Determination of Bergenin in Different Parts of Bergenia ciliata using a Validated RP-HPLC Method

Bergenia ciliata (Family: Saxifragaceae) is a folklore remedy for the treatment of various ailments in Asian countries. Bergenin (1) has been isolated as an active constituent in many studies, however, the amount of bergenin has not been determined in all parts of the plant. A simple RP-HPLC method was developed to determine the amount of bergenin in methanol extracts of leaves, rhizomes and roots of the plant. Separation was achieved on an Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 column maintained at 25 o C using isocratic solvent system (water: methanol: acetic acid; 62.5:37:0.5 v/v/v) adjusted at pH 2 0 at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. and detected at 275 nm. Correlation coefficient (0.9952) showed linearity of concentration (5-200 μg/mL) and response. The values of LOD (0.00947 μg/mL) and LOQ (0.02869 μg/mL) indicated that method was sensitive. The recovery of bergenin was 99.99-100% indicating accuracy of method. The methanol extract of rhizomes contained higher amount of bergenin (19.4%) than roots (9.2%) and leaves (6.9%). It is concluded that methanol extract of rhizomes is a better source of bergenin than other parts of the plant. The findings are useful for standardization of bergenin containing extracts and herbal preparations.

Determination of Bergenin in Different Parts of Bergenia ciliata using a Validated RP-HPLC Method

Bergenia ciliata (Family: Saxifragaceae) is a folklore remedy for the treatment of various ailments in Asian countries. Bergenin (1) has been isolated as an active constituent in many studies, however, the amount of bergenin has not been determined in all parts of the plant. A simple RP-HPLC method was developed to determine the amount of bergenin in methanol extracts of leaves, rhizomes and roots of the plant. Separation was achieved on an Agilent Eclipse XDB-C18 column maintained at 25 o C using isocratic solvent system (water: methanol: acetic acid; 62.5:37:0.5 v/v/v) adjusted at pH 2 0 at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. and detected at 275 nm. Correlation coefficient (0.9952) showed linearity of concentration (5-200 μg/mL) and response. The values of LOD (0.00947 μg/mL) and LOQ (0.02869 μg/mL) indicated that method was sensitive. The recovery of bergenin was 99.99-100% indicating accuracy of method. The methanol extract of rhizomes contained higher amount of bergenin (19.4%) than roots (9.2%) and leaves (6.9%). It is concluded that methanol extract of rhizomes is a better source of bergenin than other parts of the plant. The findings are useful for standardization of bergenin containing extracts and herbal preparations.

Development and validation of a stability-indicating RP-HPLC-FLD method for determination of 5-[[4-chlorophenoxy] methyl]-1, 3, 4- oxadiazole-2-thiol; A novel drug candidate

The present study describes the development and validation of a simple high performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of a novel drug candidate, 5-[[4-chlorophenoxy] methyl]-1, 3, 4- oxadiazole-2-thiol. The stability-indicating capacity of the method was evaluated by subjecting the compound's solution to hydrolytic, oxidative, photolytic, transition metal- and thermal- stress. The chromatographic separation was achieved over a C18 column [Promosil, 5 microm, 4.60 × 250 mm], maintained at 25°C, using an isocratic mobile phase comprising a mixture of acetonitrile and acidified water of pH 2.67 [1:1, v/v], at a flow rate of 1.00 mL/min and detection using a fluorescent light detector [excitation at 250 nm and emission at 410 nm]. The Beer's law was followed over the concentration range 2.50-50.00 microg/mL. The recovery [98.56-100.19%, SD <5%], intraday accuracy and precision [97.31-100.81%, RSD<5%] and intermediate accuracy and precision [98.10-99.91%, RSD<5%] indicated that the method was reliable, repeatable, reproducible and rugged. The resolution and selectivity factors of the compound's peak from the nearest resolving peak, particularly in case of dry heat and copper metal stress, were found to be greater than 2 and 1, respectively, which indicated specificity and selectivity. The compound was extensively decomposed in alkaline-hydrolytic, oxidative, metal- and dry heat- stress. However, the compound in acidic and neutral conditions was resistant to photolysis. The results of the present study indicate that the developed method is specific, selective, sensitive and suitable, hence, may be used for quality control, stability testing and preformulation studies

Knowledge about hepatitis B and C among women attending obstetrics and gynaecology clinic at tertiary care hospital

Objective: To assess the level of knowledge and awareness regarding hepatitis B and C among women attending obstetrics and gynaecology clinic at Baqai University hospital Nazimabad

Study design: Descriptive cross sectional study

Place and duration: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic at Baqai University Hospital Nazimabad Karachi from 10th March to 9th June 2011

Methodology: A total 151 women of 15 - 50 years of age who visited the out patient Department were selected for the study. Women who were Hepatitis B and C positive were excluded from study. Informations was collected on pre-designed questionnaire containing question regarding basic knowledge of disease, high risk group, modes of transmission and its prevention

Results: Out of total 151 women 75 [49.6 %] knew that Hepatitis B and C are the viral infection of liver. 82 [54.3 %] knew about transmission via sexual intercourse and 122 [80.7 %] knew about infected blood transfusion. Regarding high risk group 99[65.5%] knew about multiple sexual partners. Only 83[54.9%] women mentioned about vaccine against Hepatitis B and 78[51.6%] knew about the available treatment

Conclusion: The knowledge about Hepatitis B and C among women was inadequate and still needs improvement in order to prevent its spread rapidly

Open versus closed entry techniques of laparoscopy in gynecological practice

To compare open versus closed entry techniques of laparoscopy in order to determine the safety of either procedure in gynecologic practice. Cross sectional study. Star General Hospital Karachi, from January 2010 to January 2012. Patients selected for the study were divided into two groups. In Group A open technique was used and in Group B closed technique was applied. Informed consent was taken from all the patients. Data were collected regarding age, time spent for the procedure in both the techniques, immediate and late complications. SPSS-Version16 was used for analysis. A total of 90 patients were recruited, 50 in group A and 40 in group B. Age of patients ranged between 25-45 year in group A and 25-37 year in group B. Time required for creating pneumoperitoneum was 6-17 minutes in group A and 6-10 minutes in group B. One [2%] patient had hemorrhage from primary port site in group A, primary port infection was observed in 20 [40%] patients in group A. Forty [80%] patients had gas leakage from primary port in group A. No patient had primary port hemorrhage, infection or gas leakage in group B. Time spent on wound closure ranged between 10-15 minutes in group A and 4-6 minutes in group B. Closed entry technique was better and safer in terms of time spent, primary port site hemorrhage, gas leakage and primary port infection than open entry technique

Ovarian torsion

Ovarian cysts are common, frequently asymptomatic and often resolve spontaneously. It is important to differentiate between ovarian cyst that resolve spontaneously over a period of six months and those that persists for longer period and require assessment and management. Emergencies which may occur with ovarian cysts include torsion, rupture or hemorrhage

Ectopic pregnancies at unusual locations: diagnosis and management with limited resources

The majority of ectopic pregnancies are located within the fallopian tubes. Nevertheless, pregnancies can be implanted in the cervix, interstitial tubal segment, ovary and at various intra-abdominal sites. The diagnosis and treatment of these unusual implantation sites present both diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas. The majority of data regarding these unusual ectopic pregnancies came largely from case reports. In the past, for the treatment of these ectopic pregnancies various combinations of surgery and systemic and local chemotherapy were used. In this article, we attempt to share our experience with three unusual types of ectopic pregnancies, their presentation, diagnosis and management with limited resources

Role of combined diagnostic laparoscopy and simultaneous diagnostic hysteroscopy for evaluation of female subfertility factors

To find out the role of combined diagnostic laparoscopy and simultaneous diagnostic hysteroscopy in evaluation of female infertility. Descriptive Study. Star General Hospital from January 2009 to December 2009. Patients were selected from infertility clinic for female factor evaluation by diagnostic laparoscopy and simultaneous diagnostic hysteroscopy. Due studies as well as observation of pelvic and intrauterine cavity was done under general anaesthesia during laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. A total of 62 women underwent combined diagnostic laparoscopy and simultaneous diagnostic hysteroscopy. Age ranged from 25 years to 38 years and a mean age was 28.4 years. Bilateral tubal patency was demonstrated in 40 [64.5%] patients. Bilateral tubal blockage found in 10 [16.12%] and unilateral tubal occlusion was present in 12 [19.3%] cases. Myomas were found in 4 [6.45%], three found on laparoscopy and one at hysteroscopy. Endometrial polyps were revealed in 6 [9.6%] and Asherman syndrome in 2 [3.2%] patients on diagnostic hysteroscopy. Uterine anomalies were found in 8 [12.9%] patients including arcuate uterus in 4 [6.45%], septate in 2 [3.2%], bicornuate and uterine didelphys in one each. Of total, 5 [8.0%] were found to have endometriosis, 12 [19.35%] had polycystic disease of ovary [PCOD], and 3 [4.8%] had functional cyst of ovary. Pelvic adhesions were found in 7 [11.2%] patients. As a whole pelvic pathologies were confirmed in 52 [83.8%] patients and intrauterine pathology in 17 [27.4%] by simultaneous diagnostic hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. In investigating the causes of female infertility a combined diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy provides best approach to diagnose the pathologies

Pattern of eye diseases in children of 5-15 years at Bazzertaline area [South Karachi] Pakistan

To assess the prevalence and pattern of eye diseases in children aged 5-15 years. Population based cross-sectional survey. Bazzertaline area of Karachi [South] from July to August, 2003. A community-based survey was carried out at the Bazzertaline Area, South Karachi, Pakistan on 5110 children 5-15 years of age. The socioeconomic status of the area was low, with many living below the poverty line. The survey used the WHO definitions of visual impairment as criteria for classification. St and ard Snell's literate and illiterate charts were used for assessing the visual acuity. An anterior segment examination with a torch light and loupe was carried out and the posterior segment examined with a direct ophthalmoscope, initially without pupil dilation. Suspected cases of amblyopia, albinism, traumatic cataract and squint, etc. were examined with pupil dilatation. Refractive error of 2% was found to be the primary ocular morbidity, followed by conjunctivitis 1.2%, and squint was found as third ocular morbidity with the prevalence of 0.6%. Those diseases that were less than 0.5% included unilateral amblyopia, corneal ulcer/opacity, cataract, aphakia, trauma, blepharitis, albinism, stye, chalazion and unilateral/bilateral blindness. Bilateral blindness was present in 2.7/1000 children, the major causes being cataract and corneal diseases. Low vision was found in 2.2%, the leading cause being uncorrected refractive error. Visual acuity according to 2.42%. Gender showed higher visual impairment in girls as compared to boys 1.72%. Only one case of vitamin-A deficiency was seen. Provision of spectacles would address the most commonly found problem of uncorrected refractive error. Lack of trained personnel and facilities for low vision services in addition to lack of advocacy and awareness in the community contribute to the pattern of eye disease in the area