A Study on the Anxiolytic and Sedative Effects of Ondansetron in Mice

Past attempts to treat anxiety disorders have only been partially successful. Several converging lines of evidence from molecular, animal and clinical studies have demonstrated that the GABAA – Benzodiazepine receptor complex plays a central role in modulation of anxiety. Benzodiazepines, which act at this receptor, have anxiolytic properties, but are limited by side effects like sedation, tolerance and concerns of potential abuse/dependence. Ondansetron, a selective 5HT3 antagonist, used as antiemetic in post operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and cancer chemotherapy induced emesis, produces significant anxiolysis at the antiemetic dose itself. Hence ondansetron could reduce the stress which frequently accompanies the above conditions and also reduce the need for additional anxiolysis. From the present study a significant anxiolytic effect without the sedative side effect of benzodiazepines was found to be present for ondansetron in mice. Therefore ondansetron could become an alternative anxiolytic with better patient compliance. Further studies are warranted to explore the long term effects in treating anxiety disorders in humans as well as for the development of tolerance. Also whether other 5HT3 antagonists also exhibit anxiolytic effects is still to be determined

Diuretic effect of chloroform seed extract of Moringa oleifera (Linn.) in Wistar rats

Background: Diuretics are widely prescribed group of drugs for mobilizing oedema in a variety of clinical situations, including hypertension, heart failure, renal failure, nephrotic syndrome and cirrhosis. Problems like drug resistance, adverse drug reactions and emerging newer diseases, have necessitated research on the vast untapped potential of herbals as potent drugs. Hence in this study an attempt has been made to evaluate the diuretic property of Moringa oleifera.Methods: Twenty-four adult wistar rats of either sex were divided into four group of six each and they were fasted for 18 hours. Group I received normal feed and water ad libitum. Group IIa received frusemide 1mg/kg, Group IIb received thiazide 2.5 mg / kg and Group III received chloroform extract of Moringa oleifera seed (1000 mg/kg) orally. The diuretic response was assessed by the increase in urine volume and urinary electrolytes.Results: The analysis showed an increase in urine volume in the groups IIa, IIb and III.Conclusions: The observations of the present study showed, the total volume of urine, natriuretic, kaliuretic effect exerted by the plant extract was similar to that of hydrochlorothiazide (moderate efficacy diuretic)

A study on prevalence of alcohol consumption among higher secondary school students in Theni district, Tamil Nadu

Background: Studies show that in India, the health loss from alcohol will grow larger, unless effective interventions are implemented. Initiation of alcohol intake starts from a very early age and is higher in rural areas. The best way to reduce alcoholism is prevention rather than curing the already addicted persons. For this we need to know the magnitude of this problem. This study is aimed at estimating the prevalence, identifying the causative and contributing factors of alcoholism among higher secondary school children of Theni district.Methods: A self-administered validated questionnaire was given to the male school students of 15 to 17 years (XI and XII students) to assess the prevalence and pattern of alcohol use among them. The questionnaire was prepared with reference from the global school-based student health survey (GSHS), the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) questionnaire and the cut-annoyed-guilty- eye (CAGE) questionnaire. Data analysis was done using software OpenEpi, Version 3.Results: A total of 500 students were analyzed with a response rate of 94% (n=470). The overall prevalence of alcohol use was found to be 31.06%. Nearly 70% had the possibility of alcoholism and should be investigated further for severity of alcohol use, 30% had impaired control over drinking almost daily and 17% had injury or injured someone because of drinking.Conclusions: The mean age of initiation of alcohol consumption is decreasing and the number of alcohol consumers is increasing

Prescription pattern of patients admitted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India: a cross sectional study

Background: Patients with varied demographic characteristics, admission criteria and heterogeneous group are admitted to medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and are usually associated with co-morbid illnesses. Instituting rational pharmacotherapy is the need of the hour for saving the life of critically-ill patients while irrational drug use may be life threatening. Drug use patterns and prescribing behaviour are the essential tools to measure drug use in health care facilities.Methods: A record based, cross-sectional, observational study was done at medical ICU, IGMC and RI, Puducherry after obtaining IEC approval. Systemic random sampling was followed and data was collected for a period of one year. Data were analysed based on demographic characteristics, prescribing pattern and WHO drug use indicators.Results: The data of 151 patients were analysed. Mean age of the patients admitted in ICU was 52.9±17.7 years. Percentage of male patients (57.6) admitted in ICU were more when compared to female patients (42.4). Infective etiology was the most common factor for ICU admission followed by cardiac disorders. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were the most common co-morbidities. The average length of stay in ICU was 4.11±2.99 days. Duration of stay in ICU ranged from 1-5 days (78.8% patients) to 15-20 days (0.1% patients). On an average 10.6±4.3 drugs were prescribed for each patient. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 45.8%. Majority of the drugs (87.4%) were from essential medicine list. Antibiotics in the prescription was 13.8% and 44.4% of drugs were administered in parenteral route. The prescription was complete in 145 case sheets (96%). Majority of the patients (68.9%) were discharged with improvement in the condition for which they were admitted.Conclusions: This drug utilization study has highlighted the strengths and shortcomings of the prescription pattern of patients who were admitted in the critical care setup. The information derived from this research work will be transmitted to the stakeholders for implementing the modifications wherever applicable for the betterment of the patient and the community

EFFECT OF LYCOPENE ON CHRONIC MILD STRESS-INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Objective: Chronic mild stress is the most valid model in inducing depression in rodents. In this method, rats were subjected to CMS for 6 weeks of stress. Methods: In this method, rodents were subjected to a series of mild stressors for CMS for six weeks in an unpredictable manner. Results: Biochemical and pathological changes were observed. Lycopene treatment at 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg could revert these biochemical changes. Histopathological studies showed there is a neuronal loss in CMS and CMS+Vehicle groups. Lycopene treatment reverted this condition. Conclusion: Lycopene treatment might revert this biochemical change by inhibiting a rate-limiting enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase. Histopathology of the brain revealed that rats subjected to chronic mild stress showed a decreased neuronal loss in the hippocampus. Lycopene treatment showed a neuroprotective effect against CMS-induced neuronal loss

Pattern of adverse effects in patients with nephrotic syndrome on oral prednisolone

Background: Nephrotic syndrome is a common illness affecting the paediatric age group and 80% of the idiopathic syndrome is steroid sensitive. Multiple relapses make them vulnerable to the adverse effects of corticosteroids. There is limited literature evidence for the adverse effects of steroids in children with renal pathology.Methods: This descriptive, cross sectional study analyses the adverse effects of oral prednisolone in children and adults with nephrotic syndrome Fifty-five patients with nephrotic syndrome, attending nephrology or paediatric OP, more than 3 years of age and who were on oral prednisolone for a minimum of eight weeks were included in the study. Demographic details, detailed history, lab investigations and ophthalmic examination were done and the results were analysed.Results: Hypertension and behavioural changes were the most common adverse effects followed by dermatological, endocrine and metabolic changes. Infections and gastrointestinal disturbances were more in adults (p <0.05). Short stature was more in children (p< 0.05). There was no abnormality in blood glucose levels and body weight. Hypertension, cushingoid habitus, infections and short stature were statistically less in patients on alternate day prednisolone. But no statistical association could be made between the occurrence of cataract and the pattern of prednisolone use.Conclusions: Adverse effects pattern is different among adults and children. Also, the adverse effects are less with alternate day prednisolone regimen. Long term follow up into their adulthood is needed to analyse the morbidity produced by corticosteroids in these subsets of population

Outpatient prescription audit in a tertiary care hospital at Puducherry

Background: Rational use of medicines promotes good health practices and prevents inappropriate use of medicines, polypharmacy, unnecessary use of antimicrobials, injections, and also encourages use of medicines from essential medicine list and dispensing by generic names. The aim of the study was to analyze the outpatient prescriptions of a tertiary care centre by utilizing World Health Organization (WHO) core drug use prescribing indicators.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care health setup at Puducherry, South India. Outpatient prescriptions from all the major clinical departments were analyzed using WHO prescribing indicators and they were compared with some similar studies.Results: The average number of drugs per prescription was 2.74. The percentage of prescriptions with antibiotics was 20.33% and the percentage of prescriptions with injections was 0.16%. The percentage of drugs prescribed by generic names and from essential medicine list was 83.13% and 87.9 respectively. Further antibiotic utilization was found to be higher in the department of ENT (56.67%), respiratory medicine (45%) and surgery (40%). Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic names in pediatrics and respiratory medicine were found to be 67.88% and 65.27% and percentage of drugs prescribed from essential medicine list in dermatology was 69.62%.Conclusions: Prescription pattern followed in our Institute almost adheres to the guidelines laid down by the WHO. Moreover, it is also implied that a routine audit of this type should be done in health care setups to ensure that they adhere to the WHO guidelines for better health care

Diuretic effect of chloroform seed extract of Moringa oleifera (Linn.) in Wistar rats

Background: Diuretics are widely prescribed group of drugs for mobilizing oedema in a variety of clinical situations, including hypertension, heart failure, renal failure, nephrotic syndrome and cirrhosis. Problems like drug resistance, adverse drug reactions and emerging newer diseases, have necessitated research on the vast untapped potential of herbals as potent drugs. Hence in this study an attempt has been made to evaluate the diuretic property of Moringa oleifera.Methods: Twenty-four adult wistar rats of either sex were divided into four group of six each and they were fasted for 18 hours. Group I received normal feed and water ad libitum. Group IIa received frusemide 1mg/kg, Group IIb received thiazide 2.5 mg / kg and Group III received chloroform extract of Moringa oleifera seed (1000 mg/kg) orally. The diuretic response was assessed by the increase in urine volume and urinary electrolytes.Results: The analysis showed an increase in urine volume in the groups IIa, IIb and III.Conclusions: The observations of the present study showed, the total volume of urine, natriuretic, kaliuretic effect exerted by the plant extract was similar to that of hydrochlorothiazide (moderate efficacy diuretic)

HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF MELATONIN ON PARACETAMOL INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

Objective: Liver is the most important organ involved in the biotransformation of drugs and hence also a prime site for drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Among the hepatotoxic drugs, paracetamol which is commonly used is a major offender, leading to about 40% of DILI. N-acetyl cysteine is commonly used to manage paracetamol poisoning. However, it has its own disadvantages. This study has been designed to probe into the possibility of an alternative drug for paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. The objective is to study the hepatoprotective effect of melatonin on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Materials and Methods: After prior approval from the IAEC, 36 albino rats were divided into six groups of six each. Each group received distilled water, paracetamol, paracetamol+N-acetyl cysteine, paracetamol+melatonin, and paracetamol+melatonin+N-acetyl cysteine, respectively. The liver function tests and histopathology of the liver of all the groups were compared. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Dunnett’s test were used. Results: Melatonin alone and in combination with N-acetyl cysteine is found to have significant hepatoprotective effect in paracetamol-induced acute liver injury. Conclusion: The main reason for hepatotoxicity is depletion of glutathione which is essential for conjugating the toxic metabolite N acetyl-p- benzoquinonimine (NAPQI) and CYP2E1 is playing the vital role of being the rate limiting enzyme initiating the cascade of events leading to acetaminophen hepatotoxicity. This is postulated to be reversed by melatonin