Effect of aqueous and ethanolic extract of syzygium aromaticum on blood glucose in diabetic rats

To compare the effect of 50% Aqueous and 50% Ethanolic extract of Syzygium aromaticum on blood glucose level in STZ induced diabetic rats in comparison with insulin. Randomized control trial. This study was conducted at National Institute of Health Islamabad from July 2011 to December 2011. Forty adult rats of Sprague dawaley specie were equally divided into 5 groups [I-V]. Group-1 control. Group [II-V] received a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ and rats having fasting blood glucose above 200mg/dl were selected. Group-11 served as diabetic control, group III received 50% aqueous extract at a dose of 750 mg/kg body weight for sixty days and group IVrats received 50% ethanolic extract of Syzygium aromaticum at a dose of 750 mg/kg body weight for sixty days. Group V [standard] received the dose of 0.6 units/kg body weight of humulin insulin 70/30 subcutaneously bid for sixty days. After giving the injection of STZ fasting blood samples were taken at zero 15,30 and 60 days and comparison is done between the glucose lowering effect of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Syzygium aromaticum. The 50% ethanolic extract of Syzygium aromaticum showed more reduction in blood glucose level than the 50% aqueous extract of Syzygium aromaticum. The levels of blood glucose markedly decreased in group-lV receiving 750 mg/kg body of ethanolic extract as compared to group III receiving the same dose of aqueous extract. Group V receiving insulin showed the level of this parameter almost closer to the blood glucose levels of group III rats. The reduction in blood glucose with 750 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic extract of Syzygium aromaticum is more than with aqueous extract and insulin

Chylothorax in a case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

A case of asymptomatic 60 years old male diagnosed as Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [angioimmunoblastic T-cell type] invading thoracic duct leading to chylothorax is presented. Generally, patients with this moderately aggressive lymphoma are adults who exhibit generalized lymphadenopathy, B-symptoms, polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia, skin rash and various autoimmune phenomena. Case Reports: A 60 years old male from Lahore, who had Spigelian hernia and ascites, referred from surgical OPD, was admitted in medical ward for evaluation of pleural effusion and ascites. He was essentially asymptomatic, other than moderate swelling of abdomen and sometimes feeling dragging sensation at epigastric lump on prolonged walking. On clinical examination, he was cachexic male with generalized discrete lymphadenopathy [size 1 '2 cm], right-sided moderate pleural effusion, well healed cicatrix of right inguinal region surgery, spigelian hernia and massive ascites. Chest x-ray showed right-sided pleural effusion. Ultrasound abdomen showed diffuse coarse hepatic echo-texture, chronic left-sided pyelonephritis, lymphadenopathy, gross ascites and moderate right-sided pleural effusion. Diagnostic thoracentesis and paracentesis revealed chylothorax and chylous ascites confirmed on bio chemical analysis with triglyceride of 7.3 and 10.3 mmol/L respectively. Contrast enhanced CT scan of chest and abdomen discovered bilateral pleural effusion [massive on right side] with partial collapse of right lung, massive ascites and massive abdominal lymphadenopathy invading both kidneys and psoas major muscle. Lymph node biopsy [deep cervical region] showed angioimmunoblastic lymphoma. Serum protein electrophoresis and plasma immunoglobulin levels were normal. Complete blood count showed mild anemia with normal differential count. Liver and renal function tests, sputum for AFB, Mantoux test and other baseline investigations were normal. Serum for ANF and RA-factor was negative. Endobronchial biopsy suggested histopathology consistent with acute on chronic inflammation from lower lobe of right lung. He was treated symptomatically during admission, remaining ambulant and afebrile. Subsequently he was referred for Oncologist's opinion