Laboratory Studies on Chromatographic Profile, Toxicity and Repellent Activity of Custard Apple (Annona squamosa L.) Seed Extract

Plant extracts have toxic substances that can kill termites and other insect pests. Many plant extracts including Annona squamosa have been identified for their anti-termiticidal activity. This study aims to determine the chemical profile, toxicity, and repellent activities of petroleum ether extract against Odontotermes anamallensis and Microcerotermes fletcheri. The GC-MS/MS findings of petroleum ether extract of Annona showed the presence of 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)- as the predominant compound followed by Octadecanoic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid, 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester. The probit analysis revealed LC50 values of 2.38 per cent and 3.06 per cent for O. anamallensis and M. fletcheri, respectively. Petroleum ether extract showed repellency with the repellency percent of 48.33 and 31.67 by O. anamalensis and M. fletcheri respectively. These findings suggest that Annona seed extract is a viable source of natural insecticides against termites.

A comprehensive study on the organisms causing cholecystitis

Background: Cholecystitis either acute or chronic is predominantly caused by gut bacteria. The etiology can be rarely due to other organisms. There is well documented evidence on the incidence of common organisms causing cholecystitis in western countries but it cannot be typically extrapolated to our set up and need to be evaluated. Aim: The aim of this study was to study the incidence, assess risk factors and evaluate the severity of cholecystitis caused by various organisms in patients coming to Govt. Stanley Hospital. Materials and methods: This was a prospective study consisting of 50 patients diagnosed as cholecystitis (calculous/ acalculous) who underwent laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy in our institution. With all aseptic precautions intra-operatively bile was aspirated from gall bladder and inoculated in culture media appropriately to detect the possible organisms. Results: Bile cultures grew bacterium in 48 of 50 patients. 32 patients’ cultures were positive for aerobes. 11 patients grew anaerobes. 5 patients had mixed flora. Among the mixed flora, 2 had only aerobes and the remaining had both aerobes and anaerobes. 2 patients had no growth in their cultures Conclusion: E.coli was found to be the commonest organism in our study as already been reported elsewhere. Klebsiella was the second commonest overall and among the aerobes. Bacteroids fragilis are the commonest anaerobes to be grown in the cultures.

A comprehensive study on effect of collagen dressing in diabetic foot ulcer

Introduction: Wounds can cause painful lengthy hospital stay, multiple stages of surgeries, and enormous financial burden. Biological dressing’s collagen granule dressing has advantage over conventional dressing in terms of non-immunogenic, non-pyrogenic, being natural, easy application and decreased days of healing. Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of collagen granule dressings and conventional dressing in diabetic wounds in terms of reduced healing time, number of dressing, healing quality and complications Materials and methods: A prospective study was done in which 30 patients who presented with diabetic wounds were chosen by random sampling technique, and were grouped into 2 groups consisting of 15 patients. Thirty patients with foot ulcer were evaluated. A collagen or conventional dressings were applied, and the patients were followed as per standard post-application treatment protocol. Patients underwent dressing changes every day until wound healing or for maximum period of 12 weeks. Changes in wound size were recorded when the dressing was removed; and at 4 and 12 weeks. Conclusions: Our study is a hospital based case control prospective study done in 30 patients of chronic diabetic foot ulcers. There was statistically significant difference between the results of collagen and saline dressings as collagen dressings had better healing response rate as compared to placebo when given along with standard treatment of diabetic foot ulcer.

Preformulation compatibility study of aceclofenac with tablet excipients [natural and synthetic] using differential scanning calorimetry

Differential scanning calorimetry was used as a tool to study the tablet excipient-Aceclofenac interactions in order to assess their compatibility. Compatibility studies were carried on samples of 1:1 physical mixtures of the drug with various excipients [natural and synthetic] viz., Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, Ethyl cellulose, Chitosan, Eudragit, and Magnesium stearate as sustained release polymers and lubricant respectively at room temperature. Aceclofenac was found to be compatible with all the excipients viz. Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, Ethyl cellulose, Chitosan, Eudragit and Magnesium stearate

Studies on the potentiation analgesic effect of phenytoin and ketorolac with pelitazocine using albino mice by eddy's hot plate method

The analgesic activity was tested by Eddy's hot plate method in albino mice using combination of Pentazocine [1 mg/kg] with Phenytoin [10.20 mg/kg] and Pentazocine [1 mg/kg] with Ketorolac [10.20 mg/kg] was given by intra-peritoneal administration, The results showed a significant increase in reaction time [analgesia] in albino mice and hence the present study indicates that combination of Phenytoin and Ketorolac with Pentazocine has significant prolonged analgesic effect as compared with analgesic effect produced by Pentazocine alone

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of aceclofenac Vs aceclofenac and paracetamol combination in animals

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of aceclofenac was compared with combination of aceclofenac and paracetamol. The analgesic activity was assessed using Eddy's hot plate method and acetic acid-induced method. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed in acute [Carrageenan-induced oedema] model of inflammation in rat. The aceclofenac and paracetamol combination showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity when compared to aceclofenac alone

Hepatoprotective activity of Clerodendron inerme extract

The ethanolic extract of dried leaves of Clerodendron inerme were screened pharmacologically for their hepatoprotective activity against Carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The ethanolic extract exhibited significant activity by lowering serum levels

Identification of sugars and estimation of water content in honey

Honey samples from country drug sellers, street vendors and tribes of Kanchipuram District were subjected to simple Thin Layer Chromatography [TLC] to identify sugars in those samples. Water content estimated by Karl Fischer titration method and refractive indices of the samples found to decrease with an increase in water content

Antimicrobial activity of the extracts of artocarpus heterophyllus

Antimicrobial activity of Benzene, Chloroform and Alcohol extracts of Artocarpus heterophyllus roots were studied against Bacillus subtilis. Escherichia coli. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes by disc diffusion method. The extract of roots exhibited significant antimicrobial activity

Effect of diosmin, flavonoid of barosma betulina [rutaceae] on drug induced hepatotoxicity

The flavonoid, Diosmin was tested for hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol induced liver damage in rats. Evaluation done by measuring the reduction in elevated serum levels of SCOT, SGPT, ALP, ACP and Total bilirubin and also by reduction in increased liver weight

Microbiological evaluation of potable and packaged drinking water samples

Packed drinking water samples of 25 litres and 1 litre capacities and potable water sample from local railway station, commercial centre and a deionised water sample from laboratory was subjected to study for the determination of total aerobic bacterial count and for the presence of Salmonella and Escherichia coll by incubating at 37°C for 48 hours

Wound healing activity of different marketed ayurvedic tailams

Five Marketed Ayurvedic Tailam Formulations[1] [Table 2]of reputed manufacturers were screened for wound healing activity in different types of wound models in rats [Excision and Incision wound models]. Complete filling and healing of wounds was observed for 12 days after daily application of the tailams. All the tailams produced a significant response in wound healing. The results were also comparable to standard drug Povidone iodine ointment in terms of wound contracting ability, percentage wound closure and tensile strength

Wound healing activity of the extracts of Sida acuta

Leaf extracts of Sida acuta Linn. were screened for wound healing activity in types of wound models in rats [1] Excision and [2] Incision wound model. Complete filling and healing of wounds was observed for 12 days after daily application of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts in the form of an ointment in the concentration of 5% w/w and 10% w/w. Both alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the plant produced a significant response in wound healing. The results were also comparable to standard drug Povidone Iodine ointment in terms of wound contracting ability, percentage wound closure and tensile strength