Molecular phylogenetics of Black Cobra (Naja naja) in Pakistan

Background: Snakes are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica, and on smaller land masses. Being ecologically important, they also cause a large number of bites, leading to millions of deaths. Mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences are being used to identify, characterize, and infer genetic biodiversity among different snake species. Furthermore, phylogenetics helps in inferring the relationships and evolutionary histories among these species. Black cobra is one of the four most venomous snakes in Pakistan. Four mitochondrial (ND4, Cytochrome b, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA) and four nuclear (C-mos, RAG-1, BDNF, and NT3) genes were used to trace diversity and infer the phylogenetic relationship of black cobra in Pakistan. Results: Almost similar phylogenies were obtained through maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference, showing two species of cobra in Pakistan, namely, black cobra (Naja naja) and brown cobra (Naja oxiana). All Naja species were divided into three clades: black cobra (N. naja) and brown cobra (N. oxiana) cladding with different species of Naja; N. naja (Pakistan) cladding with N. naja from Nepal; and N. oxiana showed close relationship with Naja kaouthia from Thailand and Naja siamensis from Thailand. Conclusion: It was confirmed genetically that there are two cobra species in Pakistan, i.e., black and brown cobras. This study will help in not only genetic conservation but also developing anti-venom against snake species.

Effects of Allium sativum [Garlic] on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension

The present study evaluated the effects of garlic on blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension Patients [n=210] with stage 1 essential hypertension were divided into 7 groups named as A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Each group comprised of 30 patients. Each patient in group A, B, C, D and E has received garlic tablets at the dose of 300/mg. 600/mg, 900/mg, 1200/mg and 1500/mg in divided doses per day respectively for 24 weeks while Group F and group G were given tablet atenolol and placebo respectively. Blood pressure readings were recorded at weeks 0, 12 and 24. Present study showed significant decrease in both Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure in both dose and duration dependent manner. In each garlic treated group, significant reduction in SBP and DBP [p<0.005] were observed when compared with atenolol [P<0.005] and placebo

Garlic [Allium sativum] supplementation with standard antidiabetic agent provides better diabetic control in type 2 diabetes patients

Garlic has been used safely since ancient times as both food and medicine in human populations, but studies of its efficacy in the management of diabetes have yielded conflicting results. This study has evaluated the potential hypoglycemic effects of garlic in type 2 diabetic patients. The study was conducted in diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients [n=60] with fasting blood sugar level above 126 mg/dl to evaluate the effects of adding garlic tablets with standard antidiabetic therapy on blood sugar. Patients were divided randomly into 2 groups. Group 1 [n=30] was given tablet Garlic [KWAI] 300 mg thrice daily + Metformin 500 mg twice daily and Group 2 [n=30] was given Placebo+Metformin 500 mg twice daily respectively for 24 weeks. Serum lipids and fasting blood glucose were measured at week 0, 12 and week 24. Group 1 showed significant reduction in fasting blood sugar at week 24 with a percentage decrease of [-3.12 percent] [P = <0.005] as compared to group 2 [0.59 percent]. At the end of week 24, GR1 group also showed considerable decrease in mean total cholesterol [6.2 mg/dl, -2.82%, P=<0.005], LDL-C [-3 mg/dl, 2.18% P=0.005], triglycerides [-5.2 mg/dl, 3.12%, P<0.005] while HDL cholesterol was significantly increased [2.36 mg/dl, 6.72%, P<0.005] as compared to GR2 group. Combination of garlic with typical antidiabetic remedy has shown to improve glycemic control in addition to antihyperlipidemic activity. Garlic may be a good addition in the management of patients with diabetes and hyperlipidemia

Toxic effects of multiple anticancer drugs on skin

In this study cutaneous toxicities associated With the administration of chemotherapy in combination are discussed. Rapidly growing cells are the targets of chemotherapy, so the skin, hair follicles, and nail matrix are frequently affected by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy skin reactions are more likely toxic than allergic reactions. There are numerous chemotherapy-induced cutaneous reactions that have beelfi described in the literature. In addition to a variety of miscellaneous reactions, 19 major cutaneous reactions were discussed in current study. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical spectrum of all cutaneous toxicities over two years in hospitalized and ambulatory patients in the Department of Pediatric oncology and to establish probable relationship between the reaction and suspected anticancer protocol with the help of WHO [World Health Organization] Common Toxicity Criteria by Grade. The data on the cutaneous toxicities were analyzed by percentile and ranking method The minimal [0.8%] cutaneous adverse effects monitored during the study were Petechiae, photosensitivity, pruritis, urticaria wound-infection, erythema multiforme, hand-foot skin reaction, injection site reaction, dry skin. Alopecia was the single most common [64.3%] adverse effect observed during the study, where as the pigmentary changes were the second most common [18.2%] adverse effect monitored. While these side effects are generally not life threatening, they can be a source of significant distress to patients especially alopecia

Does adding garlic [Allium sativum] with antidiabetic therapy help achieving better glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients

With high incidence of diabetes and a wide spread belief among the general public that garlic has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors., we designed a study to evaluate the blood glucose lowering effects and potential adverse effects of garlic in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study was a 12 weeks randomized, single-blind placebo controlled study, comparing the additional blood glucose lowering effects of dried garlic powder tablet 300 mg [standardized to provide 1.3% allicin equivalent to 0.6% allicin] twice daily combined with standard anti diabetic therapy [which the patient is already taking] with that of standard antidiabetic therapy alone in type 2 diabetic patients. At the end of 12 weeks it was found that changes in blood glucose [P <0.01] and cholesterol [P <0.001] were significantly different between the garlic and placebo groups. Adding garlic to an anti diabetic regimen could be a good and safe method to achieve a good glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients. Long term clinical trials at different doses of garlic is needed to further strengthen the current findings

Essential hypertension

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus also tend to coexist. The goal of antihypertensive therapy should consist of reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension by a strategy focused on lowering blood pressure while minimizing the impact on other associated cardiovascular risk factors like diabetes mellitus. To observe and compare any change in serum glucose in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension with Atenolol and Amlodipine. Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Basic Medical Science Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi. 12 weeks [90 days] Patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension [N=70] were enrolled in this study and were divided into two groups, each comprised of 35 patients and were given tablet Atenolol 150/100mg once daily and tablet Amlodipine 5/10 mg once daily respectively for 90 days. Fasting Blood glucose was measured on day of inclusion i.e. day 0, day 45 and day 90. At each fortnightly visit, blood pressure was recorded. Atenolol raised mean blood glucose levels from baseline levels of 91.82 +/- 1.34 mg/dl to 99.73 +/- 1.33 mg/dl on day 90 [P<0.001] while Amlodipine had no significant effect on blood glucose level [P= N.S]. Atenolol may not be a good choice for essential hypertensive patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus as it is found to impair the normal glucose metabolism. Long term clinical trials in diabetic patients are needed to confirm the observation of the present study

Comparison between duration dependent effects of Simvastatin and Gemfibrozil on dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes

To observe the duration dependent effects of two important classes of lipid lowering drugs i.e. simvastatin and gemfibrozil in type 2 diabetic patients with dyslipidemia in Pakistani population. Seventy type 2 diabetic patients with newly diagnosed dyslipidemia were enrolled and were divided randomly into two groups each, with 35 patients. Group I patients was given tablets Simvastatin 20 mg once daily and group II patients received tablet Gemfibrozil 600 mg twice daily. The study period comprised of 12 weeks. Fasting lipid profile and fasting blood sugar was analyzed on week 0 [day of inclusion], week 6 and week 12. At week 12 simvastatin decreased serum LDL cholesterol by 36.97% [P<0.001]. In contrast gemfibrozil did not reduce it significantly with a reduction of only 1.33% [P=N.S]. Simvastatin reduced serum total cholesterol and serum triglyceride by 29.88% [P<0.001] and 21.78% [P<0.001] respectively and increased serum HDL cholesterol by 16.67% [P<0.001]. While gemfibrozil decreased serum total cholesterol by 9.14% [P<0.001] and serum triglyceride by 30.84% [P<0.001]. Gemfibrozil raised serum HDL cholesterol levels by 18.08% [P<0.001]. Significant changes were observed in all lipid parameters with both simvastatin and gemfibrozil with regard to duration of treatment. Simvastatin was found to be more effective in lowering serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in comparison to gemfibrozil, which was found to be more effective in lowering serum triglyceride and elevating serum HDL cholesterol levels. Both of these drugs were well tolerated and none of the patients exhibited any significant adverse effects. Both can be given as monotherapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and abnormal lipid profile

Dose response relationships of different reagents for platelet aggregation

Hemostasis in human body depends on a complicated series of events which actively involve blood platelets. Platelets exhibit diverse responses in a variety of agonists. In vivo, most of the agonists act in synergism, causing aggregation of platelets. The synergism between ADP - Epinephrine and Epinephrine - Collagen has been determined in this study by means of turbidometric method, which measures changes in optical density of platelet suspension. The study was carried out at the department of Hematology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi. The subthreshold concentrations of each of the agonists were established with the help of dose response curve. By adding these agonists in subthreshold concentrations, the synergism between ADP - Epinephrine and Epinephrine - Collagen was determined. The subthreshold levels of these agonists when combined showed the synergistic responses m causing platelet aggregation. The study brings to light that the optimal platelet aggregation does occur between the above mentioned pairs of agonists even when each of the agonist is added to the other in subthreshold doses