Post-Coital Antifertility Activity of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. roots

Ancient literature mentions the use of a number of plants/preparations for fertility regulation. Some local contraceptive agents have also been described in Ayurvedic and Unani texts. Documented experiments or clinical data are, however, lacking. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to explore the antifertility and estrogenic activity of ethanolic extract of the roots of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn. A strong anti-implantation (inhibition 100%) and uterotropic activity was observed at the dose level of 400 mg/kg body weight. Histological studies were carried out to confirm this effect

Antiulcer Potential of the Ethanolic Extract of Aerva Persica Merrill Root in Rats

AbstractThe ethanol extract of the roots of Aerva persica (Burm f) Merrill (Amaranthaceae) was investigated to determine its antiulcer and in vivo antioxidant activities in albino Wistar rats. Ulcers were induced by ethanol and pylorus ligation. The extract was administered at the dose of 200mg/kg orally, p.o. for 15 consecutive days. The ulcer index of the ethanol extract was found to be significantly reduced compared with control animals. The effect was also assessed by determining the free acidity, pepsin activity, total carbohydrate (TC), and protein content (PK) in control, standard, and test group animals. The in vivo antioxidant activity was evaluated by determining the reduced glutathione level (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the tissue homogenates. The results reveal the significant reduction in the level of malondialdehyde and the increase in the level of reduced glutathione in the rats that received the ethanolic extract. Furthermore, histopathological studies have shown that pretreatment with the ethanolic extract of the roots of A persica reduces (100%) ethanol- and pylorus ligation-induced hemorrhagic necrosis in rats

Awareness and Knowledge among Internal Medicine House-staff for Dose adjustment of Commonly Used Medications in Patients with CKD

Background: Drug dosing errors result in adverse patient outcomes and are more common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). As internists treat the majority of patients with CKD, we study if Internal Medicine house-staff have awareness and knowledge about the correct dosage of commonly used medications for those with CKD. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed and included 341 participants. The outcomes were the awareness of whether a medication needs dose adjustment in patients with CKD and whether there was knowledge for the level of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) a medication needs to be adjusted. Results: The overall pattern for all post-graduate year (PGY) groups in all medication classes was a lack of awareness and knowledge. For awareness, there were statistically significant increased mean differences for PGY2 and PGY3 as compared to PGY1 for allergy, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and rheumatologic medication classes but not for analgesic,cardiovascular, and neuropsychotropic medication classes. For knowledge, there were statistically significant increased mean differences for PGY2 and PGY3 as compared to PGY1 for allergy, cardiovascular, endocrine, and gastrointestinal, medication classes but not for analgesic, neuropsychotropic, and rheumatologic medication classes. Conclusions: Internal Medicine house-staff across all levels of training demonstrated poor awareness and knowledge for many medication classes in CKD patients. Internal Medicine house-staff should receive more nephrology exposure and formal didactic educational training during residency to better manage complex treatment regimens and prevent medication dosing errors

Awareness and Knowledge among Internal Medicine House-staff for Dose adjustment of Commonly Used Medications in Patients with CKD

Background: Drug dosing errors result in adverse patient outcomes and are more common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). As internists treat the majority of patients with CKD, we study if Internal Medicine house-staff have awareness and knowledge about the correct dosage of commonly used medications for those with CKD. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed and included 341 participants. The outcomes were the awareness of whether a medication needs dose adjustment in patients with CKD and whether there was knowledge for the level of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) a medication needs to be adjusted. Results: The overall pattern for all post-graduate year (PGY) groups in all medication classes was a lack of awareness and knowledge. For awareness, there were statistically significant increased mean differences for PGY2 and PGY3 as compared to PGY1 for allergy, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and rheumatologic medication classes but not for analgesic,cardiovascular, and neuropsychotropic medication classes. For knowledge, there were statistically significant increased mean differences for PGY2 and PGY3 as compared to PGY1 for allergy, cardiovascular, endocrine, and gastrointestinal, medication classes but not for analgesic, neuropsychotropic, and rheumatologic medication classes. Conclusions: Internal Medicine house-staff across all levels of training demonstrated poor awareness and knowledge for many medication classes in CKD patients. Internal Medicine house-staff should receive more nephrology exposure and formal didactic educational training during residency to better manage complex treatment regimens and prevent medication dosing errors

<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:HI" lang="EN-GB">Origanum majorana </span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Mangal;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:HI" lang="EN-GB">L. -Phyto-pharmacological review</span>

261-267Origanum majorana L. (Family Lamiaceae) is a frost tender perennial undershrub, native to Cyperus and naturalised in Mediterranean regions, particularly found in temperate regions of the Himalayas. Its usage for flavour and aroma dates back to ancient times. Traditionally, the leaves of marjoram are used for its medicinal properties to cure insomnia, gastritis, asthma and nervousness. Now-a-days, it is in great demand to be used in aromatherapy. Although various bioactive constituents are reported in aerial parts of the herb, but isolation of volatile oil and identification of its constituents has been the area of focus of the researchers. This article is compilation of traditional uses, phytochemical and pharmacological knowledge of the herb

Pharmaceutical Technology &amp; Drug Research Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil of Citrus limettioides Tanaka

Abstract Aim: The present study is aimed to isolate the essential oil of Citrus limettioides and analyze its chemical composition and antimicrobial potential. Methods: The essential oil (EO) isolated by hydro-distillation from the peel of fully matured ripen fruits of Citrus limettioides Tanaka and analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The antifungal activity in terms of zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the essential oil was tested against ten food borne fungal strains and ten bacterial strains. The EO was also examined for any possible toxicity or adverse effect resulting from its consumption. Results: Fourteen different components were identified constituting approximately ≥99% of the oil. The major components were dl-limonene (89.089%), β-myrcene (2.933%), (±)-linalool (2.927%), α-pinene (0.865%), (E)-citral (0.749%) etc. According to disc diffusion assay and broth micro-dilution method showed that EO has a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity against the tested strains with their MIC ranging from 3.12 μl/ml to50 μl/ml. Conclusion: It can be concluded that EO of Citrus limettioides can be used in skincare formulations for acne control, in treatment of various infectious diseases like typhoid fever, food poisoning, inflammation, sepsis, endocarditis, bladder, prostate and epididymal infections. Along with this it can also be used as safer and alternative means of food preservation. No serious or life-threatening side effects were observed on the haematological and biochemical parameters of mice fed with specific dose of EO of Citrus limettioides, therefore the EO can be recommended as safe fumigant for preservation of food commodities

Origanum majorana L. -Phyto-pharmacological review

Origanum majorana L. (Family Lamiaceae) is a frost tender perennial undershrub, native to Cyperus and naturalised in Mediterranean regions, particularly found in temperate regions of the Himalayas. Its usage for flavour and aroma dates back to ancient times. Traditionally, the leaves of marjoram are used for its medicinal properties to cure insomnia, gastritis, asthma and nervousness. Now-a-days, it is in great demand to be used in aromatherapy. Although various bioactive constituents are reported in aerial parts of the herb, but isolation of volatile oil and identification of its constituents has been the area of focus of the researchers. This article is compilation of traditional uses, phytochemical and pharmacological knowledge of the herb

GC-MS analysis and screening of antidiabetic, antioxidant and hypolipidemic potential of <it>Cinnamomum tamala</it> oil in streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Aim of the study</p> <p>This study was made to investigate the antidiabetic, antioxidant and hypolipidemic potential of <it>Cinnamomum tamala</it>, (Buch.-Ham.) Nees & Eberm (Tejpat) oil (CTO) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats along with evaluation of chemical constituents.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>The GC-MS (Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) analysis of the oil showed 31 constituents of which cinnamaldehyde was found the major component (44.898%). CTO and cinnamaldehyde was orally administered to diabetic rats to study its effect in both acute and chronic antihyperglycemic models. The body weight, oral glucose tolerance test and biochemical parameters viz. glucose level, insulin level, liver glycogen content, glycosylated hemoglobin, total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and antioxidant parameters were estimated for all treated groups and compared against diabetic control group.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CTO (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg), cinnamaldehyde (20 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg) in respective groups of diabetic animals administered for 28 days reduced the blood glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. There was significant increase in body weight, liver glycogen content, plasma insulin level and decrease in the blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and total plasma cholesterol in test groups as compared to control group. The results of CTO and cinnamaldehyde were found comparable with standard drug glibenclamide. <it>In vitro</it> antioxidant studies on CTO using various models showed significant antioxidant activity. <it>In vivo</it> antioxidant studies on STZ induced diabetic rats revealed decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased reduced glutathione (GSH).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Thus the investigation results that CTO has significant antidiabetic, antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity.</p

Quality assessment and anti-obesity activity of <it>Stellaria media</it> (Linn.) Vill

Abstract Background Obesity is recognized as a social problem, associated with serious health risks and increased mortality. Numerous trials have been conducted to find and develop new anti-obesity drugs through herbal sources to minimize side effects associated with the present anti-obesity drugs. The present study was designed to evaluate the quality control parameters, quantitative phytochemical analysis (total phenolic, total flavonoids and total saponin content), and the anti-obesity effect of lyophilized juice (LJ) of Stellaria media (Linn.) Vill. by employing in vitro and in vivo models. Methods In vitro studies were performed to evaluate the inhibitory activity of LJ on pancreatic amylase and lipase. The in vivo pancreatic lipase activity was evaluated by measurement of plasma triacylglycerol levels after oral administration of lipid emulsion to swiss albino mice. Furthermore, the anti-obesity effect of LJ was assessed at two doses, 400 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg body weight in mice fed a high-fat-diet with or without LJ for 6 weeks. Results The LJ inhibited pancreatic amylase and lipase activity in vitro and elevated plasma triacylglycerol level in mice. LJ suppressed the increase in body weight, retroperitoneal adipose tissue, liver weights and serum parameters viz., total cholesterol, total triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol level at the dose of 900 mg/kg body weight of the mice fed with high fat diet. The total phenolic, flavonoid and saponin contents were found to be 0.26 mg/g, 1.4 mg/g and 1.19 μg/g respectively of LJ. Conclusion The anti-obesity effects of LJ in high-fat-diet fed mice may be partly mediated through delaying the intestinal absorption of dietary fat and carbohydrate by inhibiting digestive enzymes.</p