Pulmonary Manifestations in Patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis and its Correlation with Severity of Disease

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology marked by symmetric, peripheral polyarthritis. RA has a prevalence of 1–2% in the general adult population. The mortality rate in patients with RA increases during the course of the disease, with a tendency to accelerate after 15 years. Aim: To study the pulmonary manifestations and their severity using [Disease Activity Score (DAS)—28 score] in patients of RA. Materials and methods: Present study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Sardar Patel Medical College and Associated Group of Hospitals Bikaner, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, on 100 patients. This study was a cross-sectional, observational study conducted over 1 year. Consecutive cases of RA patients attending the outpatient department or admitted to the medicine wards were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Pulmonary manifestation was present in a total of 38% of cases, while the remaining 62% of cases had no pulmonary manifestation. The presence of comorbidity and C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly associated with pulmonary manifestation in RA patients. On high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), the most common finding was interstitial lung disease (ILD) (60.5%), with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) as the most common pattern. On performing a pulmonary function test (PFT), 33 patients (86.84%) had an abnormal result, with restrictive as the most common pattern. Conclusion: The patients of RA, especially those with advanced age, long duration of disease, male sex, and associated comorbidity, should be screened for pulmonary complications of RA using X-ray chest and PFT, supplemented by HRCT chest wherever required.

Improving assistive technology access to students with low vision and blindness in Delhi: A school-based model

Purpose: Assistive technology (AT) has recently received considerable attention around the world. Studies have shown poor access to assistive technology for visual impairment (ATVI) in schools for the blind in India. The present article aimed at designing a school?based model to improve AT access in schools and provide hands?on training, and identify types of ocular morbidities present among students. Methods: The vision rehabilitation (VR) team of a tertiary eye?care center visited schools for the blind as a part of community? based VR services. The team conducted a basic eye examination and assessed best?corrected vision acuity (BCVA) and provided VR services. Furthermore, two schools were selected to establish an ATVI learning center as a pilot model. Results: In total, 1887 students were registered for VR and obtained their disability certificates in 2019?20. Retina problems (25.7%), globe abnormalities (25.5%), optic nerve atrophy (13.6%), and squint (12.0%) were common ocular problems identified in students. Around 50.3% of students had BCVA ³ 1/60 in the better eye who would be benefited from visual?based AT, and the remaining students with visual substitution AT. Further, 20.8% of them who had near vision between N18 to N24 would be benefitted from large print books. Two schools were provided ATVI with support from the WHO. Familiarization, demonstration, and initial training for ATVI were carried out. Conclusion: A sizable number of the students would be benefitted from visual?based AT apart from visual substitutions AT. Students were interested to have such ATVI centers in the school for academic and non?academic skills development.

Product Optimization, Storage Quality and Sensory Acceptance of Low Calorie Beverage Developed from Bitter Gourd and Kiwifruit

Abstract Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) fruit is good source of many nutraceutical compounds and possess antioxidant, anti-diabetic and hypoglycaemic activities. However, its utilization in the preparation of beverages is limited due to its bitter after taste. Therefore, to realize the functional and therapeutic benefits of bitter gourd, an attempt was made to optimize nutritious and low caloriebitter gourd based beverage by blending with kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa), a store house of bioactive compounds and substituting sugar with stevioside (steviol glycoside). The standard (sugar sweetened) bitter gourd (BG)-kiwifruit (K) blended beverage was developed by utilizing 30% fruit part of BG:K blended juice (80: 20) with 40oB TSS and 1.3% acidity. Further, to develop the low calorie beverage, sucrose (table sugar) was replaced with 25, 50, 75 and 100% equi-sweetness level of stevioside (steviol glycoside). Results revealed that 75% substitution of sucrose with stevioside resulted in shelf stable beverage with identical taste, good antioxidant potential (68.80%) and strong antimicrobial activity (26 mm ZOI) with reduced calorie values (28.5 Kcal/100g) compared to the sugar sweetened control sample (150.60 Kcal/100g). Hence, the developed beverage can be commercialized as low calorie beverage with additional health benefits of natural compounds of bitter gourd and kiwifruit with highest bioactivity.

Use of microalgal biomass as functional ingredient for preparation of cereal based extrudates: impact of processing on amino acid concentrations and colour degradation kinetics

Abstract Suitability of developing Spirulina incorporated cereal based low cost nutritious extrudates was analysed against extrusion processing parameters. Most significant extrusion processing parameters considered for present study were feed moisture (20-25%), die temperature (100-120 °C) and screw speed (50-100 rpm). Different extrusion conditions were used to obtain most acceptable rice: Spirulina blend extrudates. In present study before extrusion processing different additives (citric acid and sodium bicarbonate) were added in rice: Spirulina blend and checked its effect on colour degradation kinetics at varied packaging and storage conditions. Higher screw speed (100 rpm) indicating less residence time of feed material inside the barrel resulted in higher colour retention of rice: Spirulina (97:03) blend extrudates. Kinetics for rice: Spirulina (97:03) blend extrudates indicates faster rate of colour degradation in terms of lightness (half-life of 4 days) when packed in metalized polyethylene at 50°C with 65% relative humidity. Increased concentration of Spirulina (1-3%) in raw formulations resulted in increase in concentration of all amino acids. Impact of extrusion processing has shown non-significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on amino acid concentrations of rice: Spirulina blend extrudates. Also, all the spirulina added samples showed good consumer acceptability with the score of 6.7

Effect of Artificial Ageing Using Different Wood Chips on Physico-chemical, Sensory and Antimicrobial Properties of Apple Tea Wine

Abstract: Freshly prepared apple tea wine (a combination of tea extract and apple juice) is having yeasty and dull flavour, which needs to be improved to increase the acceptability of this product. Therefore, an attempt has been made for artificial ageing of apple tea wine using different wood chips to improve its physico-chemical, sensory and antimicrobial attributes. Different types of wood chips (Quercus spp., Bombax spp. and Acacia spp.) were added respectively (2.5 g/L to the freshly prepared apple tea wine) and allowed for ageing in carboys for the six months at the room temperature. The influence of each wood species on physico-chemical, sensory and antimicrobial attributes was tested upto 6 months of storage. Storage intervals significantly affected all the physico-chemical attributes (except total sugars, volatile acidity, and antioxidant activity), whereas, the addition of wood chips affected titratable acidity, ethanol, higher alcohols, total phenols, and amino acid. Cluster analysis of the physico-chemical attributes data revealed the same and showed that storage intervals exerted more effect on the physico-chemical and antimicrobial properties of the apple tea wine rather than the wood chips. The antimicrobial activity of 6 months aged wine was low as compared to the fresh wine. Among all the wood chips, apple tea wine aged with Quercus spp. possesses a significantly higher score (according to desirability) than the wine aged with other wood chips and control. In nutshell, apple tea wine matured with Quercus spp. wood chips for 6 months were the best with improved physico-chemical and sensory attributes.

Audit of neonatal congenital anomalies required surgical intervention at tertiary care centre

Background: Nearly 10% of neonatal deaths are due to congenital malformations requiring surgical intervention. Hence our aim is to study spectrum and outcome of the different neonatal congenital anomalies requiring surgical intervention.Methods: This prospective study was conducted over a period of 2 years. 130 cases which required surgical intervention in neonatal period were included in the study. Plain x-ray abdomen was done in all the cases of our study. Ultrasound scan was done in all the cases to rule out renal and other anomalies. Contrast radiography was also performed in selected cases. All cases underwent their respective operations depending upon the diagnoses. Complication and mortalities during hospital stay were noted.Results: During the study period total 130 neonates underwent surgical intervention. Out of 130 cases 5(3.84%) neonates had trachea-esophageal fistula, 2(1.53%) had pure esophageal atresia, 5(3.84%) had duodenal atresia, 9(6.92%) had jejunal atresia, 14(10.76%) had ileal atresia, 3 had meconium ileus(2.30%), 9(6.92%) had malrotation, 15(11.5%) had HD and 5(3.84%) had Meckel's diverticulum, 10(7.69%) had Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis, 2(1.53%) had gastroschisis, 3(2.30%) had omphalocele, 16(12.30%) had anorectal malformation, 4(3.07%) had Patent Vitello Intestinal Duct, 3(2.30%) had persistent patent urachus, 4(3.07%) had congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 1(0.76%) had Congenital Lobar Emphysema, 4(3.07%) had Neural Tube Defects, 8(6.15%) had Inguinal Hernia, 6(4.61%) had Posterior Urethral Valve and 2(1.53%) had Pelvi-ureteric Junction Obstruction. There were 85 males and 45 females (M: F-2:1). Septicaemia (40%) was most common complication, 21 (16.15%) cases had mortality.Conclusions: There is lack of awareness regarding dog bite and its management among the rural population.

A Prospective Study Comparing No Antibiotic versus Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Patients Undergoing Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most common operations performed in general surgery. Elective laparoscopiccholecystectomy has a low risk for infective complications, and standard guidelines do not recommend prophylactic antibioticuse for low-risk cases. However, the use of antibiotic prophylaxis is very prevalent and the duration and dosage are inconsistentand varies widely among surgeons. This study is being done to assess the role of no antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention ofwound infection in a patient undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Study Design and Period: The study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery at Christian Medical College,Ludhiana. This was an open labeled study conducted from the period of January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2014.Results: 92 patients suffering from chronic calculous cholecystitis undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy wereincluded in the study. Group A with 23 cases without prophylactic antibiotic. Group B with 69 cases with two doses of prophylacticantibiotics Inj. cefuroxime 1.5 gram 30 min prior to induction and after 6 h. The majority of our 81patients (88.04%) were females.The male to female ratio was 1:8. 3 patients (3.27%) in Group B had associated comorbidities except for diabetes mellitus. Themajority of patients 14 (60.86%) in Group A had taken 1-2 h of operative time while 58 patients (84.05%) patients in Group Bwith statistical insignificant P = 0.05. There was no fever in Group A patients while in Group B 2 patients (2.89%) had fever onsecond post-operative day which was not related to surgical site infection and that was due to superficial thrombophlebitis. InGroup A 18 patients (78.26%) were discharged on second postoperative days while 46 patients (66.67%) patients in Group Bwere discharged on second postoperative day. 8 patients (11.59%) in Group B were discharged on third postoperative days.There was no statistical difference in the duration of hospitalization between the two groups with P = 0.22. The overall incidenceof postoperative infective complications were nil in both groups either with patients having no prophylactic antibiotic or thosehaving prophylactic antibiotics

Comparison of Wound Closure using Octylcyanoacrylate Tissue Adhesive versus Subcuticular Suture in Inguinal Hernia Surgery

In our study, we have compared inguinal hernia skin closure with octylcyanoacrylate tissue adhesive and subcuticular suturewith 4-0 Monocryl. We found that time require for closure is significantly less with using glue. Hospital stay are less in glue groupcompare to subcuticular group but not significant. Incidence of infection is more in subcuticular group. Cosmetic outcome of scaris equally good in glue as compared to sutures. Post op pain is less in glue group. Inguinal hernia is a common surgical problemand the usual treatment is Lichtenstein mesh hernioplasty. Wound closure is usually done by interrupted sutures, subcuticularsutures, or staples. Tissue adhesive octylcyanoacrylate is an alternative method for skin closure, which is a new generation longchain tissue adhesive. In this study, we will be comparing the outcome of tissue adhesive octylcyanoacrylate with subcuticularsuture for closure of inguinal hernia surgery in adults in terms of time efficiency, cosmesis, pain, and wound complications

A case report on incidental finding of thymoma as anterior mediastinal mass

Thymomas are rare tumors in the anterior mediastinum, representing 50% of anterior mediastinal masses and about 20-30% of all mediastinal tumors. They are of unknown etiology; about 50% of patients with thymomas are diagnosed incidentally with chest radiography. Thymoma is classified into different stages, which determine the prognosis and type of management, the standard primary treatment for these tumors is Thymectomy. We present a case of 55-year female presented with shortness of breath, cough with expectoration and fever for past ten days. Chest x-ray revealed mediastinal widening. CECT chest showed a well-circumscribed heterogeneous solid enhancing mass lesion. FNAC was planned that showed features in favour of thymoma. Biopsy was done that confirmed lymphocyte rich type B thymoma.

Contraceptive practices and awareness about emergency contraception among women attending a tertiary care hospital of Delhi, India

Background: Emergency contraceptive pills (ECs) are a safe female-controlled method of post-coital contraception; however, the knowledge about them is low among general population.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done among the adult females, aged 18 years and above, who visited the various out-patient departments (OPD) of a tertiary care hospital in July 2017. A total of 640 adult females, who visited the OPDs of medicine, surgery, orthopedics and gynecology were included in this study. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS ver 16. Chi-square test was used to test association. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant association.Results: Of the 640 participants, mostly were Hindu, aged between 20-29 years, married and had more than one child. Only, 52% females were aware of the term ‘contraception’ and 17.7% about ‘emergency contraception’. The only method of ECs they were aware of was i-pill. Commonest source of their knowledge was friends, relatives and spouse. Only 70 women knew that it can be used after unprotected intercourse and 25 knew that it can be used after failure of barrier method. Just 41.2% women used any kind of contraceptive and 5.3% women have ever used an EC. Around 28% women reported not using contraception due to lack of knowledge.Conclusions: Despite of their availability since many years, awareness about emergency contraception is low. More efforts are required to generate awareness about regular use of effective contraception and emergency contraception if required.

Analysis of multiple choice questions from a formative assessment of medical students of a medical college in Delhi, India

Background: Assessment is a dominant motivator to direct and drive students learning. Different methods of assessment are used to assess medical knowledge in undergraduate medical education. Multiple choice questions (MCQs) are being used increasingly due to their higher reliability, validity, and ease of scoring. Item analysis enables identifying good MCQs based on difficulty index (DIF I), discrimination index (DI), and distracter efficiency (DE).Methods: Students of second year MBBS appeared in a formative assessment test, that was comprised of 50 “One best response type” MCQs of 50 marks without negative marking. All MCQs were having single stem with four options including, one being correct answer and other three incorrect alternatives (distracter). Three question paper sets were prepared by disorganizing sequence of questions. One of the three paper sets was given to each student to avoid copying from neighboring students. Total 50 MCQs and 150 distracters were analyzed and indices like DIF I, DI, and DE were calculated.Results: Total Score of 87 students ranged from 17 to 48 (out of total 50). Mean for difficulty index (DIF I) (%) was 71.6+19.4. 28% MCQs were average and “recommended” (DIF I 30-70%). Mean for discrimination index (DI) was 0.3+0.17. 16% MCQs were “good” and 50% MCQs were in “excellent” criteria, while rests of the MCQs were “discard/poor” according to DI criteria. Mean for distracter efficiency (DE) (%) was 63.4+33.3. 90% of the items were having DE from 100 to 33%. It was found that MCQs with lower difficulty index (<70) were having higher distracter efficiency (93.8% vs. 6.2%, p=0.004).Conclusions: Item analysis provided necessary data for improvement in question formulation and helped in revising and improving the quality of items and test also. Questions having lower difficulty index (<70) were significantly associated with higher discrimination index (>0.15) and higher distractor efficiency.

A comparative study to assess the safety and efficacy of etoricoxib versus aceclofenac in osteoarthritis

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is most common form of arthritis; also referred as degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors are effective for pain and inflammation in OA and gained importance over conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), as causes significantly less toxicity, particularly, in gastrointestinal tract. The objective of the present research was to study the short-term comparative clinical efficacy of aceclofenac and etoricoxib in patients with osteoarthritis and to compare the safety profile of the two drugs i.e. aceclofenac and etoricoxib.Methods: The present study was a prospective, open label, parallel, intention to treat 80 patients out of 102 screened for osteoarthritis in the Department of Orthopaedics, Guru Nanak Dev Hospital attached to the Government Medical College, Amritsar. Patients were randomly divided in two groups with 40 patients each. Group A patients received Tab etoricoxib 60mg once daily and Group B patients received Tab. Aceclofenac 100mg twice daily. Patients were followed up after three weeks and at six weeks for clinical efficacy and safety.Results: Both the groups found to have significant improvement in signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. However, aceclofenac was superior to etoricoxib in terms of change in visual analogue scale score, osteoarthritic severity index, patients’ and physicians’ global assessment while, etoricoxib was superior in terms of WOMAC osteoarthritic index and safety parameters in terms of ADR.Conclusions: Etoricoxib was better than conventional NSAIDs for the symptomatic management of osteoarthritis in terms of safety profile and clinical efficacy.

A Study On Awareness Regarding Prescribed Drugs Of Patients Attending Outpatient Departments In A Tertiary Care Hospital Of Delhi

Background: The treatment outcomes of patients attending Outpatient Departments (OPD) in hospitals are largely dependent upon the awareness of patients about the prescribed drugs. This awareness about treating drugs further affects their compliance which is guided by the communication between the doctor and patient. Objectives: To know the proportion of prescription slips that was complete. To study the level of awareness of patients attending OPDs regarding prescribed drugs. Methods: It is a cross sectional study involving 200 patients attending OPDs in a tertiary care hospital. Adult patients leaving the outpatient departments (OPDs), who could understand local language, were selected randomly and their prescription slips were screened for completeness. Further, their awareness was assessed with the help of a semi–structured and pre–tested questionnaire. Results: It was observed that of the two hundred prescription slips, one seventy three (86.5%) did not have complete instructions listed in them. However, one eighty seven patients (93.5%) had knowledge about their disease, one ninety one (95.5%) knew how to take the medicine (dose and timing), one eighty eight (94%) knew about the common side effects and one eighty five (92.5%) knew when they have to visit the doctor next. One ninety six (98%) said they knew that they should keep the medicines out of reach of children and the same number of respondents said they check expiry date before consuming the medicines Conclusions: The study reveals that the patients are being communicated the relevant information, but documentation is insufficient and should be improved.

Antimicrobial And Phytochemical Evaluation Of Cissus Quadrangularis L.

The present investigation involves antimicrobial and phytochemical evaluation of Cissus quadrangularis L. The antibacterial activity of Cissus quadrangularis was performed using disk diffusion method. The Results of study proved prompt efficacy of herbal extract against S. aureus and E. coli. The concentration dependent antibacterial activity of extract was observed against both organisms. Study also involves phytochemical investigation of herbal extract using HPTLC, IR and UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The result of study indicated that the methanolic extract possessed most potent antibacterial activity as compared to other extract. The antibacterial activity increases with the concentration and results indicated that the diameters of zone inhibition of the extract were comparable with the standard drug. The antimicrobial potential of plant extract may be attributed to the presence of specific phytoconstituents.

Omental Cyst, an Uncommon Entity, and the Problems Faced: The Travails of a Surgeon: A Case Report.

Cystic lesions of the mesentery are uncommon lesions. They are difficult to diagnose and may be located anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract. However, they are most often seen in small bowel mesentery. Mesenteric and omental cysts are unique as they have a varied clinical presentation. They are diverse in etiology, radiologic features, and pathological characteristic. Omental cysts are rare and usually present with abdominal distension. Complete excision of the cyst is the treatment of choice. We report the case of a 4-year-old girl who presented with an acute abdomen. She had a short history that led to a laparotomy and complete excision of an infected omental cyst. We highlight the limitations in diagnosing the condition and the problems faced by the surgeon.

A Study on the Effect of Janani Suraksha Yojana on Antenatal Registration and Institutional Deliveries in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh.

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) was launched in April 2005, to promote institutional deliveries through provision of cash assistance, transport, escort, and referral services. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the antenatal registrations, postnatal checkups, and institutional deliveries, and to compare the various social groups. Married women of the reproductive age group, having at least two children, were interviewed regarding antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care in both pregnancies, latest as well as previous. Post JSY implementation, antenatal registrations increased from 61.79 to 96.34%, Deliveries at the Government Health Facility increased from 25.20 to 53.25% and postnatal check-ups increased from 45.93 to 69.51%. In the post-JSY-implementation phase, the Government Health Facility was preferred more by Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC) (SC/ST = 56.87%, OBC = 60.2%, and general = 43.68%), educated (Illiterate = 17.39%, Primary = 88.14, and Middle or above = 81.94%) and the lower socioeconomic classes (Lower SEC 71.83% and Upper lower and above = 45.71%) for their deliveries. It appears that the socially backward groups have benefi ted more from JSY.

Antidepressant-like effects of Brassica juncea L. leaves in diabetic rodents.

The objective of the study was to evaluate for antidepressant like activity of a methanolic extract of B. juncea leaves (BJ 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day, po), and Imipramine (15 mg/kg/day, po) in alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg, ip) induced diabetic and nondiabetic rodents, using behavioural despair, learned helplessness, and tail suspension tests for antidepressants and locomotor activity test for quantifying the behavioural effects of treatments. In addition, effects of BJ treatments on brain levels of norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine were also estimated. Enhanced depressive states, and motility were observed in diabetic animals. Antidepressant and motor function depressing effects of BJ were apparent in all behavioural tests in diabetic rats and mice only. Decreased contents of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in brain of diabetic rats were also dose dependently compensated by repeated daily BJ treatments. However, brain dopamine level of BJ treated normal rats was higher than that in control nondiabetic. The results suggest that BJ could be a nutritional alternative for combating exaggerated depression commonly associated with diabetes.

Gum Arabic Enhances Paracellular Transport of Water in Amphibian Everted Small Intestinal Segments.

Gum Arabic (GA) is known for its proabsorbent activity in normal intestine as well as in animal models of diarrhea. The aim of the study was to find the effect of GA on intestinal transport of water and possible route of absorption in frog everted gut sacs. D-Mannitol was used as a marker of paracellular transport to find the route of absorption. Everted gut sacs (n=4,5) were placed in Ringer containing GA (2.5 g/L) with or without D-Mannitol (0.5 g/L), incubated for 1 hour and analysed for change in weights of the sacs and D-Mannitol uptake. There was significant increase in uptake of water and D-Mannitol in the presence of GA compared to controls (P<0.05).Gum Arabic improves water uptake by the intestinal mucosa, possibly by opening the paracellular pathways.

Genetic analysis of scattered populations of the Indian eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini Donovan: differentiation of subpopulations

Deforestation and exploitation has led to the fragmentation of habitats and scattering of populations of the economically important eri silkworm, Samia cynthia ricini, in north-east India. Genetic analysis of 15 eri populations, using ISSR markers, showed 98 percent inter-population, and 23 percent to 58 percent intra-population polymorphism. Nei's genetic distance between populations increased significantly with altitude (R² = 0.71) and geographic distance (R² = 0.78). On the dendrogram, the lower and upper Assam populations were clustered separately, with intermediate grouping of those from Barpathar and Chuchuyimlang, consistent with geographical distribution. The Nei's gene diversity index was 0.350 in total populations and 0.121 in subpopulations. The genetic differentiation estimate (Gst) was 0.276 among scattered populations. Neutrality tests showed deviation of 118 loci from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The number of loci that deviated from neutrality increased with altitude (R² = 0.63). Test of linkage disequilibrium showed greater contribution of variance among eri subpopulations to total variance. D'2IS exceeded D'2ST, showed significant contribution of random genetic drift to the increase in variance of disequilibrium in subpopulations. In the Lakhimpur population, the peripheral part was separated from the core by a genetic distance of 0.260. Patchy habitats promoted low genetic variability, high linkage disequilibrium and colonization by new subpopulations. Increased gene flow and habitat-area expansion are required to maintain higher genetic variability and conservation of the original S. c. ricini gene pool.

Effect of poly herbal formulation, EuMil, on chronic stress-induced homeostatic perturbations in rats.

EuMil, is a herbal formulation comprising the standardised extracts of Withania somnifera (L) Dunal, Ocimum sanctum L, Asparagus racemosus Willd and Emblica officinalis Gaertn., all of which are classified in Ayurveda as rasayanas to promote physical and mental health, improve defense mechanisms of the body and enhance longevity. These attributes are similar to the modern concept of adaptogenic agents, which are, known to afford protection to the human physiological system against diverse stressors. The present study was undertaken to investigate the adaptogenic and antistress activity of EuMil against chronic unpredictable, but mild, footshock stress-induced perturbations in behaviour (depression), glucose metabolism, suppressed male sexual behaviour, immunosuppression and cognitive dysfunction in CF strain albino rats. Panex ginseng (PG) was used for comparison. Gastric ulceration, plasma corticosterone levels, serum lipid, hepatic and renal functions were used as the stress indices. These effects were attenuated by EuMil (dose 100 mg/kg, p.o.) and PG (100 mg/kg. p.o.), administered once daily over a period of 14 days, the period of stress induction period. Further, chronic stress also induced glucose intolerance, suppressed male sexual behaviour, induced behavioural despair and cognitive dysfunction and immunosuppression. All these chronic stress-induced perturbations were attenuated, in a dose dependent manner by EuMil and PG. Thus, the results indicate that EuMil has significant adaptogenic and anti-stress, activity, qualitatively comparable to PG, against a variety of behavioural, biochemical and physiological perturbations, induced by unpredictable stress, which has been proposed to be a better indicator of clinical stress than acute stress. The likely contribution of the individual constituents of EuMil in the observed adaptogenic action of the polyherbal formulation, has been discussed.