Cardiotonic and vasoconstriction effects of aqueous methanolic extract of Paspalidium flavidum L.

The cardiovascular activity of aqueous methanolic extract of Paspalidium flavidum L. was evaluated on isolated rabbit heart and aorta. Heart rates, force of contraction and perfusion pressure were assessed in the presence of different concentrations of extract and adrenaline by using Langendorff's technique. Moreover, the vasoconstriction effects were studied in rabbit aorta using isolated organ bath. The results indicated that the extract [1ng-100[micro]g/ml] exhibited a significant increase in heart rate, contractility and perfusion pressure of isolated rabbit's heart; with a maximum effect at 1ng/ml, which was comparable to adrenaline [1[micro]g/ml]. Similarly, adrenaline at doses from 1-10[micro]g/ml produced a significant dose dependant increase in all the cardiac parameters. The cardiotonic effects of the extract were significantly blocked by propranolol [10[-5]M] while an increase in perfusion pressure was completely antagonized by verapamil [10[-6]M]. Activity of cardiac marker enzymes was also significantly raised in the perfusate of isolated heart pretreated with the extract. In rabbit aorta, the extract exhibited a dose dependent vasoconstriction effect however it did not increase the tone of aorta when pre-treated with verapamil [10[-6]M]. It is conceivable therefore; that the cardiotonic and vasoconstriction effects of the extract might be due to its agonistic actions on beta-receptors and Ca[+2] channels

Beneficial effect of cervical cerclage in preventing pregnancy loss

To find out results of cervical cerclage in patients with cervical incompetence [CI] for preventing pregnancy loss. Observational case series. Fatima Hospital Baqai Medical University Karachi, from January 2010 to December 2011. Patients with previous history of mid-trimester pregnancy loss, previous early preterm deliveries and cervical length < 2.5cms were included. McDonald cervical cerclage was placed around the cervix between 13-24weeks of gestation with silk no.2 after excluding intra-uterine infection, gross fetal anomaly and placental abruption. Cerclage was removed at 37 week of gestation. The patients and neonates were followed till one week post delivery. A total of 33 patients were included. Pregnancy prolongation with delivery at term occurred in 87.8% [through vaginal delivery in 87.7% and via cesarean section in four -12% cases]. Preterm delivery [9%], miscarriage [3%], live born babies [93.9%], fetal survival rate [87.8%], peri-natal death[6%], per-operative complications [12%], post-operative complications [18%] were other findings. Birth weight more than 2500gms was noted in 54.5%. Cervical cerclage has beneficial role in properly selected patients with sonographically short and incompetent cervix