Oral Lesions in Neurofibromatosis Type I: Report of a Case and Clinical Implications.

Neurofi broma is a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor and one of the most frequent tumors of neural origin. Its presence is one of the main clinical criteria for the diagnosis of neurofi bromatosis Type I (NF-I). NF-I is a hereditary disorder inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and the patients present with skin lesions, i.e., café au lait spots and neurofi bromas. Diagnosis is mainly based on a series of clinical criteria. NF-I may present with defi nite oral lesions, which mandate the dental surgeons with the responsibility of accurate diagnosis. Th e paper emphasizes the role of an oral diagnostician in the recognition of NF-I in a family.

Assessment of antidiarrhoeal activity of Desmostachya bipinnata L. (Poaceae) root extracts / Evaluación de la actividad de antidiarreica de extractos de la raíz de Desmostachya bipinnata L. (Poaceae)

Desmostachya bipinnata root has been used in the Indian traditional system of medicine for treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. The antidiarrhoeal effect of both alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the roots of Desmostachya bipinnata were studied in rats against castor oil induced diarrhoea and charcoal meal test at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. The alcoholic extract and to a lesser extent aqueous extract significantly reduced the weight of the faces and decreased the propulsion of charcoal meal through the gastrointestinal tract. The phytochemical screening of the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, phytosterol, terpenoids, polyphenolics, protein and carbohydrates. These results may support the fact that this plant is used traditionally to cure diarrhoea.

La raíz de Desmostachya bipinnata ha sido utilizada en el sistema tradicional de medicina Hindú para el tratamiento de diarrea y disentería. El efecto antidiarreico de los extractos alcohólicos y acuosos de los extractos de la raíz de Desmostachya bipinnata fueron estudiados en ratas, utilizando la diarrea inducida por aceite de castor y el ensayo de la prueba por carbón en dosis de 200 y 400 mg/kg de peso corporal. El extracto alcohólico y en menor grado, el extracto acuoso, redujeron significativamente la propulsión de carbón a través del tracto gastrointestinal. El análisis de los extractos mostrarón la presencia de alcaloides, glicósidos, flavonoides, taninos, fitoesterol, terpenoides, polifenoles, proteínas y carbohidratos. Estos resultados pueden apoyar el hecho de que esta planta sea usada tradicionalmente para curar la diarrea.

Anti-nociceptive effect of synthesized di-hydroxy flavones: possible mechanism.

Renewed interest on the research on the flavonoids is gaining more importance. Earlier literature on flavonoids indicated a significant anti-nociceptive action for flavones and mono-substituted flavones. However, they exhibited a ceiling effect. The present study was undertaken by new synthesizing six disubstituted flavones (DHFs) since poly substituted ones are expected to produce more potent effect. Their anti-nociceptive effect and the role of opioid involvement were studied using acetic acid induced abdominal constriction assay. All the six DHFs administered in elicited a dose related inhibition of abdominal constrictions indicating the presence of the anti-nociceptive response. However, these substances also showed a similar ceiling effect. Like other flavonoid substances, they also utilized opioid pathways. It is suggested that these newly synthesized DHFs can be included along with other flavonoids while attempting clinical trial for analgesic use.