Diabetes

Major focus of research under diabetes program is to study the pre-diabetes, visceral obesity as well as lifestyle on lipid imbalance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its relation with endocrine dysfunction and occurrence of diabetes and diabetic dyslipidemia. The mechanism of action of time-tested ayurvedic and herbal medicine as well as the neutraceuticals is studied by interventional studies in animal models.

The program also has a societal approach which concentrates on generating awareness about T2DM by delivering awareness lectures at colleges and different communities. An effort is specifically made through these lecture to impress the importance of the preventive measures towards T2DM.

Current Research projects

Project 1
Title: Effect of pathadi kashay, trimad and omega 3- fatty acids on diabetic dyslipidemic rats
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with abnormal lipid profiles. Several drugs like statins, niacin and fibrates are available for the treatment of dyslipidemia but they have undesirable side-effects (Krishna, 2011). Herbal medicines are being practiced since thousands of years and they form an important constituent of traditional medicinal systems of India. Herbal medicines involve use of natural elements which helps in eliminating the root cause of the disease (Subramani et al., 2014). These herbal medicines have long recorded history and they were used in ancient Indian, Chinese and Greek, Egyptian medicine for various therapies (Subramani et al., 2014). Polyherbal formulations (PHFs) are known to have high effectiveness and its therapeutic effect is exerted due to the presence of different phytoconstituents (Meena et al., 2009). PHFs result in fewer side effects as compared to allopathic drugs (Krishna, 2011). Although modern allopathic drugs are designed for adequate therapeutic results but administration of most of them comes with unwanted side-effects (Krishna, 2011). Omega 3 fatty acids play an important role in normalizing abnormal lipid profile (Kaithwas and Majumdar, 2012). Pathadi kashay and Trimad are indicated in dyslipidemia in ayurvedic medicine (Ashtang hridaya; Bhavprakash sanvitha) but their therapeutic effects have not been studied against diabetic dyslipidemia.
Project 2
Title: Identifying people with pre-diabetes and simple lifestyle/dietary interventions for reversion to normal glucose metabolism
Present study aims to make optimum use of the window-of-opportunity in pre-diabetic subjects, for reversal to normal glucose metabolism through well-planned psychosomatic interventions, with a set of pre-defined, measurable outcomes. The project includes community-based screening of prediabetic subjects and a two group, randomized, controlled intervention trials.
Project 3
Title: Predictors of Diabetes in first degree relatives of type II DM: Visceral Fat and Visceral Adiposity Index
First-degree relatives (FDRs) of type 2 diabetic patients have considerably increased risk for development of the disease later in life. FDRs have been characterized by multiple aberrations in intermediary metabolism and islet cell function even when glucose tolerance is still normal, the most common finding being insulin resistance, a metabolic feature which has been demonstrated to be a major risk factor for future development of type 2 diabetes. The aim of present study is to evaluate association of Visceral Fat and Visceral Adiposity Index as predictors of diabetes in FDRs of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Research Project Completed:

Project 1
Title: Effects of antidiabetic drugs, visceral obesity and lifestyle on lipid imbalance in type 2 diabetes mellitus and its relation with endocrine dysfunction of adipose tissue and occurrence of dyslipidemia
Project 2
Title: Biochemical and Molecular Studies in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Effect of Nutritional Interventions in Animal Models
Project 3
Title: Modulation of pathophysiology of hepatotoxicity with nutritional and herbal interventions in animal models
Project 4
Title: Studies on Flavonoid Biosynthesis During Strawberry Development and its Nutraceutical Potential
Project 5
Title: Biochemical and molecular analysis of adipose tissues in type 2 diabetic human subjects

Publications: 41

Current Team

Dr. Abhijit Ghadge (Research Assistant)
Dr. Sarika Mane (Research Assistant)
Ms. Pallavi Mandve (PhD Student)
Ms. Tejaswi Chavan (PhD Student)
Ms. Shubhangi Harke (PhD Student)
Mr. Suresh Khadke (PhD Student)