Prevention of Radiation Induced Hematological Alterations by Medicinal Plant Rosmarinus Officinalis; in Mice

The modulatory influence of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaves extract was investigated in Swiss albino mice at a dose of 3 Gy gamma radiation. For this purpose; adult Swiss albino mice were irradiated with 3 Gy gamma rays in the presence (experimental) or absence (control) of rosemary (1000 mg/kg body wt.). These animals were necropsied and their blood was collected at days 1; 3; 5; 10; 20 and 30 post-irradiation. A decrease in the number of erythrocyte and leucocyte counts; hemoglobin content and hematocrit percentage was scored in the control group; whereas a recovery pattern was recorded in experimental animals and a normal value of hematological parameters were regained by day 30 post-treatment. In irradiated group; glutathione level was registered low in the blood; whereas a significant elevation was estimated in rosemary pre-treated animals. An increase in lipid peroxidation level above normal was evident in serum of irradiated mice; while a significant decrease in such values was noted in rosemary pretreated group. The present study suggests the possible radioprotective ability of rosemary extract

Karyoanomalic frequency during radiation therapy.

AIM: To identify the relationship between the radiosensitivity of oral cancers and to evaluate the dose-dependent relationship of nuclear abnormalities by serial cytology during fractionated radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 patients with histologically proven cases of squamous cell carcinoma were included in the study. Serial scrape smear were taken from the tumor before and during radiotherapy (0 to 24 Gy), and stained with Giemsa and May Grunwald's stain and frequency of micronucleated, binucleated and multinucleated cells were evaluated with the help of light microscope. The counts were expressed per 1000 uninucleated cells. RESULTS: Each parameter showed a statistical increase with increase dose. Before treatment, the mean values of micronucleated cells, binucleated cells and multinucleated cells were 3.5, 10.1 and 4.2. At 4 Gy these were 7.7, 12.0 and 6.2 which further increased with radiation dose; and the mean values were 8.8, 16.2 and 14.9 at 14 Gy and 12.8, 18.5 and 15.1 at 24 Gy. After analysis of p-value, all such abnormal cells showed significant difference (p < 0.0001) with respect to normal subjects. CONCLUSION: Our study results that micronucleus assay is a very useful tool in the assessment of biological damage that can help to identify tumor radiosensitivity.

Chemopreventive action of emblica officinalis on skin carcinogenesis in mice.

Chemoprevention with food phytochemicals is currently regarded as one of the most important strategies for cancer control. Emblica officinalis (Family: Euphorbiaceae) indigenous to India, is valued for its unique tannins and flavanoids, which contain very powerful antioxidant properties. The inhibition of tumor incidences by fruit extract of this plant has been evaluated on two-stage process of skin carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice, induced by a single application of 7, 12-dimethyabenz(a)anthrecene (100 microg / 100 microl acetone), and two weeks later, promoted by repeated application of croton oil (1% in acetone/thrice a week) till the end of the experiment (16 weeks). The tumor incidence, tumor yield, tumor burdon and cumulative number of papillomas were found to be higher in the control (without EO treatment) as compared to experimental animals (EO treated). The differences in the values of the results of experimental groups were statistically analysed and found to be significant in comparison to the control group (p< 0.05). The present study demonstrates the chemopreventive potential of Emblica officinalis fruit extract on DMBA induced skin tumorigenesis in Swiss albino mice.

Modulatory effect of Mentha piperita (Linn.) on serum phosphatases activity in Swiss albino mice against gamma irradiation.

Mentha extract (ME; 1 g/kg body wt) given orally for three consecutive days prior to whole body irradiation (8 Gy) showed modulation of activity of serum phosphatases in albino mice. Values of acid phosphatase activities were significantly higher in untreated irradiated group throughout the experiment. Irradiated animals pretreated with ME showed significant decline in acid phosphatase activity as compared to untreated irradiated animals at all autopsy intervals and attained normalcy at day 5. A marked decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase activity was recorded in both irradiated groups. However, in ME pretreated irradiated group, values of alkaline phosphatase activity remained significantly higher than untreated irradiated animals at all intervals and attained normalcy from day 5 onwards.

Double blind randomized comparative evaluation of nimesulide and paracetamol as antipyretics.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of nimesulide and paracetamol as antipyretic agents. DESIGN: Double blind, randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Hospitalized patients having fever due to a variety of infections were given either drug in a randomized manner. (Nimesulide group = 49, Paracetamol group = 50). Serial axillary temperature was recorded after drug administration and side effects monitored. RESULTS: The mean temperature after one hour of drug administration was significantly lower in nimesulide group (p < 0.05). Significantly fewer doses of nimesulide were required to bring down the temperature on the first day (p < 0.001). The mean maximum temperature recorded on second and third day was significantly lower in the nimesulide group (p < 0.05). Adverse reactions were seen in the form of epigastric pain and vomiting in one patient in Nimesulide group and three in paracetamol group. CONCLUSION: Nimesulide is more effective than paracetamol as an antipyretic agent and is safe for use in infants and children.

Poisoning in children: Indian scenario.

The retrospective data on childhood poisoning from eight regional hospitals in India has been reviewed. The demographic features and types of poisonings encountered have been compared. The analysis of the data indicated that pediatric poisonings constituted 0.23-3.3% of the total poisoning. The mortality ranged from 0.64-11.6% with highest being from Shimla. Accidental poisoning was common involving 50-90% of children below 5 years of age and males outnumbered the females. Suicidal poisoning was seen after 13 years of age and was due to drugs and household chemicals. One of the hospitals in Delhi recorded a very high incidence (66.6%) of drug poisoning in children. The drugs consumed belonged to phenothiazines, antiepileptics and antipyretics. Iron poisoning was seen in younger children. Kerosene was one of the causes of accidental poisoning at all hospitals except Shimla and rural Maharashtra were probably wood charcoal is widely used. Pesticide poisoning was more prevalent in Punjab and West Bengal whereas plant poisoning was very common in Shimla. Significant number of snake envenomation has been recorded from rural Maharashtra. Other less common accidental poisonings in children included alcohol, corrosives, heavy metals, rodenticides, detergents and disinfectants. Thus various regions in the country showed some variation in types and frequency of childhood poisoning which could be attributed to different geographical and socio-economic background.