ABSTRACT
The inflammatory process is the response to an injurious stimulus. It can be evoked by a wide variety of noxious agents (e.g., infections, antibodies, physical injuries). Many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, phenylbutazone, indomethacin etc. are in clinical use but all these are not completely devoid of adverse effects2. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of 0. sanctum alone and in combination with indomethacin was studied using formalin-induced rat paw edema. Aqueous extract of O. sanctum (200mg/kg, 300mg/kg or 400mg/kg) was administered alone and in combination with indomethacin (25mg/kg) to separate group of rats and paw volume was measured by plethysmometer and compared with control group. All the test groups showed significant (P<0.05) anti-inflammatory effect in formalin-induced rat paw edema. The reduction of edema by 0. sanctum was better than that of the standard anti-inflammatory drug, indomethacin and on co-administration marginally improved the anti-inflammatory profile of indomethacin. O.sanctum possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity probably due to inhibition of both cyclooxygenase and lipooxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism (dual inhibitory property).
ABSTRACT
Background: Steroid, bronchodilator and the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast have demonstrated efficacy in children with mild persistent asthma, but comparative long-term studies in adult patient with moderate persistent asthma is needed. A randomized and prospective study was undertaken to find out the efficacy of montelukast as add on to β2-agonist and inhaled corticosteroids in patients of moderate persistent asthma. Methods: This was a continuous, longitudinal, prospective study carried out at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Newly diagnosed patients of moderate persistent asthma attending the chest out patient department (OPD) were enrolled. Group I was treated with salbutamol 200 mcg rotacap SOS and formoterol 6 mcg + budesonide 400 mcg rotacap BD. In addition to these medicines group II also received montelukast 10 mg OD. The patients were followed up every two months. Clinical examination and pulmonary function tests (PFT) were carried out at baseline and during each visit. Unpaired ‘t’ test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Comparison of clinical symptoms revealed a better improvement in group II as compare to group I [cough - 83% vs. 33%; breathlessness - 75% vs. 33%; and wheezing - 83% vs. 78%] at the end of one year. A significantly better (p < 0.05) improvement in forced expiratory volume (FEV1) was also observed in group II. Conclusions: Treatment with montelukast leads to better improvement in clinical symptoms and PFT in the patients of moderate persistent asthma.
ABSTRACT
Background: Emergency contraception is applied to prevent pregnancy after 72-120 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. Emergency contraceptive (EC) pill is used to reduce unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion. EC pill is available as OTC in India since 2005. As EC pill highly used among adolescents we carried out to this study among college students. Methods: The study was conducted among female college students. A pre-validated questionnaire was used as tool for the study. It contains consent form and questions knowledge and attitude regarding EC pill. Results: We divided students into group A (medical, paramedical and pharmacy colleges) and group B (nonmedical colleges like science, arts and engineering). In group A 470 and group B 280 students were participated. Knowledge about appropriate time of taking EC pill (within 72 hours after sexual intercourse) was 44% in group A which is significant than 15% in group B. Knowledge about brand name, availability cost and side effects were more in group A than group B. Electronic media was the most common source of information mentioned by both the groups. Attitude regarding advice to use of EC pill to other was more in group A than group B. Conclusions: Knowledge about use of EC pill was higher in group A than group B. Attitude was not positive regarding availability of EC pill as OTC. So education about EC pill among young population is necessary.