Pharmacognostic studies on stem and leaves of amaranthus spinosus linn.

The seed is used as a poultice for broken bones. It is used internally in the treatment of internal bleeding, diarrhoea and excessive menstruation. The root is known as an effective diuretic. In South-East Asia a decoction of the root is used to treat gonorrhoea and is also applied as an emmenagogue and antipyretic. The Nepalese and some tribes in India apply A. spinosus to induce abortion. In Thai traditional medicine, A. spinosus is used to treat diarrhea. The root is also used for toothaches. In many countries, including those in Africa, the bruised leaves are considered a good emollient and applied externally in cases of ulcerated mouths, eczema, burns, wounds, boils, earache and hemorrhoids The leaves are also used for gastroenteritis, gall bladder inflammation, absesses, colic menorrhagia, arthritis and for the treatment of snakebites. The plant ash in a solution is used to wash sores. The plant sap is used as an eye wash to treat ophthalmia and convulsions in children. In Malaysia, A. spinosus is used as an expectorant and to relieve breathing in acute bronchitis. In mainland South-East Asia, it is also used as a sudorific, febrifuge, an antidote to snake poison, and as a galactagogue. During the rainy season which is also malaria endemic season, A. spinosus bark decoction is taken in a volume of about one liter three times a day to ward off malaria.

Retroperitoneal tumours--a ten years retrospective study.

In a ten-year retrospective study (1985-95), 42 cases of retroperitoneal tumours were analysed. All cases were treated surgically. Among the relevant investigations CT scan and fine needle aspiration cytology were found to be most helpful to have a pre-operative idea regarding the best course of therapy. The highest incidence of retroperitoneal tumours were found in the 4th decade of life with roughly equal sex incidence. Malignant tumours were double in comparison to benign tumours and lymphoma was found to be the most common malignant tumour. Though complete resection should be the aim to treat them it may lead to sacrifice of other vital organs like kidney, spleen and part of large gut in advanced cases. Complication may be always for a heroic surgery leading to inadvertent injury to other structures, causing high mortality up to 19.1%.