Amelioration of experimental rheumatoid arthritis by selected ultra-diluted preparations by down regulating increased expression of TNF-α & IL-6

The current work explored the inhibitory effect of selected homeopathic drugs, in experimental models of inflammation and CFA-induced arthritis. Twelve groups of animals were made, each containing 6 animals. The selected homeopathic drugs (causticum, calcarea, medorrhinum, mercurius, formica, proteus, silica, sulphur, thuja), placebo and standard drug, Indomethacin. In CFA model, treatment groups and the reference drug were administered daily for a period of 21 days. Dysfunction in joints was evaluated by parameters such as joint diameter, expression of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6). Findings of the study revealed that on CFA administration, there is a significant (p<0.01) increase in joint diameter in all the tested animals. On day 3, we found highest increase in the joint diameter in all treatment groups. Medorrhinum, silica, sulphur showed significant (p<0.01) decrease in joint diameter on day 21. Significant (p<0.05) reduction in paw edema was observed at 5 hours post carrageenan administration. IHC of NF-kB in CFA treated group revealed presence of vacuoles, infiltration of inflammatory cells. However, prominent reversal of joint damage was seen in homeopathic drugs (medorrhinum, silica, sulphur) and indomethacin. Study inferred that the homeopathic drugs (medorrhinum, silica, sulphur) and indomethacin were found to be potent in ameliorating inflammation

Therapeutic Options for the SARS-CoV-2 Virus: Is There a Key in Herbal Medicine?

SARS-CoV-2 has been responsible for over 500 million cumulative cases all over the world since December 2019 and has marked the third introduction of a highly pathogenic virus after SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. This virus is in a winning situation because scientists are still racing to explore effective therapeutics, vaccines, and event treatment regimens. In view of progress in current disease management, until now none of the preventive/treatment measures can be considered entirely effective to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, it is required to look up substitute ways for the management of this disease. In this context, herbal medicines could be a good choice. This article emphasizes the antiviral potential of some herbal constituents which further can be a drug of choice in SARS-CoV-2 treatment. This article may be a ready reference for discovering natural lead compounds and targets in SARS-CoV-2 associated works. </jats:p

Profile of breast cancer patients at a tertiary care hospital in north India

Background and Aims: We carried out this study in order to know the epidemiology and management strategies for breast cancer patients in our patient population. Settings and Design: The epidemiological data pertaining to demography and risk factors for carcinoma breast were analyzed retrospectively in patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital of North India. Materials and Methods: Hospital records of 304 patients admitted for over a period of five years (January 1998 to December 2002) were used for data analysis. Statistical Analysis Used: Paired T-test . Results: Mean age of our female breast cancer patients was found to be lower compared to the western world, with an average difference of one decade. A majority of the patients were from a rural background and had a longer duration of symptoms compared to urban patients. Lump in the breast was a dominant symptom. Familial breast cancer was uncommon. Left sided breast cancer was slightly preponderant. Screening by mammography and staging procedures such as bone scan, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were sparsely used. The most common histology was infiltrating duct carcinoma. Conclusion: Modified radical mastectomy was found to be a safe operative procedure. Breast conservative surgery, although considered the gold standard in early breast cancer, was found unsuitable for our patients, due to the social background and lack of intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy backup. Infiltrating duct carcinoma was more commonly associated with positive lymph nodes compared to other histopathologies. Cases operated by surgical oncologists had better axillary clearance. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was used mainly by surgical oncologists suggesting a more rational approach toward the management of breast carcinoma

Profile of breast cancer patients at a tertiary care hospital in north India

Background and Aims: We carried out this study in order to know the epidemiology and management strategies for breast cancer patients in our patient population. Settings and Design: The epidemiological data pertaining to demography and risk factors for carcinoma breast were analyzed retrospectively in patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital of North India. Materials and Methods: Hospital records of 304 patients admitted for over a period of five years (January 1998 to December 2002) were used for data analysis. Statistical Analysis Used: Paired T-test . Results: Mean age of our female breast cancer patients was found to be lower compared to the western world, with an average difference of one decade. A majority of the patients were from a rural background and had a longer duration of symptoms compared to urban patients. Lump in the breast was a dominant symptom. Familial breast cancer was uncommon. Left sided breast cancer was slightly preponderant. Screening by mammography and staging procedures such as bone scan, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were sparsely used. The most common histology was infiltrating duct carcinoma. Conclusion: Modified radical mastectomy was found to be a safe operative procedure. Breast conservative surgery, although considered the gold standard in early breast cancer, was found unsuitable for our patients, due to the social background and lack of intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy backup. Infiltrating duct carcinoma was more commonly associated with positive lymph nodes compared to other histopathologies. Cases operated by surgical oncologists had better axillary clearance. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was used mainly by surgical oncologists suggesting a more rational approach toward the management of breast carcinoma

A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF FLUPIRTINE AND DICLOFENAC SODIUM IN POST INGUINAL HERNIA SURGERY PAIN

Introduction: Effective postoperative pain control is an essential component of care of surgical patients. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are mainstay to treat pain and inflammation. Flupirtine is a novel, non-opiate, non-NSAID, centrally acting analgesic without side effects associated with NSAIDs. Aim and Objectives: Prospective, randomized, double blind comparative study to evaluate and compare analgesic efficacy of flupirtine with diclofenac sodium in inguinal hernia surgery. Methods: The study was conducted in tertiary care teaching hospital on 50 patients aged 15-65 yrs of either sex who underwent inguinal hernia surgery between March 2014 and January 2016. Patients with liver and renal failure, hypersensitivity to flupirtine or diclofenac, pregnant/lactating women, bronchospastic disease, inability to understand pain score, prior history of peptic ulcer were excluded from study. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups consisting of 25 patients each: group-A (tab flupirtine 100mg),group-B (tab diclofenac sodium 50mg). Pain was evaluated in detail using simple and sensitive visual analog scale. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.57±12.02 yrs in group A and 37.82±13.43 yrs in group B(p>0.05 ) with male-to-female ratio 3:1. The mean weight of the participants was 66.72±12.90 vs 64±13.10 kg (p>0.05). The mean VAS values observed were 1.36±1.77 at baseline, 1.24±2.18 at 6 hours, 0.60±1.65 at 12 hours, 0.40±1.19 at 18 hours, 0.16±0.62 at 24 hours, 0.08±0.4 at 30 hours & 36 hours, at 42 and 48 hours were 0 for group A. For group B values calculated were 2.20±2.58 at baseline, 1.40±1.55 at 6 hours, 1.28±1.72 at 12 hours, 0.76±1.56 at 18 hours, 0.28±0.61 at 24 hours and at 30, 36, 42 and 48 hours were 0. The intergroup comparison between group A and group B by independent t-test at various intervals revealed no statistically significant difference between two groups in mean VAS (p>.05) that means both the drugs are equally efficacious in relieving post-operative pain. Only 1 patient (4%) in group A experienced nausea. A total of 4 patients in group B had side effects, all 4 patients (16%) had heart burn, 2 out these 4 also complains of pain abdomen and 1 patient (4%) had vomiting. Conclusion: Flupirtine could be a better alternative to opioids and NSAIDs in postoperative pain relief

Evaluation of RAPD, ISSR and AFLP markers for characterization of the loose smut fungus Ustilago tritici

This article does not have an abstract

Enhancement in brain uptake of vitamin D₃ nanoemulsion for treatment of cerebral ischemia: formulation, gamma scintigraphy and efficacy study in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion rat models.

AimFor the treatment of cerebral ischaemia, vitamin-D3 loaded nanoemulsions were developed.MethodTween 20 and polyethylene glycol were chosen as surfactant/co-surfactant, while oleic acid as the oil phase. The formulation was characterised for various in-vitro parameters. Targeting efficiency was investigated through radiometry, gamma scintigraphy and efficacy was studied in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) rat model.ResultVitamin D3-nanoemulsion showed a mean size range of 49.29 ± 10.28 nm with polydispersity index 0.17 ± 0.04 and zeta potential 13.77 mV. The formulation was found stable during thermodynamic stability study and permeated within 180 min through sheep nasal mucosa (permeation coefficient 7.873 ± 0.884 cm/h). Gamma scintigraphy and radiometry assay confirmed better percentage deposition (2.53 ± 0.17%) of 99mTc-vitamin D3-nanoemulsion through nasal route compared to IV administered 99mTc-vitamin D3 solution (0.79 ± 0.03%). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the ischaemic model confirmed better efficacy of vitamin D3-nanoemulsion.ConclusionThis work demonstrated better permeation, deposition, and efficacy of vitaminD3-nanoemulsion through the intranasal route