Protective effect of Nigella sativa against paracetamol induced hepatic and renal damages

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are very commonly used as an analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet agent. They have significant adverse effect on liver and kidney besides damaging stomach. Their effect on liver and kidney are of serious concern. Hence, we have decided to study the preventive effect of Nigella sativa against paracetamol induced hepatic and renal damages.Methods: Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of N. sativa were prepared with the help of Soxhlet’s apparatus. Totally, 36 wistar albino rats (150-200 g) of either sex were divided into six groups of six each. Group I was administered with distilled water, Group II-VI were treated with paracetamol 750 mg/kg i.p. Group III-VI were test groups also treated with N. sativa aqueous extract (200 and 400 mg/kg p.o) and ethanolic extract (200 and 400 mg/kg p.o), respectively. The treatment was given daily for 7 days and on 8th all the rats were sacrificed and the blood was analyzed for hepatic and renal function tests and tissue was preserved for histopathological examination.Results: Paracetamol administration caused a marked hepatic and renal damage, which is evidenced by the increase in liver and renal function test parameters in the negative control group. N.sativa extracts prevented this damage. The protective was seen maximum in ethanolic extract followed by the aqueous extract in dose-dependent manner.Conclusion: Ethanolic extract showed significant protection against paracetamol-induced and renal damage

Clinical evaluation of efficacy and safety of α-keto analogs of essential amino acids supplementation in patients of chronic kidney disease

Background: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of α-keto analogs of essential amino acids (KAA) as a supplement in chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted in patients of CKD of a tertiary care center of North India. Patients were randomly divided into two interventional groups. Group I (control) was advised conservative management and placebo while Group II (KAA) given conservative management along with KAA (600 mg, thrice daily) for 12 weeks. Hemogram, renal function tests, lipid profiles were done, and adverse effects were recorded at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment.Results: There was progressive improvement in clinical features in both groups after 12 weeks of treatment, but KAA group showed more marked improvement as compared with the control group. Both groups showed gradual improvement in the biochemical parameters as compared to their pre-treated values, which was more marked in KAA supplemented group. There was a reduction in blood glucose, blood urea, serum creatinine, and 24 h total urine protein. There was an increase in hemoglobin, 24 h total urine volume and glomerular filtration rate. KAA group showed significant (p<0.05) improvement in lipid profiles as compared with the control group. There was no statistical difference in two groups with respect to side-effects (p>0.05).Conclusion: KAA supplementation along with conservative management is efficacious and safe in preventing the progression of disease in patients of CKD

Role of rhubarb and α-keto analogues of essential amino acids supplementation in halting progression of chronic kidney disease

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging chronic disease due to rapidly increasing incidence of diabetes and hypertension worldwide. Newer drugs are being searched which can stop nephron damage and are cost effective. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety profile of rhubarb and α-keto analogues of essential amino acids supplementation in patients of chronic kidney disease.Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted in patients of chronic kidney disease attending Renal Clinic of a tertiary care centre. Randomization of patients was done into three interventional groups: conservative management along with placebo was given in first group (Control); conservative management along with Rhubarb capsule (350 mg, thrice daily) was given in second group (Rhubarb) and conservative management along with α-keto analogues of essential amino acids (600 mg, thrice daily) was given in third group (KAA). The treatment was given for 12 weeks. Clinical and biochemical parameters were assessed at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment.Results: Patients of all three groups showed gradual improvement in clinical features and biochemical parameters as compared to their pre-treated values which was more marked in KAA supplemented group. There was reduction in: fasting blood glucose (12.51%, 19.15% and 20.78%), PPBG (14.80%, 19.00% and 20.89%), serum creatinine (25.00%, 30.54% and 39.52%), blood urea (25.55%, 33.64% and 38.09%), and 24-hour total urine protein (TUP) (19.80%, 30.18% and 38.34%) in Group I, II and III respectively. There was increase in: haemoglobin level (12.64%, 14.99% and 19.77%), 24-hour total urine volume (TUV) (19.41%, 28.82% and 33.32%) and GFR (22.6%, 46.5% and 49.2%) in Group I, II and III respectively. Rhubarb and KAA supplementations were safe and well-tolerated.Conclusions: KAA is more effective than Rhubarb as add on therapy with conservative management in patients of chronic kidney disease

EVALUATION OF EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF NIGELLA SATIVA OIL SUPPLEMENTATION IN PATIENTS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

ABSTRACTObjective: To evaluate efficacy and safety of add-on therapy of Nigella sativa oil in patients of stage 3 and 4 of chronic kidney disease (CKD).Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary care center of north India in stage 3 and 4 patients of CKD. It was a prospective,comparative, and open label study. Patients were randomly divided into two interventional groups. Group I (Control) received conservativemanagement of CKD while Group II (Test) received conservative management along with N. sativa oil (2.5 mL, per orally, once daily) for 12 weeks.Hemogram and renal function tests were done, and adverse events were recorded at 0, 6, and 12 weeks of treatment.Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, there was a progressive improvement in clinical features and biochemical parameters in both the groups, but itwas more marked in the test group compared to control group. Both groups showed gradual improvement in the biochemical parameters as comparedto their pre-treated values which were more marked in N. sativa oil supplemented group. There was a reduction in blood glucose, blood urea, serumcreatinine, and 24-hr total urine protein. There was an increase in hemoglobin, 24-hr total urine volume, and glomerular filtration rate.Conclusion: N. sativa oil supplementation along with conservative management is efficacious and safe in averting the progression of disease in stage 3and 4 patients of CKD.Keywords: Chronic kidney disease, Nigella sativa oil, End-stage renal disease, Glomerular filtration rate

Experimental study of the morphine de-addiction properties of Delphinium denudatum Wall.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to explore the de-addiction properties of Delphinium denudatum Wall. in morphine dependent rats. METHODS: Charles Foster male albino rats were made morphine dependent by injecting morphine sulphate in increasing doses twice a day for 7 days. The spontaneous withdrawal signs observed 12 h after the last dose were quantified by the 'counted' and 'checked' signs. The drug (alcoholic extract of Delphinium denudatum) was administered p.o. in different regimen: a) single dose (700 mg/kg) 10 h before the first dose of morphine, b) single dose (700 mg/kg) 10 h after the last dose of morphine, c) multiple doses (350 mg/kg) along with morphine twice a day for 7 days. RESULT: Administration of Delphinium denudatum extract caused significant reduction in the frequency of counted signs as well as the presence of checked signs of morphine withdrawal. The maximum reduction was observed in regimen 'b' followed by regimen 'c' and 'a'. CONCLUSION: Delphinium denudatum Wall. significantly reduces the aggregate scores for all parameters in morphine withdrawal syndrome by central action and thus may prove to be an alternative remedy in morphine de-addiction

Distribution, sources, and pollution levels of toxic metal(loid)s in an urban river (Ichamati), Bangladesh using SOM and PMF modeling with GIS tool

Indexical assessment coupled with a self-organizing map (SOM) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) modeling of toxic metal(loid)s in sediment and water of the aquatic environment provides valuable information from the environmental management perspective. However, in northwest Bangladesh, indexical and modeling assessments of toxic metal(loid)s in surface water and sediment are still rare. Toxic metal(loid)s were measured in sediment and surface water from an urban polluted river (Ichamati) in northwest Bangladesh using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer to assess distribution, pollution levels, sources, and potential environmental risks to the aquatic environment. The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of metal(loid)s in water are as follows: Fe (871) > Mn (382) > Cr (72.4) > Zn (34.2) > Co (20.8) > Pb (17.6) > Ni (16.7) > Ag (14.9) > As (9.0) > Cu (5.63) > Cd (2.65), while in sediment, the concentration follows the order, Fe (18,725) > Mn (551) > Zn (213) > Cu (47.6) > Cr (30.2) > Ni (24.2) > Pb (23.8) > Co (9.61) > As (8.23) > Cd (0.80) > Ag (0.60). All metal concentrations were within standard guideline values except for Cr and Pb for water and Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, and As for sediment. The outcomes of eco-environmental indices, including contamination and enrichment factors and geo-accumulation index, differed spatially, indicating that most of the sediment sites were moderately to highly polluted by Cd, Zn, and As. Cd and Zn content can trigger ecological risks. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model recognized three probable sources of sediment, i.e., natural source (49.39%), industrial pollution (19.72%), and agricultural source (30.92%), and three possible sources of water, i.e., geogenic source (45.41%), industrial pollution (22.88%), and industrial point source (31.72%), respectively. SOM analysis identified four spatial patterns, e.g., Fe–Mn-Ag, Cd–Cu, Cr-Pb-As-Ni, and Zn–Co in water and three patterns, e.g., Mn-Co–Ni-Cr, Cd-Cu-Pb–Zn, and As-Fe-Ag in sediment. The spatial distribution of entropy water quality index values shows that the southwestern area possesses “poor” quality water. Overall, the levels of metal(loid) pollution in the investigated river surpassed a critical threshold, which might have serious consequences for the river’s aquatic biota and human health in the long run

Visualization for epidemiological modelling: challenges, solutions, reflections and recommendations.

From Europe PMC via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: epub 2022-08-15, ppub 2022-10-01Publication status: PublishedFunder: UK Research and Innovation; Grant(s): ST/V006126/1, EP/V054236/1, EP/V033670/1We report on an ongoing collaboration between epidemiological modellers and visualization researchers by documenting and reflecting upon knowledge constructs-a series of ideas, approaches and methods taken from existing visualization research and practice-deployed and developed to support modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Structured independent commentary on these efforts is synthesized through iterative reflection to develop: evidence of the effectiveness and value of visualization in this context; open problems upon which the research communities may focus; guidance for future activity of this type and recommendations to safeguard the achievements and promote, advance, secure and prepare for future collaborations of this kind. In describing and comparing a series of related projects that were undertaken in unprecedented conditions, our hope is that this unique report, and its rich interactive supplementary materials, will guide the scientific community in embracing visualization in its observation, analysis and modelling of data as well as in disseminating findings. Equally we hope to encourage the visualization community to engage with impactful science in addressing its emerging data challenges. If we are successful, this showcase of activity may stimulate mutually beneficial engagement between communities with complementary expertise to address problems of significance in epidemiology and beyond. See https://ramp-vis.github.io/RAMPVIS-PhilTransA-Supplement/. This article is part of the theme issue 'Technical challenges of modelling real-life epidemics and examples of overcoming these'

Visualization for Epidemiological Modelling: Challenges, Solutions, Reflections & Recommendations

We report on an ongoing collaboration between epidemiological modellers and visualization researchers by documenting and reflecting upon knowledge constructs – a series of ideas, approaches and methods taken from existing visualization research and practice – deployed and developed to support modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Structured independent commentary on these efforts is synthesized through iterative reflection to develop: evidence of the effectiveness and value of visualization in this context; open problems upon which the research communities may focus; guidance for future activity of this type; and recommendations to safeguard the achievements and promote, advance, secure and prepare for future collaborations of this kind. In describing and comparing a series of related projects that were undertaken in unprecedented conditions, our hope is that this unique report, and its rich interactive supplementary materials, will guide the scientific community in embracing visualization in its observation, analysis and modelling of data as well as in disseminating findings. Equally we hope to encourage the visualization community to engage with impactful science in addressing its emerging data challenges. If we are successful, this showcase of activity may stimulate mutually beneficial engagement between communities with complementary expertise to address problems of significance in epidemiology and beyond

Visualization for epidemiological modelling: challenges, solutions, reflections and recommendations

From The Royal Society via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-10-14, accepted 2022-03-18, pub-electronic 2022-08-15, pub-print 2022-10-03Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedFunder: UK Research and Innovation; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100014013; Grant(s): EP/V033670/1, EP/V054236/1, ST/V006126/1We report on an ongoing collaboration between epidemiological modellers and visualization researchers by documenting and reflecting upon knowledge constructs—a series of ideas, approaches and methods taken from existing visualization research and practice—deployed and developed to support modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Structured independent commentary on these efforts is synthesized through iterative reflection to develop: evidence of the effectiveness and value of visualization in this context; open problems upon which the research communities may focus; guidance for future activity of this type and recommendations to safeguard the achievements and promote, advance, secure and prepare for future collaborations of this kind. In describing and comparing a series of related projects that were undertaken in unprecedented conditions, our hope is that this unique report, and its rich interactive supplementary materials, will guide the scientific community in embracing visualization in its observation, analysis and modelling of data as well as in disseminating findings. Equally we hope to encourage the visualization community to engage with impactful science in addressing its emerging data challenges. If we are successful, this showcase of activity may stimulate mutually beneficial engagement between communities with complementary expertise to address problems of significance in epidemiology and beyond. See https://ramp-vis.github.io/RAMPVIS-PhilTransA-Supplement/. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Technical challenges of modelling real-life epidemics and examples of overcoming these’