Genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of Alternanthera Bettzickiana, an important ethno-medicinal plant.

The present study was carried out to investigate the mutagenic and cytotoxic potential of n-hexane and aqueous-methanolic whole plant extracts of Alternanthera bettzickiana. Aqueous-methanolic and n-hexane extracts of Alternanthera bettzickiana extracts were assessed for the mutagenic potential with Salmonella tester strains TA-100 and TA-102 in the presence and absence of the rodent enzyme activation system and cytotoxic potential was assessed by MTT assay. Aqueous-methanolic extract showed the presence of saponins, tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids and glycosides. However n-hexane extract revealed the presence of tannins and terpenoids only. It was found that a concentration as low as 15mg/mL of both extracts was more mutagenic to the TA 102 tester strain than TA-100. Hexane whole plant extract of Altenanthera bettzickiana was more mutagenic than aqueous-methanolic extract considering revertant colonies of TA 100 strain. Aqueous-methanolic and n-hexane whole plant extracts of Altenanthera bettzickiana showed higher mutagenic potential in the presence of the enzyme activation system. Mutagenicity of aqueous-methanolic extract increased with an enzyme activation system in case of TA 100 whereas mutagenicity of n-hexane extract decreased in the presence of the enzyme activation system with TA 100 and TA 102 strains. Aqueous-methanolic and n-Hexane whole plant extracts of Alternanthera bettzickiana showed an IC-50 of 493 and 456 µg/mL in BHK-21 cells respectively. It can be concluded that Altenanthera bettzickiana exhibited mutagenic activity in a bacterial reverse mutation assay with and without enzyme activation systems. However, it showed limited cytotoxicity to BHK-21 cells.

Association between bacterial vaginosis and preterm delivery.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of most common presentation in women of reproductive age, and its prevalence is relatively high in the obstetric population which is responsible for preterm delivery. The present study tried to explore the association of BV with preterm delivery, and included 100 pregnant women aged 15 to 35 years, between 28 36 weeks of gestation, with abnormal vaginal discharge and clinically suspected of BV, attending obstetrics outpatient department of BSMMU were selected for the study, divided into two groups based on Amsel clinical criteria (63 culture negative and 37 culture positive for BV). Mean ± SD age of BV negative and positive subjects was 24.59 ± 5.18 and 23.89 ± 4.77 years respectively (statistically no significant difference). Likewise, socioeconomic status, educational status and gravida did not show statistically any significant difference between groups. Significantly high number of BV positive women delivered prematurely (73%) compared to BV negative (25.4%) (p<0.001). Mean ± SD gestational age also differed significantly 37.49 ± 2.53 vs. 35.24 ± 2.33 weeks (p<0.001). Our study supported that abnormal bacterial colonization, indicative of bacterial vaginosis, is strongly associated with preterm delivery.

Formulation and characterization of modified release tablets containing isoniazid using swellable polymers.

The aim of this work was to develop swellable modified release (MR) isoniazid tablets using different combinations of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and sodium-carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC). Granules were prepared by moist granulation technique and then compressed into tablets. In vitro release studies for 12 hr were carried out in dissolution media of varying pH i.e. pH 1.2, 4.5, 7.0 and 7.5. Tablets of all formulations were found to be of good physical quality with respect to appearance (width and thickness), content uniformity, hardness, weight variation and friability. In vitro release data showed that increasing total polymer content resulted in more retarding effect. Formulation with 35% polymer content exhibited zero order release profile and it released 35% of the drug in first hr, later on, controlled drug release was observed upto the 12(th) hour. Formulations with PVAc to Na-CMC ratio 20:80 exhibited zero order release pattern at levels of studied concentrations, which suggested that this combination can be used to formulate zero order release tablets of water soluble drugs like isoniazid. Korsmeyer-Peppas modeling of drug release showed that non-Fickian transport is the primary mechanism of isoniazid release from PVAc and Na-CMC based tablets. The value of mean dissolution time decreased with the increase in the release rate of drug clearly showing the retarding behavior of the swellable polymers. The application of a mixture of PVAc to Na-CMC in a specific ratio may be feasible to formulate zero order release tablets of water soluble drugs like isoniazid.

Prolonged analgesia by adding midazolam and hyperbaric bupivacaine in subarachnoid block for lower uterine caesarian section.

Antinociceptive effect and safety of sub-arachnoid (SAB) midazolam is well established in animals and human beings. In this randomized, prospective placebo control clinical study, we investigated the addition of 2.5mg midazolam to bupivacaine on the quality of surgical anaesthesia and duration of first analgesic in the post operative period after lower uterine caesarean section (LUCS). Sixty ASA I or II pregnant women scheduled for elective lower uterine caesarean section were selected for the study. The patients were randomly allocated to receive 2ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with either 0.5ml of 5% dextrose in aqua or 2.5 mg (0.5ml) midazolam. The duration of first analgesic demand, quality of anaesthesia, haemodynamic changes and neonatal condition were assessed. The duration of analgesia (the time interval in minutes between the sub-arachnoid injection and the first analgesic demand by the patient) was significantly longer in the Group II than Group I (197min vs. 112min; p<0.001). The quality of surgical anaesthesia was excellent or good throughout the surgical procedure in 90% (n = 27) of the patients in Group II (p = 0.01). Systolic Blood pressure was significantly lower in the group I at 10 min and 20 min after administration of SAB than group II (p = 0.005 and p = 0.007) but comparable at other times. Sedation level, Apgar score was comparable in both groups. No neurological deficit or other significant adverse effects were recorded. The addition of midazolam with hyperbaric low dose bupivacaine in SAB significantly improves the quality of surgical anaesthesia and prolongs the duration of analgesia without any adverse effects.

2-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl glycerol hexaacetate from Ruellia brittoniana.

An extract of the whole plant of Ruellia brittoniana has afforded the new glycoside 2-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl glycerol hexaacetate [1]. Its structure and absolute configuration were deduced by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallographic analysis.