Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Crinum asiaticum leaf alcoholic extract in animal models

This study investigated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Crinum asiaticum (Amaryllidaceae) leaf ethanolic extract. Analgesic effect was investigated in acetic acid induced writhing model and formalin induced licking model in swiss albino mice. Anti-inflammatory effect was conducted in carrageenan-induced paw edema model of albino rat. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc multiple comparison test. In analgesic study, C. asiaticum extract inhibited 42.34±3.20% of acetic acid induced pain at higher dose of 2.0 g/kg body weight. The effect was statistically significant (p<0.001) compared to the positive control, diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg). The extract reduced the formalin induced pain 22.60±1.39% in early phase and 27.11±0.87% in late phase at the same dose of 2.0 g/kg and the reductions were significant (p<0.01) compared to the positive control morphine (0.5 mg/kg). In a time-dependent inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema model, the extract promoted the inhibitions of paw edema 51.60±2.50% at the 1st h and 40.80±0.52% at the 4th h of administration. These inhibitions were also significant (p<0.01) in comparison to those promoted by diclofenac sodium. No mortality was observed in acute toxicity test. The study concludes that C. asiaticum leaf extract has potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects to be recorded as plant-derived complementary medicine.Keywords: Crinum asiaticum, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, Carrageenan, formalinAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(2

In Vivo Antidiarrheal and Cytotoxic Potential of Different Fractions of Pandanus Foetidus Leaves

Abstract This study investigated the antidiarrheal and cytotoxic effects of methanol, petroleum ether, chloroform and aqueous fractions of Pandanus foetidus leaf extract. Antidiarrheal effect was measured in castor oil induced-diarrhea, -enteropooling and -gastrointestinal motility (GI) test models in albino mice. Cytotoxicity was investigated in brine shrimp lethality bioassay. All data were analyzed by the software, statistical package for social science (SPSS), Version 18.0. The extracts (200 mg/kg) showed a remarkable antidiarrheal activity by reducing the number of defecation and maintaining the consistency of feces. The petroleum ether, chloroform and aqueous fraction of the extract significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the diarrheal incidence at the dose of 200 mg/kg. Castor oil induced enteropooling and fluid accumulation was significantly reduced by methanol and chloroform fraction, whereas gastrointestinal motility was shrunk by the aqueous fraction only. Loperamide was used as a reference drug in the above mentioned models. In cytotoxicity test, the lowest LC 50 was found to be 106.97 μg/ml by the chloroform fraction of the extract. The results demonstrated that Pandanus foetidus extract could be used as pharmaceutical preparation of antidiarrheal and cytotoxic agent obtained from appropriate solvent system

Antibacterial and antifungal properties of the methanol extract from the stem of Argyreia argentea

Antibacterial properties of methanol extract of Argyreia argentea stem was studied on three Gram positive and seven Gram negative bacteria by disc diffusion method. The extract showed zone of inhibition against Gram positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis and B. megaterium) and Gram negative bacteria (Streptococcus aureus, E. Coli, Salmonella typhae, S. paratyphae, Pseudomonous sp (I), Pseudomonous sp (II) and Shigella sonnei). In addition, the extract was found effective against some fungi like Aspergillus flavous, Fusarium equiseti, Altenaria alternate, A. niger, Colletotrichum corphori

External beam radiotherapy and intracavitary brachytherapy is an acceptable treatment for locally advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Background: Cervical carcinoma is the second most common neoplasm in women worldwide and is the most frequent cancer among women in Bangladesh. In recent years, High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy in combination with External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) has been popular in the management of cancers of uterine cervix.Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and acute toxicity of four fractions high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy following pelvic external beam radiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced cervical carcinoma. Methods: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medi­cal University & NICRH chosen as a research place for EBRT and HOR brachytherapy. A typical radiotherapy treatment involves daily inadiation for several weeks. Whole pelvis was treated with total dose of SO Gy in 5 weeks. Patients were treated once a day, 5 days a week with a daily fraction size of 2.0 Gy. EBRT: Pelvic radiotherapy dose is 50 Gy in 25 fractions (2.0 Gy per fraction) over 5 weeks. HDR brachytberapy dose is 7 Gy per fraction, total 4 fractions, each in a week over 4 weeks. Results: Ninety-eight patients were entered in the study. Three patients were excluded due to active non-malignant diseases. One patient had active tuberculosis, two patients had severe skin reactions and two patients withdrew following the first HDR application. The remaining Ninety patients were analyzed. Ninety patients completed the prescribed treatment and were evaluated. Eighty had complete response with relief of symptoms, negative Pap-smear and no clinical signs of persistence disease at 3 months. Ten patients had a positive Pap-smear with clinical signs of persis­tence disease. Patients were evaluated before statting treatment with EBRT and before starting treatment with HDR ICBT. Conclusion: It can be easily concluded that 4 fractions of HDR ICBT, 7 Gy each weekly and pelvic EBRT can effectively and safely control locally advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix. So that EBRT and HDR ICBT is an acceptable treatment for locally advanced carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Careful attention to normal tissue doses such as the rectum, bladder, and small bowel is important in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer

Comparison of radiation therapy alone and concurrent chemoradiation therapy for in operable cervical cancer

Objectives: Concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) is the standard treatment for inoperable cervical cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of CCRT with cisplatin and radiotherapy (RT) for inoperable cervical cancer. Methods: From January 2O12 to June 2012, 60 female patients with FIGO stage IIB to IVA were enrolled in this randomized phase III trial to compare radiotherapy (RT) alone with chemo radiotherapy (RT 5 Fraction in a week and Cinplatin 40 mg weekly). External beam radiation therapy was delivered using a telecobalt-60 unit. This was followed by 21 Gy of intracavitary brachytherapy. Results: In total, 30 patients were recruited: RT alone (30) and CCRT (30). The age of patients ranged from 26-65 years. There was statistically significant (p value < 0.037) complete response (70.00%) CCRT group vs 43.30% RT group) in CCRT group. Conclusion: CCRT was seen to have better efficacy for patients with inoperable cervical cancer than RT alone.

The Incidence of Vaso-vagal Reactions Among Whole Blood Donors During or Immediately After Donation

Background: The incidence of vaso vagal reaction among the whole blood donors are common. Few percent of these reaction may progress to syncope. Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of vaso-vagal reaction (VVR) among whole blood donors. Methods: This prospective, observational study was done in the department of transfusion medicine in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University from 01-04-2008 to 31-03-2009. Total 19553 blood donors were observed for vaso-vagal reaction. Results: The incidence of vaso-vagal reaction was 0.37%, in male 0.33% and in female it was 0.67%. Female donors were significantly more prone to develop vasovagal reaction (p=0.001). 78.8% of donors were first time donor and 28.8% were repeat donor. The clinical character of the symptoms according to frequency was- Sweating (86.3%), Nausea/ Vomiting (80.8%), Pallor (67.1%), Dizziness (39.7%), Loss of consciousness and fainting, increased rate of respiration (30.1%), anxiety presented (16.4%) and vertigo (1.4%). Conclusion: Although the incidence of vasovagal reactions in our study is lower than other studies, it is important to follow strict donor selection criteria and ensure careful monitoring during and immediate after the donation process to avoid the fatal consequences. Key words: Vaso-vagal reaction; donor reaction; blood donation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bsmmuj.v4i2.8640 BSMMU J 2011; 4(2):106-10

Growth, Fatty Acid, and Lipid Composition of Marine Microalgae Skeletonema costatum

Among the various potential sources of renewable energy, biofuels are of most interest. Marine microalgae are the most promising oil sources for making biofuels, which can grow very rapidly and convert solar energy to chemical energy via CO2 fixation. The fatty acid profile of almost all the microalgal oil is suitable for the synthesis of biofuel. In this research, fatty acid and lipid contents of Bangladeshi strains of marine microalgae Skeletonema costatum were performed. For this, the crude oil was extracted by Soxhlet extraction method, using three most common solvent systems, pure hexane and mixture of CHCl3 : MeOH (2 : 1) and hexane : EtOH (3 : 1) one by one. Highest oil recovery (15.37%) came from CHCl3 : MeOH (2 : 1) solvent system from dry biomass whereas the lowest (2.49%) came from n-hexane from wet biomass. The qualitative analysis of the extracted oil by GC/MS analysis revealed that it contained significant amount of myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), and palmitoleic acid (C16:1). It also indicated presence of hexadecatrienoic acid, benzenedicarboxylic acid, oleic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 9-Octadecenoic acid methyl ester (C19H36O2), and so forth. The obtained fatty acid profile indicates high potentiality of S. costatum species to be used as promising biofuel feedstock a little improvisation and substantially it can replace diesel in near future

B Subgroup: Bx blood Group in a Patient : A Case Report

This is a report of a case of B Sub Group: Bx, first ever detected in Bangladesh, while doing compatibility test of a sample of a patient undergoing cardiac surgery. The patient was referred to the transfusion medicine department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University to do cross-match with 8 proposed donors of same ABO group prior to cardiac surgery. His red cells showed weak agglutination with anti-B, anti-AB and in his serum there was potent Anti-A and weak anti-B which was not detected at 370C. After adsorption with anti-B an elute was prepared from patients cells which agglutinate with B and AB cells but did not agglutinate with A or O cells. The patient could be transfused with B blood but in this situation of cardiac surgery, as he should have to be kept in hypothermic condition, we transfused him with O washed red cell with AB plasma during operation. Patient was released from hospital without any complication. The weak B subgroups are: B3, Bx & Bel. B3 shows a mixed field of agglutination with anti B. Bx shows a weak agglutination and weak anti-B is found in the serum. Bel is not agglutinated with anti-B but is only adsorbed anti-B. With meticulous attention, cell & serum grouping of recipient and proposed donor/s to be done along with 3 phase cross-matching (Saline phase at room temp, at 4 and 37 degree Celsius temp, Indirect Coombs Test phase) to ensure right blood to the right patient at right time.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bsmmuj.v5i1.11032 BSMMU J 2012; 5(1):81-82

Natural Compounds from Hatikana Extract Potentiate Antidiabetic Actions as Displayed by In Vivo Assays and Verified by Network Pharmacological Tools

Background. Hatikana is a traditional medicinal plant used to treat inflammation, urolithiasis, goiter, cancer, wounds and sores, gastrointestinal, tumor, tetanus, arthritis, hepatic damage, neurodegeneration, and other ailments. The goal of this study is to investigate the antidiabetic properties of Hatikana extract (HKEx) and to construct the effects of its natural constituents on the genes and biochemical indices that are connected with them. Methods. HKEx was evaluated using GC-MS and undertaken for a three-week intervention in fructose-fed STZ-induced Wistar albino rats at the doses of HKEx50, HKEx100, and HKEx200 mg/kg bw. Following intervention, blood serum was examined for biochemical markers, and liver tissue was investigated for the mRNA expression of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD1) by RTPCR analysis. Most abundant compounds (oleanolic acid, 7α, 28-olean diol, and stigmasterol) from GC-MS were chosen for the network pharmacological assay to verify function-specific gene-compound interactions using STITCH, STRING, GSEA, and Cytoscape plugin cytoHubba. Results. In vivo results showed a significant (P < 0:05) decrease of blood sugar, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine kinase (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and increase of liver glycogen, glucose load, and serum insulin. Out of three antioxidative genes, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD1) were found to be few folds increased. Oleanolic acid and stigmasterol were noticed to strongly interact with 27 target proteins. Oleanolic acid interacted with the proteins AKR1B10, CASP3, CASP8, CYP1A2, CYP1A2, HMGB1, NAMPT, NFE2L2, NQO1, PPARA, PTGIR, TOP1, TOP2A, UGT2B10, and UGT2B11 and stigmasterol with ABCA1, ABCG5, ABCG8, CTSE, HMGCR, IL10, CXCL8, NR1H2, NR1H3, SLCO1B1, SREBF2, and TNF. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis revealed the involvement of 25 target proteins out of twenty-seven. Cytoscape plugin cytoHubba identified TNF, CXCL8, CASP3, PPARA, SREBF2, and IL10 as top hub genes. Pathway analysis identified 31 KEGG metabolic, signaling, and immunogenic pathways associated with diabetes. Notable degree of PPI enrichment showed that SOD1 and CAT are responsible for controlling signaling networks and enriched pathways. Conclusion. The findings show that antioxidative genes have regulatory potential, allowing the HKEx to be employed as a possible antidiabetic source pending further validation

Phytochemistry, traditional use and pharmacological activity of Picrasma quassioides: a critical reviews

Picrasma quassioides is a member of the Simaroubaceae family commonly grown in the regions of Asia, the Himalayas, and India and has been used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat various illnesses such as fever, gastric discomfort, and pediculosis. This study aims to critically review the presence of phytochemicals in P. quassioides and correlate their pharmacological activities with the significance of its use as traditional medicine. Data were collected by reviewing numerous scientific articles from several journal databases on the pharmacological activities of P. quassioides using certain keywords. As a result, approximately 94 phytochemicals extracted from P. quassioides were found to be associated with quassinoids, β-carbolines and canthinones. These molecules exhibited various pharmacological benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-parasitic activities which help to treat different diseases. However, P. quassioides were also found to have several toxicity effects in high doses, although the evidence regarding these effects is limited in proving its safe use and efficacy as herbal medicine. Accordingly, while it can be concluded that P. quassioides may have many potential pharmacological benefits with more phytochemistry discoveries, further research is required to determine its real value in terms of quality, safety, and efficacy of use