Analgesic activity of ethanolic extract of roots of Prosopis cineraria (l.) Druce.

Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce is a deep rooted, nitrogen fixing, multipurpose tree endemic to the hot deserts of India. Its synonym is Prosopis spicigera. It belongs to the family Leguminosae and subfamily Mimosoideae. In view of its medicinal importance, the present research was focused on the analgesic properties of roots of P. cineraria by in vitro approach in rats. The analgesic activity of root of Prosopis cineraria was studied using hot-plate method and tail-immersion method in rats. Doses of the ethanolic extract of 200mg/kg & 300mg/kg, orally were selected for analgesic activity. The extract at all the doses used and the Diclofenac sodium significantly inhibited both the analgesic activity for hot plate and tail immersion method. The present study demonstrates the potential analgesic effect of ethanolic extracts of Prosopis cineraria roots. The dose of 200mg/kg b.w is very effective than 300mg/kg b.w in both above pharmacological models.

Analgesic and hypnosis potentiation effect of some 1-(2-benzothiazolyl)-1-aryl-3-phenyl-4-aryl guanidines.

1-(2-benzothiazolyl)-1-aryl-3-phenyl-4-arylguanidines (I-X) were prepared by oxidation of 1,3-diarylthioureas. The compounds were screened for their analgesic and hypnotic activities in rats. Of these, p-methyl group substituted compound of the series was the most potent analgesic as compared to other compounds of the series. In hypnotic test all the compounds potentiated pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis.

The efflux of nor-epinephrine from platelets in essential hypertension.

The precise role of sympathetic nervous system in initiation and/or maintenance of essential hypertension is unclear even today. Platelets have been used as a suitable model for studying neuronal turnover of biogenic amines. The present study comprised of hypertensive subjects (23) and normotensive controls (10). Hypertensive subjects exhibited significantly enhanced norepinephrine efflux from platelets at both 30 minutes and 60 minutes (p less than 0.001). The percent norepinephrine efflux from platelets correlated with diastolic (r = 0.66 and 0.76) and mean arterial blood pressure (r = 0.54 and 0.65) but not with systolic blood pressure. The norepinephrine efflux rate (K) similarly correlated with diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure in hypertensive subjects studied. From the above findings it appears that operative sympathetic nervous system activity is enhanced in essential hypertension. The enhanced efflux of norepinephrine from platelets may also indicate activated state of platelets in hypertension. Both could be important in genesis and complications of essential hypertension.

Effects of commonly used NSAID's on gastric mucosa. A clinico-endoscopic and histopathological study.

Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) are one of the most commonly used agents in clinical practice today. All these drugs are known to produce gastro-intestinal lesions. In the present study we found that aspirin, indomethacin and phenylbutazone caused gastric mucosal damage in 90.9%, 100%, respectively while ibuprofen and paracetamol caused gastric mucosal damage in 33.3% and 37.5% respectively. Thus latter two drugs were safer NSAID's. Further more we have demonstrated that endoscopic monitoring of the patients on NSAID's is a sensitive method of early detection of gastric mucosal damage. This monitoring may be particularly valuable in high risk subjects on NSAID's.

Effects of commonly used non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on gastric mucosa. A clinical, endoscopic and histopathological study.

Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are known to produce gastro-intestinal lesions. In the present work we found that aspirin, indomethacin and oxyphenbutazone caused gastric mucosal damage in 90.9%, 100% and 100% respectively, while ibuprofen and paracetamol caused damage in 33.3% and 37.5% of cases respectively. Thus the latter two drugs were much safer NSAIDs. Furthermore we demonstrated that endoscopic monitoring of patients on NSAIDs is a sensitive method for early detection of gastric mucosal damage. This monitoring may be particularly valuable in high risk subjects on NSAIDs.

Ultrastructural changes in parietal cells in iron deficiency anemia.

Eighteen patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and 14 age and sex matched control subjects were studied with regard to ultrastructural changes in parietal cells. The control subjects had normal hemoglobin and serum iron levels and endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Thirteen cases of iron deficiency anemia had chronic superficial gastritis on light microscopy. Ultrastructural abnormalities in the parietal cells, such as indented or pyknotic nucleus with irregular outline, grossly distorted canalicular system, abnormal large empty spaces in the cytoplasm and paucity of mitochondria, were demonstrated in all IDA patients but not in controls. The presence of superficial gastritis and ultrastructural changes were not related either to hemoglobin or serum iron levels in the IDA group.

Q-T interval changes in acute transmural myocardial infarction.

The serial Q-T interval changes were studied in 29 survivors of acute transmural anteroseptal (11 patients), extensive anterior (10 patients), and inferior (8 patients) myocardial infarctions admitted 4 to 48 hours after the acute episode. Q-T prolongation evidenced by abnormal Q-T ratio was a constant and almost universal feature detected in 28 (97.06%) patients. The maximum Q-T prolongation was observed on an average about 36 hours after the onset of acute episode. Patients with anterior myocardial infarction had significantly higher Q-T ratios than inferior myocardial infarction group. There was a rapid decline towards normal in anteroseptal and inferior myocardial infarction groups in which it settled during initial six days, whereas, in extensive anterior myocardial infarction group, it took a longer time beyond six days to settle. The normalization of Q-T interval did not correspond to settling down of the elevated ST segment. Patients having ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT and frequent VPBS) (14) had significantly higher Q-T ratios than those without arrhythmias. Further, the Q-T ratio was significantly higher in patients with VT (4) than in those with frequent VPBs (10). Alterations in Q-T ratio were not related to severity or extent of infarction and occurrence of heart failure. It is concluded that prolongation of electrical systole (Q-T interval) is a constant phenomenon after acute transmural myocardial infarction, magnitude and time course of its alterations being related to location of infarct and its electrical complications. It does not seem to have any correlation with mechanical complications of infarction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)