PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF CLERODENDRUM SERRATUM ROOTS

Objective: To evaluate in vitro free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects of extract and fractions of Clerodendrum serratum roots along with its phytochemical analysis.Methods: The crude 70% methanolic extract (MECSR) and ethyl acetate (EFCSR), n-butanol (BFCSR) and residual aqueous fractions (AQFCSR) of C. serratum roots were prepared and analyzed for qualitative and quantitative phytochemical study using reported methods. The in vitro anti-inflammatory effects were studied using protein denaturation and proteinase inhibitory assays whereas in vitro free radical scavenging effects were established using DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), modified 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays.Results: The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical studies of crude extract and fractions showed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, and carbohydrates. All analyzed samples showed dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging effects in the studied in vitro assays. The IC50 values of MECSR, EFCSR, BFCSR and AQFCSR for scavenging the DPPH and ABTS radical ranged from 12.52±2.21 to 200.47±2.84 µg/ml and 18.12±1.76 to 216.08±1.90 µg/ml, respectively, while that of protein denaturation and proteinase inhibition assays were ranged from 70.76±1.40 to 110.13±1.63 µg/ml and 76.66±2.02 to 116.55±2.19 µg/ml.Conclusion: Among the analyzed samples, the EFCSR showed significantly higher free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects in studied assays. The observed activities might be attributed to the higher content of polyphenols present in EFCSR fraction of roots. The present study will provide scientific data to reinforce the traditional claims of roots for treating inflammation, pain and other oxidative stress related diseases

Study of feto-maternal outcome in patients of jaundice in third trimester of pregnancy

Background: Jaundice in pregnancy is an important medical disorder, more commonly seen in developing countries than developed ones. It comprises of a formidable list of complications that may adversely affect the pregnant woman and her fetus. Objective of current study was to study causes and feto-maternal outcome in pregnancies with jaundice in 3rd trimester.Methods: This was a retrospective study of 49 patients admitted in department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at a tertiary care hospital with jaundice in 3rd trimester of pregnancy during the period from September 2008 to September 2010.Results: Out of 9972 deliveries, 49 patients were admitted with jaundice in 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Out of them 91.1% patients delivered. Vaginal delivery occurred in 82.2% and Cesarean section done in 17.7%. Preterm delivery occurred in 68.8%, low birth weight (LBW) was found in 82.2%, perinatal mortality occurred in 34.6% and maternal mortality occurred in 16.3% of patients.Conclusions: Jaundice in 3rd trimester of pregnancy leads to preterm delivery, fetal distress, intra uterine fetal death (IUFD) and high perinatal & maternal morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis & aggressive management at tertiary care center help in reducing maternal & perinatal morbiditiy and mortality

Cleavage of pyrene-stabilized RNA bulge loops by trans-(±)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine

Chemical agents that cleave HIV genome can be potentially used for anti-HIV therapy. In this report, the cleavage of the upper stem-loop region of HIV-1 TAR RNA was studied in a variety of buffers containing organic catalysts. trans-(±)-Cyclohexane-1,2-diamine was found to cleave the RNA with the highest activity (31%, 37°C, 18 h). Cleavage of the RNA in trans-(±)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine buffer was also studied when the RNA was hybridized with complementary DNAs. A pyrene-modified C3 spacer was incorporated to the DNA strand to facilitate the formation of a RNA bulge loop in the RNA/DNA duplex. In contrast, unmodified DNAs cannot efficiently generate RNA bulge loops, regardless of the DNA sequences. The results showed that the pyrene-stablized RNA bulge loops were efficiently and site-specifically cleaved by trans-(±)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine