Aromatic drugs in Unani medicine with special reference to Kitabul-Mia-Lil-Masihi.

This is an established fact since time immemorial that, the aroma plays a vital role in the human beings and even in animals. The aromatic plants and aromatic chemicals contained in them has also significance in our day to day living. Process of distillation as adopted and described by Unani physicians confirms the claim that, they were aware of the importance of aromatic drugs and perfumes. There is a vast literature scattered in existing Unani medical books, which shows their intelligential towards the knowledge of herbal drugs including aromatic plants. 'Kitabul-Mia-Lil-Masihi is a book on Unani medicine. Its 17th Chapter consists of aromatic drugs exclusively. The drugs have been classified and presented here under different headings.

Biochemical alterations induced by a new phosphorothionate (RPR-II) in tissues of male and female rats.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a new phosphorothionate, the methyl ester of 2-butenoic acid-3-diethoxy phosphinothioyl (RPR-II) on membrane bound target enzymes aspartate amino transferase (ASAT), alanine amino transferase (ALAT) and RBC acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in different tissues of male and female albino wistar rats when treated orally with 0.014 (low), 0.028 (medium) and 0.042 (high) mg/kg daily for a period of 90 days. Repeated administration of RPR-II caused significant increase of ASAT and ALAT enzymes in serum, liver and kidney and significant decrease was recorded in lung in both male and female rats when measured after 45 and 90 days of treatment. This compound also caused significant inhibition of RBC AChE indicating its effect on nerve synapsis. Females were more susceptible than males with regard to ASAT and ALAT levels in serum and liver and also in kidney ASAT, whereas reverse trend was recorded in lung ALAT, suggesting sexual dimorphism in the treated rats. These studies also indicated that the levels of these affected enzymes were recovered to normal conditions after 28 days of post treatment (withdrawal study). Positive correlation was observed with regard to these enzymes between serum, liver and kidney, whereas in case of serum and lung a negative correlation was recorded. These enzymes profile elucidates lung necrosis whereas in other tissues the level of enzymes increased showing an adaptive mechanism due to the chemical stress.

Islamic medical ethics with special reference to Moalejat-e-Buqratiya.

The writer physicians of Islamic medicine have given top priority to the Islamic Medical Ethics in their valuable writings and left the ineffaceable footsteps in the field. Such as, Abul Hasan Ahmed bin Mohammad At-Tabari has devoted the 35th chapter of Maqala l of his precious book entitled 'Moalejat-e-Buqratiya' to medical ethics. The entire chapter reflects the Islamic approach of the scholar. In the following pages, an attempt has been made to highlight some salient features of Islamic Medical Ethics in ancient literature of Islamic Medical with special reference to Moalejat-e-Buqratiya.

Effect of dimethoate on hepatic cytochrome P-450 and glutathione S-transferase activity in pigeon and rat.

Effect of acute exposure (24 hr) to different oral doses of dimethoate on hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 (Cyt. P-450) content and cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity were determined in pigeon and rat to ascertain difference in the metabolic response as a measure of species selective toxicity. Dimethoate at five different doses caused a statistically significant decrease in Cyt. P-450 content both in pigeon and rat. However, reduction in GST activity was significant at three doses in pigeon and at high dose in rat. Thus, a different quantum of hepatic Cyt. P-450 decrease and a differed response of GST activity against dimethoate exposure in pigeon and rat may be one of the possible causes for relatively higher toxicity of dimethoate in birds.

Acute toxicity and anti acetylcholinesterase potential of some biphenyl derivatives to non target species.

Five newly synthesised biphenyl derivatives were evaluated for their acute contact toxicity (LC50) against rice weevil and honey bee and anti acetylcholinesterase potential (I50) against honey bee, fish, pigeon and rat. Amongst, O,O-dimethyl-O, p-Nitro-biphenyl phosphate was most potent against rice weevil, whereas p-(4-Nitrophenyl) phenyl-N-methyl carbamate against honey bee. Based on I50 values the biphenyl derivatives of phosphoric acid esters were more potent anti acetylcholinesterase (AChE) agents against rat and fish brain AChE while derivative of carbamic esters towards pigeon brain AChE. The anti AChE potency of both groups appear to be of the same order towards bee head AChE.