Pharmacological evaluation of "Glyoherb": A polyherbal formulation on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

In the present study, powdered suspension of 'Glyoherb'- sugar control granules, a polyherbal formulation (manufactured by Dhanvantri Guj. herb., Valasan, Anand, Gujarat, India) was evaluated for its antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects against normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Type I diabetes was induced when streptozotocin 70 mg/kg was administered as a single i.p. injection. After five days of streptozotocin injection, animals showing glycosuria (fasting blood sugar level >200 mg/dl) were considered as diabetic. Daily oral administration of 'Glyoherb' suspension in 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg doses for 28 days produced a dose-dependant decrease in blood glucose levels. It also produced a significant decrease in elevated serum triglyceride, cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, atherogenic index, serum urea, and creatinine and in antioxidant parameters in a dose dependant manner. Results were analyzed using one way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test. No significant changes were noticed in blood glucose, serum lipid levels and kidney parameters in normal rats treated with 'Glyoherb' suspension alone. The efficacy of 'Glyoherb' suspension as an antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant agent in streptozotocin-induced diabetes was comparable to that of the standard drug Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg).

Long term survival in aggressive NK cell leukemia.

Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia (ANKL) is a rare type of leukemia. It is rapidly progressing and the outcome is poor, with short survival. There is paucity of reports of ANKL in the Indian pediatric literature. We report a pediatric ANKL case that is in complete continuous remission after four years.

Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all.

In recent times, focus on plant research has increased all over the world. Centella asiatica is an important medicinal herb that is widely used in the orient and is becoming popular in the West. Triterpenoid, saponins, the primary constituents of Centella asiatica are manly believed to be responsible for its wide therapeutic actions. Apart from wound healing, the herb is recommended for the treatment of various skin conditions such as leprosy, lupus, varicose ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, diarrhoea, fever, amenorrhea, diseases of the female genitourinary tract and also for relieving anxiety and improving cognition. The present review attempts to provide comprehensive information on pharmacology, mechanisms of action, various preclinical and clinical studies, safety precautions and current research prospects of the herb. At the same time, studies to evaluate the likelihood of interactions with drugs and herbs on simultaneous use, which is imperative for optimal and safe utilization of the herb, are discussed.

Prevalence of head and neck cancers in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

INTRODUCTION: Head and neck cancer constitute one of the commonest cancers in India. Use of smokeless tobacco (pan masala, gutka, zarda, etc.) is the maximum in Gujarat, especially in and around Ahmedabad, and it is responsible for a large majority of these cancers. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The present study was carried out to study the patient's characteristics, prevalence, treatment modalities and histopathological subtypes of head and neck cancer in and around Ahmedabad. METHODS: A cross-sectional and observational study was carried out at the Head and Neck Services Department of Aastha Oncology Associates, Medi-Surge Hospitals, Ahmedabad, from December 2006 to May 2007. Patients were made to fill up the Case Record Form (CRF) with their informed consent. Proforma of the CRF included patient's age, gender, income, education, family history, lifestyle, signs and symptoms, various investigations, treatment options and adverse effects during treatment and follow up. Preponderance of cancer was found in males (86%) with maximum prevalence in age group 41-60 years (69%). 58% cases were habitual tobacco chewers. Majority of head and neck cancers constituted the tongue, buccal mucosa and alveolus cancers. Radiotherapy and surgery were major treatment options in 44% patients. Blood parameters profile in all the three treatment groups was found to be lower than the control group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that a properly structured and site specific data like this pin points to the magnitude and pattern of head and neck cancer problem in India and it can augment the National Cancer Registry Program.

Pexelizumab and its role in the treatment of myocardial infarction and in coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a review.

Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that are identical because they were produced by one type of immune cell, all clones of a single parent cell. This has become an important tool in biochemistry, molecular biology and medicine. The role of complement system in inflammation has been well established. Inflammation is a cornerstone of the post-myocardial infarction. Also, during a heart bypass procedure, the "complement activation" causes an inflammatory response that can lead to side effects such as chest pain, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or death. One such agent which causes complement inhibition is pexelizumab. Pexelizumab (Alexion Pharmaceuticals), a recombinant humanized single chain monoclonal antibody to C5, blocks the conversion of C5 to C5a and C5b-9. Pexelizumab is an Alexion-engineered monoclonal antibody fragment designed to inhibit complement-mediated tissue damage associated with reperfusion injury and inflammation that occurs during open heart surgery. Recent Phase III trials have evaluated the role of pexelizumab in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery and also in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. In the ischemia/reperfusion setting of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, pexelizumab appears to reduce cardiac enzyme release and possibly mortality. Pexelizumab can also be used as adjunctive therapy to fibrinolysis and primary percutaneous coronary intervention. If approved, pexelizumab would represent not only the first of a new class of therapeutics called terminal complement inhibitors for the reduction of death and peri-operative myocardial infarction in patients undergoing CABG-CPB surgery but also a new approach to improving outcomes for patients undergoing CABG surgery. Present article also includes relevant patents on the topic.

Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a tertiary care hospital in Gujarat, India.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was undertaken to assess the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a tertiary care hospital in Gujarat, India. Due to significant changes in microbial genetic ecology, as a result of indiscriminate use of anti-microbials, the spread of anti-microbial resistance is now a global problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 276 culture positive samples, 56 samples of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were examined and 10 different types of specimen were collected. Microbial sensitivity testing was done using disk diffusion test with Pseudomonas species NCTC 10662, as per CLSI guidelines. RESULTS: The highest number of Pseudomonas infections was found in urine, followed by pus and sputum. Pseudomonas species demonstrated marked resistance against monotherapy of penicillins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and macrolides. Only combination drugs like Ticarcillin + Clavulanic acid, Piperacillin + Tazobactum, Cefoperazone + Sulbactum, Cefotaxime + Sulbactum, Ceftriaxome + Sulbactum and monotherapy of amikacin showed higher sensitivity to Pseudomonas infections; however, the maximum sensitivity was shown by the Carbapenems. CONCLUSION: From the present study, we conclude that urinary tract infection was the most common hospital acquired infection. Also, co-administration of beta -lactamase inhibitors markedly expanded the anti-microbial sensitivity of semi-synthetic penicillins and cephalosporins. The aminoglycoside group of antibiotics - amikacin - demonstrated maximum sensitivity against pseudomonas species. Therefore, use of amikacin should be restricted to severe nosocomial infections, in order to avoid rapid emergence of resistant strains. Periodic susceptibility testing should be carried out over a period of two to three years, to detect the resistance trends. Also, a rational strategy on the limited and prudent use of anti-Pseudomonal agents is urgently required.