Neurochemical and behavioral effects of Cinnamomi cassia [Lauraceae] bark aqueous extract in obese rats

Obesity is a risk factor leading to a number of chronic and metabolic disorders. Obesity is the fifth leading cause of global deaths. At least 2.8 million adults are dying each year as being overweight or obese. Cinnamomi cassia is widely used traditional medicinal plant, used indigenously, to decrease glucose and cholesterol. 5-Hydroxy Tryptamine [5-HT; Serotonin] is an important neurotransmitter reported to be involved in the pathophysiology of anorexia. Present study was designed to investigate the neurochemical and behavioral effects of cinnamon bark aqueous extract [CBAE] in obese rats and to find the possible involvement of 5-HT in reducing the body weight in these experimental animals. CBAE was repeatedly administered orally in the test animals for 5 weeks. A decrease in the food intake along with a concomitant increase in brain 5-HT level was observed in rats administered with CBAE. Findings may help in extending therapeutics in the pathophysiology of obesity and related eating disorders. Decrease activities in behavioral models were also monitored in CBAE treated animals.

Computational study on the geometry optimization and excited - state properties of riboflavin by arguslab 4.0.1

Riboflavin [vitamin B[2]] belongs to a group of respiratory enzymes that occur widely in animals and plants participating in vital oxidation- reduction processes in the body. A computational study was conducted on riboflavin by ArgusLab 4.0.1 to obtain the most active conformation of riboflavin and to analyze its excited-state properties. The best conformation of riboflavin was found to be -199.2173 kcal/mol which is the minimum potential energy calculated by geometry convergence function by ArgusLab software; performed according to Hartree-Fock calculation method. Electronic transition states [ground and excited], were also calculated and visualized by semi-empirical ZINDO method by ArgusLab from which molecular properties such as energies, wave function and dipole moments were established. All the results obtained from geometry optimization and excited-state properties lead us to delineate the active sites with charged groups of riboflavin to interact with the receptors. Such types of investigations are significant for drug -receptor interactions

Conformational analysis [geometry optimization] of nucleosidic antitumor antibiotic showdomycin by arguslab 4 software

Showdomycin is a naturally maleimide antitumor antibiotic of the C-nucleoside, it inhibits the nucleic acid synthesis in bacteria. Conformational analysis and geometry optimization of showdomycin was performed according to the Hartree-Fock [HF] calculation method by ArgusLab 4.0.1 software. The minimum potential energy is calculated by geometry convergence function by ArgusLab software. The most feasible position for the drug to interact with the receptor was found to be -0.269696 K.cal/mole

Treatment outcome in patients of hepatitis B with hepatitis D: experience of 4 years at a tertiary care centre in Pakistan

To determine HBV suppression in patients with dual HBV and HDV infection after 48 weeks with 10.0 MID of interferon-a 2b. Quasi experimental study. Civil Hospital, Karachi and Lyari General Hospital, Karachi, from July 2003 to June 2005. All HBsAg positive patients were screened for anti-HDV, all positives were included. Baseline investigations, liver chemistries and HBsAg; HBeAg; anti-HBcore IgM; HBV DMA quantitative PCR were done. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and decompensated cirrhosis were excluded. Patients were treated with Interferon-a 10.0 MID sc t.i.w. for 48 weeks. HBeAg and quantitative HBV DNA was done at week 0, 24 and 48 while CBC and SGPT were done monthly. HBV suppression was defined as levels <400 copies/ml. Fifty-two patients were selected for intervention, including 34 males and 18 females. At the end of therapy after 48 weeks, HBV DNA suppression was achieved in 51.9% and HBeAg became undetectable in 53.8% of patients. Twenty -one patients with HBV suppression still had raised SGPT. HDV should be screened in all patients eligible for HBV treatment

Frequency and comparative analysis of hepatitis in patients seeking treatment for hepatitis B

To find the frequency of hepatitis 'D' in patients of hepatitis 'B' seeking treatment and to compare clinical and biochemical features in patients harboring HDV with those who are not. Cross-sectional study. Medical Unit-IV, Civil Hospital Karachi, Medical Unit-VI and Surgical Unit-VII, Lyari General Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi; from July 2003 to June 2005. HBsAg positive patients seeking treatment were enrolled in the study. Anti-HDV was done in all. Patients were split into two groups according to their anti-HDV status into HDV positive and HDV negative groups. Liver biochemistries and viral profile for HCV, anti-HBc IgM and HBeAg were done and compared between the two groups. A total of 246 patients were selected. HDV was positive in 66 [26.8%] patients. No significant difference was observed in the frequency and stages of cirrhosis between the two groups while significant differences were observed in the mean SGPT [95% CI: -381.09 to -110.74; P = 0.001] and albumin levels [95% CI: 1.87 to 7.73; P = 0.007] and in the frequency of HBeAg [P = 0.001], anti- HBc IgM [P = 0.02] and HBV DNA [P < 0.001]. HDV infection was common in patients with HBV in this cohort of patients. All patients of HBV should be screened for HDV before treatment decision for the former is taken

Computer aided conformational analysis of sulfonated azo dyes diammonium orange G [C 16H10N2O7S2] [NH4]. 4H2O

The present work describes the conformational analysis of diamomonium orange G [C16H10N2O7S2[NH4]. 4H2O] by using kitaigorodsky function. The minimum potential energy was found to be -0.0099839 at fc1=16o and fc 2=360o

Conformational Analysis of 2- [4- [5-Bromo-3-Methyl Pyridyl] Butyamino] -4-Pyrimidone

Potential energy of 2-[4-[5-Bromo-3-Methyl pyridyl] butylamino]-4-pyrimidone was calculated. This calculation suggests that most stable conformation existed at W1=220°, W2=220° and the minimum potential energy was -0.00807 kcal/mole

Computer aided conformational analysis of 2'-Deoxy-3'-5'-Di-O-Acetyl Adenosine

Conformational analysis of 2'-Deoxy-3'-5'-di-0- acetyl adenosine has been carried out on the basis of potential energy calculations. The allowed regions found to be from omega = 0 [degree] to 40 [degree] and omega = 160 [degree] to 360 [degree]. It is suggested that in these regions, the molecule has maximum activity

Conformational analysis of [Pd [diethylenetriamine] [guanosine]] [CIO[4]][2]

[Pd [diethylenetriamine] [guanosine]][ClO4] 2 is used for the treatment of tumour. Potential energy calculations are performed to establish structure activity relationship of [Pd [diethylenetriamine] [guanosine]] [ClO4] 2. These calculations indicate that. the drug has allowed conformation in the region of 0 degree to 60 degree, 1600 to 240 degree and at 360 degree. The region of 80 degree to 140 degree and 260 degree to 340-degree rotation is not allowed. The most feasible position for the drug to interact with receptor would be at minimum potential energy in the regions from 0 degree to 60 degree, 160 degree to 240 degree and at 360 degree

Conformational analysis of 2-[alpha-D-lyxofuranosyl] maleimide

2-[alpha-D-Iyxofuranosyl] maleimide is one of the analogues of the alpha anomer of the antitumour antibiotic showdomycin. Conformation of 2-[alpha-D-lyxofuranosyl] maleimide on the basis of potential energy calculation is reported. These calculations indicate that the drug has allowed conformation in the region of omega = 0° to 20°, omega = 80° to 120° and at omega = 360°. The region of omega = 140°-340° is not allowed. The most feasible position for the drug to interact with receptor would be at minimum potential energy in the regions from omega = 0° to 20°, omega = 80° to 120° and at omega = omega = 360°