Evaluation of analgesic activity of turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) in Wister rats

Background: NSAIDs like Aspirin etc. are randomly used for mild to severe types of pain but long-term and injudicious use of NSAIDs lead to a number of side effects. The present study is designed for exploring the analgesic potential of Curcuma longa Linn (Turmeric) in albino rats, which may widen the therapeutic horizon for the said agent.Methods: Ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa in the doses 100, 200 and 400mg/kg is given orally to 6 Wister rats against a control of normal saline and a standard using Aspirin (300mg/kg) and the animals were subjected to Eddy’s hot plate test at different time intervals i.e., 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after administration of the drugs and the parameters were noted.Results: The analgesic activity of Curcuma longa showed significant (p<0.05) increase in mean basal reaction time in Hot plate method when compared to the control (Normal saline). As the dose of the ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa was gradually increased from 100, 200 and 400mg/kg respectively, the analgesic activity significantly increased (<0.05). Effect of curcuma longa at a dose of 400mg/kg is found to be comparable with Aspirin.Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that turmeric (Curcuma longa) has significant analgesic activities in rats.

Effect of turmeric on alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in albino rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder of glucose metabolism characterised by hyperglycaemia. Long standing diabetes mellitus leads to various complications affecting multiple organ systems. Management of diabetes mellitus includes lifestyle modification and pharmacotherapy. Pharmacotherapy of diabetes mellitus includes a wide variety of drugs that help in achieving adequate glycaemic control. Anti-diabetic medications are however associated with several adverse effects. Phytochemicals are being used extensively for the treatment of various diseases. Use of phytochemicals would minimize adverse effects due to various anti-diabetic drugs and improve patient compliance. In the present study, authors studied the effect of turmeric on alloxan induced diabetes mellitus in albino rats.Methods: Albino Wistar rats of either sex weighing 180 - 250grams were utilized for the present study. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan. Ethanolic extract of turmeric was administered to diabetic rats daily orally for duration of 28 days. Blood glucose levels were monitored using glucometer before and after intervention with turmeric.Results: Statistically significant reduction in mean blood glucose levels (p value <0.05) was seen after intervention with turmeric in diabetic rats. There was a significant reduction in mean blood glucose levels.Conclusions: Ethanolic extract of turmeric showed antihyperglycemic effect in diabetic rats

Understanding the Persistence of Caste: A Commentary on Cotterill, Sidanius, Bhardwaj and Kumar (2014)

We contextualise Cotterill, Sidanius, Bhardwaj, and Kumar’s (2014) paper within a broader literature on caste and collective mobilisation. Cotterill and colleagues’ paper represents a fresh and timely attempt to make sense of the persistence of caste from the perspective of Social Dominance Theory. Cotterill and colleagues, however, do not examine caste differences in the endorsement of karma, and take behavioural asymmetry among lower castes for granted. Cotterill and colleagues also adhere to a Varna model of the caste system that arguably is simplistic and benefits the upper castes of Indian society. We caution that emphasising behavioural asymmetry and endorsing the Varna model might further stigmatise lower castes, especially Dalits, and feed into a conformity bias already predominant in caste-related psychological research. We argue that the conceptualisation and operationalisation of Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Social Dominance Orientation and legitimising myths in the Indian context needs to take into account the particular meaning and functions of these constructs in specific intergroup contexts, and for identity positions salient within these contexts. We contend that any examination aimed at better understanding the nature of social hierarchy and oppression within the caste system and Indian society in general remains inconclusive without including a focus on the construction and contestation of social categories and social identities

Fungal population on seeds of Arachis hypogea L.

The seed of four groundnut varieties viz. Gujrat, Western, Ghungroo and Local were collected from different market places of Beed, (M.S.) and seed mycoflora was isolated by standard blotter paper method and agar plate method. In all the four varieties seeds exhibited maximum number of fungi with higher percentage of incidence. Aspergillus flavus. A. niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina Penicillium sp. were found predominant. Higher numbers of fungi were isolated on agar plate method used as compared to standard blotter paper method. Surface sterilization with HgCl2 reduces the incidence of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. ---P.G. Department of Botany, Mrs.K.S.K. College Beed- 431122 (M.S.), India---Please Cite This Article As: S.K. Jogdand and S.M. Talekar. 2010. Fungal population on seeds of Arachis hypogea L. J. Ecobiotechnol. 2(6):11-13. Â

Effect of Vitamin E on oxidative stress and outcome of treatment in patients of anxiety disorder

Background: The purpose of present study was to assess effect of Vitamin E administration on oxidative stress and outcome of treatment of anxiety disorder.Methods: 80 newly diagnosed patients of anxiety disorder of age 20 to 60 years were included in the study. They were divided in to two groups containing 40 patients in each group. Group-I patients were given treatment with Tablet Clonazepam 0.5mg orally daily at night for six months. Group-II patients were treated with Tablet Clonazepam 0.5mgand Capsule Vitamin E 400 mg twice a day for 6 months. Levels of Mean MDA, SOD and anxiety score were assessed monthly for six months.Results: Group-I (N=38) patients treated with Tablet Clonazepam 0.5mg orally at night show significant increase in Oxidative stress. Mean MDA- 18.80±0.37 increased to 27.97±0.81, SOD- 0.143±0.004 decreased to 0.111±0.004 and decrease in mean anxiety score from first month 12.44±1.24 to last month of treatment 2.55±0.72. In group-II patients(N=37) treated with Clonazepam and Vitamin E there was decrease in mean MDA levels from 18.78±0.45 to 12.56±0.54 and increase in mean SOD levels from 0.141±0.007 to 0.180±0.000. There was reduced anxiety score in group-I from 12.44±1.24 to 2.55±0.72 and in group II from 12.54±1.26 to 1.86±0.58 which was statistically significant. p value <0.05.Conclusions: Treatment of patients treated with Clonazepam showed a significant increase in oxidative stress. In patients treated with Clonazepam and Vitamin E there was more reduction in overall oxidative stress and anxiety

Determinants of Outcome of Teenage Pregnancy: A Case–Control Study from A Rural Hospital of Maharashtra, India

Background: Adolescent pregnancy is increasing, emerging as a serious problem all over the world and more so in developing countries like India. Teenage girls are physically immature for reproduction and also more vulnerable to complications during child birth. But various contrasting results are found in studies done on teenage mothers. Thus, this study was undertaken to see the outcome of teenage and non-teenage mothers. Aim &amp; Objective: To compare various clinical aspects and perinatal outcomes of teenage pregnancy compared to non -teenage pregnancy. Settings and Design: A case control study was conducted among mothers who have delivered in a tertiary care hospital from a rural Maharashtra. Methods and Material: Interview was conducted about socio clinical aspects and perinatal outcome among 50 teen and 50 non teen mothers. Statistical analysis used: Chi square test was used to assess the level of significance among two groups for various aspects. Results: Anaemia (38%), followed by oligohydramnios (22.8%) the most common clinical problems among teenage mothers. Oligohydramnios and preeclampsia occurred significantly more in teenage mothers (p = 0.02and 0.007) than in non-teenage mothers. Conclusions: The present study shows that anaemia, oligohydramnios, preterm delivery and low birthweight were more prevalent among teenage mothers than among non-teenage mothers

RANDOMIZED COMPARISON OF EFFICACY, DURATION OF ACTION, ADVERSE REACTIONS AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF PENTAZOCINE AND TRAMADOL ON RELIEF OF POST OPERATIVE PAIN

Background: Many options are available for the treatment of postoperative pain. By considering patients’ preferences and making an individualized assessment of the risks and benefits of each treatment modality, the clinician can optimize the postoperative analgesic regimen for each patient. Material method: Female patients of age between 30 to 60 years undergoing elective abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies were included in this study. Hysterectomies performed under spinal anesthesia. Group I constituted patients who received Tramadol 50 mg intravenously; Group II constituted patients who received Pentazocine 30 mg intravenously for post-operative analgesia. The study drugs were administered postoperatively to the patients after the effect of spinal anesthesia wears off and the patient complained of pain. Before administering the study drug an assessment Visual analogue score of was done, and after giving the study drug, the pain was assessed subjectively at 0 minutes and at every 30 minutes for 6 hrs. Each patient’s pain was recorded on a scale 0-10 by their response to a visual analogue pain scale. The onset of analgesic action, time at which maximum pain relief occurs, duration of minimal pain, a total duration of analgesic action and any acute side effects were noted, the average cost-effective ratio was studied. Results: The range of onset of analgesia in both the groups was 10 to 20 minutes when comparing the mean value of onset of analgesia of the two groups, the mean value of the tramadol group was 14.92 ± 3.89 minutes and that of pentazocine was 14.66 ± 3.23 minutes. The range of duration of analgesia in the two groups was the same, which was 5 to 6 hours. The mean duration of postoperative analgesia in the tramadol group was 5.77 ± 0.33 hours, whereas in the pentazocine group it was 5.67 ± 0.39 hours. In the tramadol group 45 patients (90%) had only mild pain and 5 patients (10%) had moderate pain. Whereas in pentazocine group 40 (80%) patients had mild pain and 10 patients (20%) had moderate pain. The duration of minimal pain in both groups was 1.5 hours (from 2 to 3.5 hours). The common side effects were nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, respiratory depression. Conclusion: We conclude that intravenous tramadol 50 mg and intravenous pentazocine 30 mg produced adequate postoperative analgesia and intravenous tramadol 50 mg was safe and more cost effective. &nbsp

RANDOMIZED COMPARISON OF EFFICACY, DURATION OF ACTION, ADVERSE REACTIONS AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF PENTAZOCINE AND TRAMADOL ON RELIEF OF POST OPERATIVE PAIN

Background: Many options are available for the treatment of postoperative pain. By considering patients’ preferences and making an individualized assessment of the risks and benefits of each treatment modality, the clinician can optimize the postoperative analgesic regimen for each patient. Material method: Female patients of age between 30 to 60 years undergoing elective abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies were included in this study. Hysterectomies performed under spinal anesthesia. Group I constituted patients who received Tramadol 50 mg intravenously; Group II constituted patients who received Pentazocine 30 mg intravenously for post-operative analgesia. The study drugs were administered postoperatively to the patients after the effect of spinal anesthesia wears off and the patient complained of pain. Before administering the study drug an assessment Visual analogue score of was done, and after giving the study drug, the pain was assessed subjectively at 0 minutes and at every 30 minutes for 6 hrs. Each patient’s pain was recorded on a scale 0-10 by their response to a visual analogue pain scale. The onset of analgesic action, time at which maximum pain relief occurs, duration of minimal pain, a total duration of analgesic action and any acute side effects were noted, the average cost-effective ratio was studied. Results: The range of onset of analgesia in both the groups was 10 to 20 minutes when comparing the mean value of onset of analgesia of the two groups, the mean value of the tramadol group was 14.92 ± 3.89 minutes and that of pentazocine was 14.66 ± 3.23 minutes. The range of duration of analgesia in the two groups was the same, which was 5 to 6 hours. The mean duration of postoperative analgesia in the tramadol group was 5.77 ± 0.33 hours, whereas in the pentazocine group it was 5.67 ± 0.39 hours. In the tramadol group 45 patients (90%) had only mild pain and 5 patients (10%) had moderate pain. Whereas in pentazocine group 40 (80%) patients had mild pain and 10 patients (20%) had moderate pain. The duration of minimal pain in both groups was 1.5 hours (from 2 to 3.5 hours). The common side effects were nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, respiratory depression. Conclusion: We conclude that intravenous tramadol 50 mg and intravenous pentazocine 30 mg produced adequate postoperative analgesia and intravenous tramadol 50 mg was safe and more cost effective. &nbsp

Prevalence and Determinants of Long COVID among the COVID-19 Survivors: A Cross-sectional Study from A Rural Area of Maharashtra

Background: Most patients infected with the COVID-19 virus may experience long-term effects from COVID-19 infection, known as post-COVID or long COVID conditions. Long COVID may last for weeks, months or years and may limit ones day to day activities and needs health care. Aim &amp; Objective: To study the prevalence and risk factors of long COVID among the COVID-19 survivors of a rural area of Maharashtra. Methods and Material: A Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in adult subjects residing in Chanai village from Maharashtra who have had a history of COVID-19 and have passed more than 3 months since the diagnosis from May 2022 to June 2022. The interview of the study participants was conducted with the help of a pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire for data collection. Statistical Analysis: Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2010, Open EPI-Info version 3.01 updated on 2013/04/06. Data was presented in tables, graphical format, frequencies and percentages and the statistical association was shown using the chi- square test. Results: The majority of participants were males (59%), from 19 to 39 years of age group (57%), having fever as presenting symptom (83%), with mild COVID (13%), and required hospitalization (53%). Long COVID was associated with the elderly age group, male sex (27.1%), severe COVID presentation (88.2%) after 12 weeks, and those required intubation (80%). Conclusion: The prevalence of long COVID was 17.5%. Determinants associated with long COVID were the elderly age group, male sex, severe COVID presentation and who required intubation

Evaluation and comparison of nephroprotective effect of Hemidesmus indicus Linn. and Withania somnifera Linn. on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in Albino rats

Background: Nephrotoxicity is a known deleterious effect of Aminoglycoside antibiotics. This class of antibiotics is used very frequently. It is well known that Gentamicin causes renal tubular necrosis in the proximal tubular cells. Phytochemicals are being studied extensively and have proved to be of benefit in various diseases. The use of phytochemicals would minimize the adverse effects encountered with these antibiotics. Comparison between various phytochemicals would help in optimizing dosage and duration of treatment. In the present study we studied and compared the nephroprotective effect of Hemidesmus Indicus Linn. and Withania Somnifera Linn. on Gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in Albino rats.Methods: Wistar albino rats weighing 180-250Gms were utilized for the present study. The root extract of these Hemidesmus Indicus Linn. and Withania Somnifera Linn. was administered orally to rats for 10 days concurrently with Gentamicin. Nephrotoxicty was assessed following a single dose injection of Gentamicin. Nephroprotective effect was assessed after 10 days of administering Hemidesmus Indicus Linn. and Withania Somnifera Linn. Renal function was assessed using Blood Urea, Serum Creatinie, SOD (Superoxide Dismutase) and MDA (Malondialdehyde) as parameters.Results: Statistically significant improvement in renal function (p <0.05) was seen after administration of Hemidesmus Indicus and Withania Somnifera in Gentamicin treated rats. There was significant reduction in blood urea, serum creatinine and MDA levels with an increase in SOD levels.Conclusions: Withania Somnifera and Hemidesmus Indicus had nephroprotective effect. However, Withania Somnifera was found to be more nphroprotective than Hemidesmus Indicus