In vivo and in vitro Pharmacological Evaluation of Gymnosporia Royleana / Evaluación Farmacológica de Gymnosporia Royleana in vivo e in vitro

ABSTRACT Objective: Gymnosporia royleana (G royleana) Wall ex MA Lawson, locally known as (Sur Azghee), is traditionally used for the management of various diseases. In the current investigation, we made an effort to scientifically validate its traditional use in various pathological conditions, such as microbial infections and cancer, and to explore its additional pharmacological activities via random screening against locally accessible pharmacological methods, irrespective of its traditional uses like antidiabetic, haemagglutination and antioxidant assays. Methods: Extraction was carried out using a cold maceration methodology. Dilution method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing using different concentrations. Streptozocin (STZ) induced protocol was used to assess antidiabetic activity at a dose level of 200, 400 mg/ kg. Antioxidant activity, haemagglutination activity, and anticancer activities against HepG-2 and MCF-7 cell lines were determined as per established protocols. Similarly, the maximum amount of phenolic content (12.02 mg 100 g) was determined by using Folin Ciocalteu assay. Results: Promising antimicrobial activities in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were noted for crude extract (25-200 µg/mL), n-hexane (100-400 µg/mL), ethyl acetate (50-200 µg/mL) and aqueous (100-400 µg/mL). Antidiabetic potential was significant at a dose level of 200-400 mg/kg bodyweight by reducing the blood glucose level at days 10 and 15. The percentage of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) values increase by increasing the concentration of the plant extract (10-100 µg/mL). The methanol extract was found to possess high agglutination activity. Conclusion: It was concluded that this plant species possess significant antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer and haemagglutination activities, which could be attributed to the phenolic content of the extract.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Gymnosporia royleana (G royleana) Wall ex MA Lawson, localmente conocida como "Sur Azghee", se utiliza tradicionalmente para el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades. En la investigación presente, tratamos de validar científicamente su uso tradicional en varias condiciones, tales como las infecciones microbianas y el cáncer, así como explorar sus actividades farmacológicas adicionales mediante el tamizado aleatorio frente a los métodos farmacológicos localmente accesibles, independientemente de sus usos tradicionales como ensayos antidiabéticos, hemaglutinantes, y antioxidantes. Métodos: La extracción se realizó mediante una metodología de maceración en frío. Un método de dilución se utilizó para la prueba de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana utilizando diferentes concentraciones. Se utilizó el protocolo inducido por estreptozotocina (STZ) para evaluar la actividad antidiabética a un nivel de dosis de 200, 400 mg/kg. La actividad antioxidante, la actividad de hemaglutinación, y las actividades anticancerígenas contra las líneas celulares HepG-2 y MCF-7, se determinaron según los protocolos establecidos. De modo similar. la cantidad máxima de contenido fenólico (12.02 mg 100 g) se determinó mediante el uso del ensayo Folin-Ciocalteu. Resultados: Se observaron actividades antimicrobianas prometedoras en términos de la concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) para el extracto crudo (25-200 μg/mL), el n-hexano (100-400 μg/mL), el acetato de etilo (50-200 μg/mL), y el extracto acuoso (100-400 μg/mL). El potencial antidiabético fue significativo a un nivel de dosis de 200-400 mg/kg de peso corporal mediante la reducción del nivel de glucosa en sangre a los 10 y 15 días. El porcentaje de los valores de 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidracilo (DPPH) se incrementa al aumentar la concentración del extracto de la planta (10-100 μg/mL). Se halló que el extracto de metanol posee una alta actividad de aglutinación. Conclusión: Se concluyó que esta especie de planta posee importantes actividades antimicrobianas, antidiabéticas, antioxidantes, anticancerígenas y hemaglutinantes, que podrían atribuirse al contenido fenólico del extracto.

Prevalence of pneumoconiosis among coal miners of Cherat, district Nowshera - Pakistan

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of pneumoconiosis among coal miners. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 coalminers of Cherat, District Nowshera, KPK, Pakistan, from July 2012 to June2013. Coal miners who worked for more than six months were included. Medical camps were arranged in study areas in which Pulmonary Function Tests and CXR was conducted to estimate the prevalence of pneumoconiosis. The demographic variables were also noted on a semi structured proforma. The medical examinations of coal miner's revealed that approximately71% [n=284] of coal miners have sign and symptoms of occupational respiratory health problems. The coal miners showed an increased prevalence of coal workers pneumoconiosis [49.50%] i.e. about 47% [n=188] on Chest X-rays [P/A View] and 52.50% [n=210] on Pulmonary Function Tests has findings of coal workers pneumoconiosis. Only 31.75% [n=127] of coal miners have normal pulmonary function tests and 35% [n=140] have normal chest x-ray findings during medical assessment. The prevalence of the pneumoconiosis was high [49.50%] among the Cherat coal miners; and needs proper consideration and attention from the health sector and mining department in order to reduce the high burden of pneumoconiosis among coal miners

Frequency of renal stone disease in patients with urinary tract infection

To determine incidence of renal stone disease in patients with urinary tract infection, this cross sectional study was conducted at Surgical Unit of District Head Quarters Hospital, Charsadda over a period of one year from January to December 2005. One hundred consecutive patients were enrolled in this study. All those patients who presented with urinary symptoms were included. While patients with lower urinary tract stones, upper urinary tract stones with renal failure, renal tumours and previous history of renal stones disease were excluded. The data was obtained and analyzed by filling a specially designed proforma for each patient. All 100 patients were between age ranges of 15-60 years [Mean age 37.5 years]. Infection was present in 79% of cases. The commonest organisms isolated according to culture report were E. Coli [30%], Proteus [19%], Klebsiella [11%], Pseudomonas [7%], Staphylococcus aureus [3%] etc. The frequency of renal stone disease in patients with urinary tract infection was 18.98%. [12.6% in male and 6.3% in female]. Mean age of patients with renal stones was 31.26 years and male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Renal stone disease makes an important group among urinary stone diseases. Urinary tract infection with certain bacteria plays an important role in the synthesis of renal stones. A high incidence can be prevented by adopting a variety of simple conservative measures

Evaluation of modified Alvarado score in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis

To evaluate Modified Alvarado Score in patients with right iliac fossa pain. Prospective cross-sectional study from March 2006 to May 2007. District Headquarter [DHQ] Hospital, Charsadda. One hundred consecutive patients with right right iliac fossa pain. Both male and female patients with ages >14 years were included. Basic data of all the patients was collected. They were divided into two groups on the basis of modified Alvarado score. Group-I: Alvarado score >/= 7. Group-II: Alvarado score /= 7

Correlation between operative findings and pre-operative ultrasonographic findings in cases of cholelithiasis

This prospective study was conducted in Surgical Unit V of Civil Hospital, Karachi from 1[st] April 2003 to 30[th] May 2004 on 70 patients to see the degree of correlation between operative findings and pre-operative ultrasound findings in patients with Cholelithiasis. Pre-operative ultrasound in gall stone disease showed a 92% accuracy when its findings were compared with operative findings. In 83.3% cases the ultrasound correctly predicted the thickness of the gall bladder wall. The yield of ultrasound for common bile duct stones was only 57%. Additional imaging methods such as plain X-ray abdomen and oral cholecystogram were carried out in some cases with relatively low diagnostic accuracy. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography had a 100% accuracy in common bile duct stones, but at the cost of being invasive and potentially hazardous procedure. Ultrasound is non invasive, cost effective, technically easy to perform and can be used as the sole diagnostic tool in gall bladder stones. It also gives useful information about structures around the gall bladder

Laryngeal amyloidosis

We present a case of localized recurrent amyloidosis of larynx in a female aged 62 years admitted with strong suspicion of having carcinoma of the larynx. The purpose of this paper is to discuss solitary, localized amyloidosis in the larynx, its management and to review the literature

Sertoli cell only syndrome [SECOS]: lessons from case studies

Between June 85 and December 87, 69 testicular biopsies were submitted for histopathological examination during investigation of infertility; ten [14%] patients had a Sertoli cell only syndrome. The history, clinical features, and hormonal profiles were analyzed in an attempt to categorize these patients on aetiological basis. Two followed treatment of malignancy - one by radiation for testicular cancer and one by cyclophosphamide for a lymphoma. One had unilateral cryptorchidism. Mumps was etiological factor in one patient. FSH levels determined in 6 patients were elevated in all suggesting a possible dependence of [sick] Sertoli cells on spermatogenic cells for production of inhibin. Alternative explanations include changes in sertoli cell enzymes or FSH receptors. Testosterone levels are in the low normal range suggesting that Leydig cells may also be affected by the etiological factor producing the syndrome. Two patients who had earlier received a higher Johansen score were found to have a sertoli cell only syndrome on expert review of testicular biopsies. It is suggested that the condition is more common than hitherto reported and is often confused with maturation arrest. Testicular histopathology should be done by specialists in testicular pathology