Evaluate the effect of mirabilis jalapa linn. seeds on liver function tests of healthy rabbits

Objective: To observe the effect of Mirabilis Jalapa seeds on Liver function tests of Rabbit

Study Design: Experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Baqai Medical College/ University for a period of 2 months from 1.10.2011 to 30.11.2011

Materials and Methods: For this study twenty seven rabbits of either sex were selected and divided in three groups, control group, low dose group and high dose group, each group having nine rabbits. The dose of the drug was calculated according to weight of the animals

Results: The liver function tests [LFT] were done after 60 days administration of mirabilis jalapa seeds. Total serum bilirubin in control group was 0.69 +/- 0.03, in low dose group 0.71 +/- 0.03 and in high dose group 0.73 +/- 0.03 with P value 0.197. Direct serum bilirubin was 0.34 +/- 0.02; 0.34 +/- 0.03; 0.31 +/- 0.03 with P value 0.687 in control group, low dose group and in high dose group respectively. Indirect serum bilirubin was 0.35 +/- 0.01 [control group]; 0.37 +/- 0.03 [low dose group] but in high dose group it decreased to 0.32 +/- 0.02 with P value 0.409. SGPT in control group was 78.7 +/- 3.01; in low dose group it was 74.1 +/- 2.08 and in high dose it was 100.0 +/- 2.08 with P value 0.001. Serum alkaline phosphate [IU/ L] was 44.4 +/- 1.53 with low dose it was 26.1 +/- 1.14 with high dose it was 114.6 +/- 1.14 with P value 0.001

Conclusions: Mirabilis Jalapa seems to be useful drug and further studies regarding its use are recommended

Role of latanoprost in the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma

The aim of this study was to observe the effect of Latanoprost in lowering intraocular pressure [IOP] in primary open angle glaucoma [POAG] patients. Prospective, open- label, Observational Study. This study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Post-graduate Medical Centre, Karachi from February 2008 to July 2008. Thirty patients of POAG were enrolled and were treated with Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops for 12 weeks. The parameter examined was IOP by using Goldmann applanation tonometer. The results have been expressed as mean +/- SEM. The mean IOP of both eyes decreased significantly [from 27.16 +/- 0.19 mmHg to 17.94 +/- 0.23 mmHg; p<0.001]. The average percentage reduction in IOP was -33.94% from week 0 to week 12. Latanoprost 0.005% eye drops may become an important choice as a monotherapy for primary open angle glaucoma patients