In vivo protective role of Koflet (an ayurvedic preparation) against cellular toxicity caused by CCl4 and flyash.

Swiss albino rats were treated in groups with CCl4, and flyash to induce cellular toxicity in the lungs and trachea. Animal groups received treatment of Koflet (K) with CCl4 (7 days) and with flyash (30 days); their general health and biochemical parameters were studied and used as an indication of cellular injuries. A significant loss was observed in body weight and food consumption in animals given only CCl4 or flyash, while simultaneous treatment with K resulted in a non significant alteration from normal control groups. Enzyme (alkaline phosphatase, Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT)) activities were estimated in tissue homogenate preparation of lung, trachea and serum, which showed no significant change except for GPT activity as compared to control animals which received CCl4 or flyash with K. Similarly lung, trachea and serum contents of carbohydrate, protein, sialic acid, serum protein, serum cholesterol were estimated and it was found that alteration caused by CCl4, or flyash becomes almost non-significant compared to that of the control after the treatment of K, except for carbohydrate and serum cholesterol values. The animal group which was only treated with K did not show any significant alteration in their biochemical markers or injuries, except for cholesterol.

Primary aspergillosis of the larynx: a case report.

Aspergillosis of larynx is very rare. Only a few cases have been reported in medical literature. Larynx is generally involved secondarily by aspergillosis. Only rarely the larynx happens to be the primary site of involvement. The lesions may be confined to the vocal folds or may involve various other sites of the larynx. There is, invariably, certain risk factors which may predispose for fungal infection like immune deficiency condition, use of inhaled or systemic steroids, long and continuous use of antibiotics etc. These lesions may mimic malignancy or a premalignant condition. Awareness of this entity is essential as the management depends on accurate diagnosis. These lesions invariably respond well to antifungal therapy with elimination of risk factors. Here we have reported a case of primary aspergillosis of the larynx without involvement of other part of the airway and without any generalized immune deficit in a 35 year old woman.