Anti-diabetic and spermatogenic activity of Cocculus hirsutus (L) Diels

Anti-diabetic effect was observed with Cocculus hirsutus when given as an aerial part extract in normal as well as diabetic rats. The effect, however, was more pronounced in diabetic animals in which administration for 15 days after streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes, significantly reducedblood glucose levels. After STZ-induced diabetes, it was observed that both standard drug (glibenclamide) and methanolic extract of C. hirsutus were significantly superior to control in reducing blood sugar on long treatment (15 days). The data suggested that C. hirsutus could be ofbenefit in diabetes mellitus in controlling blood sugar. The present investigation established pharmacological evidence to support the folklore claim that it is an anti-diabetic

Enhancement of dissolution rate of Olmesartan medoxomil using urea as carrier by different solid dispersion techniques

The poor solubility of drug substances in water and their low dissolution rate in aqueous G.I.T fluid often leads to insufficient bioavailability. As per Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS), Olmesartan belongs to the class-II category having poor solubility and high permeability. Since only dissolved drug can pass the gastrointestinal membrane, the proper solubility of the drug is ultimately desired. Its oral bioavailability is 26%. Hence, an attempt was made to enhance its solubility by formulating solid dispersions using different techniques viz., Melting, Kneading, Co-precipitation, Solvent evaporation and Physical mixing etc., Drug and carrier (Urea) in different ratios like 1: 1, 1: 2, 1: 3 and 1:4 were used for formulating solid dispersions. The compatibility of the drug with the carrier was checked by FTIR studies, these results revealed that there was no interaction between them. The angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density; Carr’s index and Hausner ratio were calculated for the micrometric characterization of all the solid dispersions. The drug content was found to be high and uniform in all formulations. The prepared Solid dispersion SEM4 (1:4) showed minimal wetting time of 13 seconds compared with the other formulations. In vitro dissolution, release studies in Phosphate buffer pH of 6.8 revealed that the prepared solid dispersions showed faster drug release compared with the pure drug.  The in vitro dissolution profile showed ascendency on increasing the carrier concentratio

IN VITRO ANTI-ARTHRITIC ACTIVITY OF CISSUS QUADRANGULARIS STEM EXTRACT

Objective: The present investigation deals with the study of in vitro anti-arthritic activity by inhibition of protein denaturation method by bovine serum albumin method and egg albumin method. Cissus quadrangularis Linn plant is a perennial tendril climber with quadrangular stem. It is used in the treatment of gout, syphilis, stomach ache, regularized the menstrual cycle, antimicrobial activity, and piles in Ayurvedic medicine, and traditionally used for the bone fracture.Method: The air-dried powder of C. quadrangularis Linn (stem parts) was extracted using a Soxhlet apparatus with methanol C. quadrangularis (MECQ) and aqueous C. quadrangularis water (AECQ) as solvent. The extracts were concentrated under reduced pressure. The activities were carried out using the following concentration (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 μg/ml) and compared with diclofenac as standard drug. It has significant in vitro anti-arthritic in both the methods.Result: The extract of C. quadrangularis possessed significant anti-arthritic property in MECQ than compared to AECQ.Conclusion: Activity may be due to the presence of the chemical profile such as phenolic acid, flavonoid (leuteotin), and β-sitosterol. The results of the study have suggested in the use of C. quadrangularis Linn as a potent anti-arthritic in several applications

Evaluation of the anti-fertility activity of stem bark of Crataeva nurvala buch-hum

The ethanol and aqueous extracts of the dried stem bark of the plant Crataeva nurvala Buch-Hum (Capparidaceae) have been found to possess significant anti-fertility effects in rats. Both ethanol and aqueous extracts exhibited partial and complete resorption of implants at 300 and 600 mg/kg b.wt dose levels, respectively. In estrogenic activity study, both the extracts increased uterine weight and caused opening and cornification of vagina in immature rats. The present work justifies its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy in all rats at dose level

A learning health systems approach to integrating electronic patient-reported outcomes across the health care organization

Introduction: Foundational to a learning health system (LHS) is the presence of a data infrastructure that can support continuous learning and improve patient outcomes. To advance their capacity to drive patient-centered care, health systems are increasingly looking to expand the electronic capture of patient data, such as electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) measures. Yet ePROs bring unique considerations around workflow, measurement, and technology that health systems may not be poised to navigate. We report on our effort to develop generalizable learnings that can support the integration of ePROs into clinical practice within an LHS framework. Methods: Guided by action research methodology, we engaged in iterative cycles of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting around ePRO use with two primary goals: (1) mobilize an ePRO community of practice to facilitate knowledge sharing, and (2) establish guidelines for ePRO use in the context of LHS practice. Multiple, emergent data collection activities generated generalizable guidelines that document the tangible best practices for ePRO use in clinical care. We organized guidelines around thematic areas that reflect LHS structures and stakeholders. Results: Three core thematic areas (and 24 guidelines) emerged. The theme of governance reflects the importance of leadership, knowledge management, and facilitating organizational learning around best practice models for ePRO use. The theme of integration considers the intersection of workflow, technology, and human factors for ePROs across areas of care delivery. Lastly, the theme of reporting reflects critical considerations for curating data and information, designing system functions and interactions, and presentation of ePRO data to support the translation of knowledge to action. Conclusions: The guidelines produced from this work highlight the complex, multidisciplinary nature of implementing change within LHS contexts, and the value of action research approaches to enable rapid, iterative learning that leverages the knowledge and experience of communities of practice

Evaluation of gut modulatory and bronchodilator activities of Amaranthus spinosus Linn.

Background The aqueous-methanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus (A. spinosus Linn.,) whole plant, was studied for its laxative, spasmolytic and bronchodilator activities to validate some of its medicinal uses. Methods The crude extract of A. spinosus was studied in-vivo for bronchodilator and laxative activities and in-vitro using isolated tissue preparations which were mounted in tissue baths assembly containing physiological salt solutions, maintained at 37°C and aerated with carbogen, to assess the spasmolytic effect and to find out the possible underlying mechanisms. Results In the in-vivo experiments in mice, the administration of A. spinosus increased fecal output at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg showing laxative activity. It also inhibited carbachol-induced bronchospasm in anesthetized rats at 1, 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg indicative of bronchodilator activity. When tested on isolated gut preparations, the plant extract showed a concentration-dependent (0.01-10.0 mg/ml) spasmogenic effect in spontaneously contracting rabbit jejunum and guinea-pig ileum. The spasmogenic effect was partially blocked in tissues pretreated with atropine (0.1 μM). When tested on K+ (80 mM)-induced sustained contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum, the plant extract caused complete relaxation and also produced a shift in the Ca++ concentration-response curves (CRCs) towards right, similar to diltiazem. In rabbit trachea, the plant extract completely inhibited K+ (80 mM) and carbachol (CCh, 1 μM)-induced contractions at 1 mg/ml but pretreatment of tissue with propranolol (1 μM), caused around 10 fold shift in the inhibitory CRCs of the plant extract constructed against CCh-induced contraction. The plant extract (up to 0.3 mg/ml) also increased both force and rate of spontaneous contractions of isolated guinea-pig atria, followed by relaxation at higher concentration (1.0-5.0 mg/ml). The cardio-stimulant effect was abolished in the presence of propranolol, similar to that of isoprenaline. Activity-directed fractionation revealed that the spasmolytic component(s) was separated in the organic fraction, whereas the spasmogenic component was concentrated in the aqueous fraction. Conclusion These results indicate that A. spinosus possesses laxative activity partially mediated through cholinergic action. The spasmolytic effect was mediated through calcium channel blocking (CCB), while bronchodilator activity through a combination of β-adrenergic and CCB pathways, which may explain the traditional uses of A. spinosus in gut and airways disorders

Gene duplications and evolution of vertebrate voltage-gated sodium channels

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2006. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Springer for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Molecular Evolution 63 (2006): 208-221, doi:10.1007/s00239-005-0287-9.Voltage-gated sodium channels underlie action potential generation in excitable tissue. To establish the evolutionary mechanisms that shaped the vertebrate sodium channel a-subunit (SCNA) gene family and their encoded Nav1 proteins, we identified all SCNA genes in several teleost species. Molecular cloning revealed that teleosts have eight SCNA genes, comparable to the number in another vertebrate lineage, mammals. Prior phylogenetic analyses had indicated that teleosts and tetrapods share four monophyletic groups of SCNA genes and that tandem duplications selectively expanded the number of genes in two of the four mammalian groups. However, the number of genes in each group varies between teleosts and tetrapods suggesting different evolutionary histories in the two vertebrate lineages. Our findings from phylogenetic analysis and chromosomal mapping of Danio rerio genes indicate that tandem duplications are an unlikely mechanism for generation of the extant teleost SCNA genes. Instead, analysis of other closely mapped genes in D. rerio supports the hypothesis that a whole genome duplication was involved in expansion of the SCNA gene family in teleosts. Interestingly, despite their different evolutionary histories, mRNA analyses demonstrated a conservation of expression patterns for SCNA orthologues in teleosts and tetrapods, suggesting functional conservation.The authors’ work was supported by NIH grants (NS 38937; AEN, ADT and ABR, NS 25513; HHZ and YL and NSF IBN 0236147; MCJ)

Hepatoprotective Effects of Thespesia lampas Dalz & Gibs in CCl4 Induced Liver Injury in Rats

ABSTRACT: The extracts of the roots of Thespesia lampas (Malvaceae) were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity in rats by inducing chronic liver damage by subcutaneous injection of 50 % v/v carbon tetrachloride in Tween 80 at a dose of 3ml/kg for a period of 4 weeks. The biochemical parameters like serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum bilirubin and total proteins were estimated to assess the liver function. Hepatic steatosis, centrilobular necrosis, and often swelling of the hepatic cytoplasm were observed in carbontetra chloride treated group, while these were completely absent in the extracts of T. lampas (300 mg/kg b.wt) treated groups (p<0.01). The present investigation established pharmacological evidence to support the folkloric claim of hepatoprotective activity of T. lampas