Effectiveness of weekly iron supplementation in anemia in pregnancy

Iron deficiency has been a serious health issue especially in pregnancy. Various studies now consider daily iron as an excessive source of iron supply. In present study we compare effectiveness of daily verses weekly iron treatment. It was a randomized longitudinal study. Study included 110 pregnant anemic women attending out patient department of Gyne and Obs, CHK receiving 200 mg ferrous sulfate daily or weekly [n=55 in each group]. Overall 80% patients completed the study. 76% in daily group while 83% in wkly group completed the study. Hb conc., SFC, RBC count, Red cell indices and reticulocyte count were assessed to compare the effectiveness of two regimens. Hb was determined using the cyanmethemoglobin method. SFC was determined using a commercial kit [Enzymun-Test Ferritin; Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany]. Other hematological parameters were determined by using automated analyzer by Hiroshi Yamamoto, Kobe; Masaaki Oka, Kakogawa, Japan. All parameters improved significantly in women of both treatment groups. Hb% [p<0.05], RBC count [p<0.01] and Reticulocyte count [p<0.05] were significantly increased in weekly group when compared with daily group. Serum ferritin increases non-significantly in daily group when compared with weekly group [p>0.05]. It was concluded that weekly supplementation of iron is equally effective in controlling IDA, when compared with daily iron supplement. A non-significant greater increase in SFC in daily group might support iron overload theory

Pharmacodynamic study of cardiotonic property of a poly herbal drug [MUYM] in pithed frogs

This study was performed to evaluate the cardiac effects of a Poly herbal drug Mufarreh Yaqooti Motadil [MUYM]. The product is being manufactured by Hamdard Laboratories [waqf] Pakistan for the last several years and has produced immense effects on cardiovascular system. These tests were performed by using kymographic tracing method and results were evaluated statistically by using kymographic tracing method and results were evaluated statistically by using students-t-test and one way ANOVA. The results obtained on the cardiac force, heart rate and cardiac cycle were compared with Digoxin and confirmed the positive inotropic and negative chronotropic property of MUYM

Preliminary neuropharmacological studies on herbal drug aftimooni

The herbal drug aftimooni has been used for relief of anxiety and insomnia, however, no pharmacological studies have been reported. Therefore, the drug Aftimmoni was given orally to rats and mice to study its action on central nervous system. It is observed that aftimooni significantly potentiated pentobarbitone induced sleeping time at the dose of 1.070ml/kg [5 times greater dose than human dose]. Moreover, it significantly increased the rearing and number of square crossed in open field test. In elevated plus- maze, Aftimooni showed an anxiolytic effect by increasing the time spent in open arm. Additionally, a significant and dose dependent inhibition on writhing response induced by acetic acid was observed at the doses of 0.214ml/kg and 0.428ml/kg. However, Aftimooni did not affect immobility time in forced swimming test. These observations suggest that the drug Aftimooni possesses potential anxiolytic, hypnotic, exploratory and analgesic effects

Hypotensive activity of methanolic extract of berberis vulgaris [root pulp and bark]

Many plants have been recommended in alternative systems of medicine for hypotensive activity although few systematic studies have been done. In this study, the hypotensive activity was studied in normotensive albino rats at different doses of BRPM and BB. The receptor activity was assessed by the drugs Ach on rat heart. Administration of different methanolic extract [BRPM, BB] showed significant reductions in blood pressure comparable to its respective control. Both methanolic extract completely blocked the Ach receptors in heart. This study suggests that the methanolic extract [BRPM, BB] have significant Ach receptor blocking and hypotensive activity and may be recommended for further investigation

Clinical investigation of hypoglycemic effect of Eugenia jambolana in type-II [NIDDM] diabetes mellitus

The present study was designed to investigate clinically the hypoglycemic effect of Eugenia jambolana in type-2 diabetes mellitus. After assaying fasting plasma and urinary glucose, 10 patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus with no previous medication, 10 patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus taking oral hypoglycemic agents with history of inadequate control and six control subjects were given low [2 gm thrice daily] and high [4gm thrice daily] doses of powdered part, aqueous extract and alcoholic extract of seeds of Eugenia jambolana - for 14 days. On l5thday blood and urine samples for glucose were taken. Based on results obtained it was found that Eugenia jambolana has significant hypoglycemic activity both in low and high doses

Clinical investigation of hypoglycemic effect of coriandrum sativum in type-2 [NIDDM] diabetic patients

The present study was designed to investigate clinically the hypoglycemic effect of Coriandrum sativum in Type-2 diabetes mellitus. After assaying fasting plasma and urinary glucose, 10 patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus with no previous medication, 10 patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus taking oral hypoglycemic agents with history of inadequate control and six control subjects were given low [2.5 g tid] and high [4.5 g tid] doses of powdered part, aqueous extract and alcoholic extract of Coriandrum sativum for 14 days. On 15[th] day blood and urine samples for glucose were taken. Based on results obtained it was found that Coriandrum sativum has significant hypoglycemic activity in high dose and can be successfully combined with oral hypoglycemic agents in type-2 diabetic patients whose diabetes is not controlled by these agents

Clinical investigation of hypoglycemic effect of leaves of Mangifera inidca in type-2 [NIDDM] diabetes mellitus

The present study was designed to investigate clinically the hypoglycemic effect of leaves of Mangifera indica in Type-2 diabetes mellitus. After assaying fasting plasma and urinary glucose, 10 patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus with no previous medicaion, 10 patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus taking oral hypoglycemic agents with history of inadequate control and six control subjects were given low [0.5 g/kg/d in two divide doses] and high [1 g/kg/d in two divided doses] doses of powdered part, aqueous extract and alcoholic extract of leaves of Mangifera indica for 14 days. On 15[th] day blood and urine samples for glucose were taken. Based on results obtained it was found that Mangifera indica has significant hypoglycemic activity in high dose and can be successfully combined with oral hypoglycemic agents in type-2 diabetic patients whose diabetes is not controlled by these agents

Toxicological studies of a poly herbal drug Mufarreh Yaqooti Motadil

Mufarreh Yaqooti Motadil was investigated for its toxicological activity in human dose, in rats. The drugs was found to be non-toxic and well tolerated even if treated for a long period of time. The biochemical studies revealed that drug decreased the serum level of cholesterol, triglycerides, glucoseand bilirubin non-significantly [P>0.05]. On liver the drug showed very good affects as caused a significant decrease [P<0.05] in GGT, SGPT and SGOT

Clinical investigation of hypoglycemic effect of seeds of azadirachta-inidca in type-2 [NIDDM] diabetes mellitus

The present study was designed to investigate clinically the hypoglycemic effect of seeds of Azadirachta indica in Type-2 diabetes mellitus. After assaying fasting plasma and urinary glucose, 10 patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus with no previous medication, 10 patients of type-2 diabetes mellitus taking oral hypoglycemic agents with history of inadequate control and six control subjects were given low [0.5 g tid] and high [2 g tid] doses of powdered part, aqueous extract and alcoholic extract of Azadirachta indica for 14 days. On 15th day blood and urine samples for glucose were taken. Based on results obtained it was found that Azadirachta indica has significant hypoglycemic activity in high dose and can be successfully combined with oral hypoglycemic agents in type-2 diabetic patients whose diabetes is not controlled by these agents

Physiological and pharmacological effect of somina [herbal preparation] on cardiac parameters

The present study was conducted to investigate the physiological and pharmacological effect of Somina [herbal Preparation] on cardiac activity of Frog. The dose of Somina [20mg/ml] competitively acts on muscarinic receptor and reduced the heart rate while increased the cardiac force and duration of cardiac cycle. It is therefore concluded that somina drug regulates the cardiac activity by increasing efficiency of heart

Studies on the pharmacology of icterene, a herbal medicine

Inspite of great strides made in the filed of medicine througth the use of synthetic drugs, many obscure diseases still remain untreated. This has directed the attention of scientists to the use of traditional herbal medicines. A wide scope is still left in search of better therapeutic approaches. Many of the herbal medicines are used for the treatment of various ailments, but neither the mechanism nor the results of trials on the patients are known. One such drug is icterene for jaundice. It is therefore planned to study the effects of icterene on few biochemical parameters, effects on various tissues are also investigated. It has been found that icterene is very beneficial for the treatment of jaundice

Safety evaluation of icterene, a herbal medicine II Haematological consideration

To authenticate the safety evaluation of Icterene in jaundice, present study was conducted to see the effect of this herbal drug on haematological parameters of guinea pigs. No significant change in these parameters was observed which indicates that it is safe for use

Asurvey of antibiotic prescriptions dispensed in [Rabegh area] Saudi Arabia

A study of antibiotic prescriptions in [Rabegh Area] Saudi Arabia was undertaken. Prescribing patterns in 200 case were surveyed over a period of six months both in the In- Patient and Out-Patient departments of the hospital. Antibiotics were the drugs most frequently prescribed, suggesting an infectious disease or misuse of these drugs. Other commonly prescribed drugs were also discussed

Pituitary hormonal status in addicts

Pituitary hormonal status was determined in 64 male heroin addicts and 30 male normal controls. Data suggested, a significant fall in LH with 27.90% of patients showing lower levels, significant raise in FSH with 80% of patients showing higher levels, and a significant raise in prolactin levels, with 81.6% patients showing higher levels. Effect of duration, dose and sexual activity is also determined in which effect of duration of addiction is found to be the most important, and a significant fall in LH, and a raise in FSH and prolactin was observed after 4 years of use. Similarly effects of withdrawal are also considered, and no significant change was seen in patient after completion of six days of abstinence. These neuroendocrine events represent either disturbance of neurotransmitter activity or occurrence of desensitization phenomenon

Pathophysiological effects of leukotrienes

Leukotrienes [LTS] are a novel group of arachidonic acid [A.A.] metabolites which have potent biological actions. These actions suggest that LTS may have a role in various pathological conditions. The chemotactic and chemokinetic actions of LTS suggest that Leukotriene B4 [LTB4] has a role in inflammatory conditions and tissue damage. LTC4 and LTD4 cause a change in pulmonary mechanism, including reduction in expiratory flow, tightness of the chest and wheesing suggest that LTS have a role in respiratory diseases. The vasoconstrictor actions of Leukotrienes in coronary circulation of many species suggest that they may be involved in myocardial ischaemia, angina and perhaps are generated locally in the coronary vascular bed. From these observations, it will be of great interest to investigate the effects of LT antagonists and lipoxygenase inhibitors in these conditions

Pathophysiologies and beneficial use of prostaglandins thromboxane and prostacyclin

After isolation and identification of unstable products of arachidonic acid metabolism namely thromboxane A2 [TxA2 Hamberg, Sevensson and Samuelsson 1975] and Prostacyclin I2 [PGI2: Moncade, Greyglewsk, Bunting and Vane 1976], evidence has accumulated that these products rather than more classical prostanoids PGE2 and PGF2 are of physiological and pathological importance [Moncada and Vane 1979; Moncada 1982]. It is of interest that PGI2 and TxA2 have opposing Pharmacological actions in many systems; such as on platelet, vascular smoothmuscle, bronchopulmonary function etc. An imbalance of modulation of above mentioned substances [PGI2 TxA1] may result in dysfunction of the cell, tissue or organ, may be an important mechanism underlying the development of pathological conditions in these systems. The prostaglandins [PGS] are a major field of research. It is now well established that PGS are of physiological and of pharmacological importance in regulating the activity of uterus

Effect of garlic extraction on the bronchial musculature in guinea pigs

Garlic has been in human use since time immemorial. Besides its use and value as condiment and spice, it is reported to be having various pharmacological properties of therapeutic significance. It has been held in great repute by the ancient physicians and was also formerly much used in modern practice. It is employed as a remedy for respiratory tract ailments [Dictionary of Economic Products of India, 1889]. It is said to be expectorant, and decidedly beneficial in bronchial and asthmatic complaints. Therefore, the effect of garlic extract was studied on the bronchial system of guinea pig's respiratory tract to varify and to confirm or contradict the claims made in the literature. Water soluble fraction of alcoholic extract of garlic was used in this study. This fraction has been found to have a stimulant action [broncho-constriction] on bronchial tree. In high doses it further increases respiratory rate and amplitude as a sequence of bronchial constriction, but after the lapse of short duration, the animal regains the normal respiratory rate and amplitude

Effect of garlic extract on myocardial contractions of isolated rabbit's heart

Garlic [Allium sativum L.] has been reported in the literature to be possessing hypotensive property. The effect of the garlic extract was studied on isolated rabbit's heart, as one of the parameters in investigating the mechanism of hypotensive action. Water soluble fraction of alcoholic extract of garlic was used in this study. This fraction has been found to have an inhibitory effect on the isolated rabbit's heart preparation. It decreases the force of cardiac contraction. The degree of inhibition being dose dependent. In high doses [108 mg/kg body wt., and above], produces complete cardiac arrest in partial diastole for 5-6 seconds. Heart then regains the force of contractions quickly in the following 1.6-2.0 minutes. This effect of the extract was not altered by pre-treatment with Atropine. It is also found to have partial antagonistic activity to adrenaline, when administered immediately after adrenaline