Antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive activities of methanolic extract of Euphorbia thymifolia L. whole plants.

OBJECTIVE: To study the antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive activities of methanolic extract of the whole plant of Euphorbia thymifolia L., a plant used in folk medicine of Bangladesh for treatment of diabetes and pain. METHODS: Antihyperglycemic activity studies were conducted in glucose-loaded mice by oral glucose tolerance tests. Mice were given various doses of the extract, followed by glucose (2 g/kg body weight), 1 h after administration of the extract. Serum glucose levels were measured 2 h after glucose administration. Antinociceptive activity studies were conducted in intraperitoneally acetic acid-injected mice through measurement of reductions in abdominal writhing times caused by acetic acid-induced gastric pain. Following a period of 1 h after oral administration of various doses of the extract, all mice received intraperitoneal injection of 1% acetic acid at a dose of 10 mL/kg body weight. To ensure bioavailability of acetic acid, a period of 5 min was given to each animal following which period the number of writhings was counted for 10 min. RESULTS: The extract caused a significant dose-dependent reduction in serum glucose levels in mice, when administered at doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight as compared to the control animals (P<0.05). The highest reduction of serum glucose (60.5%) was observed at a dose of 400 mg/kg. In comparison, a standard antihyperglycemic drug glibenclamide, when administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight, lowered serum glucose levels by 48.6%. The extract also demonstrated a significant dose-dependent antinociceptive activity compared to control animals (P<0.05). At a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight, the number of abdominal writhings was inhibited by 40.9% as compared to 49.0% inhibition obtained with a standard antinociceptive drug aspirin, administered at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight. CONCLUSION: The significant antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive activities demonstrated by the extract validate the use of E. thymifolia in folk medicine of Bangladesh for treatment of diabetes and pain, and merit further scientific studies leading to discovery of efficacious drugs.

Anterior lamellar marginal z-plasty with transverse tarsotomy for management of trichiasis with cicatricial entropion--a new surgical approach.

BACKGROUND: Trichiasis is the main risk factor for corneal opacification. The primary treatment of trichiasis is surgical. Successful surgery is likely to halt the progression of corneal opacity. The aim of the study is to report the efficacy of the anterior lamellar marginal z-plasty combined with transverse tarsotomy in the management of severe trichiasis andcicatricial entropion of upper eyelid. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out from January 2009 to June 2012, on 54 eyelids (44 patients) who underwent anterior lamellar marginal z-plasty with transverse tarsotomy for correction of trichiasis and cicatricial entropion involving upper eyelid with a minimum of 6 months' follow-up. Results were classified according to the presence and location of residual trichiasis and symptoms were assessed according to a three-level subjective scale (better, worse or no change). Failure was defined as recurrent trichiasis with one or more lashes touching any part of cornea in primary position. Secondary outcomes were visual acuity and corneal opacification. RESULTS: At the end of six month period, none of patients had any trichiatic eye lash touching the cornea in primary position (100% success). Forty-eight (88.9%) of the operated eyelids were free of trichiasis, while residual trichiasis was noticed only in 6 (11.1%) operated lids. At the end of six months, there was a significant reduction of lash burden from median of 12 trichiatic lashes from the base line to the median of 2. All the patients reported significant reduction in symptoms of irritation. Significant improvement in visual acuity (p < 0.000) and reduction in the density of corneal opacity (p < 0.000) was notified from the base line. CONCLUSION: Anterior lamellar marginal z-plasty combined with transverse tarsotomy seems to have promising surgical outcome for the correction oftrichiasis and cicatricial entropion secondary to cicatricial trachoma.

Antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive activities of methanolic extract of Euphorbia thymifolia L. whole plants / 中西医结合学报

To study the antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive activities of methanolic extract of the whole plant of Euphorbia thymifolia L., a plant used in folk medicine of Bangladesh for treatment of diabetes and pain.

Silicon tube frontalis suspension in simple congenital blepharoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Ptosis is an abnormally low position of the upper eyelid. Congenital ptosis should be corrected in early years of childhood. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and complications of frontalis suspension using silicon tube for simple congenital blepharoptosis with poor levator function. METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 33 children who underwent frontalis suspension using silicon tube from Jan 2008 to Jun 2011 with a minimum of 6 month follow-up. Functional success was defined when 3 criteria were met: (a) satisfactory lid height defined as margin-to-reflex distance > or = 3.5 mm with minimal frontalis action (brow up); (b) satisfactory lid symmetry (< or = 2 mm asymmetry in margin-to-reflex distance) between two lids; and (c) satisfactory cosmesis, i.e., normal lid contours. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 9 months (range 6.5-27 months). The functional success rate was 91.4% (32/35 eyes). Three eyes had complications. In one eye (2.8%), recurrence of ptosis due to slippage of knot was seen, one eye developed infection of tract, and one with bilateral ptosis developed abnormal tenting of one of the lid. CONCLUSION: In simple congenital ptosis with poor levator function, frontalis suspension using silicon tube has good efficacy and an excellent safety profile. The results of frontalis suspension using silicon tube are comparable to fascia lata and superior to other non-autogenous materials.

Catheter malposition following supraclavicular approach for subclavian vein catheterisation--case reports.

The supraclavicular approach of subclavian vein catheterization is associated with the lowest incidence of malposition. We report two cases of unusual malpositions seen during central venous cathelerization of subclavian vein via supraclavicular approach. Literature search did not reveal such malpositions. The possible cause for the malposition and method to prevent it is discussed.