Counter irritant activity of carthamus oxycantha

Many locally occurring species of Asteraceae are used as medicinal plants by various tribal and ethnic communities in Pakistan. Carthamus oxycantha is often occurs as weed in cultivated fields. Folk medicines indicated its use as an anti inflammatory and wound healing plant. It is used for wound healing by the local population in the form of powder paste. No scientific report, about the behavior of this plant has so far been published. The counter irritant studies of locally occurring Carthamus oxycantha was carried out. The main objectives of the project were to evaluate its wound healing effects on animal skin and the identity and characterization of chromatographically isolated fractions. For this purpose, different solvents with a broad range of polarity were successively used to extract non-polar compounds [petroleum ether extract], constituents intermediate polarities [chloroform extract] and polar constituents [methanol extract] from the whole herb of Carthamus oxycantha. The counter irritant activity of the crude extracts and isolated fractions was evaluated on rabbit's skin. Five fractions Co-1 to Co-5 were isolated from the active chloroform extract by column and thin layer chromatography. Co-1, Co-3 and Co-5 appeared to be the most potent counter irritant than others. A possible structure-activity relationship of these active compounds was investigated by using spectroscopy [UV and FTIR analysis]

Acute abdomen, causes and outcome - experience at DHQ hospital Abbottabad

Acute abdominal pain is one of the most frequently encountered symptoms in patients seeking emergency treatment. Acute and severe abdominal pain, however, is almost always a symptom of intra-abdominal disease. Abdominal pain in neonates, infants, and young children has numerous causes not encountered in adults. Evaluation of mild and severe pain follows the same process, although with severe abdominal pain, therapy sometimes proceeds simultaneously and involves early consultation with a surgeon. History and physical examination usually exclude all but a few possible causes, with final diagnosis confirmed by judicious use of laboratory and imaging tests. To find out the most common causes of acute abdomen in the region. Retrospective study. This study was conducted at DHQ Teaching Hospital Abbottabad from April 2011 to March 2012. Total 1056 patients were admitted with pain abdomen during this period. Patients of all ages were included. Patients with blunt and penetrating trauma to the abdomen were excluded. The patients were divided into 05 age groups. Patients were investigated with physical examination, ultrasonography, X-ray abdomen and blood complete picture, serum amylase and serum LFT's. Preoperative diagnosis and post operative findings were compared and evaluated. The most common age group was 16-30 yrs [42.5%] and 2[nd] most common group was 1-15 yrs [28.5%]. The most common cause found was acute appendicitis [48.2%]. The 2[nd] common cause was non-specific abdominal pain [16.15%]. Total of 645 [61%] out of 1056 patients reported with acute abdomen were operated while 411 [39%] patients were managed conservatively. Acute appendicitis was the most common cause of pain abdomen in patients of ages 5-30 years followed by non-specific abdominal pain. Life-threatening causes should always be ruled out before focusing on less serious diagnosis. Ultrasonography of abdomen and pelvis should be done routinely in every female patient with acute lower abdominal pain to rule out gynaecological causes of acute abdomen

Isolation and characterization of irritant components of Euphorbia pilulifera L.

Euphorbia pilulifera is commonly found weed along road sides and loamy soils. This weed is commonly used as treatment of female disorders and respiratory problems. The latex of this weed causes irritation on hand on contact. To evaluate its irritant potentials, the dermatological investigation of irritant principles from locally occurring Euphorbia pilulifera was carried out. For this purpose, after collection and drying, a series of solvents with increasing polarity were used for the successive extraction of non-polar compounds [petroleum ether extract], constituents of intermediate polarities [chloroform extract] and polar constituents [methanol extract] from the whole herb of Euphorbia pilulifera. The chloroform extract of this weed was found most irritant to rabbit's skin. Chloroform extract was further subjected to column chromatography; four fractions Ep 1 to Ep 4 were isolated from active chloroform extract by column and thin layer chromatography. The irritant potentials of these isolated fractions were evaluated on rabbit's skin. Two fractions out of the four, Ep 1 and Ep 3 appeared to be the most irritant than others. A possible structure activity relationship of these active compounds was discussed in order to establish their activity

audit of TURP at DHQ Hospital Abbottabad

As the age advances benign prostatic hyperplasia occurs in almost all men. BPH produces symptoms mostly after 50years of age. Non surgical/ conservative management for bladder outflow obstruction mainly due to obstructive prostate includes selective alpha adrenergic blockers and alpha 1 reductase inhibitors. They have significant role but only in patients who have small prostate or who are waiting for surgery. However 30% of men eventually require surgery for BPH. Because of high risk of morbidity and mortality to elderly patients undergoing prostate surgery, the search for a procedure with minimal associated risks has continued. Therefore different procedures have been tried. Among surgical treatment for the disease, TURP has a definite edge over open procedures and has become a reference standard for prostate surgery. Retrospective study. This study was conducted at DHQ Hospital Abbottabad from 1998-2001. Total 133 patients were treated during this period. Patients of all ages were included. The patients were divided into 04 age groups. Patients were investigated with physical examination, ultrasonography, ECG, Chest X-ray, Blood CP, Urea/creatinine. Standard procedure with 24 Fr. Resectoscope was used with cutting loop. Patients were followed up post operatively and complications noted. The common age group was 61-70 years [51%]. Size of prostate gland was 60-80gms in [32%] cases. Bleeding was the most common complication [9%]. Conversion to open was in 02 cases [1.5%]. Myocardial infarction occurred in 04 cases which resulted in death of these patients postoperatively. BPH produces symptoms mostly after 50years of age. Nearly 70% of 70 years old men have BPH. However 30% of men eventually require surgery for BPH. Among surgical treatment for the disease, TURP has a definite edge over open procedure. It has very low complications in good hands. TURP has become a reference standard for prostate surgery

Identification and evaluation of counter-irritant potential of crude extract of Malva parviflora L. by WHO recommended methods

Plenty of medicinal plants are available in Pakistan and are in human use as herbal medicines from ancient time. Present work is based on the evaluation of the use of Malva parviflora in skin irritation problems. For this purpose, powdered plant material [The aerial part and roots separately] was extracted by using successive solvent extraction method using petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol. Resulting three crude fractions were subjected to counterirritant investigations on rabbit's ear. Petroleum ether fraction exhibited prominent counter- irritant potential. Five compounds named, as MP-1, MP-2, MP-3, MP-4 and MP-5 were isolated from petroleum ether extract by column and thin layer chromatography. These compounds were subjected to UV spectrophotometer for detection of absorption of light, then FTIR for specific functional group identification and counter-irritant potentials was evaluated on rabbit's ear skin. The MP-1 and MP-2 exhibited excellent counter-irritant activity in different dilutions than others. However, dilution 100microg/ml showed maximum activity

Efficacy of intrasheath steroid injection in treating de quervain's disease

To determine the effectiveness of Intrasheath steroid injection in treating de Quervairfs disease. Case series observational study. Outpatient Department of Orthopedics BBS [DHQ] Teaching Hospital Abbottabad from April 2006 to Sept 2009 including a period of follow up of eighteen months. Eighty patients with de Quervairfs disease were diagnosed on the basis of positive Finkelsteirfs test and presence of severe pain for more than four weeks. These patients were given intrasheath injections of 40 mg Methyl Prednisolone mixed with one ml of lignocaine 2% in the first dorsal compartment of wrist. Patients with trauma, infection and rheumatoid arthritis were excluded from study. Seventy two patients i.e., 90% were cured and out of them 75% required only one injection .Only two cases underwent surgical release. Intrasheath steroid injection is a safe, very useful and cost effective method in treating de Quervairfs disease

Desarda repair - a new method of tension free repair for inguinal hernia - experience of 77 cases at DHQ hospital Abbottabad

To determine the frequency of patients with inguinal hernia in whom Desarda repair can safely be accomplished and study the morbidity and mortality in such cases. Inguinal hernia is a common disorder in males which requires corrective surgery to lead a comfortable life. Tension free surgery is aim of the surgeon to avoid recurrence of the disorder. Mesh repair has been the most widely performed surgery for inguinal hernia. A new technique of inguinal hernia repair has been developed which utilizes the normal tissue of the patient to create a tension free repair. A prospective study. This study was conducted at DHQ Hospital Abbottabad from September 2009 -June 2011. A prospective study was conducted at DHQ Hospital Abbottabad on 77 patients having inguinal hernia. All patients above the age of 15 years were included. Patients having recurrent inguinal hernia were excluded from study. Most common age group was [56-65 yrs]. Out of 77 patients 64% were of indirect inguinal hernia while 36% were of direct inguinal hernia. Common age group with direct hernia was above 50 years. Post operative complications, hospital stay and return to routine activities were evaluated. Hematoma formation and wound infection in two cases were only complications noted. Patients were free of post operative pain. Desarda repair is simple, very safe technique of inguinal hernia repair free from any complications

Role of relaxant prostaglandins in the effect of nebivolol on isolated tracheal muscle of guinea pig

The present study was therefore aimed to evaluate the role of relaxant prostaglandins in modulating the effect of Nebivolol on tracheal muscle of guinea pig since the exact mechanism underlying its effects on tracheal muscle has not been established yet. The use of beta blockers is limited by their ability to produce bronchospasm in asthmatics. Third generation beta blockers like Nebivolol may show better tolerability since there may be involvement of relaxant prostaglandins in its effect. However the involvement of prostaglandins in the respiratory effects of Nebivolol remains unexplored. The present study, carried out on isolated tracheal muscle strips of guinea pigs was designed to explore this controversy. Experimental Study. This study was conducted at the department of Pharmacology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi since April 2010 to November 2010. varying concentration of histamine ranging from 10[-7]M to 10[-3]M were used to plot a concentration response curve on the isolated tracheal muscle strips of guinea pig and was used as a control. The same concentration response curve was plotted in presence of a fixed concentration of Nebivolol 10[-6]M then again in presence of a fixed concentration of Indomethacin 10[-6]M and Nebivolol 10[-6]M together in a series of experiments using six sets of isolated tracheal muscle strips in each case. Nebivolol did not produce any significant shift in the concentration response curve in the presence and absence of Indomethacin. Nebivolol does not augment the histamine induced contraction of respiratory smooth muscle of guinea pig in the presence of Indomethacin, prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor indicating no role of relaxant prostaglandins in the sparing of respiratory smooth muscle by Nebivolol

audit of undescended testis treated at DHQ hospital Abbottabad

Undescended testis or cryptorchidism which occurs in 2% of boys born at term, is one of the most common congenital abnormalities, Cryptorchidism is associated with impaired fertility and is a risk factor for testicular cancer. There is evidence that post natal germ cell development deteriorates in the undescended testis after the first year and perhaps for this reason, the risk of infertility increases with age. The question of whether the age at treatment has any effect on the risk of testicular cancer is controversial. Primary management of cryptorchidism is surgery which is usually performed in infancy. A retrospective study. This study was conducted at DHQ Hospital Abbottabad from Oct 1998- Dec 2008. Total of 159 patients were treated during this period. Children of allages were included. The patients were divided into different age groups. Patients were investigated with physical examination, ultrasonography, CT scan and MRI. All patients were treated with open surgical orchidopexy. Pre operative complications were evaluated. Patients were followed up and complications were noted. The common age group was above 05 yrs 80 patients [50%].Rt side was involved in 82 cases [52%] and Lt side in 54 cases [34%]. Inguinal hernia was the most common associated finding 76 cases [48%] with cryptorchidism. The results indicate that age at orchiopexy has an effect on the risk of testicular cancer in boys with an undescended testicle. The risk among those treated at 13 years of age or older was twice the risk among those who were treated at younger ages. Failure of the testicle to descend through the inguinal canal during the fetal life may be related to enough of a specific type of maternal hormones, failure of testis to respond to inadequate pull from the gubernaculum, or various other factors. Ultrasound can help to identify testicle located in the inguinal canal, but is of limited use for intra abdominal testis. MRI and CT scan can be useful for intra abdominal testis, but they are often difficult to use on small children and have a high rate of false negative results. Many men who were born with undescended testes have reduced fertility, even after orchiopexy in infancy. The most effective treatment is surgery which is usually performed in infancy. Hormonal treatment has the advantage of avoiding anesthesia and being minimally invasive. HCG is the drug of choice. However success rates have been reported to be as low as 10%. The principal major complication of all types of orchiopexy is loss of the blood supply to the testis, resulting in the loss of the testis due to ischemic atrophy or fibrosis

Trace elements in the fruit of ficus carica L. and their nutritional importance

Fruit pulp of Ficus carica was analyzed for the presence of inorganic trace elements with the help of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Sixteen elements such as P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Cu, Ni, Co, Ba, Zn, Cr, Mn, Sr, Cd and Al were detected in the water extract of fruit pulp of F. carica by this method. Phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and iron were found to be in larger quantities than other ten trace elements. The amount of the trace elements obtained were also compared with the recommended daily requirements for human beings. The amounts of these elements obtained from the fruit pulp of Ficus carica were found to be closely correlated with the recommended daily requirements for human beings

Lingual thyroid as a cause of snoring and sleep apnea

Lingual thyroid is a rare developmental abnormality. We describe a case of lingual thyroid in a 28 years old female who presented with symptoms of heroic snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. She was treated with surgery and was advised a life long thyroid hormone replacement therapy