MINERALOGICAL IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF SASYAKA-AN AYURVEDIC DRUG

The present study deals with the identification and mineralogical characterization of Sasyaka having various medicinal properties used in Ayurvedic system of medicine. Sasyaka synonyms Tuttha is one among Maharasa and that occurs in nature is called Sasyaka and that which is made artificially is called Tuttha, anyone can be used in place of the other. Chemically Sasyaka is copper iron sulphide and Tuttha is hydrated copper sulphate. Sasyaka reflects the color similar to the neck of peacock and is heavy in weight whereas Tuttha is blue stone or blue vitrol. Sasyaka is used therapeutically in the form of Bhasma for the treatment of diseases of eyes, skin diseases, ulcer, sinus, worm infection, vitiligo, obesity, diabetes, pain, asthma, hyperacidity, hemorrhoids, leprosy, chronic diarrhea, dysentery, leucorrhea and gonorrhea. However, raw drug identification and standardization play a vital role for assuring the therapeutic potential of the final drug. The sample of Sasyaka was collected from local market and authenticated by the subject expert and further analyzed by classical and modern methods. The results showed that the Sasyaka possess metallic luster, neck of peacock color, orthorhombic crystal structure, high specific gravity, irregular fracture and positive magnetism. All the physical properties of mineral Bornite together with Electron Probe Micro Analysis (EPMA) study are very well match with acceptable characteristics of Sasyaka as described in Ayurvedic classic. Sasyaka is thus identified as mineral Bornite (Cu5FeS4)

Pancytopenia: etiologies and manifestation in eastern India

Background: Pancytopenia is the simultaneous presence of anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. The aetiologies causing pancytopenia varies depending upon factors e.g. age, sex, occupation, and geographical distribution. Unfortunately, the major treatises of haematology give more emphasis to Aplastic anaemia; while Megaloblastic anaemia is more common in developing countries than western world. Therefore, this Observational study was carried out over a period of two years in the Department of Medicine of Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), BHU with the aim to identify etiologies of pancytopenia and its manifestation in eastern India.Methods: All the patients with features of anemia, thrombocytopenia or leukopenia were screened for pancytopenia and a total 214 cases were selected. A detailed physical examination, hematological and biochemical investigation was done.Results: The most common cause of pancytopenia in our study was Aplastic anemic (36.9%) followed by Megaloblastic anaemia (18.7%), Kala-azar (11.7%) and Myelodysplastic syndrome (10.5%).Conclusions: Megaloblastic anemia should be considered as important cause of Pancytopenia, especially when serum LDH level of patient is raised.

SYNTHETIC ROUTES AND NATURAL SOURCES OF 2-PYRIDONE DERIVATIVES AND THEIR PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

Objective: 2-pyridone is a well-known heterocyclic ring having significant biological and medical application. The molecular structures and various activities of 2-pyridone derivatives as well as their syntheses and natural occurrence are analyzed and reviewed, and their reactivity toward various nucleophiles is discussed. Methods: 2-pyridone derivatives, first naturally obtained and described as early as before the 19th century, have been attracting increasing attention in view of their high reactivity as building blocks for the preparation of compounds of various classes due to their selective transformations with different reagents. Much information describing the natural occurrence, synthesis and the significant biological activity of 2-pyridone compounds are scattered throughout the literature. There are short chapters dealing with the synthesis and activity of 2-pyridone derivatives. Results: After compiling the above material, the abundance of certain heterocyclic ring and nature of typical chemical transformations applied in current drug synthesis. It is likely this results from the abundance of these heterocycles in natural products such as alkaloids and various synthetic derivatives revealing different biological activity. This might suggest a classical approach to drug design where substrate analogs gain inspiration from existing natural ligands. Conclusions: The data considered in this review clearly demonstrate the high synthetic potential of 2-pyridone derivatives. Many biologically active heterocyclic compounds have been obtained based on this heterocyclic ring. This suggests that 2-pyridone can be used in the design of novel highly effective pharmaceuticals with a broad spectrum of bioresponses

Nutritional status vis-a-vis iodine deficiency in children of "Save Our Soul"children’s village in rural Varanasi: a micro-level study

Background: There is paucity of data with regard to the Iodine deficiency in an organized sector like SOS children’s village which is an independent, non-governmental, social development organization located in urban Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh is one of the endemic states for goiter. It is expected that similar situation of goiter may prevail in children as well. It is a matter of concern that micro nutrient deficiency and under-nutrition may exist side by side. The objectives of the study were to assess nutritional status and find out the extent of Iodine deficiency in the study subjects, to find out the association between under nutrition and Iodine deficiency and to find out the Iodine content of salt used for cooking in the family.Methods: 118 children of age group 6 to 15 years, from a Non-Governmental Organization (Save Our Soul) in Rural Varanasi constituted materials of the study. Consent from the director of the institution and assent from the individual children was taken prior to examination. All the subjects were examined clinically for the Presence of Goiter. They were subjected to weight and height recording following standard technique. Salt samples from the houses were tested by spot Iodine detection kit.Results: In case of 72.6% female and 91.3% male subjects, BMI for age was <100% of the respective reference values; in all 76.3% subjects belonged to this category. Presence of Goiter among male children was 34.7% and among female children it was 22.2% and overall it was 24.6%. Significant association was observed between nutritional status and iodine deficiency (p<0.05). In 37.5% of salt samples, iodine content was 7 ppm and rest 62.5% shows iodine content 15ppm.Conclusions: Nutritional status of the children under reference was far from being satisfactory. High prevalence of Goiter is matter of serious concern. Iodized salt consumption in the houses was up to the mark but Iodine content of the salt samples from houses was not satisfactory

Study of hair dye poisoning and its outcome in tertiary care rural institute

Background: Hair dye poisoning is not rare but is an emerging poisoning in India. The main component of hair dye causing toxicity is para phenylene diamine (PPD). Due to its easy availability and low cost, it is becoming a common mode of self-poisoning in rural area. A prospective study was planned to assess the clinical profile and outcome in patients with hair dye poisoning.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 260 patients of para-phenylene-diamine (hair dye) poisoning, hospitalized in the medical unit of UP Rural Institute of Medical Science and Research, Saifai from January  2011-2014 over a period of  4 years. The diagnosis of PPD poisoning was based on history of ingestion and clinical manifestations. All cases were thoroughly evaluated for different complications and were treated accordingly.Results: Out of 260 cases enrolled, majority were females and were in the age group of 21-30 years. The intent of poisoning was suicidal in 100% cases. Cervico-facial edema was the most common presentation followed by respiratory distress, hypotension and generalised bodyache. Nephro-toxicity was observed in 58.46% cases. Myocarditis was observed in 11.53% cases. Mortality in PPD poisoning was high (21.53%) due to cardiotoxicity and renal failureConclusions: Hair dye (PPD) poisoning is hepato-nephro as well as myo and cardiotoxic.

Increased Cytokine Gene Expression and Cognition Risk Associated with Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a standard treatment modality for locally advanced, high-risk, and metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Long-term ADT treatment likely develops side-effects that include changes in cognition or onset of dementia. However, the molecular understanding of this effect remains elusive. We attempt to establish a link between ADT and changes in cognitive function using patient databases and bioinformatics analyses. Methods: Gene expression profiling was performed using RNA sequencing data from Alzheimer patient cohort and compared with the data from advanced-stage prostate cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant antiandrogen therapy. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed using the Ingenuity knowledge database. Results: A total of 1952 DEGs in the Alzheimer patient cohort and 101 DEGs were identified in ADT treated prostate cancer patients. Comparing both data sets provided a subset of 33 commonly expressed genes involving cytokine-cytokine signaling with an over representation of cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, inflammatory cytokines, signaling by interleukins together with alterations in the circulating lymphocyte repertoire, adaptive immune responses, regulation of cytokine production, and changes in T-cell subsets. Additionally, lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor, and toll-like receptors were identified as upstream transcriptional regulators of these pathways. The most commonly expressed genes viz. IL-17A, CCL2, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1RN, LIF/LIFR were further validated by quantitative RT-PCR exhibited higher expression in antiandrogen treated neuronal, glial, and androgen-responsive prostate cancer cells, compared to no-androgen antagonist treatment. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that changes in cytokine signaling under the influence of ADT in prostate cancer patients may be linked with cognitive impairment presenting new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic development in combating brain deficits

Organic and inorganic fertilizers influence biomass production and esculin content in Cichorium intybus L.

Cichorium intybus L. is a promising and potent industrial medicinal herb but the relatively low content of esculin and unavailability of mass scale propagation protocol are major impediments for the commercial production of the drug. The enhancement in the yield of esculin is hence, highly desirable, which can be achieved by adequate and judicious supply of plants nutrients or by adopting more expensive and complex protocol of biotechnology. The field experiment was designed in random plots to study the effect of organic manure (20 tonnes ha-1) and chemical fertilizers (N240, P120, K100, S80, kg ha&minus;1; Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and Sulphur, respectively) on the accumulation of esculin and biomass in various plant parts through the various developmental stages, rosette, bolting, pre-flowering, flowering and post-flowering of C. intybus. Esculin yield from dried leaves increased significantly at flowering stage in the plants treated with N80+100+60 + P120 + K100 +&nbsp;&nbsp; S 20+40+20 (31.71% and 111.22 %) when compared with control. Yield of dry leaf biomass ranged between 628.15 to 986.07 kg ha&minus;1 at flowering stage in various treatments