Therapeutic Potential of Carica Papaya L. Leaf Extract in Treatment of Dengue Patients.

Carica papaya leaf extracts are known to have many beneficial medicinal properties. Recent studies have claimed possible beneficial effects of Carica papaya leaf extracts in treating patients with dengue infection. The present study aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Carica papaya leaf extracts in treating dengue patients. Carica papaya leaf extracts were given to dengue infected patients and their blood samples were daily monitored. Polyserositis condition of the patients was analysed by ultrasonography before and after the completion of Carica papaya leaf extract treatment. Repeated Measures ANOVA and descriptive measures such as mean, standard error values were calculated. Before the administration of Carica papaya leaf extracts the patients had a low WBC and platelet counts. After the administration of Carica papaya leaf extracts there was a good amount of increase in the counts of WBC and platelets (p<0.05) in all the patients and the patients started recovering from dengue infection. Ultrasonographic findings revealed clearance in pleural ascites, pericardiac effusion and peritoneal ascites. Blood analysis reports, ultrasonographic findings, statistical results and patients recovery from dengue infection clearly shows the therapeutic role of Carica papaya leaf extracts in treating dengue infected patients. Further studies are necessary for identification of the compounds present in Carica papaya leaf extract and exploring their therapeutic role in curing dengue infection.

Molecular characterization of chikungunya virus from Andhra Pradesh, India & phylogenetic relationship with Central African isolates.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Chikungunya virus has caused numerous large outbreaks in India. Suspected blood samples from the epidemic were collected and characterized for the identification of the responsible causative from Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. METHODS: RT-PCR was used for screening of suspected blood samples. Primers were designed to amplify partial E1 gene and the amplified fragment was cloned and sequenced. The sequence was analyzed and compared with other geographical isolates to find the phylogenetic relationship. RESULTS: The sequence was submitted to the Gen bank DNA database (accession DQ888620). Comparative nucleotide homology analysis of the AP Ra-CTR isolate with the other isolates revealed 94.7+/-3.6 per cent of homology of CHIKAPRa-CTR with other isolates of Chikungunya virus at nucleotide level and 96.8+/-3.2 per cent of homology at amino acid level. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The current epidemic was caused by the Central African genotype of CHIKV, grouped in Central Africa cluster in phylogenetic trees generated based on nucleotide and amino acid sequences.

Clinical and biochemical profiles of young diabetics in North-Eastern India.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the clinical and biochemical profiles of young diabetics in North Eastern India. METHODS: Seventy diabetics who were detected at less than 30 years of age were studied. Patients with ketoacidosis or ketonuria on insulin withdrawal were grouped as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), patients with history of chronic abdominal pain with or without exocrine pancreatic dysfunction who either on ultrasonography (USG) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticoduodenography (ERCP) revealed pancreatic calcification and/or ductal dilatation were grouped as fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes (FCPD), those having BMI < 19 kg/m2 with history or stigmata of childhood malnutrition and who were ketosis resistant were taken to be protein deficient diabetes mellitus (PDDM)/malnutrition modulated diabetes mellitus (MMDM) and those who neither had ketonuria nor history of chronic abdominal pain, malabsorption or stigmata of malnutrition were grouped as NIDDM of young (NIDDY). RESULTS: Amongst the young diabetics studied FCPD constituted 32.9%, IDDM 28.6%, MMDM 21.4% and NIDDY 17.11%. USG abnormalities were observed in 21 of the 23 patients of FCPD. Seven out of these showed pancreatic head calcification on X-ray while 14 showed pancreatic duct dilatation and calcification or calculi on USG. In the two remaining patients, ERCP revealed tortuousity of main pancreatic duct and calcification which were not detected on USG. Majority of FCPD and MMDM patients revealed insulin resistance on insulin tolerance test (ITT). HDL was significantly lower in NIDDY, while VLDL and triglycerides were significantly higher in FCPD and MMDM as compared to controls. Microvascular complications of diabetes were seen in all these groups, with peripheral neuropathy being more common in FCPD (43.5%) and background diabetic retinopathy in NIDDY (41%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that FCPD and MMDM together form majority (54.29%) of young diabetics at our center and a sizeable proportion of them may have microvascular complications, even at the time of diagnosis.

Echocardiography in patients with cerebral infarction.

Fifty consecutive patients of cerebral infarction underwent a detailed evaluation for the presence of cardiac disease, by means of a standard questionnaire, clinical examination, a 12 lead electrocardiogram, and a 2-D echo and colour Doppler examination. Only 9 patients had a normal echocardiogram, while as many as 27 (54%) demonstrated potential cardio-embolic abnormalities. Clinical and ECG evidence of pre-existent cardiac disease had been demonstrable in only 13 (26%) patients.