Ouabaine like effects of ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Urtica dioica L. on isolated rabbit atrioventricular node: Potential role as an anti-arrhythmic plant

Bachground: The ideal drug for treatment of wide range of supraventricular arrhythmia has yet to be developed. For cardiovascular disease, herbal treatments are suitable alternatives for synthetic drugs due to their availability, minimal side effects and lower price. Previous studies showed antihypertensive, negative inotropic activities of Urtica dioica (Nettle). Objectives: The aims of the present study were: 1) to determine concentration-dependent effects of ethanolic extract of nettle on the nodal basic and functional properties. 2) to campare mechanism of action nettel with ouabaine. Method: Male Newsland rabbits (1-1.3 kg) were used in all of experiments; various experimental stimulating protocols (WBCL; Recovery, Facilitation, Fatigue) were applied to assessing electrophysiological properties of Node. We used isolated perfused AV-nodal preparation (n=24). All protocols were repeated in the presence and absence (control) of different concentration (0.25 - 0.5-1 g/l) of Nettle and ouabaine(0.1μM). Results were shown as Mean ± SE and a probability of 5% was taken to indicate statistical significance. Results: We had considerable depression in basic and functional properties of node after adding Nettle, as WBCL, Effective refractory period, Functional refractory period and nodal conduction Time significantly increased(p<0.05). In addition magnitude of fatigue (ΔAH) and ΔFRP (Amount of facilitation) significantly increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: The above results showed potential antiarrhythmic properties of "Urtica dioica" by increasing fatigue and nodal refractoriness. Therefore, it may be considered for treatment of supraventicular arrhythmias

The effects of liquid extract of Allium sativum on the basic and speed-dependent electrophysiological properties of islolated atrioventicular nodal of rabbit

زمینه و هدف: گیاهان دارویی، به علت سهولت دسترسی، کاهش عوارض جانبی و قیمت مناسب، به عنوان جایگزین‌های شایسته داروهای شیمیایی، همواره مورد توجه بوده‌اند. مطالعات قبلی در مورد اثرات فارماکولوژیک و بیوشیمیایی گیاه سیر (Allium sativum) بیانگر اثرات کاهندگی فشارخون، اثرات آنتی آریتمیک، خاصیت اینوتروپ و کرونوتروپ منفی می باشد. هدف از این مطالعه تعیین اثرات عصاره آبی سیر بر روی خواص پایه و کارکردی گره دهلیزی بطنی می باشد. روش بررسی: در تحقیق حاضر از گستره بافتی جدا شده گره دهلیزی بطنی خرگوش (2-5/1 کیلوگرم) شامل دهلیز راست، سپتوم بین دهلیزی و دسته هیس جهت تعیین تاثیر غلظت های مختلف عصاره آبی سیر استفاده شد. پروتکل های انتخابی تحریکی (تسهیل، خستگی، ریکاوری) برای بررسی خواص گره دهلیزی – بطنی در 14 خرگوش (2 گروه) به صورت مستقل مورد استفاده قرار گرفتند. در گروه اول آزمایشی (8 خرگوش) غلظت های مختلف سیر (20، 30، 100 و 850 میلی گرم در لیتر) و در گروه دوم وراپامیل (1/0 میکرومولار) بکار برده شد. داده ها با استفاده از آزمون های آماری ویکاکسون و آنالیز واریانس تجزیه و تحلیل شد. یافته ها: نتایج این تحقیق بیانگر تاثیر معنی دار غلظت های مختلف عصاره گیاه در افزایش پارامترهای الکتروفیزیولوژیک پایه (زمان هدایت دهلیزی–بطنی، ونکباخ، زمان تحریک ناپذیری کارکردی و زمان تحریک نپذیری موثر) و همچنین میزان خستگی می باشد (05/0

Correlation of Schmidt Hammer Rebound Numbers with Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity and Slake Durability Index of Dolomitic Limestone of Khyber, North Pakistan

The ultrasonic pulse velocity and slake durability index are the indirect techniques used widely for rock strength determination. Various experimental studies like slake durability apparatus, ultrasonic pulse velocity and Schmidt hammer have been conducted on dolomitic limestone. The correlation of Schmidt hammer rebound number has been developed with these properties. The uniaxial compressive strength has been determined using the correlated rebound number. Statistical analyses were conducted and the most suitable models were recommended. The linear model was suited in correlation of Schmidt hammer and durability while exponential model appeared best fit with pulse velocity. Most of the tested samples show pulse velocity in the range of 1800-3800m/s. The mean value of pulse velocity was 2751 m/s while the rebound hammer value was 45. Using the correlations from literature the compressive strength calculated by rebound hammer and pulse velocity was 146MPa and 66MPa respectively

Evaluation of antidepressant-like effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Passiflora incarnata in animal models of depression in male mice

Introduction: Passiflora incarnata (PI) is one of the commonest herbal anti-anxiety and sedative agents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antidepressant effect of hydroalcoholic extract of PI in forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in male mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 48 male mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8: Negative and positive control groups received normal saline (10 ml/kg), fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) and imipramine (30 mg/kg), respectively and treatment groups received extracts of PI (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg). Immobility, swimming and climbing behaviors were recorded during 6-min. Results: All doses of PI extract compared to control group significantly reduced the duration of immobility time in both of two tests (p&lt;0.001). Also, these extracts increased swimming time (p&lt;0.001) without significant change of climbing time. Conclusion: PI has considerable antidepressant-like effect in animal models of depression. However, further studies are needed to determine its exact mechanism of action.</p

Comparing the viability and in vitro maturation of cumulus germinal vesicle break down (GVBD) oocyte complexes using two vitrification techniques in mice

Background: Vitrification is assumed to be a promising method to cryopreserve human oocytes but still needs optimizing. Objective: The aim of this study was to improve the single step and step-wise vitrification effects on maturing mouse GVBD oocytes by ethylene glycol (EG) in conventional straws. Materials and Methods: Oocytes with compact cumulus cells were cultured for 3hr in TCM199 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) in 5% CO2 in air. GVBD oocytes were randomly allocated into three groups. (1) Control (non-vitrified group), (2) exposed to single-step vitrification (contained of EG 20%+0.5M sucrose), (3) exposed to step-wise vitrification (2%, 5%, 10%, 20%EG +0.5M sucrose). In vitrification groups,oocytes were thawed and underwent additional 21 hr maturation. Viability of oocytes and maturation to MII stage were analyzed using inverted microscope and additionally by staining of propidium iodide and Hoechst 33342. Results: All non-vitrified oocytes were viable after 24 hr; however, viability of vitrified samples in single-step group was significantly lower than that of the step-wise and control Groups. Also, the maturation rate in the step-wise group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to single-step. Conclusion: These results suggest that step-wise vitrification of GVBD oocytes as compared to single step vitrification was better in the rate of survival and in vitro maturation of oocytes

Histomorphological effects of sodium arsenite on uterus of rats

Background: Arsenic is highly toxic agent and a risk factor for disease and disability. Arsenic is present in drinking water of many developing and developed countries including Pakistan and due to rapid industrialization its quantity in soil and water is increasing day by day.Methods: In an 18 month study in which we took two principal groups, labelled as control group A and experimental group B. The animals of experimental group B were administered 4 µg of sodium arsenite dissolved in 10 ml of distilled water by oral gavage daily for 14 days. The uterus was removed and processed for paraffin embedding and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E). The histological parameters; uterine luminal diameter, height of uterine luminal epithelium, area occupied by epithelial component of uterine glands and the thickness of myometrium were measured and evaluated by civil AutoCAD 2013 software. The data was analyzed statistically with the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).Results: Histological results showed the degenerative effects. The luminal diameter of uterine horns was reduced in experimental animals. The height of uterine epithelium was reduced. Area occupied by epithelial component of uterine glands was reduced along the reduction in the thickness of myometrium.Conclusions: The histological abnormalities observed in uterus showed that the degenerative effects may be due to oxidative stress produced by the exposure to sodium arsenite. As sodium arsenite produces the oxidative stress by the formation of free radicals and by the denaturation of proteins

Acute toxicity and local response using three fractions of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for curative treatment of carcinoma cervix

To determine the acute vaginal mucosal toxicity and clinical response of cervical cancer after definitive treatment with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and three fractions each of 8 Fray (Gy) high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDR-BT).Study design: Descriptive study.Place and duration: Radiation Oncology Section, Department of Oncology, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan from January 2008 till December 2015.Methodology: Protocol was formulated for carcinoma cervix to complete treatment in 7 weeks. Patients were treated with chemotherapy and pelvic EBRT to a total dose of 45 Gy/25 fractions, followed by three intracavitary HDR brachytherapy fractions of 8 Gy each. Vaginal toxicity and local clinical response was assessed at the end of treatment, at 4 and 8 weeks.Results: A total of 57 patients were treated with HDR brachytherapy and 49 patients were evaluated for assessment of toxicity and response. According to FIGO staging system, two had stage IB2, one had IIA, thirty-six had IIB, seven had IIIB, one had IVA disease and two had IVB with para aortic nodes. Concurrent gemcitabine and cisplatin were given to 26 (46%); whereas, 28 (49%) received concurrent cisplatin alone. Grade III acute vaginal mucosal toxicity was seen in 52 and Grade IV acute vaginal mucosal toxicity was observed in 08 patients. At completion of treatment, 40 patients had complete clinical response, at 4 weeks follow-up, complete regression of disease was found in 3 more and at 8 weeks none had clinical residual disease.Conclusion: This regimen of HDR brachytherapy treatments is feasible, efficacious, and well-tolerated for carcinoma cervix in a setup with cost constraints. Long term toxicity and disease control remains to be reported with longer follow-up. Key Words: Carcinoma cervix, High dose rate brachytherapy, Acute toxicity, Local response, External beam radiation therapy, Intracavitary brachytherapy

Hidradenocarcinoma: Five years of local and systemic control of a rare sweat gland neoplasm with nodal metastasis

Hidradenocarcinoma is a rare and locally aggressive tumor rendering a poor prognosis. Furthermore, very few cases present with nodal metastasis. Diagnosing such an entity, and then differentiating it from a benign counterpart, poses a great challenge to the clinicians. There are no established treatment guidelines for the management of this disease, particularly in patients with nodal involvement. We present a case of a young male who was diagnosed with hidradenocarcinoma of the scalp, along with a neck swelling. A thorough diagnostic evaluation was done with endoscopy, pathological, and radiological investigations. He was successfully treated with resection of the scalp lesion and right-sided neck dissection followed by adjuvant concurrent chemoradiation. He remains free of any local and distant disease after five years of regular follow-up

Palynological Studies in Tribe Aveneae (Poaceae) from Potohar of Pakistan

Pollen morphology of four species belonging to three genera of tribe aveneae (Poaceae) was examined by light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The study showed that pollen in all species were circular in polar view, however, there are variations in equatorial view of pollen and other quantitative characters that is, polar and equatorial diameter, pore diameter and exine thickness, that are valuable in the identification and differentiation of species. Average pollen fertility in the tribe is 77.37%. Scabrate type of sculpturing is found in all species except Polypogon monspeliensis which showed the verrucate type of sculpturing and can be differentiated from Polypogon fugaxon the basis of its sculpturing pattern. The study revealed that pollen characters are important in the taxonomy of grasses at the specific and generic level and can be useful in delimiting taxa of different tribes