Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of ethanolic extract of sphaeranthusindicus linn

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intensity of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Sphaeranthus indicus on albino mice and rat of either sex. The flowers of S. indicus are an important herb used in folk eastern medicines. In this study, the ethanolic extract of S. indicus in doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg was used. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring the mean decrease in hind paw volume after the sub planter injection of carrageenan. The analgesic activity was tested against acetic acid induced writhing response using albino rats. Result of the study shows that at the end of one hour the inhibition of paw edema was 42.66 and 50.5% respectively and the percentage of protection from writhing was 62.79 and 68.21 respectively. S. indicus possesses several important pharmaceutical and pharmacological properties. The current study describes that flower of S. indicus has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Conclusion of the study is that this herbal medicine can be used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of minor to moderate types of inflammation and as a painkiller

Audit of ERCP at Ibn Sina Hospital from 2009-2010

Surgeons are expected to deal with expect some failure of ERCP in extraction of missed CBD stones. Re-do surgery is difficult; however surgeons have to stand for it. To audit the outcome of ERCP in extraction of CBD stone for patients referred to Ibn Sina Teaching Hospital. This is prospective, hospital based study; carried in the period from January 2009 to June 2010 in Ibn Sina Teaching Hospital .A total of 119 patients referred for ERCP extraction of CBD stones were studied. Male to female ratio was 1:5. The mean age [ +/- SD] is 55.4 [ +/- 17.57]. Post cholecystectomy missed stones were 7[6%], post CDB exploration retained stones were 4[3.4%] and re-do ERCP was done in 9[7.6%] patients. Failure of stone extraction occurred in 10[25%] cases due to failure of cannulation while another 10[25%] cases had multiple impacted stones and nine [22.2%] had too big stone to be extracted. In addition, five [12.5%] cases had CBD stricture, and the procedure was not completed because of bleeding in two cases and impaction of the dormia basket in two [5%] cases. The success of redo ERCP is seven out of nine cases. Complication occurred in seven [5.88%] patients. These were bleeding in two [1.68%], cholangitis in one [0.84%] CBD and retro-peritoneal duodenal perforations in two [1.68%] and retained dormia basket in two [1.68%] cases. The mortality rate was one [0.8%] patient. ERCP, at Ibn Sina Hospital, has success rate in stone extraction in 79[66.4%] and complication rate in seven [5.88%] patients. About one third of cases attending ERCP for stone extraction were referred back for open exploration of CBD