Anticancer investigations on Carissa opaca and Toona ciliata extracts against human breast carcinoma cell line

This study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of two ethnobotanically important plant species Carissa opaca and Toona ciliata against cancer cells. Antiproliferative activity of the plant extracts and their fractions was tested against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line using MTT assay. A concentration dependent inhibition was observed for both crude extracts. C. opaca crude extract showed 78.5% inhibition while T. ciliata showed 57% activity against cancer cells at 500 micro g/ml. Fractions were tested at 200 micro g/ml concentration and were more active than crude extracts. Chloroform fraction of C. opaca showed maximum inhibition 99% followed by ethyl acetate and methanol fraction of C. opaca exhibiting 96% and 94% inhibition, respectively. Ethyl acetate fraction of T. ciliata showed 78% inhibition of cancer cells at the same concentration. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the chemical composition of C. opaca extract containing alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins while T. ciliata had tannins and coumarins. Present investigation suggests that tested plant species possess potent anticancer compounds specially chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of C. opaca and ethyl acetate fraction of T. ciliata can be an important source of anticancer drugs

In vitro cytotoxic activity of Aesculus indica against breast adenocarcinoma cell line [MCF-7] and phytochemical analysis

Aesculus indica [Linn.] [Sapindaceae] is an ethanobotanically important plant specie traditionally used against rheumatism, skin and vein complaints. Cytotoxic potential of Aesculus indica crude leaf extract and its fractions was investigated against MCF-7 cell line. Crude extract of Aesculus indica was prepared in methanol by maceration technique. Crude extract was fractionated into four organic and one aqueous fraction on polarity basis. MTT assay was used to evaluate the reduction of viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. Cell viability was inhibited by Aesculus indica crude extract in a dose dependent manner ranging from 34.2% at 10 microg/ml to 94% at 500 microg/ml. Activity was found in an ascending order from hexane showing 29.8% inhibition to aqueous fraction indicating maximum inhibition, 60%. Phytochemical analysis of crude and fractionated extracts revealed presence of flavonoids, saponins, coumarins and tannins upto varying degrees. Methanol and aqueous fraction of methanol extract of Aesculus indica can be good source of cytotoxic compounds

Hepatitis C virus genotypes in Bahawalpur

This study was conducted at Medical Unit-II Bahawal Victoria Hospital / Quaid-e-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur from May 1st, 2005 to December 31st 2005. The objective of this study was to determine hepatitis C virus [HCV] genotypes in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. In consecutive 105 anti-HCV [ELISA-3] positive patients, complete history and physical examination was performed. Liver function tests, complete blood counts and platelet count, blood sugar fasting and 2 hours after breakfast, prothrombin time, serum albumin, serum globulin and abdominal ultrasound were carried out in all the patients. Tru cut biopsy was performed on 17 patients. We studied HCV RNA in all these patients by Nested PCR method. HCV RNA was detected in 98 patients and genotyping assay was done by genotype specific PCR. Among total of 105 anti-HCV positive patients, HCV-RNA was detected in 98 patients. Out of these 98 patients there were 57 [58.2%] males and 41 [42.8%] females. Their age range was 18-75 years. The age 18-29 years 26 [26.5%], 3o-39 years 35 [35.7%] and 40-75 37 [37.8%], while to [10.2%] patients were diabetics and 34 [34.7%] patients were obese. Liver cirrhosis was present in to [10.2%] patients. Forty two [43.9%] patients were symptomatic while 56 [57.1%] were asymptomatic. Out of 98 patients 11 [11.2%] were un type-able and 87 [88.8%] were typeable. 70/98 [71.4%] were genotype 3; 10/98 [10.2%] were genotype 1; 03/98 [3.1%] were genotype 2; 03/98 [3.1%] were mixed genotype 2 and 3; 01/98 0%] were mixed genotype 3a and 3b. Genotype 3 is the most common HCV virus in our area which shows that both virological and biochemical response will be better. Because HCV genotype 3 is more frequent among the drug users which points towards unsafe injection practices in our area

Frequency of hepatitis B and C seropositivity in prisoners

This study was conducted on prisoners of Central Jail, Bahawalpur and on blood donors at Blood Bank Bahawal Victoria Hospital [BVD], Bahawalpur from Ist August 2005 to 30th November 2005. The intension was to study the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C in prisoners and to note risk factor if any predisposing to the infection. All the prisoners of central jail Bahawalpur present during the study period, aged more than 18 years of either sex were included as the study group and a comparative group was blood donors presenting to blood bank BVH, Bahawalpur during this period. All the cases in study group [2086] as well as control group [9714] were screened for hepatitis B [HBs Ag] and hepatitis C [anti-HCV] infection detected on serum by One Step Test Device. All the positive cases were confirmed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay. After an explanation, verbal consent was taken and a questionnaire was filled before taking samples from all the study group cases. On the basis of screening, prisoners were de vided into seropositive group and sero-negative group. The different variable applied on both the groups were age, sex, occupation, residence, marital status, self shaving / by barber, family history of [H/o] jaundice, H/o blood trans-fusion, operation, tattooing and body piercing, drug abuse, same sex/ extramarital sex and hepatitis B vaccination status. Total prisoners screened were 2086. Out of them 2072 were males [99.3%]. Mean age was 34 years. Total seropositive cases were 249 [11.9%] While during the same period seropositivity in blood donors [control group] was 5.9%. Seropositivity of HBV was 5.6% in study group and 3.1% in control group [p<0.001], HCV was 6.3% Vs 2.8% [p<0.001], statistically very significant difference. Risk factors analysis among prisoners revealed that drug abuse was significantly associated with seropositivity [27% Vs 12%, p value <0.001]. Among drug abusers, very high percentage of intravenous drug users was positive [89.2%, 25 out of 28]. Prisoners shaved by barber were also a t higher risk than self shaving [p value <0.001]. H/o operation [p<0.02] and rural origin [p<0.02] were other significant risk factors. Other risk factors evaluated were not statistically significant. Seroprevalence of hepatitis, both B and C is more in prison inmate than healthy blood donors. Main risk factor in them i is drug abuse, especially intravenous. Other significant risk factor is shaving by barber. There s a need to make some strategy to reduce the risk factors

Functional outcome of ischemic stroke in diabetics

Objective was to determine whether the outcome of ischemic stroke is different or not in diabetics than nondiabetics. Prospective observational. analytical study Study place and Duration; It was conducted in medical unit-2 Bahawal Victoria Hospital, affiliated with Quaid-e-Azam Medical College Bahawalpur from October I, 2004 to September 30. 2005. 132 patients of ischemic stroke, confirmed by CT scan, were enrolled during one year study period. The patients of hemorrhagic stroke, TlA, focal deficits of non-vascular origin and infratentorial lesions were excluded. Patients were devided into two groups; diabetics and nondiabetics and were studied regarding their in hospital outcome according to the modified Rankin Scale. The variables applied were age, sex, hypertension and type of infarct [lacunar/cerebral]. Out of 132 ischemic stroke patients 36 [27%] were diabetics and 96 were nondiabetics. Hjipertension was present in 83 [62%]. Overall mortality wa s 11.3%. Mortality was significantly more frequent in diabetics than nondiabetics [16.6% Vs 9.3% p<0.05]. Disability was also more frequent in diabetics [25% Vs 13.5% p<0.05]. In diabetic group good recovery [8.8% Vs 12.5%] as well as partial recovery [50% Vs 64.5%] was less frequent. Patients <40 years were few in number with good recovery in both diabetics as well as nondiabetics. Diabetics of 40-60 years were found to have significantly high number of deaths [15.3% Vs 7% p<0.05] and disability [15.3% Vs 10.7% p<0.05] than non-diabetics. Similar pattern was seen in patients >60 years. Increasing age was found to be associated with poor outcome in both the groups but poorer in diabetics. Sex did not discriminate the poor outcome in diabetics. The presence of hypertension worsened the out come in both the groups but more in the diabetic group both in term of mortality [20.8% Vs 11.8% p<0.05] as well as disability [33.3% Vs 15.2% p<0.05]. Lacunar infarct was found in few patient with good prognosis while cere bral infarct was associated with poor prognosis and put the diabetics at higher risk in term of mortality [17.6% Vs 9.8% p<0.05] as well as disability [26.4% Vs 14.2% p<0.05]. Diabetes Mellitus is associated with poor outcome of ischemic stroke patients both in terms of mortality and morbidity during acute hospitalization. Hypertension. increasing age and large infarct size further worsens the outcome

Frequency of hepatitis C infection in diabetes mellitus

The study was conducted at diabetic clinic B.V. Hospital/Q.A.M.C Bahawalpur from December 1st, 2004 to March 15th, 2005. Diabetes mellitus and hepatitis C infections are common and emerging problems of the society. Either diabetes mellitus is common in chronic hepatitis C patients as reported initially by Ellison and co-workers or hepatitis C infection is more frequent in diabetes mellitus. We want to study the frequency of hepatitis c infection in diabetes mellitus. To study the frequency of hepatitis C infection in diabetic patients and to note any risk factors of diabetic patients predisposing to hepatitis C infection. A cross-sectionalObservational-descriptive analytic study. A total of 250 consecutive diabetic patients of either sex were compared with 6574 blood donors for hepatitis c infection. They were evaluated for hepatitis C infection by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay [ELISA-3] which is an anti-HCV anti body test. On basis of this test, the patients were divided into two groups, anti-HCV +ve and anti-HCV -ye. Different variables of these patients were studied and compared in these two groups Variables studied were as follows:- Age, Sex, BMI, Mode of therapy area of their residence[rural or urban] Duration of diabetes mellitus, Blood pressure, Nephropathy and Control of diabetes mellitus. Among a total of 250 patients, 120 [48%] were male and 130 [52%] were female. Two hundred and forty-four [97.6%] patients were of type-II DM and 06 [2.4%] patients were of type-I DM. 22 [8.8%] patients were on insulin therapy while 228 [91.2%] were on oral hypoglycemic agents. Anti-HCV test was positive in 69 [27.6%] diabetic patients as compared to blood donors 41 [0.62%]. In anti-HCV positive group, longer duration of diabetic mellitus [15yrs 15.94%], poor control of diabetic mellitus[87%], insulin therapy[17.39%] hypertension[91.3%] and nephropathy[94.2%] were the significant vari ables while BMI, age, sex and whether they were belonging to either rural or urban area were not significant in both the groups. Hepatitis C infection is common in diabetic patients as compared to control group [27.6% vs 0.62%]. Out of diabetic patients HCV infection is more common with longer duration of diabetic mellitus, poor control of diabetic mellitus, hypertension, nephropathy and insulin therapy

Risk factors and early prognosis in stroke

Stroke is still a common disabling and devastating disorder in spite of new post stroke treatment strategies. In this prospective study of 100 CT scan confirmed cases, we identified the risk factors and assessed the immediate prognosis. Analysis of the data showed ischaemic stroke to be 61%, cerebral hemorrhage 34% and subarachnoid hemorrhage 5%. The most likely stroke prone age in both sexes was 60-70 years. Hypertension [58%], ischaemic heart disease [35%], smoking [27%] and diabetes mellitus [18%] were most commonly associated with increased risk for stroke. Overall stroke related in hospital mortality in this series was 17%. 60% patients of subarachnoid hemorrhage, 23% of cerebral hemorrhage and 9.8% of cerebral infarction died of their diseases. Immediate functional outcome was better in cases of cerebral infarction

Advanced hepatic dysfunction. Significance of the oxygen saturation

The aim of this study was to observe the significance of arterial oxygen status in liver dysfunction. Seventy four cases of advanced chronic liver diseases were selected on the basis of history, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations. Attempts were made to elucidate the value of lactate as marker of tissue perfusion in liver dysfunction. The study showed that O[2] saturation is a better criterion as compared to PO[2]. Furthermore arterial lactate can be useful investigation as hepatic perfusion test and prognosis of hypoxemic patients at the stations where blood gas analyzer not available

Role of vasopressin in premenstrual tension syndrome

Premenstrual tension is characterised with the water retention probably caused by rise in secretion of oestradiol. Oestradiol stimulates the secretion of vasopressin on the specific day of manstrual cycle in human and oestrous cycle in rats leading to water retention. Furthermore, oestradiol is reported to stimulate the activity of enzyme, orntthine decarboxylase, which is followed by elevation of plasma vassopressin secretion in the midcycle. In aseries of experiments, an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, difluoromethyl ornithine has proved to inhibit water retention. Thus, a cascade of hormonal and enzymic events sets a rhythm to cause water retension leading to premenstrual tension syndrome

Lactate metabolism in chronic liver disease

The purpose of this study was to observe lactate metabolism in chronic liver disorders. Seventy four [74] cases were selected on the basis of history, clinical examination and laboratory aids. It was tried to correlate the arterial lactate levels with various hepatic functional reserves according to Child's criteria. It was revealed by this study that patients with chronic liver disorders have progressive hyperlactatemia according to decreasing hepatic functional reserve. Furthermore it is suggested that arterial lactate can be helpful in treating such patients when there are concomitant acid-base disturbances