Pharmacognostical And Phytochemical Evaluation Of The Drug Sahadevi (cyanthillium Cinereum (l.) H. Rob.)

Sahadevi (Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob.) (Family Asteraceae) commonly known as Purple Fleabane in English, Sahadei in Hindi and Poovankurunthila in Malayalam, an erect annual branched herb with pubescent cylindrical stem found as a weed throughout India is extensively used in folkore medicine. The present paper highlights the pharmacognostical and phytochemical characters of the plant to give clear standards for identification of the drug. Microscopic evaluation of root, stem and leaf as well powder microscopy of the plant were carried out. Physicochemical parameters like moisture content, total ash, water insoluble ash, acid insoluble ash, volatile oil content, sugar content, fibre content, alcohol soluble extractive and water soluble extractive were studied. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the plant Sahadevi [Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob.] showed the presence of steroid, flavonoid, glycoside, saponins and tannin. The present study signifies the use of TLC and HPTLC fingerprint profiles of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the drug for determining the identity, purity of the drug and also for developing standards. The findings drawn from the study substantiates the genuineness of the drug Sahadevi [Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob.], which is at par with the descriptions available in the authentic books.

Study to compare CT and MRI evaluation in cerebral venous thrombosis

Introduction: Cerebral venous thrombosis possible causal factors and clinical manifestations are many and varied; imaging plays a primary role in the diagnosis. Aim: The purpose of study was to compare CT and MRI findings, in evaluation of parenchymal abnormalities, recanalization. Materials and methods: It was prospective study done in 42 patients all patients with clinical suspicion of CVT, intracranial vascular malformation, and/or with intracranial hemorrhage of unclear etiology undergone a standardized MR imaging protocol, including the study protocol sequences. Results: Cerebral venous thrombosis was more common in the females; 24(57.2%) out 42 members. 20(47.6%) members had cerebral venous thrombosis. Staging chart showed majority of cases come to hospital at subacute stage; 33 (78.5%) cases. A total of 32 cases out of 42 underwent both CT and MRI. Cerebral venous thrombosis detected by MRI was 100 % in our study and diagnosed 32 out of 32 cases but CT failed to pick up the lesions in six cases. 11 Sites of thrombosis identified in these patients, Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis was most commonly involved in 78.5% cases (33 out 42). Thrombosis identified with clot on T1WI as hyper intense on 78% cases (33 out 42), Iso intense in 11% (5 out 42) and No signal intensity in 9% (4) cases. On T2 WI, hyper intense in (59%) 25 case out 42 cases, iso intensity in (19%) 8 cases, no signal intensity in 9 cases (21%). On FLAIR, clot appears on hyper signal intensity in 28 % (12 case out 42), iso intensity in 26 % (11 case in 42), no signal intensity in (45%) 19 cases. On DWI clot appears on hyper signal intensity in 26% (11) cases, is intensity in 21% (9) cases, no signal intensity in 52% (22) cases. With follow up 9 cases with complete recanalization, 2 cases with partial recanalization, no change in only one case. Conclusion: MR imaging should be used as routine imaging modality for cerebral venous thrombosis.

Radionuclide Esophageal Transit Scintigraphy in Primary Hypothyroidism

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Esophageal dysmotility is associated with gastrointestinal dysmotility in various systemic and neuroregulatory disorders. Hypothyroidism has been reported to be associated with impaired motor function in esophagus due to accumulation of glycosaminoglycan hyaluronic acid in its soft tissues, leading to changes in various contraction and relaxation parameters of esophagus, particularly in the lower esophageal sphincter. In this study we evaluated esophageal transit times in patients of primary hypothyroidism using the technique of radionuclide esophageal transit scintigraphy. METHODS: Thirty-one patients of primary hypothyroidism and 15 euthyroid healthy controls were evaluated for esophageal transit time using 15–20 MBq of Technetium-99m sulfur colloid diluted in 10–15 mL of drinking water. Time activity curve was generated for each study and esophageal transit time was calculated as time taken for clearance of 90% radioactive bolus from the region of interest encompassing the esophagus. Esophageal transit time of more than 10 seconds was considered as prolonged. RESULTS: Patients of primary hypothyroidism had a significantly increased mean esophageal transit time of 19.35 ± 20.02 seconds in comparison to the mean time of 8.25 ± 1.71 seconds in healthy controls (P < 0.05). Esophageal transit time improved and in some patients even normalized after treatment with thyroxine. A positive correlation (r = 0.39, P < 0.05) albeit weak existed between the serum thyroid stimulating hormone and the observed esophageal transit time. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients with primary hypothyroidism may have subclinical esophageal dysmotility with prolonged esophageal transit time which can be reversible by thyroxine treatment. Prolonged esophageal transit time in primary hypothyroidism may correlate with serum thyroid stimulating hormone levels.

Investigation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of leaves of Dalbergia paniculata (Roxb)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of orally administered methanolic leaf extract of Dalbergia paniculata (D. paniculata) in Carrageenan induced inflammation in rats.@*METHODS@#In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated for superoxide radical, Hydroxyl radical and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Three doses 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of D. paniculata were tested for anti-inflammatory activity in Carrageenan induced rat paw edema model and paw thickness was measured every one hour up to 6 h.@*RESULTS@#The methanolic leaf extract of D. paniculata produced dose dependent inhibition of Superoxide radical, Hydroxyl radical and DPPH radicals. In Carrageenan induced inflammation model, all three doses produced significant percentage inhibition of rat paw edema and 800 mg/kg dose produced maximum percent inhibition of rat paw edema (47.83%) at 3h compared to control group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#In the present study we found that methanolic leaf extract of D. paniculata showed good in vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in rats.