The analgesic and anticonvulsant effects of piperine in mice

Piperine, is the major active principal of black pepper. In traditional medicine, black pepper has been used as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory agent and in the treatment of epilepsy. This study was conducted to evaluate the in vivo analgesic and anticonvulsant effects of piperine in mice. The analgesic and anticonvulsant effects of piperine were studied in mice using acetic acid-induced writhing, tail flick assay, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)- and picrotoxin (PIC)-induced seizures models. The intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of piperine (30, 50 and 70 mg/kg) significantly inhibited (P\u3c0.01) the acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, similar to the effect of indomethacin (20 mg/kg i.p.). In the tail flick assay, piperine (30 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) and morphine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) caused a significant increase (P\u3c0.01) in the reaction time of mice. Pre-treatment of animals with naloxone (5 mg/kg i.p.), reversed the analgesic effects of both piperine and morphine in the tail flick assay. Piperine (30, 50 and 70 mg/kg, i.p.) and standard drugs, valproic acid (200 mg/kg, i.p.), carbamazepine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) and diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly (P\u3c0.01) delayed the onset of PTZ-and PIC-induced seizures in mice. These findings indicate that piperine exhibits analgesic and anticonvulsant effects possibly mediated via opioid and GABA-ergic pathways respectively. Moreover, piperine being the main constituent of black pepper, may be contributing factor in the medicinal uses of black pepper in pain and epileps

Identification of the splice variants of Recepteur d'Origine nantais (RON) in lung cancer cell lines

RON receptor tyrosine kinase is a transmembrane protein directly involved in suppression of inflammation and its aberrant expression linked to cancers and metastasis. Efforts to block deregulated RON signaling in tumors using small molecule kinase inhibitors or antibodies have been complicated by the presence of unknown number/types of isoforms of RON, which, despite being structurally similar, localize differently and mediate varied functions. Current study was designed to identify the splice variants of RON transcripts formed by skipping of sequences between exons 9 and 14 for better understanding of isoform specific RON signaling in cancers. PCR amplification and bi-directional sequencing of a 901 bp cDNA sequence located between exons 9 to 14 of RON from lung cancer cell lines revealed the presence of two splicing variants formed by skipping of exons 11 and 11–13. Each of these transcripts was found in more than one cell line. Expressed sequence tag (EST) database search indicated that the splicing variant lacking exons 11–13 was a novel one. Here we conclude that the splice variants of RON lacking exon 11 and exons 11–13 were detected in several lung cancer cell lines. Novel variant formed by skipping exons 11–13, the sequence of which code for transmembrane region, is predicted to code for a truncated isoform that may be secreted out. Tumors may antagonize the ligand dependent anti-inflammatory function of wild-type RON by secreting out the ligand binding isoforms

Gut modulator effects of Conyza bonariensis explain its traditional use in constipation and diarrhea

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The current investigation was carried out to explore the pharmacological basis of the crude extract of Conyza bonariensis (Cb.Cr) for its use in constipation and diarrhea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The plant extract of Conyza bonariensis (C. bonariensis) was prepared, isolated guinea-pig ileum and rabbit jejunum preparations were used to evaluate its gut modulator effects. RESULTS: The Cb.Cr (0.3-10 mg/mL) exhibited spasmogenic effect in isolated guinea-pig ileum preparation, which was about 19-84% of the acetylcholine maximum. Pretreatment of the tissues with atropine (0.1 µM) abolished the contractile effect, similar to acetylcholine. Among the fractions, only the butanol fraction exhibited atropine sensitive contractile effect. In isolated rabbit jejunum preparations, Cb.Cr produced appreciable atropine-sensitive spasmogenic effect at lower concentrations (0.03-0.3 mg/mL) followed by spasmolytic effect at next higher concentration (1.0 and 3.0 mg/mL). Cb.Cr caused an inhibition of the high K+ induced contraction in isolated rabbit jejunum preparation with EC50 value of 0.62 mg/mL. Similarly, verapamil, a standard calcium blocker, inhibited high K+ induced contraction in isolated rabbit jejunum preparations. Cb.Cr caused a right ward shift in the Ca++ concentration response curve, similar to verapamil. Among various fractions of C. bonariensis, only hexane and ethylacetate fractions showed spasmolytic effects. CONCLUSIONS: The crude extract of C. bonariensis contains spasmogenic and spasmolytic constituents, which explains its medicinal use in constipation and diarrhe

Switched reluctance motor design for electric vehicles based on harmonics and back EMF analysis

Permanent magnet synchronous motors are widely accepted in automotive applications. The high torque density, high rotational speed with maximum efficiency in electric vehicle applications is technically challenging for motor design. However, these machines are expensive and difficult to work at high-temperature harsh environment due to permanent magnets demagnetisation features. Alternatively, switched reluctance motors can provide similar output characteristics and a wider speed. Thus these are considered to be more fault tolerant and more reliable. This study proposes a 20 kW, three-phase switched reluctance motor and analyse its overall performance and harmonic contents. The study is conducted by optimising the slot filling factor, excitation voltage and switching sequence of an asymmetrical half bridge converter. A finite element model is used to predict the core and copper losses and other influencing parameters. Simulation results are presented and analysed the effectiveness of the proposed switched reluctance motor (SRM)

Incidence of shoulder dystocia and its relation to brachial plexus palsy: a 10 year retrospective review at King Abdulaziz University Hospital

Background: Objective of the study was to determine the incidence of shoulder dystocia (SD) in King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), with a focus on Brachial Plexus Palsy (BPP) and the accompanying risk factors.Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all vaginal deliveries between 2005 and 2014. Out of 29,199 vaginal deliveries, 236 cases where diagnosed with SD at KAUH in Jeddah, KSA. The following maternal and perinatal variables were reviewed by the patients' medical records: (booking status, maternal age, gestational age, maternal Body Mass Index (BMI), presence of diabetes, previous history of SD, instrumental delivery, Birth weight, Erb's and Klumpke's palsies).Results: A total of 236 cases had SD with an incidence of (0.8%). Only 55 cases among all had BPP. The Erb's palsy was found in 54 cases (30.7%) while Klumpke's palsy was found only in one case (0.6%). There were 121 (68.8%) cases with no BPP and a remaining of 60 unknown BPP outcomes. From the total number of cases with SD, mothers with overweight and obesity were found in 93% of the cases.Conclusions: Most of clinically diagnosed SD cases did not give the consequence of BPP. However, this complication in addition to other complications of SD mandates extra caution in cases with risk factors

Heavy Metal Levels in Vegetables and Soil Cultivated with Industrial Wastewater from Different Sites of Chunian and Jamber, District, Kasur

In human diet, vegetables play important role to maintain the physiological conditions. Due to anthropogenic activities and pollution, the food items become contaminated. The present study was performed to evaluate the level of heavy metals in the vegetables irrigated with wastewater across Chunian and Jamber, district, Kasur. Level of heavy metals from the study area like Zinc, Lead and chromium in the soil, water and vegetables was compared. The four sites of each city and 10 vegetables e.g. potato, radish, carrot, fenugreek, spinach, tomato, Onion, Turnip, Cauliflower, Pangalo were selected to conduct the experiment. The vegetables were irrigated with industrial wastewater and the concentration of heavy metals was measured by the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). We concluded that the level of heavy metals was beyond the FAO limits in irrigated water due to industrial waste. In Jamber and Chunian, the level of Zn and Pb was high and beyond the FAO safe limits in the all water sample, the level of Cr was much higher only in the water sample of one site from Jamber. The concentration of zinc was higher in soil samples as compared to lead and chromium. Zn and Pb in vegetables of study area were labeled as priority pollutants but this concentration was within the safe limits set by FAO. However, constant inspection of heavy metals is recommended to avoid accumulation in the food chain and thus avoid human health risks. Keywords: Atomic absorption spectrophotometer, Heavy metals, Industrial wastewater, Vegetables

686 La Revue de Santé de la Méditerranée orientale

ABSTRACT A placebo-controlled trial compared 6% hexadecyl-phosphorylcholine (HePC) and 12% benzethonium chloride ointment with placebo ointment for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Cuta--neous lesions were experimentally induced by inoculation with leishmania promastigotes in 60 golden hamsters. Forty (40) animals were treated with drug and 20 with placebo ointment applied twice daily for 15 days. After treatment, all lesions were significantly reduced in size in the treatment group compared with the placebo ointment. No parasites were detected in smears from 35/40 of the drug-treated lesions and no relapses occurred over 120 days of observation. 5 Efficacy of hexadecyl-phosphorylcholine ointment for treatment of cutaneous La pommade d'héxadécylphosphocholine pour le traitement de la leishmaniose cutanée : essai sur l'animal RÉSUMÉ Un essai contrôlé contre placebo a comparé une pommade contenant 6 % d'héxadécyl--phosphocholine et 12 % de chlorure de benzéthonium avec une pommade placebo pour le traitement de la leishmaniose cutanée. Les lésions cutanées ont été induites expérimentalement par inoculation de promastigotes de leishmania sur 60 hamsters dorés. Quarante (40) animaux ont été traités avec le médicament et 20 avec la pommade placebo appliquée deux fois par jour pendant 15 jours. Après le traitement, toutes les lésions ont significativement diminué en taille dans le groupe du traitement par rapport à la pommade placebo. Aucun parasite n'a été détecté dans les frottis de 35 des 40 lésions traitées par le médicament et aucune rechute ne s'est produite pendant 120 jours d'observation

Adsorption of paracetamol on activated charcoal in the presence of dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride, N-acetylcysteine and sorbitol

Paracetamol, an over the counter analgesic and antipyretic drug, causes hepatic and renal tubular necrosis at higher doses ingested accidentally, or intentionally. The situation worsens clinically upon the ingestion of product containing paracetamol and dextropropoxyphene. In paracetamol poisoning, activated charcoal is used to adsorb the drug from the gastrointestinal tract, sorbitol to remove charcoaldrug complexes and N-acetylcysteine to reduce the drug and its metabolites from systemic circulation. Activated charcoal being non-specific adsorbent may adsorb other chemical moieties from the intestine as well as antidotes. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the adsorption of paracetamol on activated charcoal in presence of dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride, N-acetylcysteine and sorbitol. Paracetamol was combined separately with dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride, N-acetylcysteine and sorbitol. These mixtures were combined with varying amounts of activated charcoal to evaluate the in vitro adsorption of paracetamol using Langmuir Isotherm. Paracetamol adsorption was 96.6 % at charcoal-drug ratio (6:1) while only 2 % higher in 8:1 and 2.9 % in 10:1. The binding constant (K2), maximum adsorption capacity per gram of activated charcoal for paracetamol alone and in presence of dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride, N-acetylcysteine and sorbitol was found to be 366, 339, 313 and 355 mg/g, respectively. The results of the present study indicate that except sorbitol other investigated substances significantly reduce the adsorption of paracetamol on activated charcoal, which may be compensated by increasing the concentration of activated charcoal.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire