ABSTRACT
Ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Sphaeranthus indicus L was investigated for hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced liver damage. Various biochemical parameters were studied to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract. In serum total bilirubin, total protein, acid phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, γ‐Glutamyl transferase, Total Cholesterol and serum triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein were determined to assess the effect of the extract on the paracetamol induced hepatic damage. The study was also supported by histopathology of liver sections. Results of this study revealed that the markers in the animals treated with paracetamol recorded elevated concentration indicating severe hepatic damage by paracetamol, whereas the blood samples from the animals treated with ethanolic extract of roots showed significant reduction in the serum markers indicating the effect of the plant extract in restoring the normal functional ability of the hepatocytes. The dosage of extract of plant roots used was 200 & 300 mg/kg bodyweight of rat. The present study reveals that the ethanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus L 300mg/kg could afford a significant protection against paracetamol‐induced hepatocellular injury.
ABSTRACT
Clinico-microbiological analysis of a series of 25 patients with culture proven melioidosis was done. All patients came from the coastal regions of Kerala and Karnataka and presented between June 2005 to July 2006. They were analysed with respect to clinical presentation, occupation, epidemiology and microbiological features. No single presenting clinical feature was found to be typical of melioidosis. The disease was found to mimic a variety of conditions, including tuberculosis and malignancy. Burkholderia pseudomallei was isolated from blood, sputum, pus, urine, synovial, peritoneal and pericardial fluids. Diabetes mellitus was the most common predisposing factor and 80% of the cases presented during the Southwest monsoon (June to September). It is probable that melioidosis is highly prevalent in western coastal India and yet, greatly underestimated. Better awareness, both among clinicians and microbiologists, coupled with improved diagnostic methods to allow early diagnosis and hence early treatment, will significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.