Histopathologic changes in liver and kidney of male sprague dawley rats treated with extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum L.

In traditional medicine Cardiospermum halicacabum L. [Sapindeaceae] is used against various ailments such as rheumatism, nervous diseases, stiffness of the limbs and snakebite. Leaves are crushed and made into a tea, which aids itchy skin. Salted leaves are used as a poultice on swellings. Young leaves can be cooked and used as vegetables. The leaf juice has been used as a treatment for earache as well. In this study we evaluate acute toxicity [10, 50,100 and 500 mg/kg] and pathologic changes in esophagus, stomach, liver and kidney tissues with a magnifying glass and microscope in a row to mark changes to both morphological and histological in comparison to control with the treatment of ethyl acetate extract [dose of 40mg/kg] in male Sprague Dawley rats. The rats were divided into 4 groups consisting of 3 rats per group for acute toxicity and histopathological change. In conclusion, no lethality was observed in acute toxicity study for 7 days. The treatment of ethyl acetate extracts at 40 mg/kg did not show lethal toxicological changes as observed by histopathological examination in the kidney and liver tissues

Antidepressant activity of ethanolic extract of Hibiscus rosa sinenesis Linn

The present study was undertaken to assess the antidepressant effect of crude ethanolic extract of floral part of Hibiscusrosa sinensis [HRS] at doses l00mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg using three parameters which are forced induced swimming test [FST], tail suspension test [TST] and open field test[OFT]

Flouxetine (15mg/kg, body weight) was used as standard. Significant dose dependent decline in immobility time was observed in all the three doses in FST and TST while in case of OFT none of the dose of HRS exhibited effectual results. To determine MAO[A] and MAO[B] activity HRS extract was used and the results revealed that each dose of this plant exhibited marked effect on MAO[A], while on MAO[B] only 250mg/kg dose was found significant

Impact of modern learning methods on professional education

Background: The learning methods in health sectors are now facing a great challenge. The study is conducted to determine the effectiveness of new learning methodologies including workshops, seminars and symposiums on the building of students' professional skills

Methodology: A simple questionnaire comprised of closed ended questions was given to four hundred students of different medical universities focusing basic health sciences departments like medical, dentistry and pharmacy

Findings: It was found that medical universities were arranging all above mentioned programs on regular basis and students were used to participate in such engagements. Majority of students [52.4%] were in favor of workshops, they thought workshop as the most beneficial technique to improve their weaknesses. While the likeness to seminars and symposiums were nearly on equal basis. Students were strongly agreed [66.2%] that these ways provide current knowledge of the profession than typical teacher centered lectures

Conclusion: Therefore, it is concluded that all professional universities should organize maximum of such advanced activities to produce students with better professional attitudes

Practice of self medication among medical and non-medical students in Karachi

Self medication is a universal problem having low prevalence in developed countries and higher in developing countries [low and middle income countries] of the world. The study was designed to determine the pattern of self medication among medical and non medical students of Karachi. The tool of study was questionnaire, distributed among 100 medical and 100 non medical students of different universities. It was found that self medication was more prevalent in medical students [94%] than non-medical students [82%]. Medical students practiced self medication on the basis of their drug's knowledge, while non medical students used their previous experiences [26%], or advices from friends/relatives [17%]. Respondents [both medical and non medical students] were used to treat common complains like cough/flu, cold, headaches, and fever by self medication and they were satisfied with their practices. Anti-allergies, anti-pyretics, analgesics and antibiotics were among the medicines which have been taken by users without consulting physicians. Strict control of medicines is needed, since this approach to medicines may lead to harmful effects and development of resistance especially in case of antibiotics

Prevalence of tension type headache in undergraduate students

Tension Type Headache [TTH] is one of the most frequent types of headaches, noted in adults. The major reasons leading to TTH are Socio-economic crises, breakup of relationship, failures in life and academic pressures among other. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of TIH in undergraduate students of Pharmacy. Two hundred and eighty five students were randomly selected from different universities who were provided with a questionnaire, to evaluate the intensity of stress during their study. The prevalence of TIH was found to be 57.6% in a population, being 44.8% among females and 16.8% among males. Students used self-medication for relief as they were not satisfied with their educational system as well as examination pattern. Majority of them wished to change the pattern of examination from subjective to objective types of question. It was concluded that the academic pressure is one of the major leading causes of TTH and therefore, it was suggested that the professional educational system should be modified to minimize the risk of TTH, with a view produce more healthy and confident graduates