Cognitive enhancing and antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanol extract of Hibiscus rosa sinensis in scopolamine-induced amnesia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the cognitive enhancing and antioxidant activity of Hibiscus rosa sinensis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The learning and memory was impaired by administration of scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice which is associated with altered brain oxidative status. The object recognition test (ORT) and passive avoidance test (PAT) were used to assess cognitive enhancing activity. Animals were treated with an ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanol extract of H. sinensis (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o). RESULTS: The ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the methanol extract of H. sinensis (EASF) attenuated amnesia induced by scopolamine and aging. The discrimination index (DI) was significantly decreased in the aged and scopolamine group in ORT. Pretreatment with EASF significantly increased the DI. In PAT, scopolamine-treated mice exhibited significantly shorter step-down latencies (SDL). EASF treatment showed a significant increase in SDL in young, aged as well as in scopolamine-treated animals. The biochemical analysis of brain revealed that scopolamine treatment increased lipid peroxidation and decreased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GSH). Administration of extract significantly reduced LPO and reversed the decrease in brain SOD and GSH levels. The administration of H. sinensis improved memory in amnesic mice and prevented the oxidative stress associated with scopolamine. The mechanism of such protection of H. sinensis may be due to augmentation of cellular antioxidants. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggested that H. sinensis had a protective role against age and scopolamine-induced amnesia, indicating its utility in management of cognitive disorders.

Vascular shunt of the optic disc resembling neovascularization in a diabetic patient with optic disc drusen.

PURPOSE: To report an insulin-dependent diabetic patient who was referred by the diabetic screening clinic as having proliferative diabetic retinopathy who was found to have bilateral optic disc drusen with optociliary shunt resembling neovascularization on the disc. METHODS: Complete ocular evaluation including a fluorescein angiography was performed. RESULTS: Fundus examination showed signs of mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in the right eye and the presence of well-defined optic disc drusen in both eyes with a peculiar vascular abnormality resembling neovascularization on the right disc. The central retinal vein pulsation was normal on digital examination. Autofluorescence confirmed the presence of the optic disc drusen in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography showed no leakage from the optociliary shunt. The vascular abnormality has remained stable for 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the correlation of optic disc drusen and optociliary shunts which in diabetic patients can be misdiagnosed as neovascularization.

Indirect trauma causing dislocation of the crystalline lens--a case report.

PURPOSE: To report a case of indirect trauma causing dislocation of the crystalline lens in a patient with no underlying risk factors. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 76-year-old woman fell injuring her right temple area. She complained of blurring of vision in her right eye. Her vision was reduced to 6/60. Ocular examination revealed right aphakia associated with complete posterior dislocation of the crystalline lens into the vitreous cavity. No predisposing factors as pigment dispersion or pseudoexfoliation material was found on gonioscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Dislocation of the crystalline lens has been reported following direct trauma. It is known to occur spontaneously in mature and hypermature cataracts and in cases of weak zonules. Our case shows that indirect trauma can cause complete dislocation of the crystalline lens in the absence of any predisposing factors.

Optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis of subclinical serous detachment of the macula secondary to a choroidal nevus.

We present a case in which optical coherence tomography (OCT) aided in the diagnosis of subretinal fluid (SRF) secondary to a choroidal nevus. A patient with a raised lesion above the left optic disc and distorted central vision was referred to our unit because of suspected choroidal melanoma. Fundus fluorescein angiography and slit-lamp investigation did not indicate any areas of SRF; however, OCT showed serous detachment in the macular area. The lesion was treated with laser photocoagulation and, when reviewed at four weeks post-treatment, repeat OCT scans showed that the area of SRF had cleared. In this case OCT was able to detect a subclinical serous detachment in the macula. This may have important implications in the monitoring of patients with small suspicious lesions.