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Background: Depression is the major psychotic disorder affecting 9.5% of population worldwide. Present study investigates the prescribing patterns of different antidepressants evaluating their efficacy.Methods: This was a prospective, observational study which was conducted in the out-patient department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology in Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi. A total of 200 cases were enrolled for the present study. Statistical analysis for efficacy was done using Wilcoxson抯 signed rank test.Results: Predominantly, females suffered from depression when compared to male counterparts. In our study, monotherapy was practiced more frequently than polytherapy with 2 or more drugs. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Escitalopram was found out to be the most widely used antidepressant drug.Conclusions: Among antidepressant medications, SSRIs are preferred over others because of their better side effect profile.
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Background: Aloe vera (Family Liliaceae) has been used for the treatment of diabetes, skin disorders and as anti-inflammatory agent. Objectives: behavioral testing of antiparkinsonian effect of Aloe vera in MPTP induced animal model.Methods: Rotarod test and Catalepsy bar test were used for behavioral assessment. Assessment of oxidative stress was done in the striatal region of the brain by reduced glutathione (GSH) measurement.Results: A. vera (200 and 400mg/kg, p.o.) was found to significantly increase the retention time in rota rod test and significantly decrease the latency period in catalepsy bar test as compared to MPTP groups. A. vera was found to have significant anti-oxidative effect in the striatal region of the brain by GSH measurement.Conclusions: Thus, it can be proposed that A. vera has a potential anti-parkinson effect in mice.
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Background: The Study was designed to assess the awareness of Pharmacovigilance and to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention.Methods: This was a questionnaire-based pre- and post-test educational interventional study. Students were given handouts containing information about pharmacovigilance one month before the educational intervention. A pre-validated 20-point questionnaire on (KAP) Knowledge, attitude, perception about Pharmacovigilance was distributed to second year medical students (n=115). An interactive educational intervention (Power point presentation) was designed. The chi-square test and unpaired paired t-test was used for statistical calculation.Results: The overall response rates were expressed as percentages, Mean±SD. The knowledge, attitude and perceptions of pharmacovigilance when compared before (pre-KAP) and after (post-KAP) the educational intervention, the correct response rates were found to be statistically significant (P<0.001). The feedback from the students was encouraging, handouts before the lecture classes helped them to easily grasp the pharmacovigilance concepts better during lectures.Conclusions: The study concluded that imparting the knowledge about pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting promotes drug safety and rational use of medicines in future.
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Background: Self-medication practice is widespread in many countries and the irrational use of drugs is a cause of concern. It assumes a special significance among medical students as they are exposed to knowledge about diseases and drugs. To assess practice and perception of self-medication among undergraduate medical students.Methods: It is a descriptive study in which study population was comprised of 2nd year undergraduate medical students of Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India. Total 134 students were included in the study. Written informed consent was obtained from each volunteer prior to the study. Students were given a questionnaire that included both open and close ended questions about self-medication practice. Data was analysed and presented as counts and percentages.Results: It was found that 72 (54%) students practiced self-medication. The principal morbidity for seeking self-medication was cold and cough as reported by 70 (53%) students. Antibiotics were most commonly self-medicated as reported by 55 (36%) students. Only 34 (25%) students opined that self-medication is part of self-care.Conclusions: Self-medication is widely practiced among under graduate medical students. In this situation, we should educate the students about advantages and disadvantages of self-medication.
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Aim: Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Family: Elaeocarpaceae), has shown beneficial role in the treatment of depression, convulsions and asthma. This study was undertaken to evaluate the antiparkinson effect of E.ganitrus. Materials and methods: Swiss albino mice of either sex were divided into 06 groups (n =12). 1st group mice were given 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose (orally), 2nd group were administered MPTP (2 doses, each dose 20 mg/kg at 2 hr. interval, i.p.). Whereas 3rd, 4th and 5th groups - were administered with E. ganitrus (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day, orally), respectively, along with MPTP. Group 6- received Levodopa (30mg/kg, i.p,) along with MPTP. To evaluate anti-Parkinson effect, hanging wire test, tardive dyskinesia test and elevated plus maze test were performed on the1st day and on 8 th day. One way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Tukey test, with p<0.05 was considered statistical significant. Results: E.ganitrus (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was found to increase the hanging time significantly (p <0.001) in hanging wire test and significantly decreased (p <0.001) the Vacuous Chewing Movements (VCMs) in tardive dyskinesia test as compared to MPTP group. E.ganitrus (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was found to significantly increase (p <0.001) the no. of entries and time spent in open arm and significantly decreased the no. of entries and time spent in closed arm (p <0.001) compared to MPTP treated group. Conclusion: The results of the present study conclusively showed that E.ganitrus has beneficial effect in MPTP induced experimental model of Parkinson’s disease.
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Background: The magnitude of improvement seen with present conventional medicines for anxiety and depression remain disappointing thereby providing a scope for the study of newer drugs. In the literature, there is evidence demonstrating the modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)receptors in anxiety and depression. The present study is undertaken to evaluate the antianxiety effect of memantine in elevated plus maze (EPZ) test and its antidepressant effect in tail suspension test (TST)in Swiss albino mice. Methods: Animals were divided into six groups (n=6). First group mice were given normal saline (10 ml/kg), second group were administered lorazepam (0.5 mg/kg), third group with memantine (3 mg/kg) and fourth group with memantine plus lorazepam, fi fth group was administered amitriptyline (10 mg/kg)and sixth group received memantine plus amitriptyline. All drugs were administered by intraperitoneal route daily for 7 consecutive days. Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Tukey’s test. Results: Memantine treated mice showed signifi cant increase (p<0.001)in time spent and number of entries in open arm and signifi cant decrease in time spent and number of entries in closed arm in EPZ when compared to control group. Duration of immobility was signifi cantly (p<0.001)reduced in animals treated with memantine when compared to the control group in TST. Conclusions: NMDA antagonist, memantine has showed signifi cant antianxiety effect in EPZ test and antidepressant effect in TST.
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Background: Aloe vera (Family: Liliaceae) has been used for the treatment of diabetes, skin disorders and as an anti-inflammatory agent. There is increased concern about the side effects of conventional medicine in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). As A.vera has found to have antioxidative property, it may be a safer alternative. Methods: Parkinson’s disease was induced by administering haloperidol (1 mg/kg i.p. daily x 1 week).The mice of either sex were divided into 06 groups (n =12). 1 st day group mice were given distilled water (orally), 2nd group were administered haloperidol (20 mg/kg i.p.).The 3rd, 4th and 5th groups were administered A.vera (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day, orally) respectively, along with haloperidol. Group 6- received Levodopa (30mg/kg, i.p,) along with haloperidol. To evaluate anti-Parkinson effect, hanging wire test, tardive dyskinesia test and hole board test were performed on the1st day and 8th day. One way ANOVA was used to detect statistical significance followed by post-hoc Tukey test. Results: A.vera (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was found to increase the hanging time significantly (p <0.001) in hanging wire test and significantly decreased (p <0.001) the Vacuous Chewing Movements (VCMS) in tardive dyskinesia test as compared to haloperidol group. A.vera (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was found to significantly increase (p <0.001) the number of dips and no. of line crossings in hole board test when compared to haloperidol group. Conclusion: The results of the present study conclusively showed that A.vera has beneficial effect in haloperidol induced experimental model of Parkinson’s disease.
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Background: Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Family: Elaeocarpaceae), has been used for the treatment of depression, convulsions and asthma. The existing literature is lacking in studies showing anti-parkinson effect of E. ganitrus. There is increased concern about the side-effects of conventional medicine in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Hence E. ganitrus having anti-oxidative property may be a safer alternative. Methods: To evaluate the anti-parkinson effect of E. ganitrus, rota rod and catalepsy bar tests were used. Assessment of oxidative stress was done by measuring the malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in the striatal region of the brain. One-way ANOVA was used to detect statistical significance, followed by post-hoc Tukey test. Results: E. ganitrus (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) pretreated groups significantly increased the retention time in rota rod test (p<0.001) and significantly decreased the latency period in catalepsy bar test (p<0.001), when compared with haloperidol treated group alone. E. ganitrus (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) pretreated groups showed significant anti-oxidative effect by causing a decrease in brain MDA levels (p<0.001) and a significant increase in GSH levels (p<0.001). Conclusions: Oxidative stress plays a vital role in the pathophysiology of PD. The results of this study conclusively show that E. ganitrus has anti-oxidant activity and neuroprotective activity in haloperidol experimental model of PD.