Aqueous-methanolic extract of sweet flag (Acorus calamus) possesses cardiac depressant and endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated coronary vasodilator effects.

This investigation was aimed to probe the pharmacological base of medicinal use of Acorus calamus in ischemic heart diseases. Effect on heart parameters was studied in isolated rabbit heart while coronary vasodilator effect was studied in isolated bovine coronary arterial rings, suspended in tissue baths filled with Krebs solution, maintained at 37degreesC, aerated with carbogen and responses were measured on PowerLab data acquisition system. In Langendorrf\u27s perfused rabbit heart, the crude extract of Acorus calamus (Ac.Cr) at 0.01-10 mg/mL partially suppressed force of ventricular contractions (FVC), heart rate (HR) and coronary flow (CF). The ethylacetate fraction completely suppressed FVC, partially suppressed HR and CF, while the nHexane fraction exhibited similar effect on FVC and HR but increased CF, similar to methacholine and arachidonic acid. In bovine coronary arterial preparations, Ac.Cr caused inhibition of U46619 (20 nM)-precontractions, which was blocked in presence of increasing concentration of K(+) (4.8-20 mM), tetraethylammonium (1 muM) and SKF525A (10 muM), similar to arachidonic acid and methacholine, indicating K(+) channels activation and possible involvement of endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). Activity-directed fractionation revealed that EDHF-mediated activity is concentrated in the nHexane fraction. When tested against high K(+), the ethylacetate fraction was found more potent than parent crude extract and nHexane fraction. These data indicate that Ac.Cr mediates coronary vasodilator effect primarily through EDHF, responsible for the increase in CF, while the cardiac depressant effects may be due to the presence of additional cardiac depressant constituent(s), thus provides possible mechanistic basis to its medicinal use in ischemic heart diseases

Size of the Bimodality by using Trapezoidal Rule

This study investigates size of the bimodality to illustrate the gap between two modes/peaks in a bimodal distribution. To get this goal, one of the definite integral (i.e. Trapezoidal rule) is used on the mixture of normals (the mixture of one normal and the second one standard normal) with the selected parameter values of mean, mixing proportion and standard deviation. From the results, an increase of size of bimodality is identified if mean increases while all other parameters remain constant. A similar situation of increasing pattern of bimodality size has been observed when parametric values of mixing proportion increases (varies) while keeping other parameter values constant. However, a fraction changed is revealed in the size of bimodality if values of mean and mixing proportion are kept constant while standard deviation varies

Frequency of silent myocardial ischaemia in diabetics: a single centre study

OBJECTIVE: To find the frequency of silent myocardial ischaemia in diabetics as compared to non-diabetics. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study conducted between November 2008 and March 2010. Two hundred subjects were recruited by convenience sampling after informed consent. All were subjected to an exercise stress test. Electrocardiographic changes were noted for silent Ischaemia Descriptive Statistics were applied for significance. RESULT: Of the 200 subjects included in the study, 31 had diabetes and 1 69 were non-diabetics. The mean age was 46 +/- 10 years. Twenty eight subjects tested positive for silent ischaemia, of whom six were diabetics (19%) and 22 were non-diabetics (13%). Hypertension and obesity were found more frequently in diabetics (48% Vs 27%) p = 0.019 and (35% Vs 18%) p = 0.027 respectively. Despite the greater proportion of diabetics having asymptomatic myocardial ischaemia as compared to nondiabetics statistical significance (p = 0.397) was not observed. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the frequency of silent ischaemia amongst the two groups

Blood Pressure Lowering and Vasomodulator Effects of Piperine

This study was aimed to explore underlying mechanism(s) of cardiovascular effects of piperine. Intravenous administration of piperine caused a dose-dependent (1 to 10 mg/kg) decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in normotensive anesthetized rats, the next higher dose (30 mg/kg) did not cause any further change in MAP. The fall in blood pressure (BP) was followed by small increase in MAP after each dose. In Langendorrf\u27s rabbit heart preparation, piperine caused partial inhibition and verapamil caused complete inhibition of force and rate of ventricular contractions and coronary flow. In rabbit aortic rings, piperine inhibited high K(+) (80 mM) precontractions and partially inhibited phenylephrine (PE), suggesting Ca(2+) channel blockade (CCB), which was further confirmed when pretreatment of tissues with piperine caused rightward shift in Ca(2+) concentration-response curves, similar to verapamil. In Ca(2+)-free medium, piperine (1 to 30 mu M) exhibited vasoconstrictor effect. In rat aorta, piperine demonstrated endothelium-independent vasodilator effect and was more potent against high K(+) precontractions than PE. In bovine coronary artery preparations, piperine inhibited high K(+) precontractions completely. These data indicate that piperine possesses a blood pressure-lowering effect mediated possibly through CCB, while consistent decrease in BP was restricted by associated vasoconstrictor effect. Additionally, species selectivity exists in the CCB effect of piperine

Utilization of Fly Ash as Low-Cost Adsorbent for the Treatment of Industrial Dyes Effluents- A Comparative Study

ABSTRACT Coal and sugar manufacturing power generation plants are engender million tons of fly ash as waste per annum. It creates serious disposal and environmental problems. There is no alternative usage for its utilization in industries. In this regard, efforts were taken to utilize fly ash waste in the treatment of highly toxic and polluted dyes effluents. In this advanced research, characterization of fly ash properties, preparation of adsorbent, utilization for the optimum reduction of dyes effluent pollutants, determination of adsorptive capacity and study of isotherm adsorption models were accomplished. Treatment efficiency was optimized using these ashes as adsorbent at optimum dose. Sugarcane bagasse fly ash (SBFA) could reduce the higher concentration of COD (51%), color (70%), turbidity (71%) and TSS (96%) from dyes effluent. All used fly ashes could reduce higher concentration of effluent pollutants at 4 g dosing. SBFA has high porosity, which resulted in high adsorption of effluent pollutants as compared to other fly ashes. The adsorptive capacity of all used fly ash was declined on increasing adsorbent dosing. Langmuir and freundlich isotherm models were evaluated for the determination of chemical adsorption behavior of fly ashes

Chemical profiling and anti-breast cancer potential of hexane fraction of Sphaeranthus indicus flowers

Purpose: The current study aimed to determine the phytochemicals and anti-breast cancer potential of Sphaeranthus indicus.Methods: S. indicus flowers were extracted with methanol followed by fractionation using n-hexane. For the chemical composition of n-hexane fraction, qualitative phytochemical and GC-MS analysis were performed. The anti-proliferative activity was measured by MTT assay, whereas, cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects in MCF-7 (breast cancer) cells were determined using propidium iodide, 4′,6-diamidino- 2-phenylindole, dichlorofluorescin diacetate, and JC-1 staining through fluorescent microscopy.Results: The phytochemical analysis indicated presence of phytosterols, oils and resins in the nhexane fraction. GC-MS analysis showed that n-hexane fraction comprises of 11 compounds including methyl esters of caprylic acid, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, margaric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid and behanic acid. The tested fraction showed remarkable cytotoxic activity against breast cancer (MCF-7) cells while it was found less toxic towards non-cancerous (BHK-21) cells. Furthermore, morphological assessment through fluorescent microscopy revealed cytotoxic and apoptotic effects by improved cell membrane permeability, increased reactive oxygen species level, compromised mitochondrial activity and condensation of chromatin network.Conclusion: The n-hexane fraction of S. indicus contains phytosterols, oils and fatty acid methyl esters and produced apoptotic effect against breast cancer cells

Solanum incanum extract enhances wound healing and tissue regeneration in burn mice model

This study was conducted to evaluate the topical efficacy of Solanum incanum for the treatment of partial-thickness burn in mice model. Mice were treated with topical ointment of S. incanum three times daily for 14 days. The wound healing was observed through wound contraction and histological parameters. The group treated with S. incanum ointment showed 81% reduction in wound area as compared to negative control where wound area reduced to 22%. The histological analysis further confirmed that ointment favors the tissue regeneration and reepithelization thus heal wound rapidly as com-pared to other groups. In conclusion, S. incanum extract enhances wound healing and tissue regeneration

Clustering Methods For Cluster-Based Routing Protocols In Wireless Sensor Networks: Comparative Study

Wireless Sensor Networks are used in large area of applications since they can be suitable for various environments. It can function independently in the condition of harsh or risk places where a human's apparition is impossible or very hard. Nevertheless, the sensor's life-time is only related to their batteries, which are impossible for replacing or recharging. So, the energy-efficient routing protocols are very necessary and considers vital task for sensors networks. Various approaches of clustering algorithms are used to optimize the energy of routing protocols. Also, the clustering approaches support the scalability of Wireless Sensor Networks. In this paper, numerous energy efficient routing algorithms for hierarchical routing protocol in Wireless Sensor Networks have been discussed based on the clustering approaches. These approaches of clustering algorithms whether Distributed, Centralized, or Hybrid are reviewed very well, since the most of clustering algorithms have been developed by many researches based on these approaches. Our objective is exploring the literature to present a brief discussion of these algorithms, as well as examine and compare some of distributed, centralized and hybrid clustering algorithm based on several attributes. This work aims to give a clear vision for the developers and researchers about cluster-based hierarchical routing protocols, and how can classified the clustering approaches according to literatures

Chemical Composition and Vasorelaxant and Antispasmodic Effects of Essential Oil from Rosa indica

Rosa indica L. belongs to the family Rosaceae and is locally known as gulaab. It has different traditional uses in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disorders but there is no scientific data available in this regard. Therefore, the basic aim of this study was to explore the chemical composition and gastrointestinal and cardiovascular effects of the essential oil obtained from R. indica. The chemical composition of the essential oil was investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. The cardiovascular and gastrointestinal effects were investigated using electrophysiological measurements. The GC-MS analysis of the essential oil showed various chemical components including acetic acid, mercaptohexyl ester, butanoic acid, 2-methyl-5-oxo-1-cyclopentene-1-yl ester, artemiseole, methyl santonilate, isosteviol, caryophyllene oxide, pentyl phenyl acetate, dihydromyrcene, 1,5-octadecadien, octadecanoic acid, ethyl ester, palmitic acid (2-phenyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl methyl ester), santolina epoxide, and 9-farnesene. The electrophysiological measurements revealed that essential oil was more potent against K+ (80 mM) than phenylephrine precontractions using isolated rabbit aorta preparations. In isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, it showed more potency against high K+ induced contractions than spontaneous contractions. Considering these evidences, it can be concluded that R. indica essential oil may work as a complementary and alternative medicine in gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases