J Altern Complement Med. 2000 Dec; 6(6): 509-17.

Mechanism of increased tolerance to hypothermia after composite Indian herbal preparation II administration.

Kumar R, Shyam R, Divekar HM, Pahwa ML, Srivastava KK.

Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi, India.

OBJECTIVE: Investigation of the mechanism of increased tolerance to stress induced hypothermia after the administration of composite Indian herbal preparation II (CIHP II), a combination of several plant ingredients and minerals. DESIGN: The effect of oral CIHP II administration (1 mg/g of body weight), prior to cold (5 degrees C)-hypoxia (428 mm Hg)-restraint (C-H-R) exposure in rats on cardiac and skeletal muscle oxidation was studied in vitro by estimating conversion of glucose-U-14C and Palmitate-1-(14)C to 14CO2. In vitro adipose tissue lipolysis and incorporation of glucose-U-14C into skeletal muscle glycogen was also studied. RESULTS: A single dose of CIHP II-enhanced resistance to hypothermia (rectal temperature [T(rec)] 23 degrees C) during C-H-R exposure as evidenced by increased glucose turnover rate in heart and skeletal muscle tissue. The blood glucose and skeletal muscle glycogen were conserved. Cardiac free fatty acid oxidation was also increased. During recovery from hypothermia (T(rec) 37 degrees C) blood glucose and muscle glycogen levels were conserved. Five doses of CIHP II increased resistance to cold by increased adipose fat mobilization and cardiac oxidation. Glucose oxidation was spared. During recovery from hypothermia, the glucose turnover and oxidation in skeletal muscle was increased as was fat mobilization from adipose tissue and its oxidation by heart muscle. CONCLUSIONS: CIHP II intake prior to C-H-R exposure resulted in increased glucose turnover rate and fat utilization. This perhaps helped increase the resistance to C-H-R-induced hypothermia and speeded recovery.