Antioxidant activity of an ethnobotanically important plant Quisqualis indica Linn.

The antioxidant potential of leaf, stem, root and flower extracts of Quisqualis indica Linn. was assessed to verify its ethnopharmacological importance. Both polar and non-polar solvents like n-hexane, chloroform, ethanol and distilled water were used to obtain crude extracts. The chloroform extract of leaves showed the maximum %age yield, i.e. 27.3% while the n-hexane extract of stem showed the minimum yield, i.e. 0.2%. Five activities including DPPH free radical scavenging activity, ABTS+ assay, Total flavonoid components [TFC], Total phenolic components [TPC] and Metal chelating Assay [MC] were employed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the plant. The ethanol extract of inflorescence of the plant displayed most elevated DPPH potential, i.e. 452.11%. Aqueous extract of root had highest value of TEAC i.e., 7.4515 mmol. The aqueous extract of flower displayed the highest level of phenolic contents with the value of 35 in terms of GAE mg/mL. On the other hand, the chloroform extract had the highest % bound iron value of 128 and the aqueous extract of flower showed a high concentration of Flavonoids having the value 347.65mg/l of Quercetin. It has been inferred that all parts of Quisqualis indica L. possess good antioxidant potential. Differents parts showed different antioxidant potentials hence they can be used as curative agents against human and animal ailments

Challenges of conducting clinical trials in Asia

Unlike North America and European Union (EU), Asian continent appears to be an ideal destination for conducting cost-effective clinical trials utilizing the pool of treatment naïve subjects. With a population approaching 4.5 billion, recruitment of subjects can be done without a fear of limited patient pool across Asia. The burden of infectious and chronic diseases is also higher in Asian countries. The emerging clinical trial markets particularly China, South Korea, and Taiwan offers genetic diversity in population group, thus promoting the quality and generalizability of clinical trial’s data. Nonetheless, several challenges also exist for the Western sponsors in majority of the Asian countries; regulatory, operational and infrastructural challenges are atthe forefront. Challenges under the heads regulatory, operational, infrastructural, language and cultural, ethics, and future challenges have been discussed. SWOT analysis of Asian clinical trial’s market exhibits enormous opportunities for study sponsorswith manageable threats.

Efficacy of brow suspension with autogenousfascia lata in simple congenital ptosis

Objective: To assess the mean change in interpalpebral fissure height and marginal reflex distance after brow suspension with autogenous fascia lata sling in patients of ptosis

Methods: This was a Quasi experimental study conducted at Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Hospital, King Edwards Medical University Lahore, from Jan 2013 to June 2016. Included were the patients who had unilateral or bilateral ptosis with poor levator function [< 5 mm]. Informed consent was obtained from all patients after explaining about the research project. Patients were admitted in ward and all of them underwent surgery by a single surgical team. The surgical procedure was performed in supine position under general anesthesia in children and uncooperative patients. Patients were followed at week 4, 8, 12 and 24 to observe vertical interpalpebral fissure height and marginal reflex distance

Results: The mean age of the patients was 9.03 +/- 5.26 years. The mean Inter palpebral fissure height [IPFH] was 4.40+/-0.91 mm and mean MRD was 0.50 +/- 1.00 mm before surgery while after surgery it was 7.41+/-0.76 mm and 3.10 +/- 1.50 mm respectively at 04 weeks. The mean IPFH and MRD at 24 weeks postoperatively were 8.43+/-0.98 mm and 3.60 + 1.50 mm respectively. The mean change in IPFH and MRD at 24th week, were 3.90 +/- 0.34 mm and 3.50 +/- 1.00 mm

Conclusion: Brow suspension with fascia lata sling is safe and effective technique for correction of ptosis with poor levator function

Phytochemical screening, GC-MS analysis and in vitro antioxidant activity of pollen of Centella asiatica [Linn] urban a traditional medicinal plant

In the present study the crude extracts of pollen of Centella asiatica [Linn.] Urban were explored for their antioxidant potential using Ferric Reducing Power, Metal Chelating Activity and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity assays. In crude extracts of pollen antioxidant components were initially extracted in methanol and further fractionated in solvents of different polarity, such as n-Hexane, Chloroform, Ethyl Acetate and Water exhibited reasonable antioxidant activity. The extract was found to contain large amounts of phenolic and flavonoid contents ranged from 143-1155 mg/1 of gallic acid equivalent [GAE] and 911-2488 mg/1 of quercetin [QE] respectively. Moreover, Super oxide Anion Radical Scavenging Activity and GS-MS analysis were also carried out

Analysis of insect toxicity and repellent activity of phytochemicals from [Skimmia laureola, Nair] against [Black garden ant, Lasius niger] of Pakistan

A study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity and repellency of essential oils from root, stem and leaves of Nazar panra, Skimmia laureola [DC.] Zucc. Ex Walp. of family [Sapindales: Rutaceae] ver. Nair of Pakistan. The oils were tested at three concentrations i.e. 1, 5 and 10Black garden ant, Lasius niger L. [Hymenoptera: Formicidae] of Pakistan were selected and exposed to essential oils at room temperature. All essential oils showed Insecticidal activity with LC50=10.15, while dose dependant effect was significant with R2=0.98. It can be concluded that the three Essential oils in this study have both Insecticidal as well as repellent effect

In vitro antioxidant potential and free radical scavenging activity of various extracts of pollen of Typha domigensis Pers

Antioxidant potential of the pollen of Typha domigensis Pers. using Ferric Reducing ower, Metal Chelating Activity and Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity [TEAC] assays has been carried out in the current research work. The antioxidant components were initially extracted from the pollen in methanol and were further fractionated in solvents of different polarity such as n-Hexane, Chloroform, Ethyl Acetate and Water. Methanol extract which was found to have high reducing power, total phenolic contents with high metal chelating activity, has considerable prospective to utilize as a natural antioxidant and be capable to link with the total phenolic contents of plant

Spirometric values in normal Pakistani population

This study was carried out at Karachi to find out the spirometric values in healthy non-smoking Pakistani population of both the sexes of ages from 10 to 69 years. The results were compared with predicted normal values which vary with age, sex, height, ethnic origin and regional conditions. In our population, spirometric values were found to be lower than their matched western counterparts. FVC, FEV, were observed to decrease with age and become comparable with western population around the age of 50 years in case of males but in females difference persists. PEFR also decreased with age in males but in females there was hardly any decline after the age of 45 years

Pharmacognostic studies of indigenous medicinal plants-I

The comparative cytomorphological studies of Conyza ambigua, Eclipta alba and Sonchus asper were carried out with fresh transverse section and with dried powder of their various parts under light microscope; while the irritant constituents were extracted successively with pet. ether [40-60], CHCI3 and MeOH. The CHCI3 and MeOH extracts of leaves, roots and flowers of all the species exhibited a prominent erythema on mice's skin. The CHCI3 and MeOH extracts of the flower of S. asper were more poten irritant than the other extracts of the same species and also the other species. The possible relationship of anatomical structures with phytochemistry and irritancy of these species have been discussed

Pharmacognostic studies of indigenous medicinal plants-II Comparative cytomorphological and irritation studies of some Ficus species

The comparative cytomorphological studies of Ficus bengalensis, F. infectoria and F. religiosa were carried out with dried powder of their various parts under light microscope; while the irritant constituents were extracted successively with pet. ether [40-60] CHCI3, MeOH and water from their vaious parts and from latex. Pet, ether extract of leaves, stem and latex of F. bengalensis imparted more potent skin harming action on mice's ear than other extracts. The CHCI3 extracts of latext of F. religiosa also exhibited stronger reaction than all other latexes. All other extracts revealed either weal or moderate responses. The possible relationship of anatomical structure with phytochemistry and irritancy in these species has been discussed

Effects of tea consumption on thiamine status and nerve conduction in Pakistani people

It is known that tea contains some polyphenolic antithiamin factors and tea consumption causes thiamine deficiency in human beings. The effect of tea drinking on the thiamine status and nerve conduction in Pakistani people was investigated. Thiamine status was measured as thiamine pyrophosphate effects [TPPE] on erythrocyte transketolase activity [ETKA] and the results were expressed as TPPE%. Nerve conduction was measured by conventional electromyographic [EMG] methods. TPPE% values were increased to deficient levels by drinking tea and decreased to the normal values by thiamine supplement. There was no significant alteration in the nerve conduction of the peoples under study, by tea consumption within our study period

Thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura

Thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura [TTP] is a rare disorder of microcirculation. A case of TTP is presented who responded well to corticosteroid therapy