Comparative anti-glycation and alpha-glucosidase inhibition studies of microbial transformed compounds of dydrogesterone

Anti-glycation and alpha-glucosidase inhibition activities of microbial transformed compounds of dydrogesterone [1]; 20R-hydroxy-9 beta,10 alpha-pregna-4,6-diene-3-one [2], 17 beta-hydroxy-9 beta,10 alpha-androsta-4,6-diene-3-one [3] and 9 beta,10 alpha- androsta-4,6-diene-3,17-dione [4] were evaluated. Compounds 1 and 4 showed potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities, while 2 and 3 were found to be weak inhibitors, whereas anti-glycation activities of 1-4 were not observed

Two new diarylesters from Ipomoea cairica

Ipomoea cairica L. Sweet, used in Brazilian folk medicine for curing rheumatism and inflammations. Two new compounds cairicate [1] and methoxycairicate [2] were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract from I. cairica together with one known compound myristyl alcohol reported for the first time from this plant. The structures of compounds were elucidated through spectrometric methods

Emergency contraception: knowledge and attitude among females

To assess women's knowledge of emergency contraception. Descriptive study. Gynaecology Unit IV, Lyari General Hospital Karachi, In January 2009. Women aged between 18 to 45 years visiting Gynaecology OPD at Lyari General Hospital Karachi were interviewed and responses entered in a specially designed questionnaire of knowledge and attitude about emergency contraception. Of the 300 respondents, 129[43%] had practiced contraception while 9[3%] admitted to having an induced abortion. Only 144[48%] had heard of emergency contraception [EC]. 123[41%] knew only about hormonal method of EC. Only 6[2%] knew the correct timing of EC. Six requested for EC previously. Many women were uninformed about the action and timing of EC. Health facilitator should educate masses about EC, emphasizing available methods and correct timing of use

Phytochemical studies of Berberis aristata

Four alkaloids, pakistanine [1], 1-O-methylpakistanine [2], pseudopalmatine chloride [3] and pseudoberberine chloride [4] were isolated for the first time from Berberis aristata. The structures of these compounds were identified through comparison of their spectral data with those of the corresponding compounds reported in literature