Browsing by Author "Karunakaran, R."

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Biochemical and histopathological changes in Wistar Rats after consumption of boiled and un-boiled water from high and low disease prevalent areas for Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) in North Central Province (NCP) and Its comparison with Low disease prevalent Colombo, Sri Lanka
(BioMed Central,, 2020) Thammitiyagodage, M.G.; de Silva, N.R.; Rathnayake, C.; Karunakaran, R.; Wgss, K.; Gunatillka, M.M.; Ekanayaka, N.; Galhena, B.P.; Thabrew, M.I.
BACKGROUND: Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is prevalent in North Central Province (NCP) of Sri Lanka. Consumption of un-boiled dug well water has been identified as one of the causative factors. This in-vivo study was performed to investigate some of the suspected factors associated with the pathogenesis of CKDu mediated via ground water. METHOD: Rats were given water, collected from high and low disease prevalent areas from the NCP of Sri Lanka and the results compared with those obtained from previously identified low disease prevalent area; Colombo. Blood Urea Nitrogen, creatinine, urinary microalbumin:creatinine ratio together with ALT and AST levels were analyzed and results were compared using one-way ANOVA and paired t-Test. Histopathology was analyzed using non-parametric method. RESULTS: Rats that ingested water from New Town Medirigiriya (NTM) from high disease prevalent NCP reported significantly elevated microalbumin:creatinine ratios compared to other water sources after 8 months, whilst boiled water from NTM had been able to significantly reduce it. Histopathological findings after the 14 months experimental period revealed significantly high tubular lesion index in rats that ingested water from NCP compared to Colombo. Rats that ingested water from high disease prevalent Divuldamana (DD) from NCP showed the highest kidney lesion index though the fluoride content was relatively low in this area compared to other water sources from high disease prevalent NCP. Rats that ingested boiled and un-boiled water from NTM also developed severe lesions whilst the group from Colombo reported the lowest. Low disease prevalent area from NCP, Huruluwewa (HW) also reported elevated liver enzymes and altered renal histopathology. Association of Na+:Ca2+ ratio in the disease progression was not reflected by the current study. Compared to Colombo, high fluoride, calcium and sodium contents were observed in water from high disease prevalent areas. All the water samples were negative for heavy metals. CONCLUSIONS: Though Fluoride is a known kidney toxic agent it cannot be the sole reason for CKDu in NCP, Sri Lanka. Various toxic elements present in NCP water may contribute to different grade of kidney and liver lesions in Wistar rats. KEYWORDS: BUN; CKDu; Microalbumin:creatinine; NCP.
Effects of white coconut oil, virgin coconut oil and grated coconut on blood glucose and serum lipids in Wistar rats
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2015) Samaranayake, H.A.E.; Chackrewarthy, S.; Karunakaran, R.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effects of white coconut oil (WCO), virgin coconut oil (VCO) and grated coconut on blood glucose and serum lipids in Wistar rats. METHOD: Four groups of male Wistar rats (1-4) were maintained on four isocaloric test diets, containing WCO, VCO, WCO + grated coconut (1:1 ratio) and VCO + grated coconut (1:1 ratio) respectively. After 36 weeks of feeding blood glucose and serum lipids were assayed. Results were analysed using SPSS version 16.0. RESULTS: Compared with the baseline levels, mean blood glucose levels decreased in all four groups; -13.87, -7.22, -41.88, and -41.85 mg/dt respectively. Rats fed with mixtures of oil and grated coconut (groups 3 and 4) showed a significantly higher decrease in blood sugar (p<0.05) compared with diets containing oil only (groups 1 and 2). No significant differences (p>0.05) in blood sugar levels were observed between groups fed with diets containing oil only or between groups fed with diets containing mixtures of oii+ grated coconut. Compared with baseline levels, mean differences in serum total cholesterol (TC) were 9.05, -8.08, 6.11,1.65 mg/dl, triglycerides -31.1, -20.75, -30.5, -49.8 mg/d! and high density lipoproteins (HDL) -1.47, 8.32, 0.816, -10.82 mg/dl in groups 1-4 respectively. Although statistically not significant, lower TC and higher HDL levels were observed in rats fed with VCO containing diet. CONCLUSION: Inclusion of grated coconut in the diet results in significant hypoglyceamic action. Although statistically not significant VCO may have beneficial effects on serum lipids which warrants further investigation.
The gastroprotective effect of ethyl acetate fraction of hot water extract of Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn and its underlying mechanisms
(BioMed Central, 2017) Karunakaran, R.; Ira Thabrew, M.; Thammitiyagodage, G.M.; Galhena, P.B.; Menuka Arawwawala, L.D.A.
BACKGROUND: Antacids, anticholinergic drugs, histamine H2- receptor antagonists and irreversible proton pump inhibitors have been used for the treatment of gastric ulcers. However, prolonged use of these drugs may lead to series of adverse effects such as diarrhea, headache, rash, hypertension, muscular and joint pain. Therefore, there is an urgent need of more effective and safer treatments with fewer side effects. The aim of the present study was to scientifically evaluate the gastroprotective activity of fractions of the hot water extract of Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn (Family: Cucurbitaceae) aerial parts with a view to identifying the fraction with the best gastroprotective activity and the possible mechanism/s by which this fraction exert gastroprotection. METHODS: Gastroprotective activity of hexane fraction (HF), ethyl acetate fraction (EF), butanol fraction (BF) and aqueous fraction (AF) were evaluated by the assessment of ability to reduce the ulcer index in ethanol-induced rat model and the mode of action by which the most active fraction mediating gastroprotection. RESULTS: EF showed the maximum gastroprotection effect followed by BF and AF. EF (75 mg/kg) exhibited significantly higher gastroprotection compared to the reference drugs. Further investigations with two lower doses of EF confirmed that EF can mediated a significant and dose dependent gastroprotection. The rats treated with the EF showed significant reduction in free acidity (45%), total acidity (by 48%) in the gastric juice, increased the amount of mucus produced by the rat gastro mucosa and potent antihistamine activity (by 25.6%). EF was also rich in phenolic compounds and flavonoids. CONCLUSION: Gastroprotective mechanism of EF is possibly involves inhibition of acidity, elevation in mucus content, inhibition of histamine and antioxidant mechanisms.
Hypoglycemic and Anti‑lipidemic Properties of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (“Sri Wijaya” Accession) Water‑soluble Nutraceutical in Streptozotocin‑induced Diabetic and Healthy Wistar Rats
(Pharmacognosy Magazine, 2021) Jayawardena, B.; Madushika Wariyapperuma, W.N.; Thammitiyagodage, M.; Karunakaran, R.; Sisira Kumara, W.S.
Background: Hyperglycemia is a serious health crisis worldwide, and more than 90% of the Sri Lankan patients effected with the condition have diabetes mellitus type 2. Natural therapeutic agents can manage the progression of the disease. Objectives: To investigate the hypoglycemic and antilipidemic effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (“Sri Wijaya” accession) water‑soluble nutraceuticals in diabetic‑induced and healthy Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The diabetic and nondiabetic Wistar rats were treated with Cinnamon pressured water, Cinnamon decoction, pretreated pressured water Cinnamon extract for 1 month. The results were compared with the group treated with the positive control, Acarbose untreated normal group. Blood glucose and other biochemical parameters were estimated using commercial test kits. Results: There was a significant difference in the fasting serum glucose, food consumption, and water consumption in rats with induced diabetes. The total cholesterol level was significantly decreased in the normal groups treated with Cinnamon extracts, compared with the untreated groups. There was a significant increase in high‑density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the normal group treated with pressured water Cinnamon extract and decoction when compared with the Acarbose‑treated diabetic group. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly higher in the diabetic group treated with Acarbose than in all Cinnamon‑treated groups. However, no significant difference was shown in normal rat groups for aspartate aminotransferase and ALT. Conclusion: Cinnamon nutraceuticals have the potential to reduce hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. Cinnamon extracts may inhibit α‑amylase and α‑glucosidase enzymes in rat pancreatic tissues.