To study the pattern, efficacy and tolerability of analgesic self‑medication among undergraduate medical students: a questionnaire based survey.

Background: Self-medication is widely prevalent among medical students. Sufficient data is still lacking in India. The present study was aimed to determine the pattern, efficacy and, tolerability of analgesic self-medication among undergraduate medical students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. A structured questionnaire was given to medical students aged 18-24 years. Results were expressed in numbers and percentage. Results: In the present study, 130 students filled the questionnaires completely and were assessed for study. The principal morbidity for seeking self-medication was moderate intensity headache which is completely relieved by analgesics in most of the cases. Pain affected the quality of life of students by decrease in concentration in studies, decrease in energy level, and affecting their daily activity. Analgesics which were commonly used for self-medication included paracetamol (64%), diclofenac (7.6%), aceclofenac (5.3%), paracetamol plus ibuprofen combination (4.6%), mefenamic acid plus dicyclomine combination (7.7%) ibuprofen (5.3%), and others (5%). Gastrointestinal side effects were also observed (29%). Reasons for seeking selfmedication were mild nature of the illness (39%), saves time and money (27%), self confidence in treatment (19%), easy and effective (15%). Among the source of information of self-medication includes the use of previous prescriptions (50%), advertisement (9%), textbooks (23%), and others (18%). Conclusions: Our study showed a high prevalence (77.8%) of analgesic self‑medication among medical students. Paracetamol was the most common drug consumed, followed by other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A high incidence of side effects observed. It is necessary to create more awareness regarding possible harmful effects of self-medication and ways to minimize them.

To study the oxidative stress induced by lindane in epileptic rats brains and their modulation by neurosteroids.

Background: Lindane is pesticide has been shown to affect the nervous system adversely. Previous work has shown that lindane is proconvulsant and neurosteroids (NS) has been shown to be neuroprotective against lindane-induced convulsions. As the mechanisms of lindane in epileptogenesis is not completely understood. The present study was designed to investigate the oxidative stress parameters of lindane toxicity in epileptogenesis and their modulation by NS like allopregnanolone (AP), and 4ʹ-chlorodiazepam (4ʹ-CD) in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindling methods. Methods: Kindling was induced by injecting PTZ (30 mg/kg; s.c.) on alternate days i.e., 3 times in a week. Lindane was also administered (15 mg/kg p.o) on alternate days for 6 weeks. AP (2.5 mg/kg, intaperitoneal [i.p.]) and 4ʹ-CD (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) single dose was given in kindled rats before lindane. Results: Following per oral administration of lindane for 6 weeks produced signifi cant oxidative stress in epileptic brain. There was an increase in brain malondialdehyde (MDA) level and decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. AP (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and 4ʹ-CD (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) single dose administration were not able to reverse the effect of chronic exposure of lindane. Conclusion: The result of the present study provides evidence that oxidative stress produced in the brain after chronic exposure of lindane may be the mechanism of epileptogenesis. Though NS have been shown to be neuroprotective, but they failed to reverse chronic oxidative stress produced by lindane. Further studies are required to demonstrate interaction of NS with lindane in oxidative stress.

Attenuation of the effect of lindane on immune responses and oxidative stress by Ocimum sanctum seed oil (OSSO) in rats.

Present study was done to evaluate the effect of Ocimum sanctum seed oil (OSSO) on the immunotoxicity and oxidative activity of lindane in rats. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 8) and were treated with lindane (10 mg/kg, po) and/or OSSO (1 mg/kg, po) during the study period. Humoral immunity was assessed by measuring haemagglutination titre to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) was assessed by measuring foot pad thickness. Lindane showed significant decrease in anti-SRBC antibody titre and also decreased percentage change in foot pad thickness in DTH response as compared to control group. OSSO per se produced significant increase in anti-SRBC antibody titre, but did not produce significant change in the foot pad thickness as compared to control group. However, it significantly antagonized the effect of lindane on the anti-SRBC antibody titre and foot pad thickness parameters. Lindane produced oxidative stress as indicated by increase in the levels of MDA and decrease in GSH levels. Treatment with OSSO per se showed antioxidant activity and also reversed the oxidative stress produced by lindane. The results suggest that OSSO can attenuate the immunotoxicity and oxidative stress produced by lindane.