Formulation, characterization and wound-healing potential of emulgel and in-situ gel containing root extract of Saussurea lappa Clarke (Asteraceae)

Purpose: To investigate the wound-healing potential of herbal formulations (emulgels and in situ gels) containing Saussurea lappa root extract  (SLRE) via excision wound induction in albino rats. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the methanol extract of roots of Saussurea lappa (SLRE) was performed using standard  procedures. In vitro anti-inflammatory assay of SLRE was conducted using heat-induced hemolysis method at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. Acute  toxicity of SLRE was also evaluated in mice at a single dose of 1000 mg/kg for 24 h. Emulgels and in situ gels were prepared using different concentrations of SLRE and assessed for their organoleptic and physical properties. In vitro drug release studies of the prepared formulations were carried out by Franz diffusion cell and the data fitted into various pharmacokinetic models. Wound healing was assessed using excision wound induction (380 mm2) on dorsal surface of male albino rats. Each formulation (F4, F5, F6, G1, G2 and G3) and pyodine gel (standard) were applied topically (0.5 g) for 20 days. Wound contraction was measured every fourth day. Results: SLRE showed 42.8 % inhibition in heat-induced hemolysis on erythrocyte membrane model, compared to aspirin (positive control).  Moreover, SLRE did not cause mortality in mice at the given doses. All the formulations were stable after one month stability check at 40 °C for emulgels and at 25 °C for in situ gels. All the formulations followed first order drug release pattern. In situ gel (G3) exhibited better wound healing (100 ± 0.0028) than emulgel (F6, 99 ± 0.004) containing 5 g extract and standard pyodine gel (91 ± 0.014, p <0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that in situ gel of SLRE exhibits significant wound healing in rats. Thus, the findings present a strategy for the formulation of gel products with better wound healing potentials. Keywords: Saussurea lappa, Wound healing, Emulgel, In situ gel, Herbal formulatio

STUDY TO KNOW VARIOUS POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS OF MADIBULAR ANGLE FRACTURE ASSOCIATED WITH TWO SURGICAL PROCEDURES AND THEIR COMPARISON

Objective: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate several postoperative complications linked with two surgical procedures used to reduce mandibular angle fractures. Study design: A quasi-experimental study. Location and duration: In the department of Oral and maxillofacial Surgery for one year duration in the Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Methods: The analysis was performed with mandibular fractures of the lower jaw fractures. They were divided into two categories. Thirty patients underwent intraoral approach (Group A) and thirty additional oral approaches (Group B). These patients were evaluated in terms of postoperative infection, hypertrophic scar, nerve damage, malocclusion, aesthetic dissatisfaction and opening of the mouth at different intervals of postoperative visits. Results: In 20% of the patients managed with external approach, postoperative nerve injury was observed and no nerve injury was observed in any patient treated with intraoral approach (p = 0.02). Similarly, only 6.67% of patients treated with intraoral approach had postoperative aesthetic dissatisfaction, corresponding to 63.33% of patients treated with an extra oral approach (p = 0.00). Conclusion: According to this study, intraoral approach was accepted as a more suitable method in the mandibular angle fractures treatment. Key words: Intra / extra oral approach, postoperative complications, mandibular angle fracture

THE IMPACT OF BANK DIVERSIFICATION ON STOCK MARKET VALUE: EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN

Although commercial banks have gradually followed the diversification strategy and sneaked into non-traditional activities for further income sources, studies on diversification outcomes provide diverse results. This research investigates how stock market values bank diversification using a data set of Pakistani listed banks for the period 2009-2017. Over all we find a negative relationship between bank diversification and stock market valuation. This implies investor prefer to invest in the banks who focus on traditional activities

Surgically treated rectal cancer patients—Outcomes at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Pakistan

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze our experience with rectal cancer patients who underwent surgical excision at our institution. Methods: Data on 112 rectal cancer patients who underwent surgical resection with total mesorectal excision, from January 2005 to December 2008, were evaluated retrospectively. Results: We achieved an initial complete remission rate of 74.1%. Overall, 92.8% of patients had a complete total mesorectal excision. The overall survival analysis for all patients showed a 1-year survival rate of 98%, a 3-year survival rate of 82%, and a 5-year survival rate of 70%. We report a 41.9% rate of postoperative complications. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for females were 100%, 90%, and 72%, respectively and for males, they were 90%, 80%, and 68%, respectively. Differences in overall survival by sex were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Those patients who were treated with only surgery had the best outcomes with survival being worse in those treated with surgery and adjuvant therapy. Neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery led to better results. Conclusion: We conclude that we have been successful in achieving high rates of curative resection, complete remission, and overall survival. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy significantly impact rates of remission

Surgically treated rectal cancer patients—Outcomes at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Pakistan

The aim of this study was to analyze our experience with rectal cancer patients who underwent surgical excision at our institution. Data on 112 rectal cancer patients who underwent surgical resection with total mesorectal excision, from January 2005 to December 2008, were evaluated retrospectively. We achieved an initial complete remission rate of 74.1%. Overall, 92.8% of patients had a complete total mesorectal excision. The overall survival analysis for all patients showed a 1-year survival rate of 98%, a 3-year survival rate of 82%, and a 5-year survival rate of 70%. We report a 41.9% rate of postoperative complications. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for females were 100%, 90%, and 72%, respectively and for males, they were 90%, 80%, and 68%, respectively. Differences in overall survival by sex were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Those patients who were treated with only surgery had the best outcomes with survival being worse in those treated with surgery and adjuvant therapy. Neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery led to better results. We conclude that we have been successful in achieving high rates of curative resection, complete remission, and overall survival. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy significantly impact rates of remission