The effects of aqueous ginger extract on aluminium chloride (AlCl3) induced alteration in lipid profile of male wister rats

Background: This study was aimed at investigating the effects of aluminium chloride (AlCl3) in altering the serum lipid profiles and ways to reduce its effect using two different doses of ginger extract 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg body weight in male wister rats.Methods: The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups consisting of 5 animals in each group. Groups II, III and IV received AlCl3 100mg/kg bodyweight single dose, Groups III and IV receiving an additional daily oral single dose of ginger plant extract through a stomach tube. All animals were fasted before the treatment. All rats were weighed before the start of the experiment and at the end of the experiment. The blood was collected firstly at the beginning of the experiment, then on the 45th day. The collected blood was left to clot then centrifuged at 3500 rpm for 5 min. The serum was separated and stored at - 80°C for later analyses.Results: This study shows that a single dose of 100mg/kg aluminium chloride causes a rise in total body weight, TC (total cholesterol), LDL (low density lipoproteins) and TG (triglycerides) levels in the rat, and aqueous Zingiber officinal (ginger) extract reduces this rise in TC, LDL and TG levels in the rats.Conclusions: Ginger was effective in lowering serum cholesterol levels levels in the ginger treated rats to almost normal value. These results indicate that treatment with aqueous extract of ginger may be effective in lowering lipid levels in AlCl3 induced hyperlipidemia in rats

Implementing standardised rhodes index to measure the efficacy of ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) in pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting

Background: Although nausea and vomiting are natural signs of pregnancy affecting about half the pregnant women during their first trimester of pregnancy, it is unpleasant and difficult symptom to deal with. Considering the fact that medication during pregnancy is not advised, we decided to study the efficacy of a natural product to control nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy. Our study was directed to estimate the efficacy of ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) in pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting.Methods: A total of 30 women with pregnancy of 4-16 weeks, suffering from nausea and vomiting were included in this study (n=30). Subjects were given ginger extract 250mg, to be taken 3 times a day half an hour before food for 1 week. Severity of vomiting was assessed by Rhodes Index of Nausea and Vomiting by the patients. Baseline scores were compared with the score at the end of 7 day. The findings were analysed statistically.Results: Effect with the ginger extract in pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting was assessed at the end of treatment (day 7) and compared with the baseline values. Four patients reported symptoms of heartburn. Otherwise, there were no other reports of any adverse effects. The results showed significance (p <0.005).Conclusions: Ginger extract (Zingiber officinale) helps in reducing severity and frequency of pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting. Therefore, we conclude that ginger extract can be used for mild to moderate nausea and vomiting induced by pregnancy during first trimester

Knowledge, attitude, perceptions and assessment of effectiveness of educational intervention on Pharmacovigilance among undergraduate medical students at Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi, India

Background: The Study was designed to assess the awareness of Pharmacovigilance and to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention.Methods: This was a questionnaire-based pre- and post-test educational interventional study. Students were given handouts containing information about pharmacovigilance one month before the educational intervention. A pre-validated 20-point questionnaire on (KAP) Knowledge, attitude, perception about Pharmacovigilance was distributed to second year medical students (n=115). An interactive educational intervention (Power point presentation) was designed. The chi-square test and unpaired paired t-test was used for statistical calculation.Results: The overall response rates were expressed as percentages, Mean±SD. The knowledge, attitude and perceptions of pharmacovigilance when compared before (pre-KAP) and after (post-KAP) the educational intervention, the correct response rates were found to be statistically significant (P<0.001). The feedback from the students was encouraging, handouts before the lecture classes helped them to easily grasp the pharmacovigilance concepts better during lectures.Conclusions: The study concluded that imparting the knowledge about pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting promotes drug safety and rational use of medicines in future

Knowledge, attitude, perceptions and assessment of effectiveness of educational intervention on Pharmacovigilance among undergraduate medical students at Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi, India

Background: The Study was designed to assess the awareness of Pharmacovigilance and to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention.Methods: This was a questionnaire-based pre- and post-test educational interventional study. Students were given handouts containing information about pharmacovigilance one month before the educational intervention. A pre-validated 20-point questionnaire on (KAP) Knowledge, attitude, perception about Pharmacovigilance was distributed to second year medical students (n=115). An interactive educational intervention (Power point presentation) was designed. The chi-square test and unpaired paired t-test was used for statistical calculation.Results: The overall response rates were expressed as percentages, Mean±SD. The knowledge, attitude and perceptions of pharmacovigilance when compared before (pre-KAP) and after (post-KAP) the educational intervention, the correct response rates were found to be statistically significant (P&lt;0.001). The feedback from the students was encouraging, handouts before the lecture classes helped them to easily grasp the pharmacovigilance concepts better during lectures.Conclusions: The study concluded that imparting the knowledge about pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting promotes drug safety and rational use of medicines in future