Analgesic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of calotropis gigantean L. Latex

The dried latex of Calotropis gigantean L. was tested for its analgesic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity in mice. The latex significantly and dose dependently inhibited acetic acid induced writhing by 79.13% and 39.4% at 500 and 250 mg/kg body weight, respectively, comparable to diclofenac sodium. The antioxidant activity was determined qualitatively based on the scavenging activity of 1,1-dipheny 1-2-picryl hydrazyl [DPPH] free radical showing the presence of antioxidant principle. In brine shrimp lethality assay the latex was toxic with LC[50] and LC[90] values of 1.7 micro g/ml and 10 micro g/ ml, respectively. These results suggest that latex possess analgesic and antioxidant activities supporting its traditional uses. However, C. gigantea latex should be used with caution as it also showed toxicity, but more experiments are required in its support

association between glucose levels and hospital outcomes in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Corticosteroids used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] exacerbations can cause hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients, and hyperglycemia may be associated with increased mortality, length of stay [LOS], and re-admissions in these patients. We did three retrospective studies using charts from July 2008 through June 2009, January 2006 through December 2010, and October 2010 through March 2011. We collected demographic and clinical information, laboratory results, radiographic results, and information on LOS, mortality, and re-admission. Glucose levels did not predict outcomes in any of the studied cohorts, after adjustment for covariates in multivariable analysis. The first database included 30 patients admitted to non-intensive care unit [ICU] hospital beds. Six of 20 non-diabetic patients had peak glucoses above 200 mg/dl. Nine of the ten diabetic patients had peak glucoses above 200 mg/dl. The maximum daily corticosteroid dose had no apparent effect on the glucose levels. The second database included 217 patients admitted to ICUs. The initial blood glucose was higher in patients who died than those who survived using bivariate analysis [P= 0.015; odds ratio, OR, 1.01] but not in multivariable analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis also demonstrated that glucose levels did not affect LOS. The third database analyzing COPD re-admission rates included 81 patients; the peak glucose levels were not associated with re-admission. Our data demonstrate that COPD patients treated with corticosteroids developed significant hyperglycemia, but the increase in blood glucose levels did not correlate with the maximum dose of corticosteroids. Blood glucose levels were not associated with mortality, LOS, or re-admission rates

Assessment of dose due to natural radio-nuclides in vegetables of high background radiation area in south-eastern part of Bangladesh

The aims of the study are to determine the radioactivity concentrations of [226]Ra, [238]U, [232]Th and [40]K in vegetables of a recently found high background radiation area of south-eastern part of Bangladesh and to detect the radiological risks to human from intake of these vegetables. 10 plant samples were collected randomly from different locations of the study area. The radio-nuclides in papaya were measured by direct gamma-ray spectrometry using HPGe detector. The average activity concentrations of [226]Ra, [238]U, 232Th and [40]K in papaya samples were 80.95 +/- 13.61, 64.77 +/- 38.47, 83.53 +/- 20.50 and 1691.45 +/- 244.98 Bq kg[-1] respectively. The annual effective ingestion dose due to intake of papaya was 1.1 mSv Y[-1]. The concentrations of radio-nuclides in the papaya samples found in present study were higher than the world average values suggested by the UNSCEAR. The annual effective ingestion dose was found 3.8 times higher than total exposure per person resulting from the ingestion of terrestrial radioisotopes

Assessment of phytochemical and pharmacological activites of Anisomeles indica leaves

The leaves of Anisomeles indica was tested for its antioxidant, analgesic, and antidiarrhoeal activities in experimental animals. The extract showed the presence of antioxidant principle qualitatively based on the scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl [DPPH] free radical. It showed the presence of antioxidant principle. The extract dose dependently inhibited the acetic acid induced writhing in mice [63.05%, P<0.001 and 37.63% for 500 and 250 mg/kg body weight respectively], the effect was significant comparable to the standard drug Diclofenac Sodium [54.92%, P<0.001] at the dose of 25 mg/kg. The extract of A. indica offered about 1.20 hrs and 3.7 hrs [P<0.001] of the mean latent period for diarrhoeal episode at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight which is comparable to standard drug Loperamide. The results tend to suggest that the leaves might possess analgesic, antioxidant and antidiarrhoeal activities or active constituent[s] responsible for the activities and supported its traditional uses

Assessment of phytochemical and pharmacological activities of Leucas zeylanica [L.] R.Br. [Family: Lamiaceae]

The aim of the present study is to investigate the antioxidant, neuropharmacological, analgesic and antimicrobial activities of the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Leucas zeylanica. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of gums, carbohydrate, reducing sugar, phenols, tannins [gallic acid], cardiac glycosides and saponins. TLC-based antioxidant assay by DPPH free radical revealed positive activity of the extract and in quantitative assay IC[50] value was 62.9 microg/ml. The extract potentiated the phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time in mice in a dose dependent manner. From the study of analgesic activity using the model of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice it was found that the extract exhibited [***p<0.001] writhing inhibition was dose dependent. The extract showed moderate antimicrobial activity

Effect of therapeutic life style changes [TLC] in the prevention of essential hypertension

Essential hypertension is one of the commonest causes of coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and kidney disease. Essential hypertension leads to increased mortality, morbidity, disability and disease rates in young and middle aged persons. This study was designed to determine the risk factors that are associated with essential hypertension and to evaluate the efficacy of Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes [TLC] in the prevention of essential hypertension. The present study, based on sixty patients, was carried out during Nov. 2004-May 2005 in Majeedia Hospital, New Delhi. Before and after intervention values of BMI, pulse rate and BP were analyzed and subjected to statistical comparison. P value < 0.05 was estimated as significant. In this study it has been shown that Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes were very effective in reducing BMI and BP and plays an important role in prevention of essential hypertension

Transfusion transmitted virus in screened united Arab Emirates blood donors

To investigate the rate of infection caused by Torque teno virus [TTV] in United Arab Emirates [UAEs] healthy population as a pilot study in detecting TTV DNA in 100 healthy blood donors. We randomly choose a total of 100 healthy blood donors who attended Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE from January 20 to May 30, 2005. We carried out a real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR] test to detect TTV DNA. Real-time for TTV was positive in 75 [75%] donors. Eight [73%] non-UAE donors were TTV positive while 67 [75%] were UAEs. Among these donors, 72 [77%] were males and 3 [50%] were females. Our results demonstrated a high prevalence of TTV in UAE

Health-related millennium development goals: policy challenges for Pakistan

Objectives: There are two objectives: [a] to clearly articulate the Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] adopted by the United Nations in 2000 and their implications for developing countries like Pakistan; and [b] to critically review the challenges faced by Pakistan in achieving the health-related MDGs

Methods: A critical review of secondary data and information generated primarily by multilateral agencies and United Nations organizations

Results: The MDGs represent a global consensus on the broad goals of development to be achieved by 2015. Of the eight Millennium Development Goals, three are specifically health related - reducing infant [under-5] and maternal mortality; and combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other significant communicable diseases. According to various studies, many developing countries will not achieve the MDGs without concerted efforts and commitment of additional resources. Like many other developing countries, Pakistan is also faced with an enormous challenge in reaching the Millennium Development Goals and targets set by the United Nations. For Pakistan, perhaps the most challenging MDG is that of reducing by three-quarters the maternal mortality ratio. Maternal mortality is so intertwined with other social factors - including the status of women - that a comprehensive holistic approach is required

Conclusion: In order to achieve the MDGs, Pakistan would require a fundamental shift in its policy and strategic directions. Along with allocation of significant additional resources for health, it needs to review and reprioritize the use of existing resources, focusing more on primary health care. Pakistan must also adopt a holistic integrated approach that views health, education, and other social sector development as intrinsically interrelated and interwoven. Without such an integrated approach, achieving the health-related MDGs is likely to remain illusive for Pakistan. There is a critical need to foster a healthy debate on the health-related Millennium Development Goals in Pakistan so as to inform and, hopefully influence, public policy

Role of traditional birth attendants in improving reproductive health: lessons from the family health project, Sindh

OBJECTIVE: Purpose of the Study: Despite strenuous efforts, the maternal mortality rate in Pakistan remains high. The national figure of 340 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births tends to hide the fact that in some rural areas it is as high as 700 per 100,000 live births. Not surprisingly, in Pakistan only 20% of births are attended by a trained health professional. In most rural areas, home to almost 70% of the population, traditional birth attendants [TBAs] deliver 90% of the births. TBAs, therefore, play a crucial role in the delivery of maternal health care in Pakistan. Realizing the importance of TBAs, the Family Health Project [FHP] of the Department of Health Sindh, financed by the World Bank, tried to enhance their knowledge and skills through comprehensive training programs. FHP provided training to 650 TBAs in 10 districts. The training was provided by the Department of Community Health Sciences [CHS] of the Aga Khan University [AKU] who acted as technical consultant to the project. STUDY DESIGN: A community-based qualitative post-intervention survey. Post-intervention survey of this seven-year project [1992-1999] revealed that [a] the training enhanced the knowledge and skills of the TBAs, [b] the trained TBAs provide more broader health care services and [c] they enjoy greater community acceptance and provide greater consumer satisfaction. It also showed that the TBAs remain the most available and accessible health resource in most rural settings. It is imperative that TBAs and their continuing training should remain central to any reproductive health intervention along with an effective referral system linking them to well-equipped emergency obstetric care facilities. However, the assessment clearly demonstrated that an integrated referral system backed by effective emergency obstetric care is essential to the success of the TBA training program

Arylidenphthalimidines and related compounds: part 9 preparation of different types of phthalimidines using grignard reaction

2-substituted-4,5,6,7-tetrachloropbthalimides [1] were reacted with benzyl magnesium chloride to give [II] which dehydrated to [V]. The latter compounds were also prepared by direct interaction of 4 5,6,7-tetrachioro-3-benzalphthalide [VI] with amines. n-Butyl- magnesium bromide was also reacted with [I] to give [VII; which dehydrated to [VIII]. Tetrachlorophthalirnide reacted with different Grignard reagents to give [X] which dehydrated to [XI]. 3-HydroKy -3- substituted -2- [p-sulpbonamidophenyl] -4,5,6-7- tetra-chlorophthalimidines [XIII] were also prepared by the action of Grignard reagents on XII. Attempted dehydration of XIII by acetyl chloride was unsuccessful