Synergistic potential of Zingiber officinale and Curcuma longa to ameliorate diabetic-dyslipidemia

To find the cure of world's one of the leading morbid and mortal disorders; diabetes mellitus and its most prevalent complication, 'diabetic-dyslipidemia', is one of the leading health challenges of 21st century. The use of phytomedicine is a glimmer of hope in this scenario. Studies of current decade have shown that methanolic extracts of Zingiber officinale and Curcuma longa have highly effective therapeutic potentials against the aforesaid disorders, however, which of the extracts has more potential is still unclear. Furthermore, synergistic effect of the extracts has never been studied. Forty-eight Albino adult rats of either sex were randomly divided into eight groups. A-D groups were containing healthy rats while E-H groups were of induced diabetic-dyslipidemic rats. For forty-two days, rats of each group were given either distilled water or Zingiber officinale methanolic extract [ZOME] or Curcuma longa methanolic extract [CLME] or ZOME+CLME therapies at dose rate of 300mg/100 mL dist. H2O/kg body wt/day. FPG and lipid profiles were estimated before and after the trial, and were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA along with Posthoc Tukey's multiple comparison tests. Although, ZOME and CLME significantly [P<0.05] lowered fasting plasma glucose [FPG] levels and controlled lipid profiles in diabetic-dyslipidemic rats; yet, synergistic therapy of both extracts [ZOME+CLME] most significantly [P<0.05] controlled all parameters of diabetic-dyslipidemia [78.00 +/- 1.06mg/dL FPG, 62.00 +/- 0.58mg/dL TG, 66.50 +/- 0.76mg/dL cholesterol, 32.00 +/- 0.36mg/dL HDL, 22.43 +/- 0.64 mg/dL LDL, and 12.40 +/- 0.12mg/dL VLDL]. Our findings may be useful to formulate new medicines having multiple potentials to control diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and diabetic-dyslipidemia

Prevalence of infertility factors in Pakistan

The incidence of various infertility factors in 1386 cases of infertility coming from different parts of Pakistan were studied at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi and Women Clinic and Fertility Advisory Centre, Islamabad [WCFAC] from May 1990 to April 1992. The age, type and duration of infertility was noted: 602 couples [43.4%] had full follow up while 422 [30.4%] had incomplete follow up. The various investigations carried out to evaluate infertility factors have been discussed in detail. The results are grouped into three main groups i.e. male factor, ovulation disturbances and sperm-ovum contact hindrance, which includes tubal and pelvic factors besides other causes. It was found that tubal and other pelvic factors are responsible for infertility in 39.5% cases as compared to 15-30% quoted in various studies. Male factor was responsible in 39.39% and ovulation disturbance was seen in 43.15% which correlates well with similar incidence in literature. It is stressed that evaluation of tubal factor should be resented for specialized centres only, otherwise women are likely to become infertile while being investigated by low grade workers due to the element of sepsis causing tubal blockade. Although the treatment of infertility is not so hopeful here because of costs, yet we can at least help such women by preventing introduction of infection during the course of investigations

Pre-labour spontaneous rupture of membranes

The fetal membranes and liquor are essential for the survival of the fetus. If the membranes rupture early, the fetus is exposed to various risks. As a result of it, perinatal morbidity and mortality rate rises. A total of 125 patients with prelabour spontaneous rupture of membranes were studied. The incidence was found to be 7.09%. The perinatal mortality rate was 275/1000 total births, as compared to 84.7/1000 in the yearly hospital statistics. The women were mostly primigravidae, predominantly in third decade of life. The perinatal mortality and morbidity showed a direct relationship with rupture of membranes-delivery interval, duration of gestation, the apgar scores and weights of the infants. The perinatal mortality and morbidity reached up to 100% in cases of preterm prelabour spontaneous rupture of membranes. As rupture of membrane-delivery interval increases, the risks to the fetus due to infection, prematurity and oligohydramnios also increase. The baby should be delivered soon after rupture of membranes. In case of a preterm baby, the solution lies in an efficient neonatal care