Analgesic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of calotropis gigantean L. Latex

The dried latex of Calotropis gigantean L. was tested for its analgesic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activity in mice. The latex significantly and dose dependently inhibited acetic acid induced writhing by 79.13% and 39.4% at 500 and 250 mg/kg body weight, respectively, comparable to diclofenac sodium. The antioxidant activity was determined qualitatively based on the scavenging activity of 1,1-dipheny 1-2-picryl hydrazyl [DPPH] free radical showing the presence of antioxidant principle. In brine shrimp lethality assay the latex was toxic with LC[50] and LC[90] values of 1.7 micro g/ml and 10 micro g/ ml, respectively. These results suggest that latex possess analgesic and antioxidant activities supporting its traditional uses. However, C. gigantea latex should be used with caution as it also showed toxicity, but more experiments are required in its support

Assessment of phytochemical and pharmacological activites of Anisomeles indica leaves

The leaves of Anisomeles indica was tested for its antioxidant, analgesic, and antidiarrhoeal activities in experimental animals. The extract showed the presence of antioxidant principle qualitatively based on the scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl [DPPH] free radical. It showed the presence of antioxidant principle. The extract dose dependently inhibited the acetic acid induced writhing in mice [63.05%, P<0.001 and 37.63% for 500 and 250 mg/kg body weight respectively], the effect was significant comparable to the standard drug Diclofenac Sodium [54.92%, P<0.001] at the dose of 25 mg/kg. The extract of A. indica offered about 1.20 hrs and 3.7 hrs [P<0.001] of the mean latent period for diarrhoeal episode at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight which is comparable to standard drug Loperamide. The results tend to suggest that the leaves might possess analgesic, antioxidant and antidiarrhoeal activities or active constituent[s] responsible for the activities and supported its traditional uses

Assessment of phytochemical and pharmacological activities of Leucas zeylanica [L.] R.Br. [Family: Lamiaceae]

The aim of the present study is to investigate the antioxidant, neuropharmacological, analgesic and antimicrobial activities of the EtOH extract of the whole plant of Leucas zeylanica. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of gums, carbohydrate, reducing sugar, phenols, tannins [gallic acid], cardiac glycosides and saponins. TLC-based antioxidant assay by DPPH free radical revealed positive activity of the extract and in quantitative assay IC[50] value was 62.9 microg/ml. The extract potentiated the phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time in mice in a dose dependent manner. From the study of analgesic activity using the model of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice it was found that the extract exhibited [***p<0.001] writhing inhibition was dose dependent. The extract showed moderate antimicrobial activity

ENT Mnifestations of wegener's granulomatosis

The purpose of this study was to find out the presenting features, diagnostic problems, treatment, and prognosis of Wegener's granulomatosis [WG], with special reference to ENT manifestations. It was a prospective descriptive study. The study was conducted at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS], Islamabad, from 1st March1999 to 30th Sep 2001. The ten patients included in this study comprised of six males and four females, with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. The age of patients ranged from 16 years to 55 years with an average age of 38.5 years. The most common presentation in our patients was due to nasal involvement of disease. Nasal obstruction, epistaxis, and rhinorrhoea was seen in 80% of patients with WG. Next common symptom was headache [60%] followed by other symptoms Two patients had ear pain and conductive deafness along with nasal symptoms. One patient in addition to nasal symptoms mentioned presented with saddle nose deformity. One patient presented with hoarseness and progressive stridor, having subglottic stenosis as an isolated finding. Most common symptoms in WG localized to ENT region are nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea and epistaxis. Biopsy and c-ANCA have key role in diagnosis of WG. ESR has a good prognostic relevance

Mild asymptomatic hypocalcaemia may be induced during treatment of Hansen's disease

Nowadays the bulk of case load suffering from Hansen's Disease [H.D.] is of multi-bacillary [M.B.] type in Pakistan. Some of them may present initially with erythema nodosum leprosum [E.N.L.] and a significant number of them develop this complication during treatment. Large doses of clofazimine along with moderate dosese of steroids is the standard treatment for such reactions, continued over a period of months and years. Hypokalaemia is mentioned as one of the adverse effects of clofazimine by the manufacturers and steroids have the potential to do the same. Since both hypokalaemia and hypocalcamia can affect the function of cardiac muscles, it was decided to investigate patients receiving clofazimine up to the limit of tolerance along with steroids by electrocardiographic as well as blood electrolyte monitoring. Serum potassium may be falsely elevated due to haemolysis especially if the laboratory is located far away from the patients. Out of twelve cases studied, 7 [58%] revealed mild asymptomatic hypocalcemia and in two cases spurious hyperkalaemia was encountered

impact of multiple drug therapy on Hansen's disease

Multiple drug therapy [MDT] has decreased the duration of treatment of Hansen's disease [leprosy]. Patients are enthused with the regime, compliance has increased and surely this will decrease the emergence of resistance. While on treatment new disabilities from lepra reactions appear infrequently and seldom persist; on the contrary mild disabilities may regress partially or completely. However, complete control of all deformities and disabilities will depend upon early detection, health education, physiotherapy and follow-up. Reconstructive surgery is useful for advanced disabilities and cosmetic rehabilitation