Evaluation of Anti-Depressant Potential of Medicinal Ghrita

This article aims to evaluate the possible antidepressant effect of the Ghrita prepared from the combination of these plants and to provide probable scientific explanations for using medicated Ghrita (ghee) in Ayurvedic system of medicine. Herbs for Ghrita like Marsilea quadrifolia, Lawsonia inermis, Mimosa pudica, Piper betle were collected freshly during the month of June. One part Kalka (herb bolus), 4 parts pure cow ghee, and 16 parts Dravadravya were used to make Ghrita (Swarasa). Anti-depressant potential of the Ghrita was evaluated by forced swimming, tail suspension, locomotor activity, rota-rod test (motor co-ordination), elevated plus maze (EPM) model, and hole board test were used to assess the Ghrita's anti-depressant potential. According to the Irwin schedule, Gritha medication reduces alertness but has no effect on other parameters, but imipramine treatment reduces responsiveness, alertness, grooming, and writing reflexes to some extent. Following 14 days of therapy with medicinal Ghrita, the immobility time in the forced swim test and the tail suspension test were reduced by 29% and 42%, respectively. In the rotarod test, it had no significant effect on muscle gripping ability when compared to control animals, whereas imipramine produced a significant result. It was observed that the medicinal Gritha significantly (p<0.05) decreases the locomotor activity in actophotometer test and head dips counts in hole board test as compared to control at the end of 14 days study in a 5 minute observation. Ghrita increased the number of entries in the elevated plus maze by 50% and the time spent in the open arm by 72%. The results of this investigation suggest the possible antidepressant potential of medicinal Ghrita.

Spinal epidural cavernous hemangioma with myelopathy: a rare lesion.

A case of pure epidural cavernous angioma involving the dorsal region of the spine is presented. The clinical picture was of a slowly progressive compressive myelopathy. Imaging studies only showed a dorsally located epidural mass lesion. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of this rare type of lesion. The patient improved after excision of the lesion.

Forensic entomology analysis professional help in Karanataka case.

In a sensanational case, one ex-mininster of Karnataka Government was kidnapped in the month of August 2002 by the notorious forest brigand and was held as hostage. The deceased body of the said hostage was found in the month of December 2002 in the forest area near Changadi village of distict, Karnataka. The autopsy on deceased body was conducted and during autopsy the entomological evidence was collected which was referred to Karnataka FSL for analysis. Since the expertise and facilities were not available, the Karnataka FSL further referred the samples to the Medico-legal Institute, Bhopal for professional Help. The present paper is enumerating the valuable entomological analysis about PMI estimation drawn by us, certainly providing the scientific assistance in the forensic entomology. Thus the awareness among the forensic experts to use this Institute as a prime reference center on the subject should be well understood.

Ethylene dibromide poisoning homicide or suicide.

A married lady was admitted to the hospital with the history of forcible ingestion of grain preservative by her in-laws prior to the three days of admission. Symptomatic and supportive treatment was given the lady passed away after two days. The viscera were sent to the institute for chemical examination. The presence of bromide was determined in the viscera and it was finally decided as a case of Ethylene dibromide poisoning. The history given by the deceased and the circumstances of admission to the hospital after three days of incidence evolve the suspicion whether it was a case of homicide or suicide. The details are discussed in the paper.

Synchronous use of maggots and diatoms in decomposed bodies.

The use of maggots and diatoms conjointly has proved to be an important factor in the medicolegal cases referred with advance decomposition. In practice it is quite much difficult to determine Post Mortem Interval (PMI) and as well as to ascertain ante-mortem drowning factor in the bodies, which are being recovered with advance putrefaction. However the analysis of co-existing evidences associated with corpses viz: Maggots and diatoms may reveal to draw fairly sound inferences, relating to PMI and drowning mode of death as well, especially in the decomposed bodies. Otherwise, it would not be possible to solve the cases of this nature. The present paper enumerates the two case studies recently reported in year 2003 emphasizing about the medicolegal application of both the evidences simultaneously in the cases with advance decomposition.

It too happens: Two unusual case studies.

A 54 years male admitted to the hospital with history of illness and stomach ache. He died suddenly after 3 days. The autopsy findings were suggestive of fatal injuries. The viscera were found positive for phosphorus. Second case was 32 years male admitted to the hospital with the history of vomiting, headache, stomach burning and constriction of chest. He expired on second day. The post mortem findings were suggestive of throttling. Viscera were positive for aluminium phosphide.