The study of antiepileptic activity of clove oil in chemical induced convulsions in mice.

Background: The objective was to evaluate and compare the effect of an extract of essential oil of clove with the standard sodium valproate on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures in animal models. Methods: A total of 30 mice were taken, they were given a chemo shock at the concentration of 60 mg/kg using PTZ. 30 mice were divided into 5 groups of 6 animals each the control group received distilled water 5 ml/kg i.p., standard received injection sodium valproate 200 mg/kg i.p. another group received sesame oil – 10 ml/kg i.p. (control), test groups received Clove oil - 0.075 ml/kg i.p., clove oil - 0.1 ml/kg i.p., respectively. All the injections were given 30 mins before the administration of PTZ. Results: Clove oil produced a significant antiepileptic effect at all the doses. Conclusion: Clove oil has shown significant antiepileptic activity in mice.

Prescribing pattern of antidepressants in psychiatric unit of a tertiary care hospital.

Background: The objective was to study the prescribing pattern of antidepressants in psychiatric unit of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: An observational study was carried out at psychiatry out-patient department (OPD). The data which were collected included information about age, gender, education, occupation, marital status and drug prescription included trade name, generic name, dosage, and frequency of 100 outpatients who attended the psychiatry OPD. Results: Among 100 patients with major depression 66% were females and 34% were males. Depression was more commonly seen between patients with age group 21-40 years. Depression was more common among housewives (44%) and next was students (18%). Percentage of depression was more in educated people with (72%) than in uneducated with (28%). Depression was more commonly seen in married people with (77%) than in unmarried people (23%). Most commonly prescribed antidepressant as monotherapy was fluoxetine and as combination therapy was fluoxetine and escitalopram. Conclusions: Depression is more commonly seen in married people predominantly in females and housewives. Fluoxetine is more commonly used followed by escitalopram. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are preferred over other antidepressant because of their relative lesser side effects.