Cytotoxicity of oleanane type triterpene from leaf extract of Pterospermum acerifolium (in vitro) and theoretical investigation of inhibitory signaling pathway / 中草药·英文版

Objective: To evaluate the cytotoxic activity of taraxerol isolated from the leaves of Pterospermum acerifolium and its EtOH extract against human breast, colon, and lung cancer cell lines and docking studies. Methods: The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by several spectroscopic methods such as

Prevalence of Depression among patients with Diabetes Mellitus presenting in Diabetic Clinic Jinnah hospital Lahore

Background: This study [Prevalence of Depression in Diabetics attending Diabetic Clinic, Jinnah Hospital] was conducted to find out frequency of Depression in Diabetics attending Diabetic Clinic, Jinnah Hospital

Objectives: To assess prevalence of depression in diabetics attending Diabetic Clinic, Jinnah Hospital

Study design: Cross-sectional study

Setting: Diabetic Clinic, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore Pakistan

Duration: 5 Months from 16-04-2016 to 20-09-2016

Results: The research showed that there was a prevalence of a state of mild depression among diabetics. There was no significant association of depression with gender and age of patients

Conclusion: From this study we concluded that there is a prevalence of depression among diabetics. Though the depression was of varying degree, on average there is a mild state of depression among diabetics. That being said, diabetics should be regularly screened for depression and do timely intervention, if needed

Synthesis, characterization and antinociceptive activities of Novel 2-[2,4-dichlorophenyl]-4H-chromen-4-one

A novel flavone derivative has been synthesized in good yield from ketone and aldehyde. The structure has been established by different spectroscopic techniques like H NMR, C NMR, IR and elemental analysis. The compound was then screened for its acute toxicity and antinociceptive activity studies on animal model. The novel compound was safe upto a maximum dose of 500mg/kg body weight oral dose in mice and showed 65.92 and 82.18% pheriperal analgesic activity at 15 and 30mg/kg body weight doses. Central antinociceptive activity of the compound was 53.13 and 64.44% at 15 and 30mg/kg body weight respectively

Psychiatric disorders; pattern and trends of patients attending out patient department at govt. Sarhad Hospital for Psychiatric Illnesses, Peshawar

The study was conducted to examine the pattern/trend of psychiatric disorders in a hospital based setting. Conducted at Govt. Sarhad Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases, Peshawar in March-April, 2010. Simple Observational. A Retrospective record review was done to determine the disease pattern for patients examined in the OPD [out patient deptt.]. All the patients who attended OPD in year 2010 and 2004 were included.The diseases were coded and classified according to ICD- 9 and 10. Comparison and Statistical analysis of both years was done. The findings of the study suggested that disease pattern seen at hospital, represents mental diseases prevalent in Distt. Peshawar. It showed the predominance of schizophrenic group and neurotic [31 -35%], stress related disorders [30-31%] group over other diseases. Next were the mode effective disorders [12- 16%] and episodal and paroxysmal disorders group [16-17%]. Drug dependence and mental retardation showed low percentage of 2%. Rest of diseases also showed low percentage. Although similar patterns were observed for both years but there were statistically significant difference between the two years. Hospital utilization pattern is a useful guide to the prevalence of mental diseases in general community.The chronic illnesses consisted of major burden of disease. Major groups were Schizophrenic and Neurotic, and Stress related disorders group. Pattern of psychiatric illness have not changed much from 2004 to 2010. Although the hospital is catering a large number of patients, yet there is a dire need of organizing mental health services at community level to reach undiagnosed patients

Beliefs and attitudes of family members towards patients suffering from conversion disorder

To evaluate the attitudes and beliefs of family members towards patients suffering from conversion disorder. Descriptive Cross Sectional study. Place and Duration of study: The study was carried out in Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital Bannu, Pakistan, from February to May 2013. Subjects and Methods: A consecutive sample of sixty patients, suffering from conversion disorder was approached for the study. Family members were interviewed, using the Urdu version of a questionnaire modified from that of short explanatory model interview [SEMI] by Jackob et al. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 15 using descriptive statistics. Among sixty family members interviewed 56[93.6%] were males, and 30% of them were uneducated. Clinical presentation in most of the patients was in the form of pseudo seizures. One third of the family members were of the view that conversion symptoms were precipitated by stressful events in the close environment. One third of the informants thought that some of the close relative's behavior was working as maintaining factor behind the mental illness. Most of the family members visited psychiatric facility at "other's" advice. Before contacting the nearby mental health facility most of patients were first taken to faith healers [87%]. Ninety percent of them did not agree with any form of punishment therapy for their patients. Majority of family members had reasonable awareness about the psychological nature of the problem. However they also believe in spiritual and super natural forces as causative factors behind the common psychiatric disorder

Performance of Plasma B-Type Natriuretic Peptide as a Diagnostic Biomarker in Heart Failure.

Background: Accurate diagnosis of heart failure (HF) is essential for its proper management and logical drug therapy to reduce morbidity and mortality. On this perspective researcher are in search of a good biomarker as complementary to the clinical parameters to improve the performance of HF diagnosis. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) secreted by cardiac ventricles in HF has emerged as a new promising biomarker in this regard. Objective: To evaluate the performance of plasma BNP as a diagnostic biomarker in HF. Methods: In a cross sectional study 180 clinically suspected HF patients were selected. Their plasma BNP were measured and then subjected to echocardiogram. Patients were categorized as HF and without HF on the basis of echocardiogram and against this information the performance of plasma BNP of study subjects were evaluated as a diagnostic biomarker of HF considering 100 pg/ ml as its cut off point. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, NPV, PLR and NLR of plasma BNP for diagnosis of HF found to be 88 %, 63.8 %, 77.2 %, 75.2 %, 81.0 %, 2.4 and 0.2 respectively. Conclusion: Plasma BNP concentration increases in HF. Based on 100 pg/ml as cut off point, plasma BNP shows good performance in diagnosis of HF.

Plasma BNP as a Biomarker for Clinical Staging of Heart Failure.

Background: Accurate diagnosis and clinical staging of heart failure (HF) is essential for its proper management and logical drug therapy to reduce morbidity and mortality. On this perspective researcher are in search of a good biomarker as complementary to the clinical parameters to improve the performance of HF diagnosis and its clinical staging. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) secreted by cardiac ventricles in HF has emerged as a new promising biomarker in this regard. Objective of the study was evaluation of plasma BNP concentration in relation to the severity of HF and its use as a biomarker for clinical staging of HF. Methods: In a cross sectional study 100 HF cases diagnosed by clinical parameters and echocardiography were enrolled and sub grouped into NYHA classes (I, II, II & IV) depending on clinical severity and functional limitations. Plasma BNP measured in all study subjects and summarized in each of these sub groups. Results: Median plasma BNP concentration in NYHA class-I, II, III & IV found to be 82.7, 267.2, 694.8 & 1530.4pg/ml respectively with progressive rising trend and at 95% CI level the plasma BNP in different sub groups were 64.5-112.7, 214.3-293.5, 626.4-902.4 & 1443.1-2384.4pg/ml respectively. Conclusion: Plasma BNP concentration increases progressively with increasing severity of HF to make it to be used for clinical staging of the disease. In mild, moderate and severe HF plasma BNP proposed to be 100-460, 460-1170 and >1170pg/ml respectively.

Severe recurrent oral ulceration secondary to erosive lichen planus

A case of recurrent progressively severe ulceration secondary to erosive lichen planus is reported. The patient developed marked malnutrition as a result of extensive involvement of the oral cavity. In addition to the oral ulcerations, she also had violaceous spots present over her forearm. Treatment administered in view of histopathological report and clinical presentation, resulted in marked improvement in symptoms and weight gain

Hepatoprotective effects of berberis lycium, galium aparine and pistacia integerrima in carbon tetrachloride [CCL4]-treated rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of mixture of berberis lycium, galium aparine and pistacia integerrima in carbon tetrachloride [CCL4]-treated rats. This study was conducted in the animal house of the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad in the year 2000. A total of 20 rats were divided in 4 groups of 5 rats each. 1. Normal Control Group: with no medication given 2. CCl4 Treated Group: only CCl4 was given 3. Hepatopreventive group: Initially treated with medicinal plants mixture followed by CCl4 4. Hepatoprotective group: Initially treated with CCl4 followed by medicinal plants mixture Then blood sample from each rate was collected and analysed for ALT, AST and ALP. The rates included in the study were male Sprague Dawley rats [albino] weighing 150-300g received from the animal house of the NIH, Islamabad. ALT, AST and ALP activities were significantly raised [P<0.001] in hepatocurative groups as comparative to the normal control, and decreased [P<0.001] as compared to the CCl4-treated rated and the hepatopreventive group. While the hepatocurative group treated with aqueous extract of the mixture of medicinal plants decrease more than treated with suspension of medicinal plants mixture and alcoholic extract. The results this study indicates that a mixture of Berberis lycium, Galium aparine and Pistacia integerrima have hepatoprotective effects. These medicinal plants have more effect as curative agents rather than preventive agents

new flavone glycoside from bridelia monoica

A new flavone glycoside named as tamarixctin-3-O-arabinoside, along with two known compounds, dimethyl ester of terphthalic acid and naringenin-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnosyl [1?4] rhamnose have been isolated from the leaves of Bridelia monoica

great role of Seabuckthorn combating desertification, land sliding and soil control with Seabuckthorn

Seabuckthorn [Hippophae rhamnoides L.] is multipurpose plant whose fruits, seeds, leaves and bark can be exploited, its fruit contains very rich nutrients and bio-active substances [both in its juice and oil] which have been widely used in making food, beverages, medicines and cosmetics. Seabuckthorn is also useful to control the land slidings and soil erosion

Non-nutritive sweeteners, synthetic: part I

The use of sugars and carbohydrates has long been recognised as causing a variety of ailments like obesity, dental caries, diabetes mellitus, heart diseases and other metabolic disorders. It led to the recognition and importance of non-nutritive sweeteners which are the best means of reducing caloric intake. Among such sweeteners are saccharin, cyclamates, dulcin, exathiainone salts etc. The synthetic approaches employed for their synthesis/derivatives have been briefly discussed. Different peptides used have also been briefly mentioned. The comparison of their toxicity and sweetness has been made. The criteria set by the W.H.O. for their use as sweetener have also been reviewed. Thus, the entire background of these synthetic non-nutritive sweeteners has been thoroughly described

Non-nutritive sweeteners plant based: part II

Today there is little disagreement that a real need exists for an alternative to sucrose because sugars and carbohydrates have long been recognized as causing a variety of ailments like heart diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity, dental caries and other diseases associated with carbohydrates metabolic disorders. There exists a genuine need among researchers for acceptable non-nutritive sweeteners to help control calories intake and alleviate diet-related health problems. In this manuscript only naturally occurring non-nutritive sweeteners such as phyllodulcin, non-glycosidic dihydrochalcones, glycyrrhizin and the sweet substances from Rebaudiana have been briefly discussed. The historical discovery of the West African plants, properties of their extracts and the isolation of sweeteners like Monellin, Thaumatins and Miraculin and the potential for commercial applications of these proteins have also been described. The comparison of their sweetness and toxicity has been made and the background of the naturally occurring non-nutritive sweeteners traced as well