Analgesic activity of ethanolic extract of leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis linn on experimental animal models

Background: The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the pharmacological efficacy of ethanolic extract of leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (EENA) LINN as an analgesic agent in comparison with standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.Methods: The extract was prepared by soxhlet method and acute toxicity test was performed as per OECD guidelines. The peripheral analgesic activity was assessed using acetic acid induced writhing method. The central analgesic activity was assessed using tail-flick method.Results: It has been shown that EENA 400mg/kg and aspirin 100mg/kg significantly increased the pain threshold as assessed by increase in the latency period or basal reaction time. EENA (200mg, 400 mg/kg) and aspirin 100 mg/kg also significantly reduced acetic acid induced writhing response showing peripheral analgesic activity.Conclusions: Since prostaglandins are involved in the pain perception and are inhibited by flavonoids, it could be suggested that the analgesic effect of Nyctanthes arbortristis might be due to its inhibitory action on PG biosynthesis

Comparative evaluation of different doses of ciprofloxacin alone and in combination with sulfasalazine in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory condition, which affects the gastrointestinal tract and has no curative treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of different doses of ciprofloxacin alone and in combination with sulfasalazine in AA (acetic acid)-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in rats.Methods: A total of 36 animals were included in the study. Animals were divided into five groups (n = 6): group I - control (normal saline), group II-AA+ normal saline, group III-sulfasalazine(360mg/kg) +AA, group IV A - ciprofloxacin (50 mg/kg), group IV B- ciprofloxacin 100 mg/kg + AA, group V - ciprofloxacin 100 mg/kg + sulfasalazine (360 mg/kg) +AA. Group IV was divided into two subgroups, namely IVA and IVB, on the basis of different doses of ciprofloxacin used. After completion of two weeks of treatment, rats were sacrificed under ether anaesthesia for assessment of intestinal inflammation using parameters namely colon weight change, macroscopic and histopathological evaluation.Results: There was a decrease in colonic weight, macroscopic scores and microscopic scores in groups treated with ciprofloxacin at a dose of 100 mg/kg i.e. high dose given alone and in combination with sulfasalazine. Combination treatment was more effective when compared to single drug treatment.Conclusions: The present study indicates the efficacy of ciprofloxacin in acetic acid-induced IBD. The effects are more pronounced at higher dose i.e., 100 mg/kg. Combination of ciprofloxacin and sulfasalazine has shown greater efficacy than single drug treatment

Effect of Alternanthera brasiliana in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in albino rats

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract with limited therapeutic options. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana in acetic acid-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in albino rats.Methods: A total of 36 animals were included in the study. Animals were divided into six groups (n = 6 ): group I - control (normal saline), group II-AA+ normal saline, group III-Sulfasalazine (360mg/kg)+AA, group IV A-methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana (300 mg/kg), group IV B-methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana (600 mg/kg)+AA, group IV C-methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana (900 mg/kg)+AA. Group IV was divided into three subgroups, namely IVA, IV B and IV C, on the basis of different doses of methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana. After completion of 7 days of treatment, rats were sacrificed under ether anesthesia for assessment of intestinal inflammation using parameters namely colon weight change, macroscopic and histopathological evaluation.Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in colonic weight, macroscopic scores and microscopic scores in groups treated with methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana at a dose of 600 mg/kg.Conclusions: The present study indicates the efficacy of methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana in acetic acid-induced IBD. The effects are more pronounced at a dose of 600 mg/kg than at 300 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg of methanolic extract of Alternanthera brasiliana

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Oxalis corniculata in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats

Background: Oxalis corniculata is traditionally well-known for its versatile uses. The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract of O. corniculata (EEOC) leaves in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats.Methods: Rats were treated with the extract for 7 days following which acetic acid was used to induce colitis. Animals were euthanized, 24 hrs after induction of colitis and colon was removed and assessed for macroscopic injury, as well as also processed for histopathological examination. Sulfasalazine 360 mg/kg was used as the standard drug. The extract was used in 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg doses.Results: At all the three doses, the EEOC showed significant (p<0.01) anti-inflammatory activity in experimental models.Conclusion: Results obtained in this study substantiate the anti-inflammatory effect of EEOCleaves

Evaluation of antidiabetic activity of Oxalis corniculata in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Background: Oxalis corniculata is traditionally well known for its versatile uses. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antidiabetic action of ethanolic extract of Oxalis corniculata in streptozotocin induced diabetic albino rats.Methods: To look for the antidiabetic effect the albino rats were divided into 5 groups, each consisting of 6 animals. Diabetes was induced by a single i.p. injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 50mg/kg body weight. Standard drug, glibenclamide and ethanolic extract of Oxalis corniculata (EEOC) at doses 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight was fed to the rats and it was continued till the end of the study. The blood glucose levels were estimated on day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 day. The standard drug and the extract were fed from day 4 onwards.Results: The antidiabetic property of the extract has shown increasing trend with   increase in dose and there was a gradual decrease in blood glucose levels with increased period of exposure to the test drug.Conclusions: Results obtained in this study substantiate the anti-diabetic activity of EEOC leaves

Evaluation of the anti-nociceptive potential of ethanolic extract of leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum in experimental animals

Background: The plant Bryophyllum pinnatum is traditionally used for the treatment of pain and inflammation. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of B. pinnatum (EEBP) using a hot plate method and acetic acid induced writhing test in mice.Methods: In the hot plate analgesiometer method, the time between the placement on the hot plate and the occurrence of licking of the paws, shaking or jumping off from the plate was recorded as response latency. Total numbers of stretching episodes for 30 mins immediately after acetic acid injection in all the groups were recorded in acetic acid induced writhing method. Pentazocine (10 mg/kg intraperitoneal) and aspirin (500 mg/kg) were used as the standard drugs in the hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing method, respectively. Extract was used in 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg doses.Results: At all the three doses the EEBP showed significant (p<0.01) anti-nociceptive activity in experimental models of Eddy’s hot plate analgesiometer and acetic acid induced writhing method in mice.Conclusion: The observed pharmacological activities provide the scientific basis to support traditional claims, as well as exploring some new and promising leads in the management of pain

A study on the usage of antimicrobial agents and adverse drug reaction of antimicrobial used in a tertiary care hospital in North East India

Background: Irrational use of antimicrobial agents (AMAs) has led to large scale development of drug resistance and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) which has become a growing world -wide concern. The study was conducted to analyze the prescribing pattern of AMAs and to evaluate the reported ADR of the AMAs prescribed.Methods: A prospective study was conducted by analyzing 900 case sheets receiving AMAs in a tertiary care hospital. The study plan included analysis of average number of AMA prescribed, morbidity profile of patients, types of AMAs used, drug prescribed by generic/brand name, injectable AMA preparations and appropriateness of indication of AMA used. Thirty reported cases of ADR were evaluated for their casualty by Narnajo’s scale and severity by Hartwigs scale.Results: Average number of drugs per prescription was 1.54. Most common morbidity was fever due to various causes. 86.2% of AMA used was antibiotics. About 72.0% of AMAs were prescribed by generic name. Percentage of injectable preparation was 85.0%. 65.0% of drugs were prescribed from Essential drug list (EDL). Most offending drug for ADR was fixed drug combination (FDC) 30.0%. Common organ system involved was skin (63.3%). Most of the ADR were possible (80.0%) and mild (76.6%) in nature.Conclusions: Average number of AMAs per prescription was1.54. Percentage of drug prescribed by generic name is encouraging. However use of injectable preparation was very high. Majority of AMAs prescribed were antibiotics which is also very high. Periodic prescription audit will provide feedback to the prescribers and help in reducing the prescribing error and ADR cases

Correlation of salivary glucose level with blood glucose level in diabetes mellitus: a cross sectional study

Background: There is alarming rise in number of people with diabetes mellitus over these years. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the fifth most common condition and the sixth leading cause of mortality amongst the elderly. Finding a relationship between the blood glucose level and its concentration in other body fluids such as the saliva can help in developing an on invasive method for blood sugar assessment replacing venous sampling. Objective of this study was to see the correlation between fasting blood glucose and fasting salivary glucose levels. Methods: This cross sectional study included 200 randomly selected subjects, of which 100 were known diabetes constituted test group and 100 were normal healthy subjects, age- and sex-matched individuals constituted the controls. Fasting blood glucose and salivary glucose levels were measured by using glucose oxidase peroxidase methods. Data were recorded on a preforma in Microsoft excel sheet. Pearson's coefficient of correlation was applied to find out any significant correlation between the fasting blood glucose and fasting salivary glucose levels. Results: Results were obtained by statistical calculation and plotted with respect to scatter and bar diagram was done and a p&lt;0.05 was considered significant (with 95% CI). Conclusions: A significant positive correlation exists between fasting blood glucose and fasting salivary glucose in both the test groups

Drug utilization pattern of fixed drug combination of antipyretic and analgesic in paediatrics department of Gauhati medical college and hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India

Background: Fever and pain are the most common symptoms prompting patients to seek medical attention. This study was planned to study the drug utilization pattern of fixed drug combination of antipyretic and analgesic compared to paracetamol in paediatrics department of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.Methods: It was a prescription based cross-sectional study where Prescriptions with fixed dose combination of antipyretic and analgesic and prescriptions with paracetamol were observed. Demographic characteristics such as age, sex and indications were also recorded. The data were analysed for the utilization pattern of antipyretic and analgesic combination and compared with prescriptions with paracetamol alone without any other analgesic combination.Results: Out of 266 prescriptions screened 110 were prescribed with fixed dose antipyretic- analgesic combination while 156 were prescribed with paracetamol alone. The antipyretic - analgesic combination was composed of paracetamol and ibuprofen. This combination was prescribed in most of the post-operative cases and in cases with pain for various causes. Fever was the most common condition where only paracetamol and no other analgesic were prescribed. Percentage of combination prescribed was highest in children between 10 - 14 years of age and least in infants.Conclusions: This study shows the increase utilization of antipyretic-analgesic combinations in various conditions and the preference of fixed dose combination over paracetamol increases with increase in age of the paediatric patients