Indigenous free radical scavenger MAK 4 and 5 in angina pectoris. Is it only a placebo?

Thirty patients were evaluated to study the effect of Maharishi Amrit Kalsh (MAK) 4 & 5 on Angina pectoris. The mean angina frequency per month was 8.87. Twelve lead ECG, computerized TMT and echo studies were done initially, at 6 months, and after 2 years in all cases. Ten grams of MAK 4 paste was given daily in two divided doses, each followed by a MAK 5 tablet, for six months. Vasodilator and antihypertensive drugs were continued on ethical grounds. Twenty-four patients (80%) out of the total 30 reported a significant improvement after 6 months of therapy. The mean angina frequency per month improved from 8.87 to 3.03. All patients reported a sense of well being. Five out of 11 hypertensive patients reported a fall in systolic blood pressure. Lipid profile showed a rise in HDL which was statistically insignificant. Improved exercise tolerance was observed in 10 cases (33.33%) after 6 months of therapy and this effect was sustained even at 2 years. ECG and echo studies were inconclusive. No side effects or drug interactions were seen. This beneficial effect observed is probably as a result of free radical scavenging property of MAK on 'Reactive Oxygen Species' or an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation; or by its inhibitory action on platelet aggregation or all these in synergism.

Leishmaniasis and itraconazole: a controlled clinical trial on cutaneous subtypes.

Ten patients each with the nodular and ulcerative forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis were selected by clinical and pathological criteria. Capsule itraconazole was given in a daily dose of 4 mg per kg body weight (max. 200 mg) for 6 weeks. Six patients (60.0%) of the nodular and nine patients (90.0%) of the ulcerative subgroups were cured by strict clinical and parasitological criteria. No major adverse effects were noted. Review after 6 months revealed no recurrences. In another ten patients (control group) not receiving any drug, the lesions showed no significant change except for one patient demonstrating spontaneous remission. Thus, itraconazole has a promising antileishmanial potential in India.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in India. Clinical experience with itraconazole (R51 211 Janssen).

Fifteen patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis were randomly selected for clinical trials with itraconazole. A single daily itraconazole dose of approximately 4 mg per 1 kg of body weight was administered to each patient with breakfast for 6 weeks. Five patients served as controls. On completion of therapy, ten cases in the study group (66.6%) were considered to be cured. No major adverse effects were reported. No significant changes were seen in the controls at the end of the study. The possibility of spontaneous recovery will be discussed in this report even though it is considered to be unlikely. Itraconazole has promising potential in cutaneous leishmaniasis therapy.