Comparison of neuropharmacological activities of methanolic extracts of Cuminum nigrum [Linn.] and Centratherum anthelminticum [Linn.] in mice

The study is conducted to observe and investigate the effects of oral dosing of methanolic extracts of Cuminum nigrum [L] and Centratherum anthelminticum [L] on neuropharmacological activities of mice. Methanolic extracts of Cuminum nigrum [L] and Centratherum anthelminticum [L] were soluble in Dimethyl sulphoxide [DMSO] i.e. an organic solvent, so it is used in this study. Screening for anxiolytic and antidepressant effects were performed using open field test, head dip test, stationary rod test, cage crossing test, light and dark box and swimming- induced depression test. Thirty animals were divided into three groups of 10 animals each and numbered as 1 [control, on DMSO], 2[on methanolic extract of Cuminum nigrum [L], 3 [on methanolic extract of Centratherum anthelminticum [L]. The extracts and DMSO were administered orally for 60 days. Any possible change in animal behavior was evaluated on day 15, 30 and 60 of dosing. The groups 2 and 3 showed significant increase [p<0.001, p<0.01] in open field activity and light and dark box test respectively, while significantly decreased activity was observed in head dip and cage crossing activity [p<0.01] after 60 days of dosing. Based on above findings, it is suggested that the extracts of Centratherum anthelminticum [L] and Cuminum nigrum [L] have antidepressant and anxiolytic potential with sedative effects

Comparative role of pregabalin and carbamazepine regarding efficacy in painful diabetic neuropathy

Neuropathic pain is the most severe and resistant type of pain which has impact on quality of life ana behaviour; it most commonly occurs at night causing disturbed; sleep. Diabetes mellitus is a common cause of painful neuropathy. In this study, we are comparing the effectiveness of old treatment Carbamazepine with Pregabalin in painful diabetic neuropathy. The study was an open-label trial conducted in Diabetic Clinic of Medical Unit-Ill, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi. The duration of the study was 90 days, from December 2010 to March 2011. The study has been approved from ethical committee of JPMC, Karachi with the reference NO.F.2-81/2010-GENL/195/JPMC. 60 established patients of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy from Diabetic Clinic of Medical Unit-Ill OPD were included in the 90-day study, irrespective of gender, with duration of diabetes more than 10 years. All subjects are placed into two groups. In group A, comprising of 30 patients [n=30], Pregabalin was administered and in group B, also comprising of 30 patients [n=30], Carbamazepine. The intensity of pain was compared on visual analog scale of McGill pain questionnaire. In group A [Pregabalin], the mean pain score fell from 6.17+/-0.14 to 3.50+/-0.15 from day 0 to day 90 [p-value=0.001] and the percentage of change also in visual analog scale of McGill pain questionnaire was -43.31%. In group B [Carbamazepine], the changes in pain score from initially 6.07+/-0.14 falling to 4.23+/-0.13 from day 0 to day 90 [p-value=0.001] and the percentage of change was -30.31%. Pregabalin was observed to be more potent. Both drugs were well tolerated by all participants that also completed the entire duration of the trial

Evaluation of hearing impairment in children of school going age

The timely identification of severity of hearing loss in school age children will decrease the morbidity and this morbidity can be corrected by timely treatment. Community-base cohort study. This study was conducted in ENT department of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, KMC,Karachi from January 2011 to Jan 2012. The suspected cases were referred to the ENT department of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital adjoining schools and suspected cases of hearing difficulty noticed by the parents. After taking informed consent from both sexes and age ranges from 6-16 years were included in the study. This study shows male were slight more 54 patients. Highest number of patients was found in 13 years of age 16 patients i.e 16%. In 53 patients risk factor was present. Maximum number of children had moderate hearing loss 26 children [26%]. Early school going child with mild to moderate hearing loss is difficult to detect during routinr examination. Audiological screening is necessary for detection of hearing loss in early school going child

Comparison of efficacy and safety profile of gabapentin and carbamazepine in painful diabetic neuropathy

Comparison of efficacy and safety profile of Gabapentin and Carbamazepine in painful diabetic neuropathy. open label 12 weeks randomized controlled trial. The present study was conducted in Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center [JPMC] in collaboration of Diabetic Clinic of Medical Unit III of JPMC Karachi. December 2010 to May 2011. 60 diagnosed patients of painful diabetic neuropathy were selected for 12 weeks trial after taking written consent. The patients were randomly placed into two groups, 30 patients each. One group received Gabapentin [n=30] while the other received Carbamazepine [n=30]. The primary outcome was reduction in pain scale. It was compared on 11-point numerical visual analog scale [VAS]. In Gabapentin group the reduction in pain VAS was 6.17 +/- 0.15 on day 0 to 3.5 +/- 0.15 on day 90. The percentage of change was 43.3% from baseline [p-value 0.001]. In carbamazepine group the reduction in pain VAS was 6.07 +/- 0.13 on day 0 to 4.23 +/- 0.13 on day 90. The percentage of change was 30.4% [p-value 0.001]. The secondary outcome was improvement in sleep interference that is measured on 11-point numerical VAS of sleep interference. It also improved in both groups which is highly significant. In patients of diabetic painful neuropathy treatment of Gabapentin and Carbamazepine both are effective but Gabapentin is superior in relieving symptoms than Carbamazepine

Correlation between traffic noise induced hearing loss [NIHL] and occupation

To examine the subjects who are more prone to traffic noise exposure such as auto rickshaw drivers, traffic constables and shop keepers in central business area in Karachi [Pakistan]. This was hospital based prospective study comprising of 200 subjects. The results were obtained by testing the subjects which were investigated on the basis of interviews by [a] completing performa [b] Pure tone audiometry [PTA]. Correlation between traffic NIHL and occupation was found statistically significant with P<0.001 distributed as 15 [34.1%] in auto rickshaw drivers, 34 [40%] in shopkeepers and 29 [34.1%] in traffic constables. The fact that road traffic is the most significant source of noise pollution in Karachi was established by investigating our subjects. They had significant degree of hearing impairment i.e. 42%