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.

Management of anterior segment penetrating injuries with traumatic cataract by Pentagon approach in paediatric age group: constraints and outcome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of multiple combined procedure (Pentagon approach) as single-step secondary repair in cases of extensive keratolenticular trauma in paediatric age group. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of 18 patients of penetrating injuries with sclerokeratolenticular trauma, who underwent multiple procedure as single-step secondary repair by a single team of two surgeons during a 4 year period. Surgical procedure included reconstruction of anterior segment, synechiolysis, excision of membrane, lensectomy, open sky vitrectomy, PC IOL implantation over frill and penetrating keratoplasty. Meticulous antiamblyopia measures were applied in all cases. RESULTS: Extensive vasoproliferative membrane, complicated cataract and anterior vitreous condensation were significant intra-operative hurdles. Moderate uveitis, secondary glaucoma, persistent epithelial defects were problems noted. Eleven (61.22%) patients attained good visual outcome. Regrafting was required in remaining cases due to delayed graft failure. CONCLUSION: Despite being a highly complex technique, Pentagon approach provides effective management profile in terms of graft success and functional outcome, especially in keratolenticular trauma, in children.

Evidence for histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine like effects of MK-212 on guinea pig ileum, taenia coli and rat fundus strip.

MK-212 (1 x 10(-7)M -- 1 x 10(-5)M) produced dose-dependent contractions of guinea pig ileum, taenia coil and rat fundus strip. The responses to MK-212 in all three preparations were blocked competitively by cyproheptadine (1 x 10(-8)M) a 5-HT receptor antagonist. Mepyramine (1 x 10(-8)M)-H1 receptor antagonist also inhibited competitively the responses of guinea pig ileum and taenia coli to MK-212. However, it failed to block significantly the responses of rat fundus strip to MK-212. Metiamide (1 x 10(-6)M), propranolol (1 x 10(-6)M) or atropine (1 x 10(-6)M) did not produce any significant effects on MK-212 induced contractile responses of guinea pig ileum, taenia coli and rat fundus strip. Our findings suggest that MK-212 produces both 5-HT as well as histamine like effects on the guinea-pig ileum, taenia coli and rat fundus strip.

The cardiac inotropic responses to insulin in the rat heart.

Insulin (5 to 40 I.U.) produced dose-dependent positive inotropic effect in the isolated rat heart. The responses to insulin were markedly inhibited in the presence of propranolol (1 . 1X10(-6) M). Insulin responses were markedly reduced in reserpine pretreated (5 mg/kg, i.p.) rats. Theophylline (4.4 mM), the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, potentiated the responses to insulin, whereas imidazole (20 mM), the phosphodiesterase stimulator inhibited the responses to insulin. The data suggest that the positive inotropic effects of insulin in rat heart is mediated through the release of cardiac catecholamines which stimulates beta-adrenoceptors. The final mediator of cardiac action seems to be cyclic-AMP.

Blockade by burimamide of the effects of clonidine on cardiac contractility phosphorylase activation and cyclic adenosine monophosphate in isolated guinea pig heart.

Clonidine in a dose-range of 2.5 microgram to 80 microgram caused positive inotropic effect, which was accompanied by increase in the cyclic AMP levels and phosphorylase-activation of the isolated perfused guinea pig heart. Clonidine-induced biochemical and mechanical effects were blocked by burimamide, an H2-receptor antagonist Propranolol (1 x 10(-6)M), phentolamine (1 x 10(-6)M) or reserpine pretreatment, did not affect the clonidine responses on the perfused guinea pig heart. Clonidine reduced the 4-methyl-histamine (H2-agonist) responses of guinea pig heart. Our data suggest that the cardiac effects of clonidine may be due to stimulation of H2-type of receptors.