Assessment of Bone Mineral Density in Elders of Various Socio-economic Status with Special Reference to Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a complex heterogeneous disorder of unknown etiology. Why otherwise normal process leads to bone density inadequate to support the body in some people is not known. Although the fracture-precipitating condition of inadequate bone mass is common to all types of osteoporosis, the processes by which this end is reached probably result from etiologies distinctive to each of the types or the many forms of disease. Risk factors for osteoporosis include age, race, sex, body weight, family history, premature menopause, nulliparity, number of lactations, dietary factors, limited exercise, use of cigarette, excessive alcohol consumption, and prolonged use of medications4. Loss of menses at any age is a major determinant of osteoporosis risk in women. Acceleration of bones loss coincides with menopause, either natural or surgical, at which time the ovaries stop producing estrogen. Estrogen and hormone replacement therapy have been shown to conserve Bone Mineral Density [BMD] and reduce the risk following menopause, but young amenorrheic women may also benefit from the use of oral contraceptive agents to promote a normal menstrual cycle. Any interruption of menstruation for an extended period results in bone loss14, 17. Many nutrients and several non-nutrients have been implicated as etiologic risk factors for osteoporosis. At present, safe and effective treatment is not readily available to replace bone that is already lost. It is nevertheless, important to identify women who are at risk of developing osteoporosis as early as possible, so that measures can be taken to prevent further bone loss. Because low BMD is a major risk factor for osteoporosis, its assessment is clinically useful.

Therapeutic Evaluation of Khameera Khashkhash and Arq-e-Gaozaban in Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorder [Iztirab-e-Nafsani/Tashweesh] and its treatment is usually multimodel and among the combination of pharmacotherapeutic and psychotherapeutic intervention is most effective to suppress the anxiety related disorder. Ancient literature is full of psychiatric disorders and their description is mainly based on humoral and temperamental theory. But anxiety itself is not separately explored and rather intermingled along with melancholia, mania, sehar, subara, qutrub etc. This study has been undertaken to explore the anxiety disorder in the light of Unani concept. And a combination of two pharmacopoeial formulations, [viz. Khameera Khashkhash and Arq-e-Gaozaban] already well described for such ailments were evaluated following modern parameters to establish their efficacy in anxiety disorder. The formulations were found effective and results were statistically significant.

Therapeutic evaluation of a combination of Bambusa arundinacea, Calotropis gigantea, piper nigrum, Zingiber officinole, Colchicum autoummale, Asphalt and Calcined iron in gout

Gout [Niqras: derived from Anqaroos meaning greater toe] is not a single disease. The term is used to describe a number of disorders in which crystals of monosodium urate deposit on joints give rise to acute gouty arthritis of metatarso-phalangeal joint of a greater toe in 70% of patients. Several Unani single and polypharmaceutical combinations are reported in literature as being highly beneficial in gout. In this study an attempt has been made to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of drugs in gout [Niqras]. The observations and results were analysed statistically and test of significance was done by applying paired 't' test

Anticoagulant effect ofsome herbal drugs used inunani system of medicine

Atherosclerosis is the degenerative processaffecting all the sections of population of either sex, ageand socio-economic status. If the plaque is complicatedby blood clotting, it causes ischaemia and infarction ofthe tissues or organs, most vulnerable are heart andbrain. In the present [in vitro]study, twelve cardiotonicdrugs were selected which have been used by therenowned Unani physicians. The drugs were purchasedfrom Dawakhana Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, AligarhMuslim University, Aligarh and properly identified.All the drugs were powdered separately and theiraqueous solutions were prepared. Fresh human venousblood was mixed with them. Eight drugs prevented theclotting of blood in different concentrations so theywere identified as having anticoagulant effect. Neitherthe morphology of centrifuged blood cells was altered or hemolysis took place. The details are given in fulllength paper. Out of eight, details of four drugs arebeing given here