Comparative evaluation of in vitro cytotoxic effects among parent abietyl alcohol and novel fatty acid ester derivatives against MCF7 and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

Synthesis of twelve hitherto unreported esters of abietyl alcohol and screening of these esters against four cancer cell lines including one breast cancer line MCF7 and four hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines [HCC] Huh7, Hep3B, Snu449 and Plc has been determined using SRB assay. The Cell cycle progression showed changes in cellular behaviour after 48 and 72 hours in MCF7 and Huh7 cell lines. Abietyl alcohol was obtained from the reduction of abietic acid, a tricyclic diterpene, isolated from oleoresin of Pinus longifolia Roxberghii

Organophosphate and pyrethroid residues in the milk of women and breast cancer patients from Karachi

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of pesticide residues organophosphate and pyrethroid in the milk of women and in serum of breast cancer patients from different localities of Karachi due to pesticide exposure. An experimental study. This sis a research-based study that was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Baqai Medical University, Karachi from March 2008 to March 2010. A total 40 milk samples were collected from private clinics and 6 serum samples from breast cancer patients were also collected from private cancer hospitals based at different areas of Karachi. All the samples were analyzed for the presence of pesticide residues. Samples of milk and serum were prepared accordingly and the purified samples were injected into the HPLC apparatus. The peaks of the samples were compared by the retention time of the standard peaks. The chromatogram obtained indicated the quantity of pesticide residues. Milk samples and serum samples were analyzed using HPLC technique. Pesticides such as malathion, permethrin, deltamethrin and Polytrin-C were detected in different concentrations. The levels were significantly higher than the maximum residual limit. It is concluded that the presence of pesticides in the human body is a major concern in the development of various ailments because of possible immunotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of pesticides

effect of Cedrus deodara root oil on the histopathology of rat stomach

The aim of this study was to observe the anti-ulcer effects of Cedrus deodara root oil on the rat's stomach and compare it with standard anti-ulcer drugs, femotidine and protonix. The study was conducted on 50 albino Wistar rats in three different doses i.e. 30, 40, and 50 mg/kg. The animals were divided into five groups, each group comprised of 10 rats [5 male and 5 female]. The oil was extracted from the plant root by dry destructive distillation method and the dose was calculated by dissolving 1.25 gms of Cedrus deodara in 25ml of 10% ethanol. The drugs were administered to the treated animals orally through feeding tube for two weeks. Animals received the dose of 50 mg cedar oil only, showed the healing effects on the mucosal epithelium of stomach, decreased inflammatory cells and granulation tissues on the submucosal layer upon histopathological examination. Therefore it may be concluded that Cedrus deodara root oil has anti-ulcerative effects and may be used in the management of gastrointestinal disorders particularly in peptic ulcer

Coronary artery by pass graftingearly morbidity and mortality in patients with tight glycaemic control versus standard control

Several studies have suggested superiority of tight glycaemic control in reducing the incidence of surgical site infection and mortality after cardiac surgery. To compare the frequency of post operative surgical site infections after CABG in patients with tight glycamic control and those with standard glycamic control. Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. June 2008 to March 2010. Total of 496 patients were included, they were randomized to tight glycaemic control group [TGC, n =248] or standard control group[SC, n=248].In TGC group blood glucose was maintained between 90 - 130 mg/dl, while in SC group blood glucose was maintained between 131- 190mg/dl for 48 hours post surgery. Results were prospectively evaluated. Demographic and surgical data was similar in both groups. Patients in TGC group showed significant reduction in post operative superficial sternal wound infection [4 vs 12, p < 0.05], deep sternal wound infection [1 vs 7, p <0.05] and leg wound infection [2vs 9, p<0.05].There was also non significant reduction in the incidence of post operative mediastinitis [1 vs 3], new myocardial infarction [2 vs 3],and atrial fibrillation [10 vs 12]. Mortality was equal in both groups [1 in each]. Significant reduction in SSI was observed in TGC group and no change was seen in other morbidities and short term mortality in the study

Evaluation of the teratogenic potentials of neem seed oil in albino rat

The safe use of medicines, both modern as well as traditional, during gestation is becoming an increasingly contentious issue because many therapeutic agents have proved to be menace as they produce congenital malformations in offspring when used during pregnancy. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Neem Seed Oil administration during gestation on young ones of albino rat. 300 off springs of albino rat were used in this study. They were obtained from 60 pregnant rats at term or at 20[th] day of gestation. The pregnant rats were divided in four groups. Group A received freshly extracted Neem Seed Oil 0.5 ml orally from 6[th] to 12[th] days of gestation. Groups B and C received 1.0 and 2.0 ml of oil orally for same period. Group D behaved as control and received 0.5 ml of distilled water orally for same period. The pregnant rats were observed for duration of pregnancy, weight gain, abortions and number of pups given birth. The obtained pups were examined for any structural malformations. There was no incidence of abortion in treated animals like controls. There were no resorptions in control group. Treated group A, B and C had incidence of 2.3, 5.7 and 15.3% respectively. no gross structural malformation was found in control or any of the treated groups. Neem Seed Oil was not found to be embryo/feto toxic in terms of causing abortions, reduced number of litter, retarded growth of young ones, fetal death, fetal resorptions and gross structural malformations in all doses tested