Anthelminthic property of Myanmar pineapple (Nanat) on experimental models

The anthelminthic property of Myanmar pineapple (Ananas sativa L.) juice was investigated by using both in vitro and in vivo test models on Ascaris suum. In the in vitro test model, the pineapple juice, at a concentration of 40-80 mg/ml was found to produce immobilization of the worms leading to death within a 2 day period. In the in vivo test model using pigs, the pineapple fruit, doses as low as 10 g ingested food were found to purge Ascaris suum within 16 hrs of ingestion. The lethal effect was assumed to be due to cuticle digestive effect of bromelain, which is present in an average of 0.29 mg percent in pineapple.

Bio-availability study of tetracycline

Bio-availability of tetracycline hydrochloride capsules, 500 mg orally administered, was studied on 24 healthy adult Myanmar, aged 16 to 40 years. The peak tetracycline serum concentration of 1.42 0.24 g/ dl was attained in 4 hours, with a gradual fall to 0.16 g/ dl at 24 hours. Myanmar females, when compared to their male counterparts, showed a poorer ability to absorb the drug and had a shorter drug half-life in accordance with their obviously greater drug elimination. Nevertheless there were no significant differences between males and females regarding the remaining major pharmacokinetic parameters such as, the time at which maximum concentration of drug in serum occurred, apparent volume of drug distribution, and systemic blood clearance of the drug. The clinical implication is thus discussed.

Effect of acute diarrhoea on the bioavailability of chloroquine in Myanmar subjects

Considering the possibility of altered bioavailability of during acute diarrhoea, there is a need to determine the therapeutic status of chloroquine as an antimalarial prophylactic during an attack of acute diarrhoea and to develop a reasonable basis for dose adjustment if necessary, in such clinical situations. Chloroquine 300 mg base was administered orally to 16 adult diarrhoeal patients from the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yangon and 12 healthy non-diarrhoeal volunteers. The drug serum levels at various time intervals up to 96 hours were analysed fluorometrically and the pharmacokinetic profile studied. Acute diarrhoea was found to decrease the rate, but did not alter the extent of absorption of chloroquine. Since the overall bioavailability of chloroquine remains unchanged, it was concluded that if there is no vomiting, dosage adjustment is not necessary in acute diarrhoea.

In-vitro testing of various indeginous plant extracts on human pathogenic bacteria

Differentt parts and different extracts of twenty-six plants were tested against fourteen pathogenic bacteria for general screening. Out of these, thireen plants showed an inhibitory activity against at least one test-bacteria, though there was a variation regarding the size of zones of inhibition. The thirteen plants showing zones of inhibition were Artemisia vulgaris, Brucea sumatrana, Coptis teeta, Yin-bya (unindentified yet), Euphorbia hirta, Hiptage madablota, Lawsonia alba, Myristica fragrans, Pithecolobium dulce, Pterocarpus santalinus, Quisqualis indica, Stephenia hernandifolia, and Symplocos santalinus, Quisqualis indica, Stephenia hernandifolia, and Symplocos paniculata. The antimicrobial spectrum and bacteriostatic or bactericidal effect of the plants were also determined.

Efficacy of anti-viper venom administered intramuscularly in mice

THe acute toxicity of Russell's viper venom of Myanmar variety was determined, the LD 50 on mice being 300 g/kg (range: 211-420 g/kg), intraperitoneally. Following the envenomation with 1.6 mg/kg, the anti-viper venom administered 1 and 10 ml/kg intramuscularly hsd markedly reduced (p<0.001) the mortality in mice to 30 and 70 per cent respectively, when compared with of the placebo-treated group. However, the intramuscularly administration efficacy was less than when applied intravenously. It is projected to employ approximately 6-folds of the intavenous dosage to achieve the equipotency.

Acetaminophen (paracetamol) pharmacokinetics in contraceptive pill-using Myanmar women

Acetaminophen (paracetamol) pharmacokinetic study was made on a total of 16 healthy adult Myanmar women of reproductive age, half of whom were pretreated chronically for 6 month with an oral contraceptive steroid (OCS), namely, Combination 5. Single oral dose (930 mg) of acetaminophen showed similar extent of maximum plasma acetaminophen concentration in either group. However, the OCS causes significant effect (p<0.05) on plasma acetaminophen resulting in shortening of half-life by 21.6 per cent and augmentation of clearance by 5.9 per cent. The OCS affected predominantly the sulphate conjugation of acetaminophen. In regimen requiring repeated dosing, acetaminophen should be administered more frequently in the pill-users.

Clinical trial of indigenous antipyretic: Testing of antipyretic efficacy of five triditional medicine formulation on TAB-induce pyrexial volunteers

Two grams each of five traditional medicine formulations (TMF), TMF-06, TMF-24, TMF-25, TMF-35A and TMF-35B- orally administered with 150 ml of betel leaf preparation, had underwent a clinical trial of antipyretic efficacy on a total of 315 TAB-induced pyrexial Burmese volunteers. Both positive control of acetyl sallicylate 600 mg orally and negative control of no drug treatment were included. The trial design was performed on a single (observer) blind basis. Effectiveness of the agents at the peak of induced pyrexia were observed for three hours. Only TMF-06 possessed the antipyretic efficacy (78-88 per cent) as could be observed in 87-96 per cent of responders, in comparison to those of the acetyl salicylate. Nevertheless, TMF-24 and TMF-35B showed a lesser antipyretic activity. Therefore, TMF-06 was found to be the most recommendable antipyretics to be used at indigenous medicine centres.

Hypotensive property of Plantago major Linn

50 per cent water-alcohol soluble extract of Plantago major Linn, from Rangoon, Kalaw and Taunggyi was tested for hypotensive action on anaesthetized normotensive dogs. Early trials with the water-alcohol soluble extract in a dose of 125 mg/kg given intravenously was found to produce a fall in arterial blood pressure of 20-40 mm Hg. Further fractionation of the extract was carried out and screened for hypotensivity activity. The fraction designated F -7 produced a fall in the arterial blood pressure which was sustained up to 1 hr.

Rapid screening for atypical serum cholinesterase among the subjects in Burma

1,032 subjects have been screened for serum cholinesterase. Two atypical cases were detected. The incidence is significantly higher than in Western countries. A number of subjects, particularly those with liver disease, cachexia and malnutrition, were shown to have less enzyme than normal.