Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of the Acacia tortilis growing in KSA

In different region of Saudi Arabia Acacia tortilis [Fabaceae] is present but still the medicinal properties of Acacia tortilis have not been studied. However, in Zimbabwe different species of Acacia are already used for the treatment of convulsions and dizziness. In the present study, the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of the Acacia tortilis, were evaluated by using different paradigms. For extraction, the leaves of acacia were blended with distilled water at 40°C and filtered. Two different doses of the extracts [400 and 800mg/kg] were administered in the mice once orally [p.o.] and after 30 min occurrence of seizures [strychnine at the dose of 1mg/kg, i.m.] were monitored. In the present work, acute toxicity and neurotoxicity of the extracts were also assessed by inducing hypoxic stress. The Acacia tortilis leaves AAq [400 and 800 mg/kg] produced a dose dependent increase in time of onset of seizures [197.8+/-32.4 and 338.2+/-40.6 respectively] when compared with its respective control [184.0+/-13.8sec]. The anticonvulsant effect after administration of AAq [800mg/kg: 338.2+40.6 sec] was more pronounced than diazepam [290.6+/-1.38 sec]. The high dose [800mg/kg] of AAq administered orally prolonged the onset of convulsion and latencies for death following hypoxic stress. The present study suggested that Acacia have anticonvulsant property and may probably be affecting the inhibitory mechanism of glycine. It is also concluded that chemical constituent of acacia might act on BZD or 5-HT [1A]receptor and decrease the oxidative brain membrane damage process induced by psychological/hypoxic stress. Further experiments will be required to identify the active molecules [s] and their mechanism [s] of action

Effect of cupping therapy [Al-Hijama] on the immune system in Saudi population

Cupping is an ancient mode of therapy, most commonly named as Al-Hijama in Arab culture. It was practiced by ancient healers for the treatment of various disorders. Current study was aimed to scientifically evaluate the efficacy of the technique which is used in cupping, i.e. suction and removal of blood at various specific points on the body. Since the treatment lies simply in removal of blood from specific areas, and no other medication is involved, hence the study was designed to evaluate the significance of alone removal of blood by comparing and analyzing the difference between the compositions of blood samples, sucked through cupping technique versus the blood drawn intravenously. For this purpose 50 healthy male and female volunteered were selected randomly between ages 20-40 years. Blood samples were collected from veins and from cupping sites and were analyzed for differential leukocyte count [DLC] and cluster differentiation [CD] markers respectively to compare the composition of both samples of each individual. The results of this study showed a significant increase in neutrophils, a significant decrease in lymphocytes and CD8 T Lymphocytes comparing post-Cupping to pre-Cupping Therapy. These findings suggest that there might be some unknown substance present in the blood which is drawn and discarded through cupping, removal of which might be playing a role on the immune system through this alternative mode of therapy