Evaluation of antidiabetic efficacy of Murraya koenigii on Streptozotocin induced diabetes in experimental rats

Background: The medicinal plant Murraya koenigii shown to have a wide variety of pharmacological activities (hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic). Objective of this study is the present study was designed to evaluate Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic property of Murraya koenigii in experimentally induced diabetes in rats.Methods: Experimental diabetes was produced with single dose of Streptozotocin (STZ): 45 mg/kg IP. The rats were randomly allocated in various groups for 37 days. After the confirmation of diabetes on 7th day (>200 mg/dl), hydroalcoholic extract of Murraya koenigii (500 mg/kg) was administered orally to experimental rats from day 7th day and continued for 37 days thereafter. Various antidiabetic (Glucose, HbA1C), metabolic (Lipid profile), safety (pancreatic lipase, Creatinine, SGPT, Histopathology of Liver and Kidney) were evaluated in various group.Results: Efficacy of Murraya koenigii was observed on various parameter of diabetes. Administration of STZ resulted in a significant decrease in diabetic changes (increase in blood glucose, HbA1C), altered lipid profile (p<0.01) in the Control group rats as compared to sham group. Murraya koenigii treatment demonstrated significant antidiabetic indicated by restoration of blood glucose, HbA1C level (p<0.01) compared to Control group. In addition, Murraya koenigii also documented hypolipidemic property of test drug. As per biochemical assessment of Pancreatic lipase, Serum creatinine, SGPT and Histopathological report, the test drug reduce the pancreatic, liver and renal marker and also showed safe to pancreas, Liver and kidney. The histopathological assessment of the liver and kidney confirmed the biochemical findings.Conclusions: The study concluded that the Murraya koenigii possess antidiabetic efficacy.

A Comparative Evaluation of Losartan/ Hydrochlorothiazide (Fixed Combination) versus Amlodipine Monotherapy on Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, Biochemical Parameters and Adverse Effects in Patients of Hypertension.

Background: Long-term administration of antihypertensives require better efficacy and tolerability. Moreover, the agent should regress left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which is an important predictor of cardiovascular events. Aims: To comparatively evaluate the effects of losartan/hydrochlorothiazide (LST/HCTZ) and amlodipine (AMLO) on LVH, biochemical parameters and adverse effects in hypertension. Material and methods: Two hundred fifty newly diagnosed hypertensive patients were randomly divided into two groups. LST 50 mg/HCTZ 12.5 mg and AMLO 5 mg once-daily, were administered. Biochemical parameters, adverse effects and ECG were recorded initially and after 6 months of therapy. Statistical analysis was done. Results: Both regimens significantly reduced mean SBP and DBP in each of the six follow ups (p < 0.001). LST/HCTZ caused regression of LVH in greater number of cases (26) than AMLO (20) and also showed a significant increase in mean values of serum creatinine, serum uric acid and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and a significant decrease in Serum cholesterol. In AMLO group only serum creatinine was raised. The most common adverse effects in LST/HCTZ was dizziness (4.5%) and in AMLO group pedal edema (22%). Conclusion: Comparatively LST/HCTZ therapy causes regression of LVH in larger number of cases, increases HDL and is better tolerated.

Antibiogram of Group B Streptococci Isolated from the Vagina of Pregnant Women in Third Trimester of Pregnancy.

Group B streptococcal (GBS) prevalence varies from place to place; this organism is responsible for serious infections in newborns, such as septicemia and meningitis. The present study was aimed to find out the antibiogram of Group B Streptococci isolated from the vagina of pregnant women who were in the third trimester of pregnancy and to identify the risk factors for its colonization in vagina. The study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, M. R. Medical College & Hospital, Gulbarga during a period from January 2007 to December 2007. Two hundred pregnant women who were in the third trimester of pregnancy and attending the antenatal clinics were included in the study. Two low vaginal swabs were taken from each women included in the study and were immediately transported to the laboratory for processing. Direct gram staining was done from one swab and the other swab was inoculated into sheep blood agar plate and incubated at 37ºC for 24-48 hours. Identification of organism was based on gram staining, colony morphology, catalase reaction, Christie Atkins Munch Petersen (CAMP) and Hippurate hydrolysis test. Of the 200 pregnant women screened, 7.5% were colonized by GBS. Incidence of GBS colonization was higher among pregnant women in the third trimester who were 25 years of age and primigravida. All the isolates were sensitive to Ampicillin, Erythromycin and Penicillin but were resistant to Gentamicin and Kanamycin.

Nutritional status of rural pregnant women.

Pregnancy is a crucial period of woman’s life where socio-demographic factors affect her health as well as determine the health of future generation. A cross-sectional community based study was conducted in pregnant women in the field practice area of RCHTC, Hebbal. Variables considered for the study were: Age, religion, Socio-economics status, type of family & house, parity, spacing methods, utilization of health services, height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI). Majority of pregnant woman had inadequate protien & calorie consumption during pregnancy; 23.93%, woman were having BMI<18.5; 66.67%, were anemic (Hb<11 gm%). The overall prevalence of anemia was found to be high among illiterate (98.2%), Hindu (92.31%) and moderately working woman (83.34% ). Anemia was found to be more common whose age at first pregnancy was <20 years (57.28%), age at marriage <20 years (87.17%), in IInd trimester of pregnancy (62.83% ) and in age group of 20-24 years (39.14%). Government hospital services were utilized by 78.63% but only 58.97% received iron & folic acid tablets and 70.94% had taken injection Tetanus Toxoid (TT). Hence, effective intervention should be directed towards young pregnant women <20 years of age to improve maternal nutritional status, literacy level, and health education for utilization of health services.

EEG Study in Excellent and Poor Achiever Students.

Objective: To assess the EEG amplitude and frequency of poor and excellent achievers. Method: The 15% highest achieving students and the 15% lowest achieving students from the three faculties were selected to be included in the study sample. EEG was carried out according to the 10–20 system, using a common reference electrode. The Bipolar recording of 10 minutes of two runs i.e. anterior, posterior and transverse has been taken into account for the analysis of data. Results: There are significant differences in the amplitudes of certain lobes of both hemispheres of poor and excellent achievers. Particularly, poor achievers have higher amplitudes. The frequency of excellent achievers of certain lobes is found to be significantly higher than those of the poor achievers. Conclusion: The relationship of amplitude and frequency with academic achievement are inconclusive, nothing can be said with confidence about the role played by the amplitude in determining the academic achievement of poor achievers. It is difficult to understand the specific roles played by the frequencies of the different lobes in determining the academic achievement of excellent achievers. Hence, further researches should be undertaken to study the cause and effect relationship between amplitude and frequency of the different lobes and academic achievements of’ students.

Pseudoseizures: Any Psychosocial Determinants.

A sample of 80 subjects; 15 male and 65 female in age group of 5 to 45 years well educated; were diagnosed for pseudo-seizures in Neurology OPD and were included in the study. Subjects were excluded who were with any psychiatric or major physical illness. The patients, as the diagnosed case of pseudo seizures, were referred for psychosocial evaluation and were included in the study. Several sessions were held with such patients, their family members and friends to explore the psychosocial stressors as well as secondary gain if any. We observed no significant difference in relation to marital, socioeconomic and educational status among the males and females. But there were significant differences in the findings of the study in relation to the sociodemographic profile of the patients in relation to age, marital status, education and occupation of the patients. Other variables like gender, socio economic status, habitat, religion and family did not reveal any significant difference. These results are in conformity to other reported studies on patients with pseudoseizures, who have a number of stressors i.e. financial burden, family conflicts, marital disharmony, love affairs, disruption in career related issues and academic failure etc.

Prevalence & risk factors of pre-hypertension & hypertension in an affluent north Indian population.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Urban Indians have a high prevalence of insulin resistance, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. We studied the prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension, as well their association with cardiovascular risk factors, in a north Indian upper socio-economic population. METHODS: A total of 1746 adults (age >or=30 yr) residing in an urban colony of high-income group residents in the city of Lucknow, north India, were invited to be enrolled for the study. The response rate was 64 per cent (n=1112). Blood pressure, anthropometry, plasma glucose in response to oral glucose tolerance test and lipids were measured. The variables contributing significantly to pre-hypertension and hypertension were analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The age and sex adjusted prevalence of hypertension was 32.2 per cent and pre-hypertension was 32.3 per cent. In contrast to hypertension, which was highest in the age group 60-69 yr (64%), prehypertension was highest (36%) in the group 30-39 yr. There was a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the general population [central obesity (86.7%), elevated LDL cholesterol (22.8%), abnormal glucose tolerance (41.6%) and smoking (20.3% of males)]. Two or more of the cardiovascular risk factors were present in a higher proportion of hypertensive [66%, odds ratio (OR) 3.0, P<0.0001] and pre-hypertensive, (56%, OR 2.0, P<0.0001) compared to normotensive subjects (39%). Subjects with pre-hypertension had body mass index, waist-hip ratio and frequency of glucose intolerance, which was intermediate between normotensive and hypertensive subjects. In multiple logistic regression analysis, increasing age, body mass index, waist hip ratio and impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes were independent risk factors for both hypertension and pre-hypertension. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension were noted in affluent urban north Indians. Increasing age, body mass index, central obesity and impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes were significantly associated with both hypertension and pre-hypertension. Pre-hypertension was associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors.

Validation and reproducibility of a food frequency questionnaire to assess energy and fat intake in affluent north Indians.

BACKGROUND: India is currently witnessing a sharp rise in noncommunicable disorders such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. This rise can be related in part to dietary changes such as increased intake of calories, fat (especially saturated fat) and cholesterol. A simple, accurate and reproducible method to measure these nutrients is essential to study the role of diet in these diseases in epidemiological studies. We aimed to develop and validate a food frequency questionnaire that could be used for this purpose. METHODS: Thirty urban north Indian subjects (age 23-64 years, 16 men) belonging to a high socioeconomic group were studied. The subjects were selected consecutively over a period of 3 weeks from among those participating in an epidemiological survey on cardiovascular risk factors in an affluent population. A 102-item food frequency questionnaire was developed to capture the intake of calories, fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. The results obtained by the food frequency questionnaire were compared with a 5-day diet record. To assess the reproducibility of the food frequency questionnaire, it was re-administered after 3 months to the 23 subjects available. RESULTS: It took the dietician 20 minutes or less to administer the questionnaire. There was good correlation between the nutrient values as calculated by the food frequency questionnaire and 5-day diet record. The correlation for energy intake was 0.80, and varied between 0.55 and 0.69 for unadjusted intake of other nutrients. After adjusting for calories, the correlation varied between 0.45 and 0.68. In general, the food frequency questionnaire overestimated the energy-adjusted nutrient intake by 6%-17%. When intake was classified into quartiles, there was good agreement between the two methods: 43%-100% for calories; 29%-86% for other nutrients for unadjusted intake; 29%-71% for nutrients after energy adjustment. On calculation of intake after re-administration of the food frequency questionnaire, there was a moderate to strong correlation (energy adjusted r=0.49-0.90) between the two evaluations for various nutrients. CONCLUSION: The food frequency questionnaire developed for the assessment of nutrient intake in a north Indian population was easy to administer, showed moderate to good correlation with the 5-day diet record and was reproducible.