of action in diabetic complications which includes reduction in oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis, lipid profile correction and direct anti-glycemic effects. : A detailed review including most of the articles, which includes research as well as reviews, available on the internet regarding the concerned topic was performed. The review includes MEDLINE databases using keywords along with their combinations, such as diabetic complications, plants in diabetes, Tecoma stans, renin oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis, diabetic retinopathy, α- glucosidase and α-amylase, among several others. Mostly English-language articles were selected. : Since it has already been reported in various studies that Tecoma stans exhibit anti-diabetic effect, however no information regarding its effects in diabetic complications were reported. This review presents the data which aids in confirming that Tecoma stans can provide promising results in oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, it has been depicted that Tecoma stans has the potential for α-glucosidase inhibition. The mechanism below can explain that Tecoma stans can be used in diabetic complications of diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy. : Tecoma stans may provide an effective natural product to treat hyperglycaemia and prevent subsequent diabetic complications which includes nephropathy and retinopathy.

This commentary presents the view of an Expert Group of Indian nephrologists on adaptation and implementation of the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines for evaluation and management of mineral and bone disorder in chronic kidney disease (CKD-MBD) for practice in India. Zonal meetings of nephrologists drawn from the cross-section were convened to discuss the KDIGO guidelines. Recommendations were presented in a central meeting of zonal representatives. The finalized recommendations were reviewed by all the participants. There was a broad agreement on most of the recommendations made by the KDIGO workgroup. Significant departures in the current guidelines from the previous Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines were also noted. The participants agreed that the available evidence did not allow more precise recommendations, and the recommended best practice suggestions were often based on relatively weak evidence. There is a remarkable lack of data from Indian patients. We comment on specific areas and amplify certain concepts where we feel that further guidance that goes beyond what is stated in the document might help Indian nephrologists in appropriate implementation of the KDIGO guidelines. This commentary is intended to help define practically implementable best practices based on current disease concepts and available research evidence, thereby positively affecting the quality of management of CKD-MBD in India, and eventually improving patient outcomes.

Background: India is considered the world capital of diabetes, proper care and management of the same is the demand of society. The present study is carried out to identify the disease burden of GDM/ overt DM among antenatal cases. The main objective was to study the maternal and fetal outcome of diabetes complicating pregnancy. Methods: The present study was conducted at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College at Tanda, District KangraHP from October 2015 to September 2016. All antenatal cases were screened for diabetes by OGTT 75 gm, 2-hour blood glucose level as per DIPSI guidelines and labelled as GDM/ overt DM. Those who fulfilled selection criteria were enrolled in the study. A total of 6452 cases who attended antenatal clinic during the study duration and were screened were selected for the study. 116 cases were found to have GDM / overt DM. Seventy-nine had GDM with OGTT>140 mg/dl (DIPSI guidelines) and 37 had overt DM with 2 hours PP >200 mg/dl (WHO criteria). Total 100 cases comprised of study group were followed till delivery to study maternal and fetal outcome. Results: The prevalence of diabetes in pregnancy was found to be low 1.79%. GDM was found to be more prevalent than overt diabetes in pregnant women (66% versus 34%). Among the antenatal maternal complications observed missed abortion (11.8% versus 1.55; p=0.026), polyhydraminos (26.4% versus 10.6%; p=0.04) and preterm labour (17.6% versus 4.5%; p=0.003) were significantly more common in overt diabetics than GDM cases. IUFD (8.8% versus 0; p=0.014) was also significantly more common in overt diabetics than GDM case. RDS was found significantly higher in neonates of overt diabetics as compared to GDM mothers (14.7 % versus 1.5%; p=0.009). Conclusions: Early detection and good glycemia control by MNT and insulin, regular antenatal check-ups, patient counselling and compliance, intrapartum fetal monitoring and early neonatal care are keys to improved outcome.