Evaluation of the protective effect of Paeonia emodi Wall on rat model of Parkinson’s disease induced by 6 hydroxy dopamine

Background: Generation of reactive oxygen species together with paucity of antioxidant defense is considered as an important cause for dopaminergic neuronal death. Review of literature indicates that none of the drugs so far studied for preventing the PD were found to be promising for use. Therefore, the present study was planned to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Paeonia emodi Wall (PEW) in 6-hydroxy dopamine induced Parkinson’s disease (PD) model.Methods: The study was conducted on Wistar rats where Parkinson’s disease was induced by producing the striatal 6-hydroxy dopamine lesions. The test animals received ethanolic extract of PEW at dose of 200 and 300mg/kg for 28 days. Circling behavior, spontaneous locomotor activity, muscular coordination and akinesia were studied. Antioxidant levels were assessed by biochemical estimation and histopathology was carried out for dopaminergic neuronal loss.Results: PEW ethanolic extract showed significant dose dependent recovery in number of circlings, line crossing, muscular coordination and akinesia. A significant increase in MDA levels and decreased GSH level in PEW treated groups was observed in test groups as compared to control group (p<0.05). Normal architecture was retained only in PEW 300mg/Kg (p<0.05). L-Dopa did not showed effect on biochemical and histological parameters.Conclusions: The ethanolic extract of PEW showed neuroprotective activity against 6-hydroxy dopamine induced Parkinson’s disease in rats in both 200 and 300mg/kg doses. The protective action of PEW in PD can be because of its ability to reduce the oxidative stress.

Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activity of Ethanol Extract of Valeriana wallichii in CCl4 Treated Rats.

Aims: To screen the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of roots of Valeriana wallichii DC (Valerianaceae)(VWE). Study Design: Animal study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Anatomy (Histology section), J N Medical College, AMU, Aligarh, India, between July 2010-July 2012. Methodology: The VWE extract was subjected to in vitro antioxidant and phytochemical screening. For in vivo hepatoprotective studies albino rats of either sex were used. For the study, three control groups were taken comprising of the normal control (normal saline), negative control (CCl4) and positive control group (Silymarin 50mg/kg). The test group was given a dose of 300mg/kg and 500mg/kg of VWE extract. Biochemical parameters (Transaminase (AST, ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Total Bilirubin), histopathological examination and in vivo antioxidant tests [Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Reductase (GSH) and Malonlydialdehyde (MDA)] were performed. Results: The phytochemical study of VWE showed the presence flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. A dose dependent increase in the oxidative potential was observed in the extracts with total phenolic content 66.4GAE/g extract. VWE 500mg/kg and 300mg/kg showed a significant (p<0.001) increased in levels of AST, ALT and ALP as compared to negative control (percentage hepatoprotection=73% and 68% respectively). The GSH (p<0.001) and CAT in VWE 500mg/kg were significantly increased while MDA levels were decreased (P<0.001) as compared negative control. The findings were confirmed histopathological examination. Conclusion: The ethanol extract of Valeriana wallichii showed dose dependent partial hepatoprotection against CCl4induced toxicity.

Effectiveness of BCG vaccination against tuberculous meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the protective effectiveness of BCG vaccination against tuberculous meningitis, while controlling for age, nutrition and socio-economic status, in children 1 month to 12 years of age. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Secondary care referral and teaching hospital. METHODS: Cases were those conforming to the definition of tuberculous meningitis and controls were patients admitted after every third consecutive case included in the study from September 1995 till the end of August 1997 and who did not suffer from any central nervous system disorder. RESULTS: Among the 192 cases and 70 controls, BCG scar was present in 57.8% and 75.7%, respectively. The crude odd's ratio (OR)for tuberculosis meningitis with a BCG scar was 0.44 (95% CI, .24-0.81; p = 0.008), while the adjusted OR was 0.53 (95% CI, 0.26-1.06; p value = 0.07) after controlling for weight, age, sex and place of residence. Higher weight for age and urban residence were associated with a decreased risk of tuberculous meningitis in the logistic model. CONCLUSIONS: BCG vaccination offers protection against tuberculous meningitis. Since improvement in weight for age was associated with a decreased risk of disease, further studies are needed to evaluate the association, if any, between nutritional status and vaccine efficacy.

Modified Glasgow Coma Scale to predict mortality in children with acute infections of the central nervous system.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the predictors of hospital mortality in children with acute infective disorders of the central nervous system using an aggregate Modified Glasgow Coma Scale (MGCS) score and other clinical variables assessed within 24 hours of hospitalization. METHODS: We did a prospective cohort study in a teaching and referral hospital in Lucknow, North India. Consecutive children aged 1 month to 12 years of age admitted with acute infective disorders of the central nervous system were included in the study. The diagnosis was based on the presence of symptoms of fever, headache or irritability with or without vomiting, and either altered sensorium or first episode of seizures or both. The main outcome measure was hospital-based mortality. RESULTS: Of the 230 patients included in the study, 42.2% had pyogenic meningitis, 36.9% had tuberculous basal meningitis and 20.9% had meningo-encephalitis. There were 43 (18.7%) deaths of which 44.2% were within 3 days of admission. Death was associated with the day 1 aggregate MGCS score only. The area under the curve of four strata of aggregate MGCS was 0.63 (SE 0.05). The likelihood ratio for discharge with an aggregate MGCS score of < 5 was 0.52 (95% CI:0.29-0.95) and > 10 was 5.52 (9% CI:1.02-31.96). CONCLUSION: The MGCS can be used to predict discharge in patients with acute infective disorders of the central nervous system within 24 hours of hospitalization. The scale is simple, can be applied at the bedside and does not depend on any investigations. In developing countries with limited investigative facilities it can be used for identification and selective referral of patients with a higher risk of death to specialized centres. This study validates the predictive value of the MGCS.