Evaluation of a Unani formulation, in diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A randomized single blind standard controlled study Asian Journal of Medical and Clinical Sciences Short Communication

To evaluate the efficacy of a Unani formulation in the management of Diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus.A randomized single blind standard controlled trial was carried out at National institute of Unani medicine, Bangalore, India. After ethical clearance, total 41 diagnosed patients of DPN were screened, two excluded, remaining 39 were randomly allocated to test(Group A) and control(Group B) groups, as nine dropped out, twenty patients in test and 10 patients in control group completed full course of treatment. Group A was given Habbe Azaraqi, 500 mg in tablet form, twice a day, whereas patients of group B received Methycobalamine, 500 mcg once a day for a period of 45 days. In order to maintain glycaemic index, Glibenclamide 5mg twice a day was given in both groups for the same duration. An informed consent was taken from each patient. The subjective parameters were assessed fortnightly, while in objective parameters TCNS fortnightly and VPT was assessed before and after treatment.The test drug exhibited statistically significant improvement in subjective parameters in intra group comparison, whereas it was not significant in inter group comparison. In objective parameters TCNS and VPT both were statistically significant in intra group comparison (P<0.05), while TCNS was also significant in inter group comparison (P<0.005) in test with respect to control, but VPT was not significant in inter group comparison.The study reveals that test drug is effective and safe in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Further, it may be recommended for delaying complications of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

ANTIOXIDANT AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING CAPACITY OF EXTENSIVELY USED MEDICINAL PLANT OF PUNICA GRANATUM

ABSTRACTObjective: The present study was aimed to examine the in vitro antioxidant property and free radical scavenging capacity of Punica granatum leaves, which are widely used in the Ayurvedic treatment.Methods: Aqueous and methanol extracts were prepared and to assess for their Phytochemical analysis to find out the various compounds and total yield of phenolic and flavonoid contents by spectrophotometer methods. Free-radical scavenging capacity and antioxidant activity was estimated by using a number of chemical assays are DPPH, H2O2, FRAP, TRAP and beta carotene assay.Results: It showed that aqueous extract had greatest antioxidant activity and contained significant levels of total phenolic and flavonoids content expressed as mg of gallic acid and quercetin equivalent/g of extracts. The extracts showed antioxidant activity in vivo by protecting yeast cells against oxidative stressing agent H2O2. Conclusion: These results specified the Punica granatum is good source of natural compounds which might have benefits for health, which can be used in dietary application with a possible to reduce oxidative stress.Key words:  Punica granatum, Free-radical scavenging capacity, phytochemical, antioxidant, yeast culture

EVALUATION OF RESPONSE TO ANTIHYPERTENSIVE'S IN PREECLAMPSIA AND GESTATIONAL HYPERTENSION CASES WITH DIFFERENT ACE GENE INSERTION/DELETION GENOTYPES

  Objective: The objective of this research study was to investigate if there exists a relationship between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) genes insertion/deletion (I/D) genotypes and the antihypertensive treatment being received by preeclampsia (PE) and gestational hypertension (GH) patients.Methods: A total of 50 PE and 35 GH cases were included. ACE gene I/D genotyping was carried out on the blood samples of cases and correlated with the antihypertensive treatment being received by these patients. Details of antihypertensives being received by them were nifedipine (a calcium channel blocker 10 mg) and methyldopa (an alpha 2 receptor agonist 250 mg) which is considered as the first-line of treatment. 30 normotensive pregnant women of comparable gestational period served as controls.Results: It was observed that a combination of calcium channel blocker (nifedipine 10 mg), as well as alpha 2 agonist (methyldopa 250 mg), was required in patients with D' allele containing genotypes. However, PE and GH patients with II genotype as well as those of GH patients responded well to either nifedipine or methyldopa. If confirmed these results appear to be of clinical significance as prior knowledge of ACE I/D genotypes will be useful in the management of PE cases in general and severe PE cases in particular.Conclusion: Prior knowledge of ACE I/D genotypes appears to be helpful in the management of PE and GH cases

Depression

www.ijcrar.com Psychological evaluation of couples attending the infertility clinic in a tertiary care, teaching hospita

Protective Role of Hypothermia Against Heat Stress in Differentiated and Undifferentiated Human Neural Precursor Cells: A Differential Approach for the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury

Introduction: The present study aimed to explore protective mechanisms of hypothermia against mild cold and heat stress on highly proliferative homogeneous human Neural Precursor Cells (NPCs) derived from Subventricular Zone (SVZ) of human fetal brain. Methods: CD133+ve enriched undifferentiated and differentiated human NPCs were exposed to heat stress at 42°C. Then, Western-blot quantification was performed using Hsp-70 (70 kilodalton heat shock proteins) recombinant protein. Finally, changes in pluripotency and Hsp-70 expression were measured using immunofluorescence staining and RT-qPCR (Quantitative reverse transcription PCR) analysis, respectively. Results: Heat stress resulted in abnormal neurospheres development. The apoptosis rate was enhanced during long-term in vitro culture of neurospheres. Neurogenic differentiation reduced and showed aberrent phenotypes during heat stress. After hypothermia treatment significant improvement in neurospheres and neuronal cell morphology was observed. Conclusion: Mild-hypothermia treatment induces attenuated heat shock response against heat stress resulting in induced HSP-70 expression that significantly improves structure and function of both undifferentiated human NPCs and differentiated neurons