CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / O nÃo cumprimento do regime medicamentoso, por parte dos usuÃrios com Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 (DM 2), à um dos principais problemas encontrados para a manuntenÃÃo do equilÃbrio glicÃmico e, consenquentemente, prevenÃÃo das complicaÃÃes micro e macrovasculares do DM 2. O estÃgio desse problema e a melhor forma para detectÃ-lo ainda nÃo estÃo definidos em Fortaleza-CE e em outras partes do paÃs. Dessa maneira, objetivou-se avaliar o cumprimento da terapia farmacolÃgica de usuÃrios com DM 2 aos antidiabÃticos oriais na rede bÃsica de Fortaleza-CE e validar dois mÃtodos indiretos utilizados para medir o cumprimento do tratamento medicamentosos: o teste de Batalla e o teste adaptado de Morisky, Green e Levine e Delgado e Lima (MGLDL). Trata-se de um estudo tranversal e de uma validaÃÃo de critÃrio. Foram investigados 437 usuÃrios com DM 2, de ambos os sexo, na faixa etÃria de 18-92 anos de idade, de 12 Unidades BÃsicas de SaÃde da FamÃlia (UBASF), duas unidades de cada uma das seis regiÃes do municÃpio, durante os meses de marÃo a junho de 2009. Nas UBASF foi utilizado um formulÃrio para coleta das informaÃÃes sociodemogrÃficas, clÃnicas e medicamentosas. AlÃm disso, foi entregue a cada pesquisado uma embalagem plÃstica para armazenagem dos antidiabÃticos orais prescritos. No domicÃlio dos sujeitos foram aplicados o Teste de Batalla, o MLGDL e a contagem dos comprimidos armazenados na embalagem plÃstica disponibilizada. Na determinaÃÃo do cumprimento do tratamento farmacolÃgico a contagem de comprimidos foi considerado o mÃtodo padrÃo ouro. Os dados sofreram tripla digitaÃÃo e foram armazenados no software SPSS. Na anÃlise dos dados foram calculados estatÃstica descritiva, coficientes de validaÃÃo, correlaÃÃo de Spearman e o Alpha de Cronbach. Houve uma maior participaÃÃo feminina (70,3%), daqueles com idade entre 18-59 anos (41,1%) e dos casados (55,8%). A classe econÃmica e escolaridade predominates foram a D (47,8%) e o primÃrio incompleto (38,9%). A prevalÃncia de nÃo cumprimento ao tratamento com antidiabÃticos orais foi de 74,6; 86,3 e 71,2, segundo os mÃtodos de Batalla, MGLDL e contagem de comprimidos, respectivamente. Em relaÃÃo ao padrÃo ouro, o teste MGLDL (66,3%) apresentou uma associaÃÃo maior de casos de nÃo cumprimento ao regime medicamentoso do que Batalla (p=0,000). Todos os coeficientes de validade do mÃtodo de MGLDL foram maiores que o de Batalla. O teste MGLDL apresentou uma melhor correlaÃÃo com a contagem de comprimidos (p<0,001) e exatidÃo do que o de Batalla (0,646>0,561). Portanto, o teste MGLDL demonstrou ser mais qualificado na detecÃÃo de usuÃrios com DM 2 nÃo cumpridores da terapÃutica medicamentosa a partir de antidiabÃticos orais. à pertinente que o enfermeiro da atenÃÃo bÃsica possa conhecer esse mÃtodo, a fim de identificar usuÃrios com DM 2 nÃo cumpridores e orientÃ-los na perspectiva de melhorar sua adesÃo à terapÃutica medicamentosa.

In part 1 of this thesis, the antidiabetic activity of a series of novel oxovanadium(IV) complexes was investigated. A range of bidentate N,O-donor ligands, which partially mimic naturally occurring bioligands, were prepared and reacted with the vanadyl ion to form the corresponding bis-coordinated complexes. Initially, 2-(2ˊ-hydroxyphenyl)-1R-imidazoline (where R = H, ethyl and ethanol) ligands were prepared. The aqueous pH-metric chemical speciation was investigated using glass electrode potentiometry which allowed for the determination of protonation and stability constants of the ligands and complexes, respectively. The species distribution diagrams generated from this information gave an indication of how the complexes might behave across the broad pH range experienced in the digestive and circulatory systems. This information was used to create an improved 2nd generation of ligands that were constructed by combining the imidazole and carboxylic acid functionalities. These corresponding bis[(imidazolyl)carboxylato]-oxovanadium(IV) complexes displayed a broader pH-metric stability. Both sets of complexes improved glucose uptake and reduced coagulation in vitro. In part 2 of this thesis, a range of homogeneous and heterogeneous oxovanadium(IV) catalysts were prepared. Firstly, Merrifield beads were functionalized with ligands from Part 1 and then reacted with vanadyl sulfate to afford the corresponding heterogeneous catalysts. These displayed promising catalytic activity for the peroxide facilitated oxidation of thioanisole, styrene and ethylbenzene as well as the oxidative bromination of phenol red. Smaller imidazole-containing beads with higher surface areas than the Merrifield beads were prepared by suspension polymerization. These beads similarly demonstrated excellent catalytic activity for the oxidation of thioanisole and were highly recyclable. In attempt to increase the exposed catalytic surface area, while retaining the ease of separation achieved in the before mentioned systems, micron to nano sized electrospun fibers containing coordinating ligands were fabricated. The corresponding oxovanadium(IV) functionalized fibers were applied to the oxidation of thioanisole using a continuous flow system. The flexible and porous nature of the fiber mats was well suited to this approach. After optimization of the reactant flow rate and catalyst amount, near quantitative (> 99%) oxidation was achieved for an extended period. In addition, leaching of vanadium was mitigated by modification of the attached ligand or polymer material.

The need for alternative strategies for the prevention and treatment of diabetes is growing rapidly as type II diabetes is reaching epidemic status in our society. This need was the basis for the creation of this study, as it was necessary to start looking towards medicinal plants as potential antidiabetic treatment and no comprehensive in vitro model existed. In creating a model for determining the effects of alternative traditional medicines as antidiabetic potentiates, it was necessary that two metabolic pathways, namely glucose uptake and insulin secretion, which play a significant role in glucose homeostasis, be at the centre of our investigations. The objective of this project was to optimize the methodology required to screen and ultimately determine the effectiveness of the plant extracts Kankerbos and MRC2003, as antidiabetic potentiates, through observing their effects on glucose utilisation and insulin secretion. If these medicinal plants are going to make a positive contribution to the health of type II diabetic South Africans, then the determination of their efficacy is essential. The cell lines used in this study included 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, Chang liver, C2C12 muscle and INS-1 rat pancreatic cells. Each cell line represents a different in vivo organ that is known to have an influence on glucose homeostasis in our bodies, each with its own unique metabolic pathways and mechanisms of activity, thereby making each one a vital component in the study. The positive controls for the two models were insulin and metformin (glucose utilisation) and glibenclamide (insulin secretion). Insulin was shown to provide a significant increase in the amount of glucose taken up in C2C12 muscle and Chang liver cells for acute conditions. Chronic treatments with metformin provided a significant increase in glucose utilised by Chang liver cells. Glibenclamide was an effective positive control for stimulating insulin secretion by INS-1 cells under acute conditions as there was a significant increase in the amount of insulin secreted. MRC2003 did not show any significant antidiabetic activity. Sutherlandia frutescens (Kankerbos) showed biological activities comparable to some of the more recognized antidiabetic compounds throughout the study. With regards to the glucose utilisation model, Kankerbos was seen to have both acute and chronic effects in different cell lines. In the C2C12 muscle cell line, Kankerbos significantly increased glucose uptake when they were exposed to acute conditions. Kankerbos also had a significant effect on the Chang liver cells as it was observed that under both acute and chronic conditions, this plant extract induced the uptake of glucose into these cells. With respect to the insulin secretion model involving INS-1 cells, no significant effect was seen during acute exposure with Kankerbos treatment. However during chronic exposure, an increase in insulin secretion was initiated by this plant extract. Overall, the results of this study suggest that Kankerbos has a twofold mechanism of action for its glucose-lowering effects. Given that Kankerbos is widely available in South Africa, this study was valuable as it provided an indication that Kankerbos has antidiabetic activities and could possibly be used as an alternative antidiabetic medication.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmaceutics))--Mahidol University, 2007. / LICL has E-Thesis 0025 ; please contact computer services.

Objetivo: estimar a prevalência de diabetes autorreferido e caracterizar o diagnóstico e o tratamento do diabetes em adultos de capitais brasileiras. Métodos: Analisaram-se questões adicionais de diabetes do Vigitel 2011, provenientes de 54.144 entrevistas telefônicas. Estimativas de prevalência e seus IC 95% levaram em conta os pesos amostrais atribuídos aos indivíduos entrevistados. Resultados: A prevalência de diabetes autorreferido foi de 5,6% (IC 95% 5,2 – 6,0), aumentando com idade e estado nutricional. O diagnóstico ocorreu aos ≥ 35 anos para 88% dos casos, em média 48 anos para homens e 47 anos para mulheres. A quase totalidade (99,9%) dos casos informou ter realizado exame de glicemia; apenas 28% dos que não referiram diagnóstico prévio não haviam realizado o exame. Um percentual pequeno (1,2%) dos casos não realizou glicemia ou o fez há mais de cinco anos e não faz tratamento para diabetes. A prevalência de diabetes autorreferido em tratamento para diabetes foi de 5,1% e em tratamento medicamentoso de 4,4% (3,4% na região Norte e 5,0% na Região Sudeste; 2,5% em Palmas e 5,1% em São Paulo). Entre os que não relataram ter diabetes, a realização de glicemia foi menor nos homens, nos mais jovens, nos de menor escolaridade e naqueles da região Norte. Conclusões: O elevado percentual de realização de glicemia na população apóia o uso do relato de diagnóstico prévio como medida de prevalência de diabetes. As demais questões permitiram caracterizar melhor o diagnóstico e o tratamento do diabetes, trazendo informações úteis para sua vigilância. Incertezas em relação aos possíveis falsos relatos persistem, limitando correções nas estimativas de prevalência de diabetes atualmente utilizadas. Outros estudos são necessários para estimar diretamente os falsos positivos e negativos e com maior precisão informar o número total de casos de diabetes. / Objective: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported diabetes and to describe diagnostic and treatment patterns in adults living in state capitals of Brazil. Methods: Questions about diabetes added in Vigitel 2011 were analyzed from 54,144 telephone interviews. Prevalence estimates are presented as proportions and confidence intervals, taking into account sample weights assigned to each participant. Results: Prevalence of self-reported diabetes was 5.6% (CI 5.2-6.0) with increasing rates according to age and nutritional status. Diagnosis occurred at ≥ 35 years of age in 88% of cases, on average 48 years for men and 47 for women. Almost all (99.9%) cases of diabetes informed having done a previous glucose test; only 28% of the non cases informed not having done a previous test. A small proportion (1.2%) of cases did not perform a glucose test or did so more than five years before the interview. The prevalence of self-reported diabetes based on being under any type of treatment was 5.1%, and under drug treatment, 4.4% (varying from 3.4% on the North Region to 5.0% on the Southeast and from 2.5% in Palmas to 5.1% in São Paulo). Among non cases, blood glucose testing was less frequent in men, in younger adults, in less educated and in those living in the North region. Conclusions: The high percentage of glucose testing strengthens the use of self-reported diabetes as a measure of diabetes prevalence. The additional questions to Vigitel 2011 allowed a better description of the diagnostic and treatment patterns of diabetes for the means in surveillance. Uncertainty remains about possible false reports, thus limiting corrections in current estimates of diabetes prevalence. Further studies need to be done to estimate directly false reports so as to estimate more accurately the total number and characteristics of cases of diabetes.

Objetivo: estimar a prevalência de diabetes autorreferido e caracterizar o diagnóstico e o tratamento do diabetes em adultos de capitais brasileiras. Métodos: Analisaram-se questões adicionais de diabetes do Vigitel 2011, provenientes de 54.144 entrevistas telefônicas. Estimativas de prevalência e seus IC 95% levaram em conta os pesos amostrais atribuídos aos indivíduos entrevistados. Resultados: A prevalência de diabetes autorreferido foi de 5,6% (IC 95% 5,2 – 6,0), aumentando com idade e estado nutricional. O diagnóstico ocorreu aos ≥ 35 anos para 88% dos casos, em média 48 anos para homens e 47 anos para mulheres. A quase totalidade (99,9%) dos casos informou ter realizado exame de glicemia; apenas 28% dos que não referiram diagnóstico prévio não haviam realizado o exame. Um percentual pequeno (1,2%) dos casos não realizou glicemia ou o fez há mais de cinco anos e não faz tratamento para diabetes. A prevalência de diabetes autorreferido em tratamento para diabetes foi de 5,1% e em tratamento medicamentoso de 4,4% (3,4% na região Norte e 5,0% na Região Sudeste; 2,5% em Palmas e 5,1% em São Paulo). Entre os que não relataram ter diabetes, a realização de glicemia foi menor nos homens, nos mais jovens, nos de menor escolaridade e naqueles da região Norte. Conclusões: O elevado percentual de realização de glicemia na população apóia o uso do relato de diagnóstico prévio como medida de prevalência de diabetes. As demais questões permitiram caracterizar melhor o diagnóstico e o tratamento do diabetes, trazendo informações úteis para sua vigilância. Incertezas em relação aos possíveis falsos relatos persistem, limitando correções nas estimativas de prevalência de diabetes atualmente utilizadas. Outros estudos são necessários para estimar diretamente os falsos positivos e negativos e com maior precisão informar o número total de casos de diabetes. / Objective: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported diabetes and to describe diagnostic and treatment patterns in adults living in state capitals of Brazil. Methods: Questions about diabetes added in Vigitel 2011 were analyzed from 54,144 telephone interviews. Prevalence estimates are presented as proportions and confidence intervals, taking into account sample weights assigned to each participant. Results: Prevalence of self-reported diabetes was 5.6% (CI 5.2-6.0) with increasing rates according to age and nutritional status. Diagnosis occurred at ≥ 35 years of age in 88% of cases, on average 48 years for men and 47 for women. Almost all (99.9%) cases of diabetes informed having done a previous glucose test; only 28% of the non cases informed not having done a previous test. A small proportion (1.2%) of cases did not perform a glucose test or did so more than five years before the interview. The prevalence of self-reported diabetes based on being under any type of treatment was 5.1%, and under drug treatment, 4.4% (varying from 3.4% on the North Region to 5.0% on the Southeast and from 2.5% in Palmas to 5.1% in São Paulo). Among non cases, blood glucose testing was less frequent in men, in younger adults, in less educated and in those living in the North region. Conclusions: The high percentage of glucose testing strengthens the use of self-reported diabetes as a measure of diabetes prevalence. The additional questions to Vigitel 2011 allowed a better description of the diagnostic and treatment patterns of diabetes for the means in surveillance. Uncertainty remains about possible false reports, thus limiting corrections in current estimates of diabetes prevalence. Further studies need to be done to estimate directly false reports so as to estimate more accurately the total number and characteristics of cases of diabetes.

Objetivo: estimar a prevalência de diabetes autorreferido e caracterizar o diagnóstico e o tratamento do diabetes em adultos de capitais brasileiras. Métodos: Analisaram-se questões adicionais de diabetes do Vigitel 2011, provenientes de 54.144 entrevistas telefônicas. Estimativas de prevalência e seus IC 95% levaram em conta os pesos amostrais atribuídos aos indivíduos entrevistados. Resultados: A prevalência de diabetes autorreferido foi de 5,6% (IC 95% 5,2 – 6,0), aumentando com idade e estado nutricional. O diagnóstico ocorreu aos ≥ 35 anos para 88% dos casos, em média 48 anos para homens e 47 anos para mulheres. A quase totalidade (99,9%) dos casos informou ter realizado exame de glicemia; apenas 28% dos que não referiram diagnóstico prévio não haviam realizado o exame. Um percentual pequeno (1,2%) dos casos não realizou glicemia ou o fez há mais de cinco anos e não faz tratamento para diabetes. A prevalência de diabetes autorreferido em tratamento para diabetes foi de 5,1% e em tratamento medicamentoso de 4,4% (3,4% na região Norte e 5,0% na Região Sudeste; 2,5% em Palmas e 5,1% em São Paulo). Entre os que não relataram ter diabetes, a realização de glicemia foi menor nos homens, nos mais jovens, nos de menor escolaridade e naqueles da região Norte. Conclusões: O elevado percentual de realização de glicemia na população apóia o uso do relato de diagnóstico prévio como medida de prevalência de diabetes. As demais questões permitiram caracterizar melhor o diagnóstico e o tratamento do diabetes, trazendo informações úteis para sua vigilância. Incertezas em relação aos possíveis falsos relatos persistem, limitando correções nas estimativas de prevalência de diabetes atualmente utilizadas. Outros estudos são necessários para estimar diretamente os falsos positivos e negativos e com maior precisão informar o número total de casos de diabetes. / Objective: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported diabetes and to describe diagnostic and treatment patterns in adults living in state capitals of Brazil. Methods: Questions about diabetes added in Vigitel 2011 were analyzed from 54,144 telephone interviews. Prevalence estimates are presented as proportions and confidence intervals, taking into account sample weights assigned to each participant. Results: Prevalence of self-reported diabetes was 5.6% (CI 5.2-6.0) with increasing rates according to age and nutritional status. Diagnosis occurred at ≥ 35 years of age in 88% of cases, on average 48 years for men and 47 for women. Almost all (99.9%) cases of diabetes informed having done a previous glucose test; only 28% of the non cases informed not having done a previous test. A small proportion (1.2%) of cases did not perform a glucose test or did so more than five years before the interview. The prevalence of self-reported diabetes based on being under any type of treatment was 5.1%, and under drug treatment, 4.4% (varying from 3.4% on the North Region to 5.0% on the Southeast and from 2.5% in Palmas to 5.1% in São Paulo). Among non cases, blood glucose testing was less frequent in men, in younger adults, in less educated and in those living in the North region. Conclusions: The high percentage of glucose testing strengthens the use of self-reported diabetes as a measure of diabetes prevalence. The additional questions to Vigitel 2011 allowed a better description of the diagnostic and treatment patterns of diabetes for the means in surveillance. Uncertainty remains about possible false reports, thus limiting corrections in current estimates of diabetes prevalence. Further studies need to be done to estimate directly false reports so as to estimate more accurately the total number and characteristics of cases of diabetes.

<p>Bor je bilo koji četinar roda Pinus koji pripada porodici Pinaceae. U Republici Srbiji nalaze se prirodne i ve&scaron;tačke &scaron;ume crnog bora Pinus nigra Arnold. Kora bora se vekovima koristila u tradicionalnoj medicini, međutim tek u novije vreme su otkriveni i potvrđeni njeni pozitivni biolo&scaron;ki efekti u medicini. Najpoznatiji komercijalni preparat kore bora je piknogenol, standardizovani ekstrakt kore francuskog primorskog bora Pinus pinaster Aiton, koji raste duţ obale jugozapadne Francuske. Pozitivni efekti koje ispoljava piknogenol, kao &scaron;to su antioksidativno, hipoglikemijsko, hipolipidemijsko delovanje, zasnovani su na njegovom visokom sadržaju fenolnih jedinjenja. Danas, i pored saznanja da je kora bora bogata sekundarnim metabolitima ona najče&scaron;će zavr&scaron;ava kao nusproizvod drvne industrije. Ciljevi ovog rada bili su ispitivanje kvalitativnih i kvantitativnih karakteristika i biohemijskih aktivnosti ekstrakata kore crnog bora Pinus nigra sa Mokre gore i Tare, dobijenih različitim rastvaračima; upoređivanje glikemijskog i lipidnog delovanja ekstrakta kore bora Pinus nigra sa komercijalnim preparatom piknogenol; uticaj ekstrakta kore bora Pinus nigra i piknogenola na delovanje standardnih antidijabetika metformina i gliklazida; kao i uticaj na parametre oksidativnog stresa nakon izlaganja životinja toksičnoj dozi paracetamola. In vitro ispitivanja su uključivala analizu ekstrakata dobijenih različitim rastvaračima. Ukupni sadržaj fenola, tanina, flavonoida i proantocijanidna, kao i ispitivanje antioksidativne aktivnosti kroz pet različitih metoda, određivani su spektrofotometrijski. Vr&scaron;ena je analiza ekstrakata kore bora visokoefikasnom tečnom hromatografijom (HPLC). In vivo ispitivanje je rađeno na 156 albino laboratorijska pacova soja Wistar. Eksperimentalne ţivotinje su tokom 7 dana per os primale ekstrakt kore crnog bora poreklom sa Mokre gore 100 mg/kg, koji je pokazao najbolju aktivnost, piknogenol 50 mg/kg, metformin 100 mg/kg, gliklazid 10 mg/kg, kao i njihove kombinacije. Za ispitivanje uticaja primenjivanih supstanci na glikemiju ţivotinja kori&scaron;ćeni su test oralnog podno&scaron;enja glukoze i indukcija trajne hiperglikemije aloksanom. Od biohemijskih parametara u serumu je određivana koncentracija lipida, kao i parametric pokazatelji funkcije bubrega i jetre. Ex vivo ispitivanja uključivala su određivanje intenzitet lipidne peroksidacije i anktivnosti enzima antioksidativne za&scaron;tite u homogenatu jetre ispitivanih ţivotinja, nakon primene toksične doze paracetamola. HPLC analizom ekstrakata kore crnog bora utvrđeno je da ekstrakti poreklom sa Mokre gore i Tare u najvećoj meri sadrţe taksifolin, a zatim katehin, njegove derivate, kafenu kiselinu i epikatehin. PotvrĎen je visok antioksidativni kapacitet piknogenola, ali takođe i značajan antioksidativni kapacitet ekstrakata kore crnog bora, sa najboljim rezultatima kod ekstrakta poreklom sa Mokre gore. Sedmodnevni tretman ekstraktom kore bora 100 mg/kg, metforminom 100 mg/kg, gliklazidom 10 mg/kg i piknogenolom 50 mg/kg, kod ţivotinja sa aloksanski izazvanim dijabetesom, doveo je do sniženja glikemije u krvi. Uočeno je povećanje konentracije HDL holesterola i značajno sniženje serumskih triglicerida kod dijabetičnih i normoglikemičnih ţivotinja koje su primale piknogenol, ekstrakta kore bora, gliklazid i metformin u poređenju sa kontrolnom grupom ţivotinja. Zajednička primena ekstrakta kore bora i standardnih antidijabetika značajno je snizila vrednosti AST, ALP i direktni bilirubin u grupi dijabetičnih i normoglikemičnih ţivotinja u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu, čime se ukazuje na potencijalno hepatoprotektivno delovanje ekstrakta kore crnog bora. O&scaron;tećenje jetre izazvano toksičnom dozom paracetamola je potvrđeno ispitivanim parametrima, uključujući oksidativni status u homogenatu jetre i histolo&scaron;ka ispitivanja. Rezultati na&scaron;eg istraživanja su pokazali da piknogenol 50 mg/kg, kao i ekstrakt kore crnog bora 100 mg/kg značajno smanjuju nivo MDA u poređenju sa kontrolnom grupom i grupom koja je primala paracetamol. Na osnovu rezultata istraţivanja može se zaključiti da primena piknogenola i ekstrakta kore crnog bora: ublaţava poremećaj homeostaze glukoze, utiče povoljno na lipidni status, značajno potencira antihiperglikemijsko delovanje metformina i hipoglikemijski efekat gliklazida, sprečava poremećaj biohemijskih parametara pokazatelja funkcije jetre i bubrega u serumu ispitivanih životinja i ispoljava značajno in vitro antioksidativno delovanje i sprečava o&scaron;tećenje jetre laboratorijskih životinja izazvano toksičnom dozom paracetamola.</p> / <p>A pine is any conifer in the genus Pinus of the family Pinaceae. In the Republic of Serbia there are natural and artificial forests of black pine Pinus nigra Arnold. Pine bark has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, but only recently its positive biological effects has been revealed and confirmed in medicine. The most famous commercial pine bark product is Pycnogenol, a standardized extract of the French maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster Aiton), which grows along the coast of southwestern France. The positive effects of Pycnogenol, such as antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, are based on its high content of phenolic compounds. Nowdays, despite the knowledge that the pine bark is rich in secondary metabolites, it usually ends up as a by-product of the wood industry. The objectives of this dissertation were to investigate the qualitative and quantitative characteristics and biochemical activities of the black pine (Pinus nigra) extracts from Mokra gora and Tara, obtained by different solvents; comparison of glycemic and lipid action of Pinus nigra bark extract with commercial product Pycnogenol; the influence of black pine bark extract and Pycnogenol on the action of standard antidiabetics metformin and gliclazide; as well as the influence on the parameters of oxidative stress in animals exposed to the toxic dose of paracetamol. In vitro analyses included the analysis of extracts obtained with different solvents. The total phenolic, tannin, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin content, as well as the antioxidant activity tests, were determined spectrophotometrically. High-efficiency liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed in order to determine black pine bark extract content. In vivo analyses was performed on 156 albino Wistar laboratory rats. Experimental animals received for 7 days per os: black pine bark extract obtained from Mokra gora 100 mg/kg, which showed the best activity; Pycnogenol 50 mg/kg; metformin 100 mg/kg; gliclazide 10 mg/kg; and their combinations. An oral glucose tolerance test and the aloxan-induced hyperglycaemia were used to examined the effects of the substances on experimental animals. Biochemical parameters, the lipids concentration and parameters of the kidney and liver function, were determined in animal serum. Ex vivo analyses included determination of lipid peroxidation activity and the activity of antioxidant protection enzymes in liver homogenates of the test animals, after administration of a toxic dose of paracetamol. HPLC analysis of black pine bark extracts obtained from Mokra gora and Tara showed the greatest content of taxifolin, then catechin, and its derivatives, caffeic acid and epicatechin. A high antioxidative capacity of Pycnogenol was confirmed, but also a significant antioxidant capacity of black pine bark extract, with the best results in the extract obtained from Mokra gora. Seven-day treatment in aloxan-induced diabetes animals with 100 mg/kg black pine bark extract, metformin 100 mg/kg, gliclazide 10 mg/kg and Pycnogenol 50 mg/kg led to a decrease of serum glycemic index. There was an increase in the HDL cholesterol concentration and a significant reduction in serum triglycerides in diabetic and normoglycemic animals which received Pycnogenol, black pine bark extract, gliclazide and metformin compared to the control group. Concomitant usage of the black pine bark extract and standard antidiabetics significantly reduced the levels of AST, ALP and direct bilirubin in the group of diabetic and normoglycemic animals compared to the control group, indicating the potential hepatoprotective action of the black pine bark extract. Damage to the liver caused by the toxic dose of paracetamol was confirmed by the liver homogenate oxidative status and histological examination. The results of our study have shown that Pycnogenol 50 mg/kg, as well as 100 mg/kg black pine bark extract significantly reduce the level of MDA in comparison with the control and the paracetamol treated group. Based on the results of the dissertation, it can be concluded that the use of Pycnogenol and black pine bark extract alleviate glucose homeostasis disorder; positively affects the lipid status; significantly increases the antihyperglycemic effect of metformin and the hypoglycemic effect of gliclazide; prevents impairment biochemical parameters of the liver and kidney function in the serum of the experimental animals; significantly exhibits in vitro antioxidant activity and prevents liver damage caused by toxic dose of paracetamol in experimental animals.</p>