Terminalia arjuna restores the levels of alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase of acetaminophen intoxicated mice

Background: Herbal medicines are natural and comparatively safer than conventional treatments and are well-documented for carrying little potential for harm.  Therefore, phytonutrients have occupied a central stage in the therapeutics. Terminalia arjuna, a medicinal plant, has been reported to have homeostatic, laxative, diuretic, antidiabetic, anticancer and cardiotonic actions.Methods: The current study was designed to investigate the protective role of T. arjuna leaf extract at three dose levels (100, 250, 500 mg/kg body weight) against acetaminophen (250 mg/kg body weight) induced liver damage.Results: The administration of hepatotoxin (Acetaminophen) resulted in disturbance of hematological and serological profile including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) which was assayed in control and drug treated experimental models. Treatment with T.  arjuna leaf extract for 7 days restored the normal levels of markers and response was dose dependent.Conclusion: This study adds to the very limited existing literature regarding hepatoprotective effect of T. arjuna against acetaminophen toxicity. It is also important to get a step closer to development of accessible, authoritative, and independent information resources about herbal medicines and wide-ranging health disorders, which are currently lacking in Pakistan.Keywords: Hepatoprotective; Terminalia arjuna; ALP; AST   

Microdebrider Intracapsular Tonsillectomy: A Narrative Review

Introduction: Microdebrider intracapsular tonsillectomy is a relatively recent surgical procedure used to treat various tonsil and adenoid disorders. Unlike traditional tonsillectomies, which involve the complete removal of the tonsils, this technique uses high-speed rotation to remove only the diseased tissue, allowing for more precise removal while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue. This procedure has gained popularity in recent years due to its ability to reduce postoperative pain and allow for a quicker return to regular eating habits, especially in children with tonsillitis and sleep apnea. In this review, we aim to explore the efficacy, safety, and limitations of microdebrider intracapsular surgery in the management of otolaryngologic conditions.Methods: A preliminary search was conducted on several databases to identify relevant articles on tonsillectomy. The study focused on keywords such as "microdebrider", "Coblation tonsillectomy", "intracapsular tonsillectomy", “conventional tonsillectomy” and "minimally invasive tonsillectomy" and included patients with recurrent and/or chronic tonsillitis and patients with tonsillar hypertrophy with symptoms of obstructive sleep troubles such as persistent snoring. Conclusion: Microdebrider Intracapsular tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure used for various conditions related to the tonsils, with less tissue removed than traditional tonsillectomy. It causes less pain, has a shorter recovery time, and has fewer complications. However, there is a small risk of tonsil regrowth and the need for an additional procedure. The decision on which method to use depends on the patient's medical history and the surgeon's recommendation, and it is essential to understand potential complications and seek medical attention promptly if needed

Studies on Reproductive Biology of Peganum harmala L.

The reproductive biology of flowering plants is important for determining barriers to seed and fruit set and for understanding pollination and breeding systems that regulate the genetic structure of populations. Knowledge of reproduction is crucial for understanding the causes of rarity and conservation of rare plants. he medicinally important plant species namely Peganum harmala (Zygophyllaceae) constitute the material for present study and the methodology adopted during the present study

Hepatoprotective Effect of Berberis Lycium in Αlpha-Naphthylisothiocyanate Induced Cholestatic Mouse Models

Cholestasis is characterized by the obstruction of bile flow from hepatocytes to the intestine. It results in accumulation of bile acids in the liver, which cause oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Till now, the treatment options against cholestasis are limited. Therefore, there is an utmost requirement to develop and evaluate the drugs with potential anti-cholestatic effects. In the current study, the drug-induced cholestasis mouse models were generated via oral administration of α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT). The mice were placed into three groups of six animals each. Group I was the control group and was given saline. The cholestasis model Group II was given saline for 19 days. On 19th day (48 hours before sacrifice) they received a single dose of ANIT (75 mg/kg). Group III served as the plant extract treatment group and received root extract for 19 days. On nineteenth day (48 hours before sacrifice) they received a single dose of ANIT (75 mg/kg). On 21st day, mice were sacrificed for analysis of serum biochemistry and liver histology. The results revealed that Berberis lycium extract has hepatoprotective properties, as serum level of AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine transaminase) are significantly lower in the plant treatment group compared to the cholestasis model group. Furthermore, liver histology validated the serological results since the hepatocyte architecture in the plant treatment group was similar to that of control group. In conclusion, the data exhibit that B. lycium possess protective activities against ANIT induced cholestasis

Loneliness and Depression among Wives of Pakistani Expatriate Husbands

The present study was designed to assess loneliness and depression among wives of expatriated husbands with focus on the role of family. The sample comprised of 50 married women divided in two groups (29 living in joint family & 21 living in nuclear family setup) whose husbands are living abroad for last one year or more. Differential Loneliness Scale (DLS) & Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered. Statistical analysis revealed that n=16(32%) of the participants experience severe depression. Furthermore a significant positive relation was found between loneliness & depression especially in intimate relations domain(r=.66**). Another significant finding is difference in loneliness & depression based on family system. Women living in joint family system experienced more loneliness (M+SD= 29.1+11.9, t=2.1*) and severe depression (35%) as compared to those living in nuclear family system (M+SD= 21.8+12.5 for loneliness, 29% for severe depression. This study will be helpful in analyzing the psychological impact of husband’s expatriation on their wives mental health and it will also serve as a representative and expressive effort to open new avenues for further researchers to consider social variables including family dynamics

Acute effects of weighted plyometric exercise on sprint, agility and jump performance in university football players

Background: Conditioning activities such as resistance training can cause excitation of central nervous system resulting in Post-activation Potentiation phenomenon. Plyometric exercise also has an important role to develop Post-activation Potentiation following a resistance stimulus. So the purpose the study was to investigate the immediate effects of weighted plyometric exercise on sprint, agility and jump performance. Materials and methods: Twenty male university football players (age=21.3±1.5 years, body mass=63.3±9.5 kg, height=169.8±6.4 m) participated in this Single group pre-test post-test study. Agility Time (AT), Sprint Time (ST) and Counter-Movement Jump (CMJ) height were measured prior to and 1st and 5th minutes following plyometric exercise. Results: A repeated measures ANOVA employed at baseline (T0), 1 minute (T1), and 5 minutes (T5) post intervention showed significant effect for all the three outcome measures (p<0.001). Post-hoc Bonferroni pairwise comparison showed a significant decrease in both AT and ST from baseline to assessments at both T1 (p<0.001) and T5 (p<0.001), whereas there was a significant increase in the CMJ height. However, no statistical difference was found between T1 and T5 (p=0.058) in ST, but AT was significantly lower at T5 than at T1 (p=0.008), and CMJ height showed significant increase from T1 to T5 (p=0.001). Conclusion: Our results suggest that weighted plyometric exercises have an acute response on sprint, agility and counter movement jump (CMJ Height) following Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP) effect developed after plyometric exercises

Berberine ameliorates the progression of primary sclerosing cholangitis by activating farnesoid X receptor

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a rare cholestatic disease characterized by biliary infiltration, hepatic fibrosis and bile duct destruction. To date, treatment options for PSC are very limited. Therefore, the current study is aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of berberine (BBR) against PSC. The disease was induced by feeding the mice with 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-collidine (DDC) for four weeks. The serum biochemistry and liver histology were analyzed. Furthermore, the expression of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) was also evaluated by real-time PCR. The results indicated that berberine prevents the progression of PSC by modulating the expression of FXR which ultimately regulates other genes (including Cyp7A1 and BSEP) thus maintaining bile acids homeostasis. Furthermore, the docking analysis showed that berberine interacts with the binding pocket of FXR to activate the protein thus acting as an FXR agonist. In conclusion, data indicate that berberine protects the liver from PSC-related injury. This effect might be due to the modulation of FXR activity

The Role of Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Supporting Gut Health in Horses: An Updated Review on Its Effects on Digestibility and Intestinal and Fecal Microbiota

To support the overall health of horses, it is essential to maintain an optimal gut health (GH) status, which encompasses several physiological and functional aspects, including the balance and functionality of intestinal microbial populations and, accordingly, the effective digestion and absorption of nutrients. Numerous biotic and abiotic stressors can lead to an imbalance of GH, such as the quality of forages and the composition of diet, e.g., the inclusion of high energy-dense feeds to meet the energy requirements of performance horses. To support the digestive function and the intestinal microbial populations, the diet can be supplemented with feed additives, such as probiotic yeasts, that promote the ability of cellulolytic bacteria in the hindgut to digest the available fiber fractions, finally increasing feed efficiency. Among the different yeasts available, S. cerevisiae is the most used in horses&rsquo; nutrition; however, results of digestibility trials, as well as data on intestinal and fecal microbial populations, are sometimes contradictory. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize the effects of S. cerevisiae on in vivo and in vitro digestibility, providing an updated overview of its effects on the intestinal and fecal microbial population