Efficacy of Chrozophora plicata and Trianthema portuclacastrum weed plant extracts against Trogoderma granarium Everts under laboratory conditions

The efficacy of Chrozophora plicata and Trianthema portuclacastrum extracts was investigated against Trogoderma granarium at 10%, 20% and 30% concentrations and 2, 4 and 6 days of exposure periods. It was found that T. portuclacastrum extract caused significantly higher larval mortality [37.47%] than C. plicata [27.03%]. Maximum number of T. granarium larvae [91.11% and 82.22%] was repelled when exposed to 30% concentration. A significant reduction in percentage larval emergence was also found in F1 generation. A decrease in the activity of Acetylcholine Esterase [AChE], Acid Phosphatase [ACP], Alkaline Phosphatase [AKP], ?-Carboxyl and ?-Carboxyl was also found. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of polyphenolic compounds in T. portuclacastrum extract. The overall results revealed that T. portuclacastrum extract was very effective against T. granarium than C. plicata

Efficacy of Azadirachta indica organic extracts against clinical methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates

In current study we investigated the efficacy of organic extracts of Azadirachta indica leaves against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] clinical isolates. For this purpose fresh leaves were used to prepare ethanol, methanol and chloroform extract. Secondly, a cross sectional study was conducted to isolate MRSA in clinical samples from patients having surgical/ non-surgical wounds from Allied Hospital and District Head Quarter Hospital, Faisalabad. The S. aureus isolates were initially identified by biochemical characterization, followed by identification of MRSA using cefoxitin disc diffusion test that was finally confirmed by genomic amplification of mecA gene, responsible for resistance. All MRSA isolates were tested to find vancomycin resistant S. aureus [VRSA] using E-strips [M.I.C. EvaluatorTM, Oxide, UK]. The data showed an overall 37% prevalence of S. aureus including 56.75% clinical MRSA isolates while none of the isolated S. aureus showed resistance to vancomycin. The antimicrobial activity was measured as mean zone of inhibition for each extract against all MRSA isolates and it was found as 15.38+/-2.26, 16.09+/-3.09 and 17.42+/-2.48 for methanol, ethanol and chloroform extracts respectively. Chloroform extract showed significantly high antimicrobial activity against MRSA isolates. Altogether, the current study exposed the high prevalence of MRSA isolates from tertiary care hospitals. However, all MRSA isolates were found susceptible to organic extracts of A. indica leaves

Effect of Lactobacillus casei on serum interleukins following enteropathogenic E. coli infection in experimental rabbits

In the present study we investigated the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effect of Lactobacillus casei following infection with multi-drug resistant enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection in experimental rabbits. For this purpose, 40 adult rabbits were divided into different groups and were infected with multi-drug resistant E. coli AZ1 strain except the control groups. The rabbits were orally administered with L. casei SABA6 strain in two different ways i.e. pre-treatment and post-treatment and both were continued for 7 days. The rabbits were sacrificed sequentially at 0, 4, 7 and 10 days post infection [dpi]. Serum and intestinal tissue samples were collected from each rabbit. Intestinal tissue samples were subjected to histopathological examination that showed microscopic lesions at 4 and 7 dpi among infected group. The serum samples were processed for determination of Interleukin-6 [IL-6, pro-inflammatory] and Interleukin-10 [IL-10, anti-inflammatory] using ELISA. It was found that oral administration of L. casei SABA6 reduces the eruption of intestinal epithelial cells and reduces the incidence of diarrhea. Further, L. casei SABA6 also resulted in immuno modulation by significant increase in concentration of IL-6 and IL-10 particularly at 4 and 7 dpi and protects against E. coli AZ1 infection. Altogether, it was concluded that increased IL-6 and IL-10 levels were responsible for protection against EPEC infections. The sequential sacrifice of experimental animals could be adopted for future studies to find out pathogenesis and virulence mechanism of EPEC infections along with protective efficacy of different probiotics

Determination of anti-oxidative, anti-microbial activity and heavy metal contents of Leucoagaricus leucothites

Mushrooms, a treasure of diverse bioactive scaffolds, have been widely admired due to their nutritional and medicinal significance all over the world. The current study intended to evaluate the therapeutic potentiality of an edible mushroom, Leucoagaricus leucothites [Vittad.] Wasser. Thus, anti-oxidant potential of L. leucothites was determined using DPPH assay and for the determination of anti-microbial potential agar dilution procedure was followed. TOS [total oxidant status], TAS [total anti-oxidant status], and OSI [oxidative stress index] values were evaluated utilizing Rel Assay Kits. For the assessment of heavy metal contents, wet decomposition approach with atomic absorption spectrophotometry was adopted. Screening of phytochemicals present in ethanolic extract of L. leucothites were determined by HPLC. TAS, TOS and OSI values were found to be 8.291mmol/L, 10.797ìmol/L and 0.130 respectively. Our results declared that heavy metal contents are generally in the safe range. Phytochemical analysis of L. leucothites has affirmed the presence of important phenolics such as gallic acid, catechin, and hesperidin. Investigations on antioxidant and anti-microbial potential of L. leucothites has uncovered the fact that this naturally occurring, biologically active, and therapeutically effective mushroom specie has natural borne anti-oxidant and anti-microbial potential and it would be worthwhile to use it for nutritional as well as medicinal purpose

Sorafenib tosylate, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir combination therapy for HCV virus infected patients with decompensated liver cancer

Hepatitis C is the most common health problem worldwide and is major cause of death due to proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma. The medicines available for HCV treatment overcome up-to 95% complications of HCV. However, liver cancer needs some additional care. Normally Sorafenib tosylate 200 mg is recommended for liver cancer. There is no such trial in which this drug could effectively be used in combination of direct acting antivirals for HCV. The study was conducted for HCV patients [n=30] with liver cancer having decompensated stage. Combination of Sorafenib tosylate, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir were used for the pharmacokinetics of these medicines. Child pugh score less then 7 [CP A] in adults during treatment phase [received 12 weeks of Sorafenib tosylate 200 mg, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir 400 mg once daily] have no side effect while child pugh score 7-9 [CP B] have evidence of hypertension. The main efficiency end point sustained virology response with overcoming liver cancer as well in 12 weeks after end treatment [SVR-LLC 12]. Mean pharmacokinetic exposure to Sorafenib tosylate 200 mg, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir at week 8[th] was 2.1, 1.5,1.2 times greater in CP B than in CP A. Adverse effects [AEs] were observed in 12 out of 30 patients but not severe as lethal for life. Treatment with Sorafenib tosylate, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir for twelve weeks was harmless and well accepted, 100 % patients achieve [SVR LLC 12] with 10-fold cure rate more than previous ones. The combination therapy of Sorafenib tosylate, Ribavirn and Sofosbuvir was found helpful for the management of decompensated liver cancer

Investigation of repressive and enhancive effects of fruit extracts on the activity of glucose-6-phophatase

Glucose-6-phosphatase is a key enzyme of glucose metabolic pathways. Deficiency of this enzyme leads to glycogen storage disease. This enzyme also plays a negative role in diabetes mellitus disorder in which the catalytic activity of this enzyme increases. Thus there is need for activators to enhance the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase in glycogen storage disease of type 1b while in diabetes mellitus repressors are needed to reduce its activity. Crude extracts of apricot, fig, mulberry and apple fruits were investigated for their repressive/enhancive effects on glucose-6- phosphatase in vivo. Albino mice were used as experimental animal. All the selected extracts showed depressive effects on glucose-6-phosphatase, which shows that all these extracts can be used as antidiabetic supplement of food. The inhibitory pattern was competitive one, which was evident from the effect of increasing dose from 1g/Kg body weight to 3g/Kg body weight for all the selected fruit extracts. However fig and apple fruit extracts showed high repressive effects for high doses as compared to apricot and mulberry fruit extracts. None of these selected fruit extracts showed enhancive effect on glucose-6-phosphatase activity. All these fruits or their extracts can be used as antidiabetic dietary supplement for diabetes mellitus

Chemical and biological evaluation of Ranunculus muricatus

Ranunculus muricatus is commonly known as spiny fruit buttercup and is used in the treatment of intermittent fevers, gout and asthma. Qualitative analysis of phytochemicals of Ranunculus muricatus indicated the presence of saponins, tannins, phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids. Saponins were present in high amount as compared with other chemicals. Inorganic and heavy metals constituents were determined. Heavy metals estimation in the sample showed that iron was present in high amount followed by zinc even then the concentration of these metals is below acceptable limit. The physical parameters, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts were determined. Acetone extract fraction showed optimal antioxidant activity as compared to ethanol and chloroform fractions of the candidate plant. The antimicrobial and antifungal activities of the crude extract and extract fractions were determined by well agar diffusion method. Highest zone of inhibitions were observed for crude extract followed by acetone extract fraction against Micrococcus luteus. Antifungal activities were high for crude extracts against Candida Albican. Findings of this study show that Ranunculus muricatus has a good medicinal impact

Antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities of honey collected from Timergara [Dir, Pakistan]

In this study honeys of Acacia modesta, Prunus persica, Zizyphus sativa and Isodon rogosus plants were tested against two Gram-positive bacterial strains [Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus], two Gram-negative bacterial strains [Klebsilla pneumonia and Escherichia coli] and two fungal strains [Alternaria alternata and Trichoderma harzianum] through Agar well diffusion method. The tested honeys showed high antimicrobial activities to the tested bacterial and fungal strains. All the tested honeys were more active against Gram-negative bacterial strains than the Gram-positive bacterial strains. They showed lower activity against the tested fungal strains as compared to all the tested bacterial strains. The given honeys showed free radical scavenging activity also.

Effect of gestational diabetes and maternal hypertension on gross morphology of placenta

Gestational diabetes is much more common than pre-existing diabetes i.e. it complicates 2% to 5% of pregnancies. When metabolic control is good, perinatal mortality should be no higher than in general population. However, macrosomia continuous to be a problem in higher than average proportions of such cases. Macrosomia also involves placenta within the chronic hypertensive disease, the most common diagnosis is essential vascular hypertension. Total 60 full term placenta, 20 from normal and 20 each from gestational diabetics and chronic hypertensive mothers were studied grossly. Shape, attachment of umbilical cord, weight, diameter and central thickness of all placentas were noted. The study demonstrates that there is change of shape i.e. two lobes in one placenta from diabetic group. All other placentae were singly lobed and discoidal shape with central attachment of umbilical cord to the foetal surface of placenta. Weight central thickness and diameter were significantly greater in diabetic group as compared to normal and hypertensive group. Hypertensive group shows non significant decrease in weight of placentae while there was no change in central thickness and diameter of placenta in hypertensive than the normal group. Conclusions: On the basis of results of present study, it is concluded that diabetic's placentae showed increase in weight, central thickness and diameter. One out of 20 placentae in diabetic group also showed change of shape and attachment of umbilical cord to one love. Hypertensive's placentae showed no significant change in weight, shape central thickness and attachment of umbilical cord when compared with normal group

Effects of ciprofloxacin on secondary ossification centers in juvenile wistar albino rats

Administration of quinolone therapy is controversial during juvenile age as stated by earlier workers. The fluroquinolones are currently not indicated for young children, because of the arthropathy and adverse effect on growing cartilage shown by studies. However the effects of ciprofloxacin on secondary ossification centers has remained undocumented. This study is therefore aimed to determine the risk of Ciprofloxacin administration on neonatal skeletal differentiation by a prospective and comparative animal study model using Wistar albino rats. Ciprofloxacin was administered to newly born Wistar albino rat pups at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally twice daily from day-1 to day-14 after birth. These animals were killed by deep ether anaesthesia and fixed in 80% alcohol. They were then bulk stained with Alizarin red and Alcian blue. Finally they were cleared in 4% KOH and stored in glycerin. The fore and hind limbs were disarticulated from the axial skeleton and observed under stereomicroscope for evidence of skeletal differentiation in the form of presence of secondary ossification centers in long hones [left humerus and left femur]. The time of appearance of these centers were noted and compared statistically with those in control animals. The study revealed that the skeletal differentiation in long bones was delayed by 2.4 + 0.2 days at both proximal and distal ends in humerus and 2.4 + 0.2 days at proximal end and 2.2 + 0.2 days at distal end of femur in experimental animals as compared with controls. The ciprofloxacin administration during post-natally presents a risk to skeletal differentiation and therefore to its growth upto the age of six weeks is albino rate pups

Effects of maternal smoking on placental morphology

Back ground: Maternal smoking is one of leading causes of premature labour and low birth weight babies. Nicotine and carbon monoxide both induce degenerative changes as well as premature aging of placenta. Degenerative changes induce increased amount of collagen in chorionic villi and increased thickness of subtrophoblastic basement membrane. Premature aging is indicated by increased number of syncytial buds and higher percentage of apoptosis in smoker's placentae. Premature aging and degenerative changes may reduce the functional component of placenta and lead to abnormal outcome of pregnancy. This study was designed to determine the effects of maternal smoking on placental morphology. Total 40 full term placentae, 20 from normal and 20 from smoker mothers were studied histologically. Full thickness pieces of each placenta from standard area were taken for paraffin embedment. Four micron thick sections were cut on rotary microtome and stained with haematoxylin and Eosin, Malloryis trichrome and hexamine silver for syncytial buds, Apoptotic cells, chorionic villous collagen and Subtrophoblastic basement membrane. This study demonstrates that there is extensive aging and degenerative changes in smoker's placentae. The aging process is shown by increased syncytial buds per unit area and high percentage of apoptosis. Degenerative changes are indicated by increased amount of collagen in chorionic villi and increased thickness of subtrophoblastic basement membrane. Extensive premature aging and degenerative changes in smoker's placentae decrease the functional component of an organ, reducing its nutritive and excretory functions. This may be the cause of low birth weight babies in smokers. Extensive loss of trophoblasts by apoptosis and syncytial buds may lead to hormonal imbalance and premature labour in smokers

Microscopic analysis of epidermal melanocytes in human abdominal skin

Microscopic analysis of epidermal melanocytes in human abdominal skin with respect to age and sex. Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy. BMSI, JPMC, Karachi. About one year in 1998. Subjects and Demonstration of epidermal melanocytes in 5mm thick vertical paraffin embedded sections of thirty-eight skin samples from different age and sex groups, using dihydroxyphenyl alanine [Dopa] reagent. The melanocytes count per unit area of skin was significantly higher in the younger than older age groups. No significant difference was noticed between males and females epidermal melanocytes counts. Distribution of epidermal melanocytes was inversely proportional to the advancing age. However, there was no significant gender differences in the distribution of epidermal melanocytes

Effects of carbimazole on morphology of rat adrenals

Study was conducted to investigate the effects of [i] carbimazole and [ii] simultaneous administration of thyroxine [thyroid hormone analogue] on the morphology of rat adrenals. Design: A prospective case-control study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], JPMC, Karachi, during a peroid of six weeks. Methology: The study was conducted on albino rats originally obtained from Charles River Breeding Laboratories, Brooklyn, Massachusetts, USA, and were cross bred, housed and maintained on balanced diet in the Animal House of BMSI, JPMC, Karachi.Eighteen adult albino rats used in the experiment were divided into three groups, i.e. A, B and C, each comprising 6 animals as control, carbimazole-treated, and carbimazole plus thyroxine-treated animals respectively. At the end of six weeks treatment all the animals were sacrificed and their adrenal glands removed, fixed, sectioned and stained with H and E and Sudan black. The histology of adrenals, width of cortex and its zones, and number of cells in different zones of cortex was studied. Carbimazole affects the morphology of adult rat adrenals by decreasing the total width of cortex and its zones especially the zona fasciculata with decrease in number of cells. It also showed the increase in fat contents on Sudan black staining. Carbimazole causes shrinkage of the adrenal cortex

Protective effect of vitamin E against nicotine induced morphological changes in rat testis

To evaluate the protective effect of vitamin-E against nicotine induced toxicity in the testis of rats. Design: Experimental study of rat testis. Setting: Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi. Subjects: Thirty male adult albino rats were divided in three equal groups, i.e. Normal Control group [A], nicotine- treated - group [B] and vitamin E plus nicotine treated group[C]. Vitamin-E was given as 10mg/ animal, while nicotine as 1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 19 days. On completion of treatment all the animals were sacrificed. Their testis were removed and processed for paraffin embedding and stained with H and E and PAS. Simultaneous administration of vitamin-E and nicotine showed protective effect of vitamin E against the nicotine induced toxicity, with a highly significant [P < 0.001] increase in the count and diameter of seminiferous tubules and the thickness of germinal epithelium also the number of interstitial cell nuclei. There was a significant [P < 0.01] increase in the diameter of interstitial cell nuclei in comparison with the toxic changes produced by nicotine. Nicotine induced toxicity may partially be prevented by simultaneous administration with vitamin 'E' in albino rats

Perchloroethylene induced nephropathies in albino rats

To evaluate the effect of perch loroethylene in inducing nephrophaties. 30 adult albino rats of either sex were divided in to three equal groups; Normal control 'A', Sesame Oil Control 'B' and Tetrachlcroethylen treated group 'C' injected with tetrachloroethylen 3mg/kg for 15 days. On completion of treatment all the animals were sacrificed their kidneys removed, processed for paraffin embedding and stained with H and E, PAS and alcian blue. Tetrachloroethylene induces marked swelling of renal tubular cells with lumina filled with cellular debris and casts. Hyaline fibrinoid droplets were found in proximal tubular cells. Tetrachloroethylene induces, changes suggestive of protenacious nephropathy

morphological study of pancreatic islets in nondiabetic and diabetic rats

To investigate the morphological differences in the pancreatic regions derived from dorsal and ventral primordia of non diabetic and diabetic rats. Light microscopic study of pancreatic islets in normal rats and in rats made diabetic by streptozotocin. Fourteen adult albino rats of JPMC strain were divided into two equal groups. A [non diabetic] and B [diabetic]. Diabetes was induced in group B ani mals by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 32 mg/Kg body weight. The rats were killed by ether over dose and the pancreas were divided into four regions: lower duodenal derived from ventral lonbe and upper duodenal gastric and splenic derived from dorsal lobe. Sections from each region were stained with H and E and chrome alum haematoxylin and phloxin. In non diabetic rats the splenic region had more numerous and larger islets with greater number of cells while upper duodenal region had fewer and smaller islets. Mean number of cells was directly proportional to the islet diameter. In the lower duodenal region the islets were smaller than those in splenic and gastric regions but significantly larger than those in the upper duodenal region. In the diabetic rats the islets were reduced in size, number and cellular content in all the regions when compared with the corresponding regions of non diabetic rats. Mean number of B cells showed a highly significant decrease [P < 0.001] in all the four regions. Distinct regional differences exist in the pancreatic regions derived from dorsal and ventral lobes and also among the three regions derived from the dorsal lobe in non diabetic rats. In diabetic animals the same regional differences were observed but there was an overall decrease in number and size of the islets and their cellular content

Effects of tetrachloroethylene and vitamin E on renal parenchyma of albino rats

To evaluate the role of vitamin 'E' against tetrachloroethylene induced nephropathies. Fifty adult albino rats of either sex were divided into five equal groups; normal control [A], sesame oil control [A2], tetrachloroethylene treated group [B], experimental group [C] and vitamin 'E' control [D], In group C vitamin 'E' [10 mg/animal] was injected simultaneously with tetrachloroethylene [3mg/kg] for 15 days. On completion of treatment all the animals were sacrificed. There kindneys removed, processed for paraffin embedding and stained with H and E, PAS and Alcian Blue. Simultaneous administration of vitamin 'E' and tetrachloroethylene showed unaltered morphology of renal cortical parenchyma, comparable with that of group A1, A2 and D kidneys, except slight proximal tubular dilatation. Tetrachloroethlene induced nephropathy may partially be prevented by simultaneous administration with vitamin 'E' in albino rats

Craniofacial alterations in adult rats after acute prenatal alcohol exposure

Exposure during pregnancy to alcohol [ethanol] produces a number of adverse effects. One of them is fetal alcohol syndrome. The hallmark of fetal alcohol syndrome [FAS] is craniofacial dysmorphism and the changes in craniofacial measurement are dependent on the alcoholic dose and its time of exposure. Since prenatal ethanol exposure can alter craniofacial development in rodents and reliably produce long-term behavioral effect in them, the present study was designed to extend the same changes in the Sprague Dawley species. The albino rat was studied to determine whether gestational exposure to alcohol [Ethanol] produces permanent craniofacial effect. On gestational day [GD7-10] 25% ethanol was injected intraperitonealy to pregnant rats. Various dimensions for skull and face of adult male rats were taken. Both vertical and coronal dimensions were altered in the exposed animals. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that exposure to ethanol on a critical gestational period produces permanent craniofacial defects

optimum dose of nicotinamide for protection of pancreatic Beta-cells against the cytotoxic effect of streptozotocin in albino rat

The natural course of Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by progressive destruction of insulin producing Beta-cells of the pancreas resulting from an autoimmune process. The toxic effect of some Beta-cells toxins like streptozotocin [used to produce animal models of IDDM] has been associated with the oxidative stress due to enhanced DNA repair and NAD depletion in damaged Beta-cells. This activity of streptozotocin has been prevented with the use of nicotinamide. A light microscopic study was designed to determine the optimum dose of nicotinamide required for protection of pancreatic Beta cells against the toxicity of streptozotocin. 35 adult male albino rats were divided into five equal groups A, B, C, D and E. the duration of study was 14 days. The animals in experimental groups C, D and E received a single intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide 250 mg/Kg, 350 mg/Kg and 500 mg/Kg respectively on day one. Animals in group A and B acted as normal control and diabetic control respectively. All the animals except those in group A received simultaneous injection of streptozotocin 32 mg /Kg body weight intraperitoneally in a single dose. Fasting blood glucose was assessed and the animals weighed before starting the treatment, after 48 hours and at the end of the experimental period. Histological studies were carried out at the end of the study period. The blood glucose level and the final body weight of the animals in group C matched the values in diabetic control. Histologically the pancreas had generally reduced Beta-cells mass [P < 0.001] with altered morphology. The animals in group D showed impaired glucose tolerance at 48 hours but were normoglycaemic at the end of the study period. There was some loss of Beta-cells but a significant number of these cells [P < 0.05] showing normal morphology were saved. The animals in group E had normal number of P-cells having normal morphological features. The final body weight and fasting blood glucose of these animals matched the values in normal control [group A]. Conclusions: These data suggest that the optimum dose of nicotinamide in regard to prevention against the Beta-cytotoxic effect of streptozotocin in albino rat is 500 mg/Kg body weight