ABSTRACT
Background: Pain is defined as an unpleasant feeling caused by intense or damaging stimuli. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius known as “Elephant foot yam” is a highly potential tropical tuber crop of Araceae family. The tubers are used as antihaemorrhoidal, haemostatic, expectorant, appetizer, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac and rejuvenating agent. Diclofenac, a COX inhibitor is used as analgesic widely. Analgesic activity of alcoholic extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius has been proved in previous animal studies.Methods: Swiss Albino mice of either sex (20-30g) were procured from the central animal house of KFMS&R, Coimbatore. Animals were maintained under controlled temperature and light conditions with food and water ad libitum. Mice were kept in the department to get acclimatized. 24 mice were divided into 4 groups (n=6). Drugs were given orally after 12 hours of fasting. Group I was the control received normal saline, Group II received standard-diclofenac (25mg/kg). Group III and Group IV received aqueous extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg respectively.Results: The latency period of Group IV (aqueous extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius 400mg/kg) was significant (p<0.01) compared to Group I (controls) and Group II (standard) was significant (p<0.001) when compared to Group IV (aqueous extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius 400mg/kg) by hot plate method. In acetic acid induced writhing when compared to control, the percentage inhibition of aqueous extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius was 43.65% at 200mg/kg, 46.09% at 400mg/kg and that of the standard was 54.39%.Conclusions: It was concluded that aqueous extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius has analgesic activity due to peripheral and central inhibition of prostaglandins synthesis. The extract may have phytoconstituents which inhibit COX enzyme peripherally or act on central opioid receptors(µreceptors) for producing analgesia. It can be used as an add-on drug there by reducing side effects by conventional analgesics.
ABSTRACT
Background:The knowledge of sternal variations is important as this bone is usually chosen for bone marrow aspiration.One such developmental anomaly is the presence of foramina, of varying dimensions, in manubrium or body or xiphisternum.Usually, the defect occurs in the lower third of sternum,in the body, as a single midline foramen (oval or round) and is usually asymptomatic and can be demonstrated only by CT scanning. The observation and knowledge of these foramina are of utmost importance in clinical, forensic and acupuncture techniques.Hence, this observation could be a useful one. Materials and methods: During a routine osteology class in the Department of Anatomy,Kanyakumari Government Medical College,an adult sternum of unknown sex and age was found to have a foramen in the lower part of body at the level of articular facets for fifth costal cartilages. Results:The following observations were made: (1)The sternum presented an oval foramen in the lower part of the body. (2) It was located in midline at the junction between third and fourth sternebrae.(3) Its margins were smooth and measured 5mm×6mm. Conclusion:Embryologically,sternum is formed by the craniocaudal fusion of two sternal bars,which are condensations of mesenchymal tissue which get converted to pre-cartilage before fusion. Any defect in this fusion may cause cleft sternum or sternal foramina(single or multiple). The single sternal foramen presented here could have clinical implications. Its knowledge helps in preventing fatal cardiac tamponade following needle insertion during bone marrow biopsy or acupuncture performed in this region. Forensic misinterpretation of this defect is also possible.