Antimicrobial and toxicological studies on fruit pulp of Citrullus colocynthis L.

The methanolic extract of dried fruit pulp of Citrullus colocynthis [Cucurbitaceae] has been studied with respect to antimicrobial and toxicological properties. The antimicrobial profile was investigated against thirty bacterial isolates [10 Gram +ve and 20Gram-ve] and five fungal species. None of the bacterial or fungal culture used in the study showed sensitivity against the extract. Acute toxicity studies carried out in Albino mice NMRI indicated the highly toxic nature of the colocynth. A very significant decrease in body weight of test animals was noted at P<0.05. The LD[50] was calculated as 1000mg/kg body weight. Within four days of experimentation mortality was 100%. Histopathological studies confirmed the toxic nature of extract. Gross changes in histology of Heart, Liver and Kidneys were noted. Section of spleen did not exhibit any abnormality

Pharmacokinetic study of cephradine in Pakistani healthy male volunteers

To observe and discuss the difference in the pharmacokinetics of Cephradine in Pakistani population with the reported data of other ethnic origins. A Single group pharmacokinetic study was conducted having six healthy male volunteers of 20-24 years of age. Blood samples were collected at appropriate times up to 7 hours. Plasma concentrations of Cephradine was determined by HPLC technique and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by both compartmental and noncompartmental methods using Kinetica ver 4.4.1 and Winnonlin ver 5.01. Peak plasma concentration was 11.49 +/- 1.73 microg/ml achieved at 0.76 +/- 0.12 hr, after the administration of 250 mg Cephradine to fasting volunteers. Area under the serum concentration-time curve was found to be 16.4 +/- 1.71 microg.hr/ml. Absorption, distribution, disposition and elimination half lives were calculated as 0.183 +/- 0.038hr, 0.248 +/- 0.143 hr, 2.126 +/- 0.341 hr and 0.441 +/- 0.193 hr respectively where as the volume of central compartment and total body clearance were found to be 9.65 +/- 3.78 L and 15.4 +/- 1.89 L/hr. The plasma concentration time curves showed the absorption rate constant was 3.968 +/- 0.05 hr-1, disposition rate constant was 0.333 +/- 0.05 hr-1, distribution rate constant was 3.64 +/- 2.18 hr-1 and elimination rate constant was 1.738 +/- 0.468 hr-1. The value of micro-constants i.e. K12 [central to peripheral compartment] and K21 [peripheral to central compartment] were found to be 1.529 +/- 1.499 hr-1 and 0.704 +/- 0.44 hr-1 respectively, where as MRT and AUMC were calculated as 2.04 +/- 0.09 hr and 35.92 +/- 1.86 hr[2]x micro g/mL. The findings showed that the results of Pakistani subjects are slightly different when compared with the reported data of other ethnic origin

Studies on resistance / sensitivity pattern of bacteria related with urinary tract infections

In order to determine the resistance pattern against five different groups of antimicrobial agents, six different species of bacteria were isolated from among two hundred cases of UTIs. The front line antibiotics for treating urinary tract infection due to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus species should include Cephradine, Ofloxacin, Cefaclor, Cephalothin and Pipemidic acid. However, for treating UTI due to Pseudomonas species, the drug of choice must be a member of fluoroquinoline group [norfloxacin, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin]

Studies of resistance pattern of bacteria related with urinary tract infections

Six different species of bacteria isolated in previous study from two hundred cases of UTIs were subjected to determine the resistance pattern against seven different groups of antimicrobial agents. The front line antibiotics for treating urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Staphyloccus aureus and Proteus species should include Cephradine, Ofloxacin, Cefaclor, Cephalothin and Pipemidic acid. However for treating UTI due to pseudomonas species, the drug of choice must be a member of fluoroquinoline group [norfloxacin, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin]

Portability of water obtained through boring in Karachi

This study was carried out to detect the faecal contamination in water obtained from indigenously designed boring facilities. The presence of escherichia coli [major indicator of faecal contamination] was detected after performing the coliform test along with biochemical studies in 32 boring water samples out of 60 samples collected from various localities of Karachi city. Its presence in underground water resources definitely indicates the possible presence of water-borne pathogens