Ethno botanical survey of medicinal plants in Khammam District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in four different indigenous groups in Khammam District of Andhra Pradesh. The herbal practitioners in the study area were interviewed and information on medicinal plants was collected from the traditional healers called Vaidyars. This survey covers 96 medicinal plants belonging to 44 families that are used for the treatment of various diseases in a traditional way. Traditional approach was evaluated scientifically with some selected plant extracts to cure many diseases. Several plant extracts like Gymnema sylvestre, Syzygium cumini, Tephrosia purpurea have proved their efficiency in treating many diseases like Diabetes mellitus and skin diseases. The present survey provides the information about various medicinal plants which were not recognized for their medicinal value. These plants are the natural remedies for treating many of the diseases This survey provided information about 96 plants with medicinal properties. This survey had been performed on the plants commonly used by the indigenous people for treating various diseases they had been encountering. All the information gathered from the indigenous people and the herbal practitioners helped to bring several medicinal plants to limelight which on further proceedings proves their therapeutic properties.

Genetic variation in genes involved in folate and drug metabolism in a south Indian population.

BACKGROUND: Genetic variations represented as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) vary across the world population. This genetic polymorphism (such as SNPs) plays an important role in pharmacogenomics. SNPs that affects cellular metabolism, by altering the enzyme activity, have an important role in therapeutic outcome. Allele frequencies in number of clinically relevant SNPs within south Indian populations are not yet known. Hence, we genotyped randomly selected unrelated south Indian subjects from different locations of south India representing the heterogeneous ethnic background of the population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Common variants of MTHFD1, TYMS, SHMT1, MTR, MTRR, CBS and SULT1A1 gene polymorphisms were screened from healthy unrelated south Indian volunteers. Genotypes were determined using RFLP analysis of polymerase chain reaction-amplified products and confirmed by DNA sequencing. Chi-square test was performed to test for deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for each locus. RESULTS: Gene allele frequency for several polymorphisms in our study differed significantly between the populations of other nations reported for several of the SNPs. These results demonstrate that the populations in different geographic regions may have widely varying genetic allele frequencies for clinically relevant SNPs. CONCLUSION: The present study reports, for the first time, the frequency distribution of MTHFD1, TYMS, SHMT1, MTR, MTRR, CBS and SULTIA1 gene polymorphisms in a south Indian population. Population-specific genetic polymorphism studies will help in practicing pharmacogenomic principles in the clinics.

Pneumatic splints: fabrication and use in neurorehabilitation.

Asymmetrical tone and weakness in antagonistic muscles often result in misalignment of joint, contractures and deformities. Traditional static splints used to prevent these complications are expensive, have to be custom made and cannot be used when deformities are marked. Authors describe fabrication and use of pneumatic splints, which are economic, safe and easy to apply. These splints have wide application in the management of common medical problems in neurological rehabilitation like hypotension, edema, pain, spasticity and early deformities.

Neurogenic heterotopic ossification : a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in neurorehabilitation.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is an important cause of restriction in range of movements and secondary motor disability following neurotrauma, orthopaedic interventions and burns. It has not received focussed attention in non-traumatic neurological disorders. In a prospective study of 377 patients, on medical problems in neurological rehabilitation setting, 15 subjects (3.97%) had neurogenic heterotopic ossification. Their clinical diagnosis was: transverse myelitis (7), neurotuberculosis (4), traumatic myelopathy (2) and stroke (2). Hip (10), knee (4) and elbow joints (1) were involved. The risk factors included urinary tract infection (15), spasticity (6), pressure sores (13) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (6). The initial diagnosis was often other than HO and included DVT (3), haematoma (2) and arthritis (2). ESR and serum alkaline phosphatase levels were elevated in all but one subject. The diagnosis of HO was established using X-rays, CT Scan and three-phase bone scan. Following treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the range of motion improved in only four patients. HO resulted in significant loss of therapy time during rehabilitation. High index of suspicion about this complication is necessary for early diagnosis and prompt intervention.