The study of antiepileptic activity of clove oil in chemical induced convulsions in mice.

Background: The objective was to evaluate and compare the effect of an extract of essential oil of clove with the standard sodium valproate on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures in animal models. Methods: A total of 30 mice were taken, they were given a chemo shock at the concentration of 60 mg/kg using PTZ. 30 mice were divided into 5 groups of 6 animals each the control group received distilled water 5 ml/kg i.p., standard received injection sodium valproate 200 mg/kg i.p. another group received sesame oil – 10 ml/kg i.p. (control), test groups received Clove oil - 0.075 ml/kg i.p., clove oil - 0.1 ml/kg i.p., respectively. All the injections were given 30 mins before the administration of PTZ. Results: Clove oil produced a significant antiepileptic effect at all the doses. Conclusion: Clove oil has shown significant antiepileptic activity in mice.

Efficacy and safety of 1% terbinafine hydrochloride versus 2% sertaconazole cream in the treatment of tinea corporis.

Background: Tinea corporis is a common superficial dermatophytosis seen in tropical countries. This study was done to compare the efficacy and safety of topical antifungal agents, terbinafine versus sertaconazole in the treatment of tinea corporis. Methods: This study was conducted in Babuji Hospital and Chigateri Government Hospital, Davangere. A total of 60 (n=60) patients were included and divided into two groups of 30 patients each in the study. 1st group - received topical 1% terbinafine hydrochloride and 2nd group - received 2% sertaconazole cream. Patients were advised to apply cream twice daily for 4 weeks. Improvement in clinical parameters like erythema, scaling, itching, and potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount were taken for assessing the efficacy of drugs. They were followed-up at the end of 2, 4, and 6 weeks to assess the improvement of the condition. Complete cure rate was defined as mycological cure with a complete absence of clinical signs and symptoms. For safety data of both drugs presence of any local side effects (like stinging sensation, swelling and increased erythema) were analyzed in both groups. Statistical analysis was done using students paired t-test and unpaired t-test. Results: When two groups were compared at the end of 2 weeks, complete cure rate for terbinafine was 80% as compared to 63.3% for sertaconazole (p<0.003). However, at the end of 4 weeks, sertaconazole was as effective as terbinafine and statistically non-significant (p>0.05) results were obtained. KOH mount was negative in both groups at the end of 2nd week. Local side effects like erythema, swelling, stinging sensation were not noticed during the study in both the groups. Conclusion: From this study, it was shown that 2% sertaconazole cream was as effective as 1% terbinafine cream, though 1% terbinafine had higher rates of complete cure at the end of 2 weeks as compared to sertaconazole.

Prescribing pattern of antipsychotic medications in patients with schizophrenia in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: The objective of thisstudy was to study the prescribing pattern of antipsychotic medications in patients with schizophrenia in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: An observational study was conducted in psychiatry outpatient department (OPD) of Bapuji and Chigateri hospital attached to Jagadguru Jayadeva Murugarajendra medical college, Davangere. The data collected, had information about age, gender, education, occupation, marital status and drug prescription that included trade name, generic name, dosage and frequency of administration of 100 outpatients who attended the psychiatry OPD. Results: A total of 100 prescriptions were analyzed of which 6% was monotherapy, where Asenapine was the only drug used and rest 94% was combination therapy. About 94% of the combination therapy included the use of single antipsychotic with anticholinergic drug and multiple antipsychotics with anticholinergic drug. A combination of multiple antipsychotics with anticholinergic was most commonly used, that is trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine (36%), followed by trifluoperazine and risperidone (13%), trifluoperazine and quetiapine (8%), risperidone and quetiapine (7%), trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine along with quetiapine (3%). Among single antipsychotic with anticholinergic, risperidone (20%) was most commonly used, followed by Trifluoperazine (7%). Use of the anticholinergic drug, Trihexyphenidyl accounts to 94% of the total prescriptions. Conclusions: Schizophrenia is mostly seen in males, middle age group and unemployed people. The present study showed that combination therapy is preferred for the treatment of Schizophrenia. Despite several side-effects, typical antipsychotics, especially trifluoperazine was the most commonly used drug, followed by chlorpromazine either alone or in combination. Among atypical antipsychotics, risperidone was commonly used followed by quetiapine and asenapine. Most of the patients received trihexyphenidyl, an anticholinergic drug along with antipsychotics to reduce extra pyramidal side-effects.

Prescribing pattern of antidepressants in psychiatric unit of a tertiary care hospital.

Background: The objective was to study the prescribing pattern of antidepressants in psychiatric unit of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: An observational study was carried out at psychiatry out-patient department (OPD). The data which were collected included information about age, gender, education, occupation, marital status and drug prescription included trade name, generic name, dosage, and frequency of 100 outpatients who attended the psychiatry OPD. Results: Among 100 patients with major depression 66% were females and 34% were males. Depression was more commonly seen between patients with age group 21-40 years. Depression was more common among housewives (44%) and next was students (18%). Percentage of depression was more in educated people with (72%) than in uneducated with (28%). Depression was more commonly seen in married people with (77%) than in unmarried people (23%). Most commonly prescribed antidepressant as monotherapy was fluoxetine and as combination therapy was fluoxetine and escitalopram. Conclusions: Depression is more commonly seen in married people predominantly in females and housewives. Fluoxetine is more commonly used followed by escitalopram. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are preferred over other antidepressant because of their relative lesser side effects.

Ocular Hypotensive Effect of Topical Verapamil and Diltiazem in Steroid Induced Glaucoma Model of Rabbits.

Objectives: To evaluate possible ocular hypotensive effect of 0.5% diltiazem and 0.1% verapamil eye drops on intraocular pressure in steroid induced glaucoma model of rabbits. And compare with 0.5% timolol eye drops. Methodology: Glaucoma was induced in rabbits (N=18) by bilateral topical instillation of 1% prednisolone eye drop (10 μl) twice a day for a period of 40 days. Before the induction of glaucoma, baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) in both the eyes of all rabbits was measured under sedation (i.v midazolam) by Schiotz tonometer. At the end of 40 days induced IOP was measured for all rabbits and rabbits were divided into three groups of six rabbits in each. Right eyes of group A, B and C rabbits received 0.5% diltiazem, 0.1% verapamil, and 0.5% timolol eye drops twice daily for 12 days respectively. Whereas, left eyes of all rabbits received distilled water hence represented as control. IOP was measured in all rabbits on every 4th day till 12 days of treatment period. Results: Intra-group comparisons of IOP changes were made by paired‘t’ test. And unpaired‘t’ test for inter group comparisons. One way ANOVA was used for multiple group comparisons followed by post-hoc Tukey’s test for group wise comparisons. In 0.5% diltiazem treated eyes, the mean IOP significantly reduced from 22.9±1.9 mmHg (10%) on 4th day to 16.9±1.1 mmHg(S, P<.001) on 12th day (34%). Similarly, mean IOP in 0.1% verapamil treated eyes significantly reduced from 22.7±1.3 mmHg (7%) on 4th day to 15.5±1.4 mmHg(S, P<.001) on 12th day (37%). Whereas, mean IOP significantly reduced from 22.4±1.9 mmHg (14%) on 4th day to 16.4±1.4 mmHg (S, P=.001) on 12th day (36%) in 0.5% timolol treated eyes. Conclusion: Topical 0.5% diltiazem and 0.1% verapamil significantly reduced the IOP in steroid induced glaucoma model of rabbits. However, Further research has to be carried out both in experimental and clinical subjects to reveal its efficacy and safety profile.

Antidepressant activity of amantidine in albino mice.

Background: The glutamate system has been implicated in depression recently. This is a departure from previous thinking, which had focused on serotonin and norepinephrine. The glutamate system may represent a new avenue for treatment and research. NMDA and AMPA are receptors for the neurotransmitter glutamate. Blocking NMDA increases the activity of another receptor, AMPA, and this boost in AMPA activity is crucial for rapid antidepressant actions. Amantidine being a noncompetitive antagonist at NMDA receptor is evaluated for its antidepressant activity in this study. Objectives: To evaluate the antidepressant activity of amantidine and compare it with Imipramine in albino mice. Methodology: Total of 18 swiss albino male mice were used. They were divided into three treatment groups and with normal saline (control) 10mg/kg, Imipramine (standard) 10mg/kg and amantidine 26 mg/kg (test drug) given orally. Each group contained 6 animals. Duration of immobility was observed for 6 minutes in tail suspension test and for 4 minutes in forced swimming test on separate set of animals. Results: Results were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Post hoc Tukey’s test. Amantidine at the dose of 26 mg/kg significantly reduced the immobility time in both the tests compared to control (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Non-competative antagonist, amantidine has significant antidepressant activity in acute models of depression.