ABSTRACT
Background: Inflammation is a complex reaction to various injurious agents such as infections, trauma, foreign bodies, tissue necrosis, physical and chemical agents, that consists of vascular responses, migration and activation of leukocytes and systemic reactions. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are currently the most commonly prescribed drugs for treating pain and inflammation. The traditional NSAIDs usually cause various adverse effects on long term use. Gmelina arborea Linn (Gambhari) belongs to family Verbenaceae. The roots, leaves, flowers, fruits and bark are used for treating different ailments as anthelmintic, analgesic, anti-pyretic, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, diuretic and other common disorders.Methods: The study was carried out by using inflammatory models in wistar rats. The anti-inflammatory activity of G. arborea was compared with standard drug aspirin. The study parameters for acute inflammation was assessment of reduction in inflammation & the percentage inhibition of the paw edema. The parameter for the sub-acute inflammation was percentage inhibition of the dry granuloma weight.Results: The low and high dose of G. arborea root extract significantly showed the anti-inflammatory activity when compared to control group. The high dose of G. arborea extract showed comparable results in parameters like reducing inflammation, percentage inhibition of paw edema and dry granuloma weight in acute carrageenan paw edema and sub-acute inflammation cotton pellet granuloma models with standard aspirin treated group.Conclusions: Since G. arborea root extract was having all the qualities required for anti-inflammatory drug. However, no clear inference can be drawn at this stage and hence we consider the work for further extensive research.
ABSTRACT
Background: NSAIDs and opioids are commonly prescribed medications to relieve pain of multiple aetiologies with no effect on the level of consciousness of the patient. They interfere with the mode of transmission of the pain message. A widely prescribed antiepileptic drug, sodium valproate has been used in various non-epileptic conditions like migraine prophylaxis and in the treatment of bipolar disorder because of the multiple mechanisms by which it acts. Vitex negundo has been investigated for antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, hepatoprotective and bronchial relaxant. Very few studies have been done to evaluate its analgesic activity and no study was done on analgesic activity with the combination of modern drug. The more important point to be noted is that Vitex negundo is a natural product and therefore unlikely to cause adverse effects when compared to the traditional drugs used to treat pain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate of analgesic activity of sodium valproate and docosahexaenoic in experimental analgesic models in wistar rats.Methods: For analgesic activity, a total of 36 adult Wistar albino rats were taken and divided into six groups of six rats each. Group I was control (distil water 1ml/kg), Group II received intraperitoneal injection of diclofenac sodium (10mg/kg), Group III, IV were injected intraperitoneal sodium valproate 200, 400mg/kg with distil water respectively and Group V, VI were given sodium valproate 200, 400mg/kg (intraperitoneal) plus EEVN 400mg/kg (orally) respectively. Analgesic activity was assessed using hot plate, tail flick and acetic acid writhing models.Results: Present study revealed that sodium valproate at higher doses (400mg/kg) used either alone along with EEVN (400mg/kg) showed statistically significant analgesic activity in comparison to control in various experimental models for assessing pain.Conclusions: Combination of sodium valproate along with EEVN has shown promising analgesic activity.
ABSTRACT
Background: Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as combination of two or more active ingredients in a fixed ratio of doses. According to the FDA, “two or more drugs may be combined in a single dose when each component makes a contribution to the claimed effects, and the dosage of each component (i.e., amount, frequency, and duration) is such that the combination is safe and effective for significant patient population requiring such concurrent therapy. However, certain disadvantages like incompatible pharmacokinetics, inflexible dose ratio, increased toxicity and cost, contraindication of one component of the FDC decreased their utility. Adverse effect of any one component also limits their use. The aim of the study is to compare and evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices about prescribing fixed dose combinations among junior resident doctors (JRs) and interns (INTs) at SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital Dharwad.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 134 doctors using pre-validated 10 item questionnaire with details of participant’s information followed by questions regarding knowledge, attitude and prescribing practice of fixed dose combinations was used as a tool, administrated to all the resident doctors and the collected data was analysed.Results: Our study revealed that knowledge about FDCs was lacking in JRs and INTs. They were not able to point out the actual advantages and disadvantages of FDCs. Knowledge about rational/irrational, banned FDCs and availability of WHO EML was also lacking.Conclusions: There is need to improve knowledge about rationality, essential medicine list, usage and banned FDCs in undergraduate medical students to promote the rational use of drugs.
ABSTRACT
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is characterized by significant inflammation leading to complications like pulmonary fibrosis, constrictive pericarditis, etc. Drugs possessing anti-inflammatory activity can reduce the complications of infections occurring due to inflammation and fibrosis. To study the effect of rifampicin, isoniazid on acute and subacute models of inflammation in male Wistar rats. Methods: The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of rifampicin, isoniazid was studied using acute (carrageenan paw edema) and sub-acute (cotton pellet granuloma and histopathologic examination of grass pith) models of inflammation. Results: Rifampicin and isoniazid used in the present study showed significant antiinflammatory activity in acute as well as subacute models of inflammation. Conclusion: Rifampicin and isoniazid when administered to treat TB can reduce complications of TB by virtue of its anti-inflammatory activity.