Ethnomedicinal plants of Jodhpur District, Rajasthan used in herbal and folk remedies.

The Jodhpur district a part of Thar Desert is very rich in medicinal plant wealth. The medicinal plants of this region have great potential to be used in drug and pharmaceutical industries. These herbal plants have been used by local people, tribal communities, vendors, native doctors such as Ojhas, Bhagats Bhopas and experts of Ayurvedic fields since long time in herbal and folk remedies. Kalbelia, Nats, Bhils, Raika, Bhopas, Banjara, Gadolia-Lohar, Saharia and Meena communities of this district have a rich knowledge of plants based traditional medicines. Ten ethnomedicinal plants like Cleome gynandra Linn., Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn., Cassia angustifolia Vahl., Echinops echinatus Roxb., Leucas aspera (Willd.) Spreng., Mimosa hamata Willd., Moringa oleifera Lamk., Pedalium murex Linn., Peganum harmala Linn., Sida cordifolia Linn. have been selected for this research work. The present investigation is aimed to create awareness about the ethnomedicinal value of the plants and their uses to draw the attention of pharmacologists, phytochemists and pharmaceuticals.

Mineral contents from some fabaceous plant species of Rajasthan desert.

Evaluation of mineral contents from three selected plant species of Fabaceae family growing in arid region of Rajasthan Desert was carried out. The roots, shoots and fruits of Clitoria ternatea, Sesbania bispinosa and Tephrosia purpurea collected from two different areas Chhatargarh area (Bikaner district) and Ratangarh area (Churu district) were analysed for mineral contents. The maximum Calcium (3.86%), Phosphorus (0.48%), Potassium (0.92%) and Sodium (1.08%) contents were found in roots and shoots of Grewia tenax collected from study area.

Sterol contents from some fabaceous medicinal plants of Rajasthan desert.

Evaluation of sterol contents from three selected medicinal plant species of Fabaceae family growing in Rajasthan Desert was carried out. The roots, shoots and fruits of Clitoria ternatea, Sesbania bispinosa and Tephrosia purpurea were analysed for sterol contents. b- Sitosterol and Stigmasterol were isolated and identified. Maximum sterol contents were observed in shoots of Sesbania bispinosa (0.29 mg/g.d.w.), whereas minimum in roots of Tephrosia purpurea(0.15mg/g.d.w.

Ethnomedicinal Plants of Barmer District, Rajasthan Used in Herbal and Folk Remedies.

The Barmer district a part of Thar Desert is very rich in herbal plant wealth. The herbal plants of this region have great potential to be used in drug and pharmaceutical industries. These herbal plants have been used by local people, tribal communities, vendors, native doctors such as Ojhas, Bhagats Bhopas and experts of Ayurvedic fields since long time in herbal and folk remedies. Kalbelia, Nats, Bhils, Raika, Bhopas, Banjara, Gadolia-Lohar Langa and Manganiars communities of this district have a rich knowledge of plants based traditional medicines. Ethnomedicinal plants like Aristolochia bracteolata Lamk., Calligonum polygonoides Linn., Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn., Clerodendrum phlomoidis Linn., Evolvulus alsinoides Linn., Grewia tenax (Forsk.) Fiori., Maytenus emarginata (Willd.) Ding Hau., Mollugo Cerviana (Linn.) Seringe. Neurada procumbens Linn., Ocimum americanum Linn., Peganum harmala Linn., Pergularia daemia (Forsk) Chiov., Portulaca oleracea Linn., Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Voigt. and Trianthema portulacastrum Linn. have been selected for this research work.The present investigation is aimed to create awareness about the ethnomedicinal value of the plants and their uses to draw the attention of pharmacologists, phytochemists and pharmaceuticals.

Ascorbic Acid Contents From Some Exotic Tree Species Growing in Rajasthan Desert.

Ascorbic acid contents of stems, leaves and fruits from four selected exotic tree species like Colophospermum mopane, Holoptelea integrifolia, Kigelia pinnata and Putranjiva roxburghii have been analysed. Maximum ascorbic acid contents were found in the fruits of Colophospermum mopane (42.10mg/100g.d.w.) while, minimum in the stems of Kigelia plnnata (22.15mg/100g.d.w).

Flavonoid Contents From Some Exotic Tree Species Growing In Rajasthan Desert.

Evaluation of flavonoid contents from four selected exotic tree species like Colophospermum mopane, Holoptelea integrifolia, Kigelia pinnata and Putranjiva roxburghii growing in Rajasthan Desert was carried out. The leaves of selected trees were analysed for flavonoid contents i.e. Quercetin and Kaempferol. Flavonoid contents like Quercetin and Kaempferol were isolated and identified. The maximum total flavonoid contents (17.10mg./gdw) was found in leaves of Putranjiva roxburghii while minimum (9.20mg./gdw) in leaves of Holoptelea integrifolia.

Antimicrobial Screening of Some Exotic Tree Species of Rajasthan Desert.

Antimicrobial screening of ethyl ether and alcoholic extracts of leaves of four selected exotic tree species growing in Rajasthan Desert was carried out. Colophospermum mopane, Holoptelea integrifolia, Kigelia pinnata and Putranjiva roxburghii showed positive reactions against bacterial pathogens i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and a fungal pathogen Candida albicans.

Cryptococcal meningitis associated with tuberculosis in HIV infected patients.

Summary: Opportunistic infections are common complications of advanced immuno-deficiency in individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. Following involvement of the lung, the central nervous system (CNS) is the second most commonly affected organ. We report two cases of concurrent cryptococcal meningitis and tuberculosis (TB) in HIV infected persons. A high suspicion of multiple opportunistic infections should be kept in mind in HIV seropositive individuals.

Capparidaceous Medicinal Plants of North-West Rajasthan: Good Sources of Ascorbic Acid.

Ascorbic acid contents of roots, shoots and fruits of three selected medicinal plants like Capparis decidua, Cleome gynandra and Cleome viscosa of family Capparidaceae have been analysed. Maximum ascorbic acid contents were found in the fruits of Capparis decidua (108.12mg/100g.d.w.) while, minimum in the roots of Cleome viscosa (62.25mg/100g.d.w).

Antimicrobial Screening of Some capparidaceous Medicinal Plants of North-West Rajasthan.

Antimicrobial screening of ethyl ether and alcoholic extracts of leaves of three selected medicinal plant species of capparidaceae family growing in North–Western Rajasthan was carried out. Capparis decidua, Cleome gynandra and Cleome viscosa showed positive reactions against bacterial pathogens i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and a fungal pathogen Candida albicans.

Flavonoid Contents From Some Capparidaceous Medicinal Plants of North-West Rajasthan.

Evaluation of flavonoid contents from three selected medicinal plant species of capparidaceae family growing in North–Western Rajasthan was carried out. The leaves of Capparis decidua, Cleome gynandra and Cleome viscosa were analysed for flavonoid contents i.e. Quercetin and Kaempferol. Flavonoid contents like Quercetin and Kaempferol were isolated and identified. The maximum total flavonoid contents (1.16mg./gdw) was found in leaves of Capparis decidua while minimum (0.71mg./gdw) in leaves of Cleome viscosa.

Efficacy and Cardiovascular Safety of Topical Timolol, Brimonidine & Latanoprost in Newly Diagnosed Patients of Open Angle Glaucoma.

The present study was conducted in chronic open angle glaucoma patients to evaluate their efficacy in reducing IOP and their cardiovascular safety. 48 newly diagnosed patients of glaucoma completed the trial. Patients were divided into three groups and received medications in form of topical instillations. Group I (Timolol 0.5% twice a day), Group II (Brimonidine Tatrate 0.2% twice a day) & Group III (Latanoprost 0.005% once a day) for 12 weeks. All the three medications, significantly decreased IOP (P<0.05), however, Latanoprost caused maximum decrease in IOP, followed by Brimonidine and Timolol. Visual Acquity was not affected by any of the medication. Pulse Rate and PR Interval were decreased in Timolol group significantly (P < 0.001) while Brimonidine and Latanoprost did not alter Pulse Rate. Blood Pressure was not affected by either of medication except Brimonidine which caused reduction in systolic Blood Pressure at 12 weeks. The results of present study demonstrates superiority of Latanoprost over Timolol and Brimonidine as it lacked effect on Pulse Rate, Blood Pressure and HR, besides being more efficacious.

Comparison of Esmolol and Lignocaine for Atttenuation of Cardiovascular Stress response to Laryngoscopy and Endotracheal Intubation.

Direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation frequently induces a cardiovascular stress response due to reflex symbathetic stimulation. This response may be hazardous in patients with Hypertension, Coronary artery disease, Myocardial disease, cerebrovascular disease. Numerous agents have therefore been utilized to blunt this response. The present study was undertaken in view of above mentioned facts, to compare effectiveness of intravenous esmolol and lignocaine in suppressing the cardiovascular stress response. Patients were divided in to three groups of 20 patients each. Group-C did not receive any drug under study. Group-L received lignocaine and Group-E received esmolol three minutes before intubation. All the groups were observed for changes in haemodynamic parameters i.e. heart rate (HR) systolic and diastolic blood pressure every minute after intubation till 5 minutes post intubation. It was found that patients given esmolol had better attenuation of stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation than patients given lignocaine.

Comparison of Tramadol and Butorphanol for Analgesic Efficacy and Safety.

The objective of the present study was to compare the analgesic efficacy and side effects of butorphanol and tramadol.Equianalgesic doses of butorphanol (1mg) and tramadol (1mg/Kg) were compared in 50 adult patients (ASA-I) undergoing any kind of surgery requiring general anesthesia. The patients were divided into two groups of 25 each (n = 25). One of the study drugs (butorphanol/tramadol) was given intravenously just prior to induction of anesthesia in a double blind fashion. Following induction with standard doses of propofol/thiopentone Na and succinyl choline and intubation, anaesthesia was maintained with N2O/O2/Halothane. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded from preoperative to post operative period in the recovery room and the frequency of side effects was noted by the trained nursing staff on duty following direct questioning of the patients. The proportion of patients with moderate to severe pain during postoperative period was significantly higher in tramadol group as compared to butorphanol group (p< 0.05). Time to first rescue analgesic was significantly prolonged in butorphanol group compared to tramadol group. The incidence of side effects was comparable in both the groups.To conclude according to our study, butorphanol is a very effective analgesic and contributes to balanced anaesthesia.

Pyrazinamide induced hyperuricaemia presenting as severe bilateral leg cramps.

Pyrazinamide is one of the first line drugs used for the treatment of tuberculosis. Hepatotoxicity and hyperuricaemia are important and common untoward effects seen after administration of pyrazinamide. The drug inhibits elimination of urates resulting in hyperuricaemia, the presenting features of which are arthralgia, arthritis or even gout. A-case of bilateral leg cramps due to hyperuricaemia following pyrazinamide therapy is reported here.

Comparative effects of conventional B-blockers and nebivolol on psychomotor performances in healthy volunteers: a preliminary report.

The present study was under taken to assess the comparative effects of nebivolol with propranolol and atenolol on psychomotor performances. Thirty healthy volunteers were randomized into three groups with n=10 in each group. Each subject received single dose of one of the three medications (nebivolol 5 mg, atenolol 50 mg and propranolol 40 mg) in morning (9:00 AM). Just before administering the drug, the pre-drug scores were taken, followed by post drug score obtained for consecutive six hours. Psychomotor assessment was carried out by three tests Simple Reaction Timer (SRT), Critical Flicker Fusion Frequent Threshold (CFFT) and Digit Cancellation Test (DCT). The results of present study indicate that single doses of atenolol and propranolol produced significant impairment of psychomotor performance. Nebivolol also impaired psychomotor performance tests in the similar fashion to atenolol and propranolol. Hence, the findings of the present study correlate with the lipophilic nature of the nebivolol.

Clinical Profile in H. Pylori Positive Patients in Jammu

The present prospective one year, study enrolled 265 symptomatic patients of acid peptic disease, out of which 92 patients were found H. pylori positive (by biopsy urease test and histopathological test) giving a prevalence of 34.71% . Among H. pylori positive patients, 64.13% were males and 35.86% were females. Age wise distribution showed maximum prevalence of H. pylori infection in the age group of 36-45 years and minimum in the age group of 66-75 years. Pain upper abdomen was the most frequent symptom in 49 (54.20%) patients followed by fullness after meals and retrosternal burning. Endoscopic and histopathological examination of H. pylori positive patients revealed chronic superficial gastritis in 87 (94.56%) patients followed by duodenitis in 11 (11.95%) and oesophagitis 8 (8.6%). All the positive patients were given anti-H. pylori treatment.

Effects of tamoxifen therapy on plasma lipid profile in patients of breast cancer.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of tamoxifen therapy on plasma lipid profile in patients of breast cancer. METHOD: A total of 55 postoperative patients of breast cancer were given tablet tamoxifen 20mg orally daily for 6 months. Estimation of plasma lipid by standard method was carried out in both pre-menopausal and postmenopausal new patients of early stage breast cancer at 0 day, 3rd month and 6th months of therapy. RESULTS: Suggested that in pre-menopausal and postmenopausal patient's TC and LDL-c levels were reduced significantly, whereas, TG, VLDL-c and HDL-c were not altered. Comparison of the effects of tamoxifen in pre-menopausal and postmenopausal patients on lipid profile revealed that fall in TC and LDL-c was significantly higher at both 3 and 6 months in postmenopausal patients. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that tamoxifen to favorably alter the markers of cardiovascular risk in both pre-menopausal and postmenopausal patients of breast cancer.