ABSTRACT
Objective: Iron deficiency anemia [IDA] is very common in adolescent and adults, especially female. In medical students, it is caused by a number of causes, "including overwork, decrease appetite due to stress and unnecessary dieting". Very little data is available at national level about these health conscious medical students. This "descriptive, cross sectional study, was conducted in public and private Medical colleges of KPK". The main objective of the study was "to determine the Prevalence of IDA in female medical students of KPK"
Study Design: Observational / descriptive study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the department of Pharmacology, Khyber Girls' Medical College, Peshawar From December-2015 to May-2016
Materials and Methods 390-female medical students aged 19 to 24 years have participated in this study'. After formal consent and recording of their demographic information, "Hemoglobin [Hb] and Mean Corpuscular Volume [MCV] was done using digital Sysmex XT-4000i hematology analyzer". Serum ferritin [S-Ferritin] was done using Architect I-2000 analyzer. The identity of all students was kept confidential. All students with, "Hb<12g/dl, MCV<76um [3] and S-Ferritin <11ng/ml were labeled as having IDA and students having Hb>12g/dl, MCV>76um [3] but S-Ferritin<11ng/ml were labeled as having Iron deficiency [ID], but not IDA"
Results: Complete data of all "390 students were available for further analysis". The mean age of the students was 21 +/- 1 years. IDA was present in 6.66% [n=26/390] students, while ID was present in 41.54% [n=162/390] students. Normal iron status was found in 51.80% [n=202/390] students
Conclusion: It is concluded that "ID and IDA are very common in female medical students of KPK. All female medical students should be encouraged to take extra iron to replenish their iron store"
ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate current susceptibility of pathogenic isolates of Staph. aureus against imipenem, methicillin and vancomycin
Methodology: Antibacterial activity was performed using disc diffusion technique
Results: The average zone values were compared by using ANOVA and result found to be significant with p-value <0.001. Highest zone values were found to be 31.36+/-5.14 for imipenem followed by methicillin 23.77 +/- 6.53. The lowest zone value were found to be for vancomycin i.e; 14.76 +/- 4.30. Imipenem was the found to be the most effective drug as 91.67% isolates were susceptible to imipenem. While high degree of resistance was observed among isolates against vancomycin [83.33%] and methicillin [70.83%]
Conclusion: Increase in resistance demands the development and rational use of new, safe and effective therapeutic agents
ABSTRACT
Modern day medical science is still waiting for more potent and safer drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs are no exception
Purpose of the study: Seeds of Mucuna pruriens have shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity and we planned to test flavonoids and alkaloids to find the active principles because both of them are found in relatively higher concentration in seeds of Mucuna pruriens plant
Materials and Methods: Study has been carried out in four groups of eight albino mice each, group I [control], group II [standard], group III [flavonoids] and group IV [alkaloids]. Carrageenan induced paw edema has been used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity by recording the edema development after 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4- hours after Carrageen an injection in the right dorsal surface of hind paw of mice
Results: Flavonoids have shown significant anti-inflammatory activity with p <0.05 after 1-, 3- and 4 hours whereas they have mild activity at 2 hours [P < 0.05]
Conclusion: Isolated flavonoids from Mucuna pruriens seeds have showed significant anti-inflammatory activity whereas alkaloids have not shown any significant anti-inflammatory activity. So, flavonoids are most likely responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect of Mucuna pruriens
ABSTRACT
George Ohsawa One [G.O.1] is a natural product [macrobiotic] made up of powdered carbonized aubergine and unrefined sea salt in a ratio of 3:1, and is extremely inexpensive and easy to make. It is claimed that G.O.1 is an anti-hemorrhagic agent that can be used in accidents, trauma, rectal and internal hemorrhages
Study Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the sample size for large scale study to find effect of G.O.1 and to verify the effectiveness of dosage of G.O.1, Warfarin and Heparin in rabbits
Study Design: Randomized Control trial
Sample Size: 8 male rabbits, 6 - 10 weeks of age, with an average weight of 1300 to 1500 grams were selected to see the effect G.O.1
Study Setting: Department of Pharmacology, Federal Post Graduate Medical Institute and National Health Research Complex, PMRC, Shaikh Zayed Hospital Complex, Lahore
Results: In group 1 rabbits, warfarin was given for 7 days; more than double the baseline values of PT were achieved. The prolonged prothrombin time in the experimental group [group 1A], came down successively after the first and second dose of G.O.1, indicating that G.O.1 did have some effect on bringing down the raised prothrombin time after administration of warfarin. In group 1B, the control group rabbits, where normal saline was used in place of G.O.1, the prothrombin time remained elevated to more than double the baseline value. Thus, normal saline had no effect on prothrombin time raised by warfarin. Mean PT values for Group 1 given warfarin in Interventional group [1 A] given G.O.1 was 12.75+/- SD 4.6. In control group given normal saline [1 B], it was 17.0 +/- SD 2.0. In group 2, the activated partial thromboplastin time was raised to almost three times the baseline value after administration of heparin for 7 days. In both, group 2 A, the experimental group and 2B the control group, both G.O.1 and normal saline had no effect on raised activated partial thromboplastin time. Mean APTT value for Group 2 given heparin in interventional group [2A] given G.O.1 was 29.3 +/- SD 9.3. In control group given normal saline [2B], it was 36.5 +/- SD 2.0
Conclusion: The prolonged prothrombin time in experimental group, was successively reduced after the first and second doses of G.O.1, indicating that G.O.1 did have some effect on bringing down the raised prothrombin time after administration of warfarin. G.O.1 did not have any effect on prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time
ABSTRACT
Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera] is rich in bioactive compounds and has so many beneficial properties
Objective: The project was designed to evaluate its current susceptibility against pathogenic organisms in comparison with antibiotics used now-a-days
Methodology: Roots of the Withania somnifera plants were collected, washed, dried, and group to powder. The extraction procedures were done using Chloroform in multiple phases. Antibacterial activity was done against pathogenic strains of E. coli and staphylococcus aureus isolated from the patient's specimen by the Kirby Bauer Technique
Results: The average zone values against E. coli isolated were found to be Withania somnifera [28.15+/- 2.39], followed by Ciprofloxacin [19.3 +/- 9.30], Cefotaxime [16.46 +/- 9.86], and Gentamicin [12.57+/- 2.19]. Withania somnifera was giving significantly higher zone than all the three drugs. Difference was significant as all the cases were with p-values <0.001. In all the cases of E.coli isolates, Withania somnifera was found to be effective and no resistance was found. Whild sensitivity of Ciprofloxacin, Cefotaxime, and Gentamicin, was 17.50%, 15%, and 2.50% respectively. The average zone values against Staphylococcus aureus isolates were found to be Imipenem [31.36 +/- 5.14], followed by Withania somnifera [29.16 +/- 2.21], Methicillin [23.77 +/- 6.53], and Vancomycin [14.76 +/- 4.30]. Withania somnifera and Imipenem were giving significantly higher zone than other two drugs with p-values <0.001. In all cases Withania somnifera was effective against Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Methicillin and Vancomycin showed no response in 58.33% and 16.67% cases respectively, showing complete resistance. Vancomycin was the most resistant and Withania somnifera was the most sensitive one
Conclusion: Results showed efficient antibacterial activity of Withania somnifera root extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Withania somnifera showed highest zone of inhibition in culture plates. Results were compared by using ANOVA and Chi-square
ABSTRACT
Medicinal plants have been used as analgesics since millennia
Purpose of the study: Seeds of Mucuna pruriens have shown to possess analgesic activity and we planned to test flavonoids and alkaloids to find the active principles because both of them are found in relatively higher concentration in seeds of Mucuna pruriens plants
Materials and Methods: This study has been carried out in four groups of eight albino mice each, group I [control], group II [standard], group III [flavonoids] and group IV [alkaloids]. Formalin paw licking test has been used to evaluate the analgesic activity by recording the number of lickings for 30 minutes after formalin injection in dorsal surface of left hind paw
Results: Flavonoids have shown significant analgesic activity [mean no. of lickings 24.25 +/- 8.97] p<0.05. While alkaloids have not shown any significant analgesic activity [mean number of lickings 39 +/- 6.78]
Conclusion: Isolated flavonoids from Mucuna pruriens seeds have showed significant analgesic activity whereas alkaloids have not shown any significant analgesic activity. So, flavonoids are responsible for the analgesic effect of Mucuna pruriens
ABSTRACT
In this double blind controlled study, the effects of intramuscular Dexamethasone on neuropraxia development of inferior alveolar nerve and lingual nerve following the surgical removal ofmandib ular third molars were studied after 24 hours. Patients who were contraindicated to the use of steroid i.e. hypertensive, GIT ulcer, diabetics, bacterial infections, history of thromboembolic events, psychosis, patients taking other medication chronically and pregnant were excluded from this study. Out of total 200 hundred impactions cases, 100 cases received 8mg intramuscular dexamethasone one hour prior to surgical extraction but it was not given to other 100 cases of control group. The overall rate of paresthesia of lingual nerve was 15% and of the inferior alveolar nerve 6.5%. On comparison no statistical difference in neuropraxia within the dexamethasone group and control group was noted. P value for lingual nerve was 1.000 and for inferior alveolar nerve 0.390 so both had no significance statistically [p>0.05]
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Dexamethasone/pharmacology , Double-Blind Method , Mandibular Nerve , Lingual Nerve , Mandible , ParesthesiaABSTRACT
Objective: the objective of this study was to evaluate current susceptibility of pathogenic isolates of E coli against ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime and gentamicin
Methodology: antibacterial activity was performed using Kirby Bauer Technique
Results: the average zone values were compared by using ANOVA and result found to be significant with p-value <0.001. Highest zone values were found to be 19.31+/-9.30 for ciprofloxacin followed by cefotaxime 16.46+/-9.86. The lowest zone value was found to be for gentamicin i.e. 12.57+/-2.19. Resistance against ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime were 82.5% and 85 % respectively. While high degree of resistance was observed among isolates against gentamicin [97.5 %]
Conclusion: increasing resistance against ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime demands coordinated monitoring of activity and rational use of these antibiotics and development of new, safe and effective therapeutic agents
ABSTRACT
Objective: we have conducted a study to evaluate the protective effect of Ficus Carica [Anjiir] leaf extract on elevated levels of cardiac enzymes due to Doxorubicin toxicity in rats
Material and Methods: 30 Albino rats were divided into 3 groups of IO each, one of which was control group. The 2nd group received intraperitoneal Doxorubicin, while the third also had oral feed of Ficus carica leaf extract following Doxorubicin injection. Blood was drawn after 10 days by cardiac puncture and serum was prepared for estimation of serum Lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], Creatinine phosphokinase [CPK], Aspartate transferase [AST], serum sodium 'and serum potassium levels
Results: administration of Ficus carica leaf extract via oral route after the intraperitoneal injection of Doxorubicin produced significant decline in serum CPK and LDH levels with p
Conclusion: ficus Carica leaf extract has shown to possess protective effect on cardiotoxicityi.bt Doxorubicin by decreasing the elevated levels of cardiac enzymes
ABSTRACT
Inflammation is associated with pathophysiology of various clinical conditions like arthritis, gout and cancer. Numbers of drugs are being used to treat inflammation but they are partly effective and have significant adverse effect profile. Mucuna, pruriens is traditionally used to relieve fever, pain and inflammation
Purpose of the study: to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of Mucuna pruriens Linn. seed powder
Materials and Methods: this study has been carried out in five groups of albino mice, having eight animals each. Three different doses of Mucuna pruriens Linn seed powder has been given to three groups and anti-inflammatory activity has been compared with the other two groups, standard and control Carrageenan-induced paw edema has been used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and decrease in paw edema after 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours have been interpreted as anti-inflammatory activity
Results: mucuna pruriens Linn seed powder showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in all three groups as depicted by decrease in edema after 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hours [p < 0.05]
Conclusion: mucuna pruriens seed powder showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in all three groups of mice and activity increases with increasing the dose of seed Powder
ABSTRACT
About 5 million people are infected with hepatitis B virus and about 10 million people harbor the hepatitis C virus in Pakistan. Management of chronic hepatitis in Pakistan carries substantial social impact like fear of tolerability of the drug due to its side effects and the most commonly its affordability. Interferon in combination with Ribavirin is used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients. There are about 60 preparations are available in Pakistan imported from different countries with claim of bioavailability more than 90% . Bioavailability of interferon has not been studied yet in Pakistan. This study was designed to find out the first dose bioavailability of the three formulations of interferon alpha 2b which are commonly prescribed by using limited sampling strategy to help the physician to select the drug with maximum bioavailability
Aim and objectives: the study was conducted to see the bioavailability of interferon in three formulations of interferon alpha 2b in patients with chronic hepatitis C patients
Methods: this was a Quasi - experimental study including sixty patients of either gender. These patients were divided into three groups at random after giving them first dose of three million units of interferon alpha 2b subcutaneously. Group 1: Uniferon [Getz Pharma Brand] Group 2: Ceron-alfa [Biocare Pharma] Group 3: Anferon [CCL Pharmaceuticals] Blood samples were collected at 00, 08, 20 hours according to limiting sampling strategy
Results: the bioavailability was found to be 70% , 60% and 55% in group 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The difference was statistically significant [p < 0.5] based on ANOVA and t-test. Almost all patients reported mild interferon side effects [flu-like symptoms, headache]
Conclusions: different formulations have variable bioavailability and there is a strong reason to choose the best drug with maximum bioavailability to give the patient maximum benefit
ABSTRACT
Abstract: Pain is one of the most common symptom though having protective role, but usually unpleasant. So far medicines available for its management are not only partly effective but having significant adverse effects. Purpose of study: To evaluate the analgesic activity of Mucuna pruriens Linn. seed powder
Materials and Methods: This study has been carried out in five groups of albino mice, having 8 animals each. Three different doses of Mucuna pruriens Linn seed powder has been given to three groups and analgesic activity has been compared with the other two groups, standard and control. Formalin paw licking test has been used to evaluate the analgesic activity and decrease in the number of lickings in 30 minutes after formalin injection has been interpreted as analgesic activity
Results: Mucuna pruriens Linn Seeds showed significant analgesic activity as depicted by decrease in number of lickings in 30 minutes period i.e, seeds in lgm/kg group, 32.625 +/- 6.13 and group receiving seeds 2gm/kg 24.25 +/- 6.64. Group receiving 3gm/kg seed powder is 21.0 +/- 8.48 which is significantly less than the control which is 44.125 +/- 5.88 [p < 0.05]
Conclusion: Mucuna pruriens seeds powder showed significant analgesic activity in all three groups and activity increases with increasing the dose of the seed powder
ABSTRACT
Background: the present study was planned to observe the hypoglycaemic effect of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer [Radix rubra] a traditional Far Eastern medicinal plant. This research was performed to study the possible role of medicinal plants in the treatment of Diabetes mellitus type
Study Design: it is a comparative and non interventional study
Study Period: from May 2004 to December 2004
Setting: Department of Pharmacology FPGMI
Subjects and Methods: 96 rabbits were divided into two main groups. Group1 of normal rabbits was further subdivided into 6 subgroups [A-F] of 8 animals each. Subgroup A served as control and received 5 ml of water only. Subgroups B,C and D were administered ginseng root powder in aqueous solution, in doses of 25, 50, 100 mg/kg body weight per 5 ml of distilled water. Subgroup E and F were administered 5 mg of glibenclamide and 250 mg of metformin each dissolved in 5 ml of distilled water respectively. The alloxan diabetic rabbits [Group 2] were also subdivided into 6 subgroups [G-L] on the same pattern. The blood glucose levels were estimated before and 2,4, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 hours after administration of the aqueous solutions of ginseng, glibenclamide and metformin
Results: the aqueous solution of Panax ginseng exerted a significant hypoglycaemic action [P value <0.5] at 2 hours with the 50mglkg dose continuing till 4 hours with the 100 mgkg body weight dose in the normal rabbits. In the alloxan diabetic rabbits there was statistically significant hypoglycemic action [P value <0.5] with the 50 mg/kg dose at the 12th hour proceeding till the 14th hour with the 100mgkg body weight dose. The doses used did not show acute toxicity or result in behavioral changes
Conclusion: from this study, it maybe concluded that the powdered Panax ginseng [Radix rubra] root has a significant, mild and short lived hypoglycemic action in both normal and in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits
ABSTRACT
Alloxan monohydrate is a common drug used for developing experimental diabetes in animals, as streptozotocin, though less toxic than alloxan is considerably costlier. This study aimed to provide an exact and detailed account of alloxan induced diabetes in rabbits as none was available in both local and international literature and in Pharmacology textbooks. This resulted in extremely high mortality in experimental animals i.e., rabbits, leading to inevitably wasted research time and effort for a researcher.Twenty-four healthy rabbits of a local strain weighing 1000 to 1800 g were obtained and kept at the animal house of the Department of Pharmacology Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. They were injected with varying doses of Alloxan monohydrate [from 75mg -1 l0mg]/ kg body weight in order to induce diabetes. The blood glucose RBS levels were estimated 8 days after injecting the alloxan and subsequently randomly at intervals of five to ten days till the rabbits became diabetic. These doses were found to lower the rabbit mortality by 25% as compared to [upto 75%] that was encountered with a single standardized dose of 160mg/kg body weight suggested by Akhtar et al. [1982] or 80mg/kg body weight [Puri and Prabhu 2002]. It was therefore concluded that our proposed regime may be beneficial for future researchers aiming to develop a similar animal model
ABSTRACT
To observe the relaxant effect of Levcromakalim [a Potassium Channel Opener] on the Oxytocin induced contractions of the non-pregnant, isolated rat uterus. This study was carried out in the Department of Pharmacology, Shaikh Zayed, Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore. The Female non-pregnant albino rats [Sprague dawley strain], weighing approximately 150 to 200g were included in the study. The living animals were injected with Diethylstilbestrol [0.1 mg/kg], intramuscularly, 24 hrs before the experiments to make the uterus more sensitive to the effect of Oxytocin. The animals were then sacrificed, the uterus of each animal was dissected out and the isolated uterus was placed in the tissue organ bath, containing Dejalon`s solution which was aerated with 100% oxygen and the temperature of the system was maintained at 32[degree sign]C. First, the normal activity of the isolated uterus was recorded and then the effect of Oxytocin [contractions] was observed. The dose of Oxytocin [1-5micro g] was required to produce sub-maximal contractions of the uterus. Later on Levcromakalim [a potassium channel opener] relaxant effect was observed. The dose of Levcromakalim [1-5 micro g] was required to reduce 50% uterine contractions produced by Oxytocin. The concentration [dose] of Oxytocin required to produced the sub-maximal contractions of the rat uterus was [Mean +/- SEM] 4.360 +/- 0.644ng. The dose of Levcromakalim required to decrease 50% contractions of the uterus induced by Oxytocin was [Mean +/- SEM] 3.041 +/- 0.364micro g. The study proved that Levcromakalim [a Potassium Channel Opener] is a relaxant of the rat uterus and it can be clinically used in Dysmenorrhea and Pre-mature labour in humans
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of Amlodipine and Simvastatin on the lipid levels of hypertensive obese patients. Amlodipine belongs to the dihydropyridine subclass of calcium antagonist whereas Simvastatin is a competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA [3Hydroxy 3Methyl Glutaryl Coenzyme A] reductase. Three group of patients of both gender comprises 40 in each were included. Group A [hypertensive obese patients] was given amlodipine, group B [obese patients] was given simvastatin and group C [hypertensive obese patients] was given combination of amlodipine and simvastatin. Blood pressure was checked and tests for serum Cholesterol, serum Triglycerides and serum Lipoprotiens [HDL, LDL] was carried out by Standard kit methods [Merck]. The patients were evaluated three times i.e. before giving the medicines 0 week, at 6[th] and 12[th] week. The patients were advised to take fat free diet and a morning walk. Mean blood pressure of both male and female patients was significantly reduced. It was observed that combined therapy of Amlodipine and Simvastatin, significantly decreased the level of serum cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-Cholesterol and significantly increased the level of HDL-Cholesterol in both sexes, but they did not show any significant synergistic effect as compared to the levels of these parameters in group A [amlodipine] as well as in group B [simvastatin]. A significant weight reduction is observed in male patients which may be due to low calorie diet and physical exercise. It is therefore concluded that synergism with Amlodipine and Simvastatin is not significant as the major action of Amlodipine is on blood pressure and the major effects of Simvastatin is on lipid profile and also reduced the body weight, if patients used calorie restricted diet with some morning walk
ABSTRACT
The present study was designed to estimate the coagulation parameters like fibrinogen degradation products [FDPs], fibrinogen levels, thrombin time [TT], Prothrombin time [PT] and activated partial thromboplastin time [APTT]. In this study, 40 subjects on combined oral contraceptives [COCs] with a contraceptive duration from 3-18 months and 20 normal females without hormonal contraceptives were included. Blood samples were collected for coagulation parameters in accordance with the standard protocol. FDPs and fibrinogen levels were significantly elevated whereas PT, APTT and TT were shortened in subjects using combined oral contraceptives [COCs] as compared to normal controls
ABSTRACT
To determine the use of allopathic drugs [modern medicines] by the practitioners of indigenous system of medicine a review of the Tibbi Pharmacopia was undertaken. The study revealed that 245 allopathic drugs belonging to different pharmacological groups have been included in the Tibbi Pharmacopia. These drugs have been officially recommended for use, for tibbi practioners, by the Board of Unani and Ayurvedic System [herbal system] of Medicine