Antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemic effect of calotropis flowers in experimental diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a growing menace and the cost of treatment and debilitation is high especially in poor societies. Hyperglycemia in diabetes is associated with deranged lipid profile. Various parts of plants and herbs have been indigenously used around the world for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Root, bark, leaves and latex of Calotropis procerahave been experimentally studied for their antidiabetic effect. This study was undertaken to explore the antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic effect of the flowers of Calotropis procera

Methods: Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. Calotropis procera flowers aqueous extract [CFEX] was given orally in doses of 10,20,30,40 and 50 mg/kg body weight. Serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL were measured at the beginning of experiment and at intervals of 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks and compared with those in positive controls treated with glibenclamide and untreated negative control animals

Results: Weight loss in CFEX-treated animals was not significantly different from positive control group. Decrease in serum glucose levels, comparable to positive controls, was observed in animals treated with CFEX 20,30,40 and 50 mg/kg body weight. The TC, TG and LDL significantly decreased while a significant increase in HDL was seen

Conclusion: Calotropis procera flowers extract has shown antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemic effects in experimental diabetic rats and may have the potential of a potent antidiabetic agent

A Morphometric Study of the Sella Turcica: Gender Effect.

Background and objective: Precise anatomical knowledge of the sella turcica is important for neurologists and surgeons operating in the region of cavernous sinus or the surrounding structures. The current study was undertaken to record normal morphometric parameters for future reference and to determine if there is any significance difference in the sella turcica morphometry regarding the gender. Methodology: A Morphometric analysis of the Sella Turcica and structures in vicinity were done in thirty six adults’ formalin fixed cadaver’s skulls (22 male and 14 female). Results: The pituitary stalk positions weremiddle inmajority ofmale cases (72.7%), the remaining 27.3% were posterior. Among female; 57.1%weremiddle and the remaining 42.9%were posterior, no anterior position was detected among both genders with no different between male and female (p = 0.494) Normal Optic chiasma position was detected in all female cases and in 63.6% of male cases with no significant differences regarding gender (p= 0.070). No significant different in diaphragma sella shape and opening regarding gender (p.value = 0.170 and 0.914 respectively) No significant difference betweenmales and females concerning linear dimensions of sella turcica (length, depth and Anteroposterior diameters). Concerning diaphragma sella opening; no significant different regarding gender in transverse diameter (p.value= 0.316) while significant different was detected in anteroposterior diameter (p.value= 0.046) For interclinoid (anterior, posterior) diameters, which represented statistically significant different regarding gender in both right and left sides (p.value = 0.004 and 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: Present studywill providing the normalmorphometric data for future reference and further studies.

Cranial measurements; estimation of stature from cranial measurements

Human body exhibits regular age, sex and race dependent proportions amongst its various segments relative to its height. Knowledge of the cranial morphometry is important from clinical and forensic view point. The stature of a person being genetically predetermined is an inherent characteristic, the estimation of which is considered to be important assessment in identification of human remains. Norms of regression formulae for calculation of height are required for different populations. To document norms for cranial dimensions and present linear regression formulae for stature prediction in adult male and female population of Southern Punjab. The study was conducted at the Multan Medical and Dental College, Multan and took about fourteen months to complete. The study was conducted on 672 adult individuals [430 males and 242 females] from in and around the city of Multan in Punjab. Measurements of the head including maximum cranial length [glabella-inion length], maximum cranial breadth [maximum bi-parietal diameter] and maximum auricular head height were taken. Results were expressed as mean +/- SD. Height was measured in standing anatomical position. Correlation coefficient of Pearson was used to find the relationship between various cranial dimensions using which the linear regression formulae to predict the stature were derived. The mean height of the study population was found to be significantly different between genders. The males appeared to be considerably taller than females. The mean cranial length, cranial breadth and auricular head height the measurements were larger significantly in the males as compared to females. Pearson's correlation coefficient between stature and cranial measurements was found to be highly positive for both sexes. Linear regression formulae to predict the stature from the cranial dimensions were derived. The study is conducted to document norms for cranial dimensions and it presented gender specific linear regression models for stature prediction in adult South Punjab population

Chronic experimental diabetes mellitus; quantitative changes in dorsal root ganglion cells

Background: multiple factors operate in the development of diabetic neuropathy. Sensory neurons are not protected by blood-brain or blood-nerve barrier; also the dorsal root ganglion cells [DRG] have a higher metabolic requirement than the nerve trunks. Oxygen level at the dorsal root ganglions also appears to be lower. All these physiological characteristics suggest that DRG may be particularly susceptible to damage in prolonged diabetic conditions

Objectives: to observe the quantitative cellular changes in dorsal root ganglion cells in rats with prolonged experimental diabetes

Study Design: an experimental study

Setting: Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Umm al Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Period: fifteen months to complete

Material and methods: observations were made on six control and six streptozotocin-treated male Sprague-Dawley rats after 12 months of diabetes. Cell count was done on silver-stained paraffin sections. DRG cells were arbitrarily grouped as large A-type and small B-type. Statistical examination of the cell count was done using a two-tailed t-test. Values were considered significant at P

Results: in the control group of animals the mean total number was 15856.33 +/- 552.538 while in the diabetic animals it was 11836.666 +/- 583.177; the reduction in the number of cells was significant. The number of A-type and B-type cells and their percentages in the control group and the diabetic group of animals were 2753.833 +/- 257.683 [17.36%], 13102.5 +/- 443.092 [82.63%] and 1202.833 +/- 87.082 [10.16%], 10633.833 +/- 517.900 [89.83%] respectively. The differences in the number of A-type and B-type of cells when compared between control and diabetic groups of animals were statistically highly significant

Conclusion: selective cells damage to DRG cells may be the harbinger of diabetic neuropathy in experimentally induced diabetic rats

cephalometric study in Southern Punjab

Background: Morphological characteristics of various races and population groups usually appear in geographical knots and clusters. Standardized cephalometricrecords are immensely valuable for clinical and forensic purposes.In spite of its clinical significance no data is available about the cephalic indices and prevalence of cephalic phenotypes in Southern Punjab

Objectives: This study was undertaken to record baseline cephalometric data, cephalic indices and craniotypes

Study design: A cross-sectional population study

Place and duration of study: The study was carried out at the Multan Medical and Dental College, Multan and took about fourteen months to complete

Material and methods: The study was conducted on 672 adult individuals [430 males and 242 females] from in and around the city of Multan in Southern Punjab. Linear measurements of the head including maximum cranial length [glabella-inion length], maximum cranial breadth [maximum bi-parietal diameter] and maximum auricular head height were recorded using a digital spreading caliper. Results of measurements were expressed as mean +/- SD. Comparison of the mean values and various proportions between sexes was performed. The horizontal, vertical and transverse cranial indices were calculated using these measurements. Craniotyping was based on the ranges in various cephalic indices

Results: Differences regarding the mean of cranial length, cranial breadth and height were significantly larger in males as compared to females [P<0.001]. The mean vertical, horizontal and transverse cephalic indices in the males and females were 79.13 +/- 5.56, 78.31 +/- 5.19, 103 +/- 7.78 and 78.32 +/- 6.40, 78.32 +/- 4.67, 100 +/- 8.67 respectively.Most of the samples depicted craniotypes as mesocephalic and dolichocephalic both in the males and the females

Conclusion: The study provides baseline cephalometric data from a population of Southern Punjab that may have its potential in clinical application and future research

Andrographia paniculata a Miracle Herbs for cancer treatment: In vivo and in vitro studies against Aflatoxin B1 Toxicity

The history of natural products used in ancient times and in folk medicine these days, around the world, is the basis for the use of many therapeutic drugs in modern day medicine. Andrographia paniculata belongs to the family Acanthaceae or Kalmegh and is commonly known as 'king of bitters'. It is extensively used as home remedy for various diseases in Indian traditional system as well as in tribal system in India for multiple clinical applications. In our present work, extracts of these ayurvedic plants were tested for their anticlastogenic, and anticarcinogenic properties against Aflatoxin Bl induced toxicity. We used the in vitro method i.e. human lymphocytes culture and in vivo method in bone marrow cells of albino mice, while the parameters studied included chromosomal aberrations [CA], sister chromatid exchanges [SCEs] and cell growth kinetics [RI] both in the presence as well as in the absence of exogenous metabolic activation system for in vitro studies, whereas total aberrant cells and the frequencies of aberrations were used for in vivo methods A. paniculata extracts significantly reduced chromosomal aberrations from 35.0%, 62.0% and 69.0% level [at 24, 48, and 72 h due to Aflatoxin B1] to 21.72%, 44.0% and 52.0%, similarly sister chromatid exchanges were reduced from 14.60 per cell to 7.50 per cell at 48 h of treatments and replication index was enhanced in vitro for each concentration and duration of treatment. In conclusion A. paniculata extracts significantly reduced the number of aberrant cells and frequencies of aberration per cell at each concentration and duration of exposure in vivo; similarly it reduced chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges and replication index was enhanced in vitro that was statistically significant at < 0.05 level

Terminalia arjuna, a herbal remedy against environmental carcinogenicity: An in vitro and in vivo study

Medicinal plants have been a major source of therapeutic agents from ancient times to cure diseases. The evaluation of rich heritage of traditional medicine is essential. The bark of Terminalia arjuna is rich in polyphenols [60-70%] including flavonoids and tannins. The aim of the present investigation is to highlight the anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic potential of extracts of T. arjuna. In this experiment we have used human lymphocyte culture and bone marrow cells of albino mice as assay system. The parameters studied included chromosomal aberrations [CA], sister chromatid exchanges [SCEs] and cell growth kinetics [RI] both in the presence and in the absence of exogenous metabolic activation system for in vitro experiment, whereas total aberrant cells and the total frequencies of aberrations were taken for in vivo study. The role of T. arjuna extracts in reducing metaphase aberrations due to aflatoxin B[is quite significant, the reduction varying from 23.49%, 42.47%, and 59.65% down to 12.32%, 28.00%, and 36.88% respectively at the highest dose [TA[4]] for the three different durations viz., 24, 48 and 72 h. Similarly the number of sister chromatid exchanges got reduced from a higher level of 15.00 +/- 1.40 per cell to 7.70 +/- 0.50 per cell with S9 mix at 48 h of treatment. The replication index was enhanced from 1.33 to 1.55 in vitro. Similar trends were noticed in the in vivo experiments i.e., effective reductions in clastogeny ranging from 15.22% to 54.82% from the mutagen treated positive control and the total frequencies in aberrant cells got reduced from 429 due to AFB1 to 141 due to 5th concentration of Terminalia extracts at 32 h of exposure. The ameliorating potential of Terminalia extracts was dose and time dependant

Relationship between intraocular pressure and body mass index

To determine the relationship of intraocular pressure [IOP] with body mass index [BMI]. A cross-sectional comparative study. Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi, from February 2010 to July 2010. Three hundred subjects meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. IOP was recorded. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. IOP showed positive relationship with BMI. A BMI change by 1 kg/m[2] corresponded with a change in IOP by 0.23 mmHg [p<0.01] in males and 0.14 mmHg [p=0.004] in females. A positive relationship was found between IOP and BMI in both genders

Prevalence and genetic analysis of bitter taste perception for phenylthiocarbamide [PTC] among some Muslim populations of Uttar Pradesh, India

The ability to taste Phenylthiocarbamide [PTC], a bitter organic compound, described as a bimodal autosomal trait is widely used to know the heritable trait in both genetic and anthropological studies. The present study was carried out to analyze the prevalence of PTC taste sensitivity and to determine the gene frequencies among some Muslim populations of Uttar Pradesh, India. This study has some physiological relevance to highlight the adapt-ability of endogamous groups to behavioral traits in the same place. Unrelated, healthy individuals of both sexes [Male-403, Female-418] belonging to different populations of Uttar Pradesh, India were randomly selected with the age range of 16-45 years observed for phenylthiocarbamide to taste sensitivity. PTC tasting ability was measured by using a serial dilution method of Harris and Kalmus. The phenotypic frequency of tasters was higher as compared to non-tasters, and the same is statistically significant [x[2]= 11.92, df = 5, P = 0.036]. There were more females among tasters [67.94%] than males [64.76%]. This observation was statistically significant [x[2] = 14.79, df = 5, P= 0.011]. The frequency of PTC tasters is greater than non-tasters and the females have lower non-taster phenotypes as compared to males. This type of study will provide background information about genetic structure of population and serves as useful interaction of genetics, food preferences and dietary patterns

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of rhizome of Podophyllum hexandrum against carbon tetra chloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To test possible antioxidant activity of n-hexane extract of Podophyllum hexandrum under in vitro and in vivo conditions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by the ability of the extract to interact with the stable free radical DPPH, Superoxide (O2-), Hydroxyl (OH-), Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) radicals, and reducing power ability of the extract was also evaluated. Under in vivo conditions the extract was evaluated for its hepatoprotective activity by measuring different biochemical parameters, such as serum alanine aminotransaminase, serum aspartate aminotransaminase and serum lactate dehydrogenase and antioxidant enzymes. Antioxidant status was estimated by determining the activities of antioxidative enzymes, glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and by determining the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hexane extract of P. hexandrum exhibited good radical scavenging capacity in neutralization of DPPH, O2-, OH-, and H2O2 radicals in a dose dependent manner. n-hexane extract of Podophyllum hexandrum at the doses of 20, 30, and 50 mg/kg-day produced hepatoprotective effect by decreasing the activity of serum marker enzymes, while it significantly increased the levels of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), super oxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in a dose dependant manner. The effect of n-hexane extract was comparable to that of standard antioxidant vitamin E.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The extract of Podophyllum hexandrum possess free radical scavenging activity under in vitro conditions and could protect the liver tissue against CCl(4) induced oxidative stress probably by increasing antioxidant defense activities.</p>

Distribution of sensory taste thresholds for phenylthiocarbamide [PTC] taste ability in North Indian Muslim populations

The ability to taste Phenylthiocarbamide [PTC], a bitter organic compound has been described as a bimodal autosomal trait in both genetic and anthropological studies. This study is based on the ability of a person to taste PTC. The present study reports the threshold distribution of PTC taste sensitivity among some Muslim populations of North India, as till now no detailed information is available. A survey was conducted among healthy individuals within the age range of 10-45 years who were randomly selected from among six populations viz; Syed, Sheikh, Pathan, Ansari, Qureshi and Saifi. The PTC tasting ability was measured using a serial dilution method of Harris and Kalmus. A bimodal distribution was observed from the graphs plotted for the PTC threshold distribution. The mean PTC threshold values [+/-SD] of the male and female individuals were calculated as 8.12 +/- 0.21 and 8.39 +/- 0.20, respectively. The threshold values among the six populations ranged from 7.71 to 8.81 among males, 7.44-9.04 among females and 7.86-8.91 as combined. The results found that females show a higher mean threshold value than males, though of no statistical significance. This type of study will provide brief information on the distribution of PTC sensory thresholds among some Muslim populations of North India. This study has some physiological relevance to highlight the adaptability of endogamous groups to behavioral traits in the same place.

Antigenotoxic and anticlastogenic potential of Agaricus bisporus against MMS induced toxicity in human lymphocyte cultures and in bone marrow cells of mice

The aim of the present study is to evaluate, for the first time, antigenotoxic potential of Agaricus bisporus against methyl methanesulphonate induced toxicity in human lymphocyte culture in vitro and in bone marrow cells of albino mice in vivo. The parameters studied included total aberrant cells and the frequencies of aberrations in the bone marrow cells at three exposure durations viz., 16, 24 and 32 h, and for the in vitro method using chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges and replication indices as markers. The alcoholic extract of A. bisporus was taken in five increasing concentrations of 200, 250, 300, 350 and 400 mg/kg body weight for three in vivo exposure durations viz., 16, 24 and 32 h. Similarly, four doses of extracts viz., 150, 200, 250 and 300 ?g/ml of culture were taken for in vitro durations of 24, 48 and 72 h in the presence as well as the absence of S9-mix. The treatment reduced the total number of aberrant cells ranging from 10.0% to 46.15% and it reduced the total frequencies of aberrations ranging from 198 to 96 against very high aberrations i.e., 227 caused due to methyl methanesulphonate in vivo. The same trends were observed in the in vitro experiments i.e., it reduced chromosomal aberrations from [42.00%, 71.25%, and 83.00% to 20.00%, 39.50%, and 43.00%] at 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure respectively. However when experiments were carried out in the presence of liver S9 fraction, these values were respectively 52.38, 44.56, and 48.34% significant at <0.05 level, likewise it also reduced sister chromatid exchanges from 14.86 +/- 1.44 down to 8.84 +/- 0.75 per cell, whereas the replication index got enhanced from 1.45 to 1.64

Prevalence and gene frequencies of A[1]A[2]BO and Rh[D] blood group alleles among some Muslim populations of North India

Research on ABO group system has been of immense interest, due to its medical importance in different diseases. Till date only a few studies have been done on the prevalence and gene frequencies of A[1]A[2]BO and Rh[D] blood groups among the Muslim populations of Uttar Pradesh, North India. The data generated in the present work may be useful for health planners while making efforts to face the future health challenges in the region. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and gene frequencies of A[1]A[2]BO and Rh[D] blood groups among six Muslim populations of Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh, North India. Blood samples from a total of 724 healthy, unrelated individuals were drawn at random from the six different endogamous groups of Muslim populations of Uttar Pradesh, North India. A[1]A[2]BO and Rh blood grouping were carried out by standard slide agglutination method and allele frequencies were determined. In total 724 samples analyzed, the most frequent blood group was found to be group O 29.97%[n = 217], followed by A[1] 26.52%[n = 192], B 20.03% [n = 145], A[1]B 19.34% [n = 140], A[2] 2.90% [n = 21] and A[2]B 1.24% [n = 9]. The overall phenotypic frequencies of A[1]A[2] BO blood groups were O > A[1]>B > A[1]B > A[2]>A2B. The calculated allelic frequencies were 0.5619, 0.2214, 0.1973 and 0.0259 for group 1[degree], [1]b, Ial and I[a2], respectively. The Chi-square differences for A[1]BO blood groups among different Muslim populations were found to be significant [X[2] = 41.22, df = 25, p < 0.02]. Out of total 724 samples, 613 [84.67%] samples were Rh + ve and 111 [15.33%] were Rh-ve

Prevalence of red-green color vision defects among Muslim males and females of Manipur, India

Color blindness is a common X-linked genetic disorder. However, most of color blinds remain undetected due to absence of proper screening. Our study was to determine the prevalence of red-green color vision defects among Manipuri Muslim males and females. The study could help in decreasing birth of children with this disorder as Muslims commonly perform consanguineous marriage among themselves. Unrelated individuals of both sexes [Male-1352, Female-1302] belonging to six different populations were randomly selected and screened for red-green color vision defects using the Ishihara [pseudo-isochromatic plates] test from the area of Imphal East and Imphal west districts of Manipur, which is a small hilly state, situated in the north eastern extreme corner of India sharing an international boundary with Myanmar [Burma]. About 8.73% of males and 1.69% of females were found to be color blind. Among six different populations studied the males of Meitei population shows the highest frequency i.e. 14.93% while Naga population shows the least frequency of 3.75%. Among females, Meitei population again shows the highest frequency of 2.5% and least frequency is shown by Mughal and Naga populations 0.00% as not a single female color blind was found. Present study shows higher prevalence rate of color blindness as compared to other reported rates of India. Deuteranomaly cases occur in higher percentage than other types of color blindness. The higher prevalence rate observed in Muslims may be due to the hidden effect of consanguineous marriages

Self medication patterns amongst undergraduate medical students of a private medical college

To determine the pattern and preferences of self-medication practices among the undergraduate medical students of Islamabad Medical and Dental college Islamabad. This cross-sectional study was undertaken at Islamabad Medical and Dental College Islamabad during a three months period [October 2012 to December 2012]. The study population consisted of medical students from first to final year, selected by consecutive sampling method, within the age group of 17-29 years with mean age 21.4 years and SD 2.4. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was administered to them. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and summarized. Percentages were used in the analysis and interpretation of the results. Out of 100 students a total of 88 students [40 [45.5%] female participants and 48 [54.5%] male participants] said that they practiced self-medication. Among these 54.2% attributed their source of information to electronic media 18% to print media and 27.9% to drug promotional activities, 62.9% said that they have sufficient knowledge regarding self medication. The leading percentage that is 51% used analgesics, 44.3% used antibiotics, and 4.5% used psychiatric drugs. Out of those who used psychiatric drugs, 75% used short acting anxiolytics and 25% used long acting antidepressant drugs. There is high prevalence of self medication among under graduate medical students and diversity exists in its pattern

Single nucleotide polymorphism in genome-wide association of human population: a tool for broad spectrum service

Genome-wide patterns of variation across individuals provide most powerful source of data for uncovering the history of migration, expansion, and adaptation of the human population. The arrival of new technologies that type more than millions of the single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] in a single experiment has made SNP in genome-wide association [GWA] assay a prudent venture. SNPs represent the most widespread type of sequence variation in genomes, and known as valuable genetic markers for revealing the evolutionary history and common genetic polymorphisms that explain the heritable risk for common diseases. Characterizing the nature of gene variation in human populations and assembling an extensive catalog of SNPs in candidate genes in association with particular diseases are the major goals of human genetics. In this article we explore the recent discovery of SNP-GWA to revolutionize not only the process of genetic variation and disease detection but also the convention of preventative and curative medicine for future prospects

Evaluation of micronucleus frequency by acridine orange fluorescent staining in bucccal epithelial cells of oral submucosus fibrosis [OSMF] patients

Oral submucosus fibrosis [OSMF] is a collagen-related disorder seen in habitual betel quids and smokers. This is a high risk precancerous condition in which the connective tissue fibers of the lamina propria and deeper parts of the mucosa becomes stiff with restricted mouth opening. Patients with severe cases have symptoms like difficulties in chewing, swallowing and speaking. In the present study 25 individuals were gutkha chewers and 25 were OSMF patients [chewing gutkha along with smoking] and 25 individuals were taken as controls. A significant increase in the frequency of micronuclei was observed in OSMF patients [34.4 +/- 1.79] as compared to gutkha chewers [14.4 +/- 0.73] and controls [4.36 +/- 0.27]. The number of micronucleated cells in OSMF, gutkha chewers and control groups were 19.84 +/- 0.69, 12.6 +/- 0.51 and 4.20 +/- 0.27, respectively and are significantly different at p < 0.05. Acridine orange is used due its fluorescence nature and easier visibility of the micronucleus present in the buccal epithelial cells. It is concluded that chewing gutkha along with smoking is more dangerous for human health as it hastens the incidence of OSMF

Does caesalpinia bonducella ameliorate genotoxicity? An in vitro study in human lymphocyte culture and in vivo study in albino mice

Most of the world's populations residing in developing countries depend on alternative medicine and use of plant ingredients. The plant Caesalpinia bonducella belongs to the family of Caesalpiniaceae and it is commonly known as Natakaranja in Hindi. It contains bonducin and two phytosterols namely sitosterol and hepatsane. The twigs and young leaves of C. bonducella are rationally used for curing tumors, inflammation and liver disorders. In our present work alcoholic extracts of this ayurvedic plant were tested for their antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties. The aim of the study is to investigate the antimutagenic and antigenotoxic potential of alcoholic extracts of C. bonducella against methyl methane sulfonate [MMS] induced genotoxicity. In this experiment we have used in vitro method i.e., human lymphocyte culture and in vivo method in bone marrow cells of albino mice, while the parameters studied included chromosomal aberrations [CA], sister chromatid exchanges [SCEs] and cell growth kinetics [RI] both in the presence as well as in the absence of exogenous metabolic activation system for in vitro studies whereas total aberrant cells and the frequencies of aberrations were used for in vivo methods. Alcoholic extracts of C. bonducella significantly reduce chromosomal aberration from 42.75%, 44.25%, and 51.75% levels [at 24, 48, and 72 h due to methyl methane sulfonate [MMS]] to 28.50%, 30.25%, and 35.10%, respectively similarly sister chromatid exchanges were reduced from 7.70 +/- 1.50 to 5.20 +/- 1.50 at 48 h of treatment and replication index was enhanced in vitro for each concentration and duration of treatment and their ameliorating potential was dose and duration dependent. Similarly these extracts significantly reduced the number of aberrant cells and frequency of aberrations per cell in in vivo

Nutritional values and antioxidant potential of some edible mushrooms of Kashmir valley

Mushrooms are considered rich in proteins, carbohydrates and other nutrients. The present study was carried out to evaluate some edible mushrooms of Kashmir valley for their protein, carbohydrate and lipid contents. The highest protein content was found in Boletus edulis [2.20g] followed by Agaricus bisporus [1.80g], Pleurotus ostreatus [1.68g], Morchella esculenta [1.62g] and Pleurotus sajor caju [1.6g]. Carbohydrate content also showed variation in all the five tested edible mushroom species, the highest carbohydrate content observed in Boletus edulis [6.0g] followed by Agaricus bisporus [4.85g], Pleurotus ostreatus [4.30g], Morchella esculenta [4.25g] and Pleurotus sajor caju [3.35g] respectively. Similar results were observed for lipid content. The present study was also investigated for the antioxidant potential of aqueous extract of mushroom species by the methods of DPPH radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and superoxide radical scavenging activity. All these in vitro antioxidant activities were concentration dependent, which were compared with standard antioxidant Catechin

Hepatic vasculitis mimicking liver abscesses in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Clinical and radiological liver diseases are uncommon in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]. We report a 29-year-old female with SLE who presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain, thrombocytopenia, elevated liver enzymes and multiple hypodense lesions in the liver on a computed tomography [CT] study that mimicked multiple liver abscesses. A liver biopsy showed mild chronic inflammation. Culture results were negative. With steroid therapy the patient improved clinically, the platelet count returned to the normal range and the multiple liver lesions disappeared radiologicaly. This patient represents a rare case of SLE that had hepatic vasculitis mimicking multiple liver abscesses