Antidiarrhoeal and neuropharmacological activities of Avicennia officinalis Linn.

The methanolic extract of the leaves of Avicennia officinalis Linn. was tested for its antidiarrhoeal and neuropharmacological activities The extract showed a significant antidiarrhoeal activity against castor oil induced diarhoea in mice in which it decreased the frequency of defecation and increased mean latent period at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight Moreover, it potentiated the pentobarbital induced sleeping time in mice at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight, and decreased the number of holes crossed from one chamber in the hole cross test and decreased the head dip responses. The overall results tend to suggest the antidiarrhoeal and central nervous system depressant activities of the extract

Chemical and biological investigation of kigelia pinnata

The crude ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Kigelia pinnata was evaluated for its antioxidant, cytotoxic and antinociceptive activities. The antioxidant property of the ethanol extract of Kigelia pinnata was assessed by 1, l-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl [DPPH] free radical scavenging assay. The extract showed potential antioxidant activity [IC[50] about 110 micro g/ml], which was comparable to standard drug ascorbic acid [IC [50] at about 3.16 micro g/ml]. Brine Shrimp lethality bioassay indicated its cytotoxic property [LC[50] 100 micro g/ml]. Moreover, it produced significant [P < 0.001] writhing inhibition in acetic acid induced writhing in mice at the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight respectively, which was comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium. The results tend to suggest the antioxidant, cytotoxic and antinociceptive activities of the crude ethanolic extract of Kigelia pinnata

Antibacterial and antinociceptive activity of Hoya parasitica

The ethanol extract of leaves of Hoya parasitica was tested for its antibacterial and antinociceptive activities. The extract showed moderate antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It also produced significant [P<0.01] writhing inhibition in Swiss albino mice at oral dose of 500 mg/kg body weight comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium

overview of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Post-menopausal osteoporosis is a preventable and treatable disorder. It usually comes to attention after its debilitating effects have occurred. There are limited facilities for diagnostic purposes in Pakistan and there have been no epidemiological studies done in this area. Postmenopausal osteoporosis has the potential for becoming one of the leading gynecological problems of Pakistan in the coming decades. The key lies in prevention, tools for early detection and subsequent management of the underlying cause. Physician and patient education is necessary for the preventive aspects which include diet, exercise and hormonal replacement in case of post-menopausal women and endocrine disorders. Appropriate diagnostic equipment with properly trained technicians should be made available for the general population in all tertiary care health facilities

Risk Factors, subtypes and outcome of ischaemic stroke in Kuwait - A hospital-based study

To report on stroke subtypes, associated risk factors and outcome in Kuwait. The records of 62 patients [30 male, 32 female] admitted with diagnosis of stroke to Kuwait Oil Company Hospital, Kuwait, a tertiary care hospital, during a 5-year period [1995-1999], were retrospectively reviewed. Small artery infarction was the most common subtype and occurred in 37 subjects [59.7%]; less common were atherosclerotic large artery strokes [19 patients, 30.6%] and strokes of cardio-embolic origin [6 patients, 9.7%]. Identifiable risk factors or associated morbidities were hypertension [72.5%], diabetes mellitus [69.4%], ischaemic heart disease [14.5%], history of migraine [8.1%], lone atrial fibrillation [5.0%], and valvular heart disease [1.6%]. The most important determinants of a deleterious 30-day outcome, as indicated by severe disability or death, were female gender, lack of use of anti-platelet drugs, presence of a large artery infarction stroke subtype, and cardio-embolic stroke. Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes is high among patients with stroke in Kuwait, with rates higher than those found in any previous reports from the Gulf region. Two unusual observations were that women had a rather high frequency of stroke, and infarction of the small artery was more common than that of the large artery. Outcome, as indicated by severe disability or death, was worse among women, elderly patients, and those with large artery atherosclerotic and cardio-embolic strokes. There is some evidence that such a deleterious outcome might be ameliorated with use of anti-platelet drugs