A PILOT STUDY ON THE EFFICACY OF SIDDHA MEDICINE SEENTHIL SARKARAI IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MOOTHIRAKIRICHARAM (URINARY TRACT INFECTION)

Objective: The present pilot study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Seenthil sarkarai, a Classical Siddha medicine in Moothirakiricharam (Urinary Tract Infection) patients.Method: This study was approved by IEC and registered in Clinical Trial Registry of India and was conducted at the National Institute of Siddha, Tambaram, Chennai, India. The investigator recruited 20 patients of both male and female with an inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the patients were treated with Seenthil Sarkarai at the dose level of 2 grams two times a day with warm water for 21 days. Dietary regimen was advised for the patients. Study outcome was studied with negative Urine culture and also based on the improvement in the reduction of Burning micturition, Frequency of micturition, Dysuria with fever, Foul smelling urine.Results: The symptoms such as burning micturition, persistent urge to urinate, foul smelling urine, and presence of bacteriuria reduced markedly within 21 days of duration. Out of 20 patients, 12 patients were completely relieved from the compliance of UTI with negative Urine culture. The symptoms of UTI were markedly reduced in remaining 8 patients. There were no adverse effect reported during the study and no recurrence of UTI was noticed in 12 patients who were completely cured.Conclusion: Results suggest that the trial drug Seenthil Sarkarai is effective and safe for the management of Moothirakiricharam (UTI) and in alleviating recurrences

2,3,4,9-Tetra­hydro-1H-carbazole

In the title compound, C12H13N, two methyl­ene C atoms of the cyclo­hexene ring are disordered over two sites with occupancies of 0.591 (10) and 0.409 (10); both disorder components adopt half-chair conformations. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter­molecular N—H⋯π and C—H⋯π inter­actions

A STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF PREHYPERTENSION AMONG ADOLESCENTS : IN TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT TAMILNADU

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of hypertensive disease among adolescents is increasing trend. This rise in hypertension among adolescents is largely attributed to obesity. Also, there is an increase in cardiovascular disease in adolescents because of an increase in prehypertension in the early period. Our aim is to determine the prevalence of prehypertension among adolescents in Tirunelveli district. METHODOLOGY: After getting Institutional Ethical Committee permission 1000 high school children aged 14 – 18 years from Tirunelveli City were chosen. Informed consent from school authorities was also obtained. The blood pressures (systolic, diastolic) were recorded using the standard technique- palpatory and auscultatory method using a sphygmomanometer with due precautions. Proforma is obtained for information regarding age, sex, height, weight, physical activity, etc. RESULTS: Data regarding age, sex, blood pressure, and BMI are analyzed using Excel statistical data analysis.  90th percentile value for blood pressure is found both for systolic and diastolic. Blood pressure > 90th percentile is considered to be abnormal in adolescents. Out of 1000 students, 946 students are found to have normal blood pressure while 54 of them are found to have a higher value (prehypertension) which is around 5.4%. Among the 54 adolescents, 26 adolescents had a BMI of more than 28. DISCUSSION: Previous reports indicate approximately 3-4% of adolescents develop consistently elevated blood pressure. The common causes attributed are physical inactivity, consumption of junk food, besides hormonal changes in adolescents. The results of our study indicate that 54 out of 1000 students examined are having more than the 90th percentile. CONCLUSION: Modifiable risk factors exist among adolescents. Early lifestyle modification and reinforcement of school health programs are recommended

Neonatal streptozotocin-induced rat model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus: A glance

Diabetes mellitus is a group of syndromes characterized by hyperglycemia, altered metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and protein and an increased risk of complication of vascular diseases. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by derangement of insulin secretion and an inability of the peripheral tissues to respond to insulin. In spite of the availability of many animal models for Type 2 diabetes mellitus including genetic and chemically induced, none of them simulate human Type 2 diabetes mellitus. An attempt has been made in the present review, to evaluate the neonatal streptozotocin-induced rat (n-STZ rats) model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, for its potential advantages as a suitable model over the others. The n-STZ model (with alteration of dose and day of STZ injection) exhibits various stages of Type 2 diabetes mellitus such as impaired glucose tolerance, and mild, moderate and severe glycemia. The cells in n-STZ rats bear a resemblance to insulin secretory characteristics found in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thus the n-STZ model can be considered as one of the suitable animal models of Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Pharmacological investigations of Sapindus trifoliatus in various in vitro and in vivo models of inflammation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of lyophilized aqueous extract of pericarps of Sapindus trifoliatus (ST) in various in vitro and in vivo inflammatory models. METHODS: ST was studied for its in vitro inhibitory activity against 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), cyclo-oxygenase (COX), leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). At doses 20 and 100 mg/kg, i.p. ST was evaluated in acute pedal inflammation induced by carrageenan, histamine, serotonin and zymosan in rats and mice. Further, the effect of topical application of the extract (1 mg and 5 mg) on ear inflammation induced by various inflammatory agents like -O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) or capsaicin or arachidonic oxazolone or dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) was also investigated. RESULTS: In vitro evaluation of the extract revealed its inhibitory activity against the major inflammatory mediators 5-LO, COX, LTB4 and NOS. The extract significantly inhibited the pedal inflammation produced by carrageenan, histamine, serotonin and zymosan. Further, topical application of ST significantly inhibited the ear inflammation induced by acute and multiple applications of TPA and acute application of capsaicin or arachidonic acid. However, the extract failed to inhibit ear inflammation induced by oxazolone or DNFB. CONCLUSION: ST has antiinflammatory activity possibly mediated through 5-LO and COX pathways

Original Article - Physical growth and psychomotor development of infants exposed to antiepileptic drugs in utero

Objective: To evaluates the physical growth and psychomotor development of infants born to women with epilepsy on regular Anti Epileptic Drugs (AEDs). Setting: Govt. Stanley Medical College and Hospital, Tertiary care referral centre, Chennai. Design: Open prospective cohort study with a control group. Materials and Methods: Consecutive women with epilepsy who were on regular anticonvulsants were followed up from their first trimester. Their babies were examined at birth and anthropometric measurements including anterior fontanelle size were noted. They were followed up till one year and periodically evaluated at 1st, 6th and 12th month of age. Development testing using Griffith scale was done at 2nd, 6th and 12th month. An equal number of control babies were also studied using the same scale for one year at the specified intervals. The results in both the groups were compared. Results : 30 babies were enrolled in the case and control group. The AEDs received by the mothers with epilepsy were Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, and Sodium valproate. At birth and 1st month the weight, head circumference and length of case and control babies were equal. At 6th and 12th month reduction in the above 3 parameters were noted in the case babies ( P < 0.01). Area of anterior fontanelle (AF) was larger in the study group particularly in those exposed to phenytoin in utero( P < 0.001). In the case babies reduction in the sitting, prone and erect progression of the locomotor scores was observed at 2nd month ( P < 0.001). Prone progression alone improved by 12th month and other two remained less than the control ( P < 0.001). No difference was observed in reaching behaviour and personal/social scores in both groups. Infants exposed to Phenytoin monotherapy had a negative impact on sitting progression. Conclusion : Among infants exposed to AEDs in utero physical growth was equal to that of control at birth but reduced at 6th and 12th month probably due to extraneous factors. The Locomotor scores showed reduction in all areas in 2nd, 6th and 12th month except prone progression which alone improved by 12th month. Phenytoin exposure in utero resulted in large AF and it had a negative impact on sitting progression in comparison with Carbamazepine and Sodium valproate

Investigations of Sapindus trifoliatus in dopaminergic and serotonergic systems: Putative antimigraine mechanisms

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential dopaminergic and serotonergic receptor-mediated modulatory effect of the aqueous extract of Sapindus trifoliatus [(ST), (family: Sapindaceae)], a traditional phytomedicine used in the treatment of hemicrania (migraine), using animal models and receptor assays. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ST (at 20 and 100 mg/kg, i.p. doses) was evaluated for its effect on apomorphine-induced climbing behavior, 5-hydroxytryptophan (l-5-HTP)-induced serotonin syndrome, and MK-801-induced hyperactivity in mice. The radioligand binding studies for various receptors and enzymes were carried out (outsourced) using standard procedures at 250 µg/ml concentration of ST. RESULTS: ST significantly inhibited the apomorphine-induced climbing behavior, the l-5-HTP-induced serotonin syndrome and MK-801-induced hyperactivity in mice. In the receptor radioligand binding studies, ST exhibited affinity towards dopamine D2, 5-HT2A receptors. CONCLUSION: The results of the behavioral studies in mice indicate that ST modulated D2 and 5-HT2A receptor-mediated paradigms. The radioligand binding studies supported these observations, suggesting the possible involvement of dopaminergic and serotonergic mechanisms in the antimigraine activity of ST

Original Article - Nonepileptic attack disorder among married women

Aim : To study the clinical features, precipitating stressful life events and prognosis of nonepileptic attack disorder (NEAD) among married women. Design: Prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up. Setting: A tertiary care teaching hospital. Subjects: Of the 1020 patients with epilepsy referred to the epilepsy clinic during 2002-2003, 30 were married women with NEAD. Materials and Methods: The diagnostic criteria for NEAD included normal EEG during ictal and post-ictal phase of the generalized ′attack.′ The data collected included clinical characteristics, semiology of the attacks, precipitating stressful events, and co-morbid psychiatric disorders. The control group included 30 age-matched married women with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The long-term outcome and factors influencing the outcomes were analyzed. Results: The mean duration of illness was 18 months, and the pattern of the attack was ′fall and lying still′ in 53% and ′fall with generalized motor movements′ in 47%. The frequency was one or more per week in 57% and occasionally in 43%. The important stressful events were matrimonial discord following illegal relationship of the husband with another woman (χ2 = 9.02, P = 0.003) and constant quarrel with other family members (χ2 = 5.19, P = 0.02). The prevalence of sexual abuse was low (7%). Co-morbid psychiatric disorder was observed in 70%. At the end of 1 year, 39% were free from the attack. Resolution of the stressful life events (χ2 = 4.52, P = 0.03) and lower frequency of attack at the time of reporting (χ2 = 3.88, P = 0.05) correlated with good outcomes. Conclusion : Among patients with NEAD in India, the major precipitating factors were matrimonial discord following illegal relationship of the husband with another woman and constant quarrel with other family members and not sexual abuse. Women with low frequency of attack at the time of reporting and the remission of the stressful events had better outcomes