Organophosphate and pyrethroid residues in the milk of women and breast cancer patients from Karachi

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of pesticide residues organophosphate and pyrethroid in the milk of women and in serum of breast cancer patients from different localities of Karachi due to pesticide exposure. An experimental study. This sis a research-based study that was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Baqai Medical University, Karachi from March 2008 to March 2010. A total 40 milk samples were collected from private clinics and 6 serum samples from breast cancer patients were also collected from private cancer hospitals based at different areas of Karachi. All the samples were analyzed for the presence of pesticide residues. Samples of milk and serum were prepared accordingly and the purified samples were injected into the HPLC apparatus. The peaks of the samples were compared by the retention time of the standard peaks. The chromatogram obtained indicated the quantity of pesticide residues. Milk samples and serum samples were analyzed using HPLC technique. Pesticides such as malathion, permethrin, deltamethrin and Polytrin-C were detected in different concentrations. The levels were significantly higher than the maximum residual limit. It is concluded that the presence of pesticides in the human body is a major concern in the development of various ailments because of possible immunotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of pesticides

effect of Cedrus deodara root oil on the histopathology of rat stomach

The aim of this study was to observe the anti-ulcer effects of Cedrus deodara root oil on the rat's stomach and compare it with standard anti-ulcer drugs, femotidine and protonix. The study was conducted on 50 albino Wistar rats in three different doses i.e. 30, 40, and 50 mg/kg. The animals were divided into five groups, each group comprised of 10 rats [5 male and 5 female]. The oil was extracted from the plant root by dry destructive distillation method and the dose was calculated by dissolving 1.25 gms of Cedrus deodara in 25ml of 10% ethanol. The drugs were administered to the treated animals orally through feeding tube for two weeks. Animals received the dose of 50 mg cedar oil only, showed the healing effects on the mucosal epithelium of stomach, decreased inflammatory cells and granulation tissues on the submucosal layer upon histopathological examination. Therefore it may be concluded that Cedrus deodara root oil has anti-ulcerative effects and may be used in the management of gastrointestinal disorders particularly in peptic ulcer