Evaluation of acute toxicity, sedative and analgesic effects of Taverniera glabra methanolic extract on mice

Present study was conducted on crude methanolic extract of stem and root of Taverniera glabra. In Pakistan T. glabra is found in the region of Balochistan only. T. glabra has numerous therapeutic uses in traditional medicine and it is also used for the pain relief. Current study was carried out to evaluate acute toxicity, analgesic and CNS depressant activity of the plant. Acute toxicity was carried out by oral administration of the T. glabra extract from 250 to 2000mg/kg oral dose. Analgesic activity was carried out by acetic acid induced writhing test and formalin test. Central Nervous System [CNS] depressant activity was carried out by exploratory activities [open field activity, cage crossing activity, rearing test] and forced swimming test. Oral administration of the methanolic extract of T. glabra was nontoxic at the dose of 1500mg/kg in the acute toxicity test. Exploratory behavior of mice treated with the methanolic extract of T. glabra showed sedative effects [P<0.05] in open field, cage crossing, traction and rearing test, particularly at the dose of 500mg as compared with standard drug Diazepam. In forced swimming test, mobility time was significantly [P<0.05] increased at 500mg/kg oral dose, and results were significant as compared with control. Methanolic extract of T. glabra produced significant [P<0.05] analgesic effects at the dose of 500mg/kg in the acetic acid induced writhing test and the formalin test. In conclusion, results show that the crude methanolic extract of T. glabra possess sedative as well as potent analgesic effects. Present pharmacological studies are the first ever studies conducted on the methanolic extract of T. glabra

Polymorphisms of the ABCB1 gene in the pakistani population

To investigate the frequency of the single nucleotide polymorphism C1236T in exon 12 of the ABCB1 gene in Pakistani population and to compare it with published data on Asian and Caucasian populations. A cross-sectional observational study. Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi and Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering [IBGE], Islamabad, from August 2012 to May 2013. C1236T polymorphism was investigated in 426 Pakistani subjects. The frequency was compared with the published data on other Asian and Caucasian populations. The frequencies of ABCB1 C1236T were 16.4% for CC, 44.1% for CT and 39.4% for TT. Pakistanis differed significantly from all the European populations compared in the distribution of the TT genotype of C1236T ABCB1 [p < 0.05]. The Pakistani population also differed significantly from some of the European populations in the distribution of CC and CT genotype [p < 0.05]. There was significant difference in the genotype frequency of the ABCB1 gene compared to other populations. This study has provided a framework for future pharmacogenetic and pharmacokinetic studies on this polymorphic variant of ABCB1 gene in the Pakistani population

Association of anti-emetic efficacy of ondansetron with G2677T polymorphism in a drug transporter gene ABCB1 in Pakistani population

To determine the association of ABCB1polymorphism G2677T with anti-emetic efficacy in patients treated with ondansetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting. A clinical trial. Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi and Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering, Islamabad, from 2012 to 2013. Four mg ondansetron was administered intravenously 30 minutes before the end of surgery. A total of 246 patients with the complaints of nausea and vomiting and 244 patients without nausea and vomiting were analyzed for G2677T polymorphism using PCR-RFLP method. Results were described as frequency percentages and chi-square test with significance at p < 0.05. The patients with TT genotype had significantly lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting during the first 2 hours [p < 0.001] and between 2 - 24 hours after surgery as compared to other genotypes [p < 0.001]. The patients with GG genotypes had significantly higher incidence of this complaint [p=0.014]. Polymorphism of ABCB1 has an association with responsiveness for ondansetron. There is a role for genetics in the management of PONV

Hypoglycaemic effects of methanolic extract of Canscora decussata [Schult] whole-plant in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits

In present study hypoglycaemic effects of the crude powdered C. decussata and its methanolic extract [ME] in alloxan diabetic rabbits were evaluated. The hypoglycaemic effect was measured by blood glucose, insulin level, HbA1c and his to pathology of pancreas. Glucose lowering effect of the ME was studied in diabetic rabbits. The effects of extract on blood glucose, body weight, food in take, fluid intake, OGTT were also evaluated. The results showed that 0.5,1 and 2g/kg of the powder significantly decreased blood glucose levels in normal rabbits and diabetic rabbits at the intervals checked. Oral intake of pioglitazone also reduced the levels in these rabbits. Synergistic hypoglycaemic effect of 600mg/kg of ME with different doses of insulin [2 and 3unit/kg, s/c] further reduced blood glucose levels of treated alloxan-diabetic rabbits. The oral glucose tolerance test revealed lowered area under curve values in ME treated rabbits. Treatment with ME [400 and 600 mg/kg] for 30 days showed highly significant decrease in blood glucose level by augmenting insulin secretion, HbA1cand significant increase in body weight, serum insulin levels in treated diabetic rabbits. Histopathology study showed regeneration of beta -cells. These studies have, therefore, supported the traditional use of this herb in diabetic patients

Effect of smoking on nausea, vomiting and pain in the post-operative period

Objective: To determine the effect of smoking on the post-operative nausea and vomiting [PONV] as well as severity of pain in the post-operative period

Methodology: A total of 147 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were divided into 2 groups of non-smokers [n=75] and smokers [n=72]. In the first 24 hours after surgery the frequency of PONV and the severity of pain on Visual Analogue Score were assessed

Results: The group of non-smokers had statistically more nausea and vomiting [n=59, 78.6%] as compared to that of smokers [n=20, 27.7%] [p<0.05]. However there was no significant difference in the maximum pain scores in both the groups [p>0.05]

Conclusion: We conclude that frequency of PONV is less in smokers as compared to non-smokers

Detection of esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis using platelet count as a non-invasive parameter

Background: bleeding of the esophageal varices is a major comptication of portal hypertension. At least two-thirds of patients with cirrhosis develop esophageal varices, and about 30% of patients with cirrhosis experience variceal bleeding

Objective: to determine the diagnostic accuracy of platelet count to predict the presence of esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis taking endoscopic findings as gold standard

Material and Methods: this cross-sectional observational study was carried out over a period of six months from December, 2008 to June, 2009 in five medical wards [I, II, III, IV, and Special] of Services Hospital, Lahore. Total 180 cases were chosen in this study. Initially, non-invasive parameters were used to diagnose varices; later, endoscopy was performed to confirm the diagnosis

Result: mean age of the patients observed was 50.5% +/- 10.9 years. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy of platelet count was 99.2%, 92.2%, 97.1%, 97.3% and 97.2% respectively

Conclusion: Results of current study indicate that patients of chronic liver disease can be screened for esophageal varices using platelet count as a non-invasive parameter

Carcinoma uterine cervix

This study is designed to find out the Epidemiology of carcinoma cervix in a period from July 1985 to July 1995. A total of 336 cases received in pathology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute JPMC during the period, one hundred and eighty cases were selected for this study. All the cases, 129 out of 188 were married between the age of 12 and 20 years. The age of patients ranged between 20-70 years. The largest number of cases was found in 51-80 years age group. High parity, low socioeconomic conditions and early age marriages were the highest risk factors while the available record did not contain any information about the risk factors i.e. history of viral infections, number of partners and use of the oral contraceptives

Comparison of diagnostic methods in cutaneous leishmaniasis [histopathology compared to skin smears]

Present study is carried out to compare laboratory diagnostic methods of Cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] for the outdoor patients of Bolan Medical College Complex Hospital, Quetta, Balochistan. From November 2005 to December 2007, three hundred cases of CL patients were selected without restriction of age and sex. The lesions were divided into two groups. Early with duration less than 2 months and late duration between 2 to 4 months and were noted as nodules, plaques, ulcers and scarring [in case of relapses]. Skin smears were taken on first visit of the patients, followed by skin biopsy for histopathological examination. Result showed that out of 300 cases 163 [54.33%] were positive smears for Leishmania donovani [LD] bodies and 137 [45.67%] were negative smears for LD bodies.. While histological examination of all 300 cases showed that only 83 [27.66%] cases were negative for [LD] bodies and no granuloma seen, except with evidence of acute and chronic inflammation. Further analysis of histological observations of positive cases [72.34%] revealed that 91[30.33%] cases had LD bodies,, 78 [26%] cases had only necrotic sloughs showing polymorph neutrophilic infiltration, and 48[16%] cases were having granulomas composed of, epithelioid cells Langhan's type of giant cells and lymphocytes. It is therefore concluded that histopathological examination as compared to skin smears method is more sensitive method for diagnosis of CL

Pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin in normal rabbits and changes observed in induced dehydrated state

The pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin following oral administration of a single dose of 20mg/Kg body weight was investigated in normal rabbits and changes were observed in water-deprived rabbits. High performance liquid chromatographic method was employed for the determination of plasma concentration of ciprofloxacin. The mean plasma concentration and AUC [0-t] and AUC [0-inf] were significantly different between normal and dehydrated rabbits [P < 0.05], but the absorption rate, distribution rate, and elimination rate did not show any statistically significant difference. The results reflect a need for monitoring toxicity of ciprofloxacin in the water-deprived condition

Some studies on human urine as promoter for the growth of leishmania in vitro

Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania is endemic in many parts of tropic and sub tropic areas of the world. In vitro cultivation of parasite plays an important role in the study and treatment of disease. Traditionally media available do not meet the requirement for the bulk cultivation of Leishmania parasites, it requires fetal calf serum [FCS], that is very expensive and not easily available in the market. It is reported that human urine has stimulatory effect on the growth of Leishmania while cultured in vitro. We undertook a detailed study of such an effect in old world Leishmania isolates causing cutaneous leishmaniasis. Different concentrations of urine are tried and it is found that 1% sterile urine in our undefined medium 1999 supplemented with foetal calf serum gives the maximum growth. It is observed that dated urine has less stimulatory effect on the growth of the parasites as compared to fresh urine. The effect of the urine of different groups is also observed and it is found that the urine of 60 year gives maximum growth

Medication based; erectile dysfunction

Objective: the medication considered to be important for the treatment of some vital diseases and may cause erectile dysfunction. This article aim to describe some adverse drugs reaction that directly or indirectly exert its effect on the various routs of excretion process. A computer as well as manual research was made to collect the relevant data published in various journals on the drugs. The study of these drugs show positive effect on sexual performance due to the side effect of a range of commonly prescribe drugs and is important cause of noncompliance with anti hypertensive treatment. This article review the drugs implicated in erectile dysfunction ED and provide advice and how to avoid it