Toxic effects of multiple anticancer drugs on skin

In this study cutaneous toxicities associated With the administration of chemotherapy in combination are discussed. Rapidly growing cells are the targets of chemotherapy, so the skin, hair follicles, and nail matrix are frequently affected by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy skin reactions are more likely toxic than allergic reactions. There are numerous chemotherapy-induced cutaneous reactions that have beelfi described in the literature. In addition to a variety of miscellaneous reactions, 19 major cutaneous reactions were discussed in current study. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical spectrum of all cutaneous toxicities over two years in hospitalized and ambulatory patients in the Department of Pediatric oncology and to establish probable relationship between the reaction and suspected anticancer protocol with the help of WHO [World Health Organization] Common Toxicity Criteria by Grade. The data on the cutaneous toxicities were analyzed by percentile and ranking method The minimal [0.8%] cutaneous adverse effects monitored during the study were Petechiae, photosensitivity, pruritis, urticaria wound-infection, erythema multiforme, hand-foot skin reaction, injection site reaction, dry skin. Alopecia was the single most common [64.3%] adverse effect observed during the study, where as the pigmentary changes were the second most common [18.2%] adverse effect monitored. While these side effects are generally not life threatening, they can be a source of significant distress to patients especially alopecia

Progression of chronic periodontitis in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects

A Cross-sectional study was carried out to compare the Progression of Chronic Periodontitis in Diabetic and Non-diabetic subjects. The study comprised of two groups of subjects having diabetics and non-diabetics respectively. The results showed a higher progression of Periodontitis in diabetic subjects with more pocket depth recession and loss of bone as compared to a non-diabetic subjects

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of chlorpromazine with verapamil for the treatment of acute opioid abstinence syndrome

To compare the efficacy and safety of chlorpromazine with Verapamil in patients with Acute opioid Abstinence Syndrome. Single blind comparative clinical trial was conducted at Department of Pharmacology, BMSI, JPMC, Karachi, over the period of one year. Forty opiate-dependent subjects were chosen at random who were in search of opioid abstinence treatment. All patients were grouped into two groups, group-I received chlorpromazine 150 mg/day and group-II received Verapamil 120mg/day in divided doses. Every patient completed the management plan while admitted in the hospital for 10 days. The chlorpromazine showed decreased efficacy and safety, whereas verapamil showed clinically pertinent decline in the subjective symptoms of acute opioid abstinence syndrome. The study showed Verapamit is superior to chlorpromazine in the treatment of opioid abstinence syndrome indicated by better reduction of withdrawal symptom scores, excessive opioid urinary excretion and lees side effects. The superiority of verapamil over chlorpromazine in controlling opioid abstinence syndrome may indicate that calcium is involved in the initiation and development of opioid abstinence syndrome

Comparative study of drugs in hyperglycemic state

The purpose of this study is to compare the analgesic effect of drugs belonging to different chemical classes. It was observed that the analgesic effect is more rapid and persists for longer duration of action in normal as compared to diabetic animals

new and novel treatment of opioid dependence: nigella sativa 500 mg

Opioid dependence is one of the major social and psychiatric problem of society. Unfortunately there is no non opiate treatment available. For centuries man has used plants for their healing proprieties. These plants play a fundamental part in all treatment modalities, both ancient and modern. This study was conducted to find non opiate treatment for opiate withdrawal. Total 35 known addicts of opiates were included in the study. This study was based on DSM IV criteria for opioid dependence. This study demonstrates that non opioid treatment for opioid addiction decreases the withdrawal effects significantly. It further demonstrates that there are no changes in physiological parameters of subjects during treatment [BP, Pulse rate etc.]. There is increased appetite but no significant weight gain in the subjects. Non opioid drug Nigella sativa is effective in long term treatment of opioid dependence. It not merely cures the opioid dependence but also cures the infections and weakness from which majority of addicts suffer

Role of D-2 receptor antagonist chlorpromazine in observer rated signs of acute opioid abstinence syndrome

Chlorpromazine is very common non-opioid treatment option for acute opioid abstinence syndrome at different hospitals and detoxification centers at Karachi. Hence the study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of chlorpromazine compared with placebo in acute opioid abstinence syndrome. Forty healthy opiate-dependent patients seeking inpatient treatment were selected randomly. Of the 40 study patients, 20 were given placebo and 20 were given chlorpromazine 150 mg/day in divided doses under single blind protocol. All patients completed the treatment program and stayed in the hospital for 10 days. Chlorpromazine is ineffective treatment to control the signs of acute opioid abstinence syndrome. There were non- significant differences in the cumulative scores of signs of acute opioid abstinence syndrome between the two groups. The investigators found no benefit of chlorpromazine over placebo in treating acute opioid abstinence syndrome

Prophylactic role of pyridoxine in different age groups with premenstrual syndrome

In present study the prophylactic role of pyridoxine was assessed in reducing the unpleasantness associated with Premenstrual syndrome [PMS] in different age groups. Severity of symptoms was observed in age group 35-44. Overall improvement in symptoms after vitamin B6 treatment was highest in age group 25-34, followed by age group 15-24 and least improvement in age group 3 5-44. Vitamin B6 was found most beneficial in reducing the functional impairment of daily routine, as well as in reducing the intensity and incidence of dysphoric symptoms

Cetirizine and nigella sativa: comparison of conventional and herbal option for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis

To compare the efficacy of the second-generation antihistamine cetirizine with Nigella sativa [N. sativa] seeds in management of seasonal allergic rhinitis [SAR]. Comparative uncontrolled clinical trial. Forty untreated adult patients, suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis, seeking outpatient treatment were selected from different primary care clinics. They were enrolled and randomized in a single-blind manner to receive Cetirizine, 10 mg/day, group I [n=20] and 250 mg/day of N.sativa, group II [n=20] orally for 14 days. Response to treatment was evaluated at the end of the study. All patients completed the treatment. Both study drugs i.e cetirizine and N.sativa were equally effective at relieving the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis; however, the group using cetirizine had more sedation and other adverse effects. It appears that N.sativa is has minimal adverse effects and is therefore a safe treatment option for the patients of seasonal allergic rhinitis

Calcium channel blocker verapamil: a nonhormonal option for hot flashes management in patients with acute Opioid Abstinence Syndrome

Given the problems associated with hormonal therapy, and the prominent problem of hot flashes, there is a need for nonhormonal agents to alleviate hot flashes. Calcium ions play an important role in brain synaptosomes. This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of calcium channel blocker verapamil in hot flashes, the most frequently reported subjective symptom of acute opioid abstinence syndrome. The study was a 10 days single blind, random-assignment, inpatient trial for the patients of opioid abstinence syndrome with a very common symptom, the hot flashes. Twenty patients were given Verapamil, 120mg/day in divided doses. All patients, who have completed the treatment program, stayed in the hospital for 10 days. Mean absolute change scores of number of hot flashes per day at endpoint, with baseline scores, showed a highly significant decline with verapamil treatment program. The investigators found a benefit of verapamil in hot flashes

Role of Nigella Sativa in opioid dependence treatment

Opioid dependence is one of the major social and psychiatric problem of society. Unfortunately there is no non-opiate treatment available. This study was conducted to find out the role of Nigella Sativa as a potential non-opiate treatment for opiate withdrawal. The study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Karachi and Drug Rehabilitation Centre, R.H.C., Murad Memon Goth, Karachi. The study was based on DSM IV criteria for opioid dependence. Nigella Sativa 250 mg is found effective in long-term management of opioid dependence

Nagilla sativa: a non-conventional herbal option for the management of seasonal allergic rhinitis

Seasonal allergic rhinitis [SAR] is one of the top reasons for patient visits to primary care physicians because of its bothersome symptoms. This highly prevalent disease also impairs quality of life, sleep, and work. Oral antihistamines are one of the most frequently prescribed medications for the management of SAR but they have their own side effects. Hence the effects of traditional Nigella sativa seeds, on seasonal allergic rhinitis were studied in 20 patients. Daily dosages of 250 mg of seeds for a 15 days period significantly reduced the symptom severity scores of allergic rhinitis in patients. It was concluded that Nigella sativa seeds could be successfully used for seasonal allergic rhinitis

Relationship of brain tryptophan and serotonin in improving cognitive performance in rats

Brain function can be affected by the availability of dietary precursors of neurotransmitters. The diet induced increase in tryptophan [TRP] availability has been shown to increase brain serotonin synthesis and various related behaviors. Evidence shows that TRP and serotonin [5HT; 5 Hydroxytryptamine] play a significant role in memory function. Enhanced brain serotonin activity has been shown to improve cognitive performance in animals and human whereas decreasing brain 5HT levels by acute TRP depletion has been shown to impair cognition. A number of methods have been used for the assessment of memory in animals. In the present study, the radial arm maze and the passive avoidance was used for the assessment of memory in rats following long-term TRP administration. TRP at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight was orally administered for 6 weeks. The present study shows a significant improvement in memory of rats following both doses of tryptophan. Plasma TRP, brain TRP, 5HT and 5 hydroxy indol acetic acid [5HIAA] levels were increased significantly following administration of TRP. The results of the present study suggest that increase in brain 5HT metabolism following long term TRP administration may be involved in enhancement of memory

Effect of atypical anxiolytic drug on stress induced behavior

Buspirone is drug with anxiolytic action. It does not share the properties of benzodiazepines and antipsychotics. It is 5HT receptor partial agonist. In present study the effect of Buspirone was evaluated on ligation induced stress behavior. Significant changes were observed in body weight, feeding pattern, Cage crossing, openfield activity, Light/ Dark activity, swimming induced and ligation induced stress

Role of alpha-2 agonist clonidine in attenuation of hot flashes in patients with acute opioid abstinence syndrome

The demand for nonhormonal interventions for hot flashes is increasing because of the number of patients diagnosed with hormone-sensitive cancers and the hormone replacement therapy is not as beneficial as originally believed. So this study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of Clonidine in hot flashes, the most frequently reported subjective symptom of acute opioid abstinence syndrome. The study was a 10 days single-blind, random-assignment, inpatient trial of Clonidine for patients of opioid abstinence syndrome with a very common symptom the hot flashes. 20 patients were given Clonidine 300 meg/ day in divided doses. All patients, who have completed the treatment program, stayed in the hospital for 10 days. Mean absolute change scores of number of hot flashes per day at endpoint, with baseline scores, showed a very rapid and highly significant decline with Clonidine treatment program. The investigators found a benefit of Clonidine in hot flashes

Susceptibility of proteus and klebsiella to antimicrobial agents

Urinary tract infections UTIs are the most common infection experienced by females particularly causing discomfort in elderly patients. Klebsilla and Proteus species were common pathogens isolated. The front line antibiotics for treating UTIs to Klebsilla and Proteus species were found to be ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, cefaclor cefuroxine and pipemidic acid

Biological evaluation of iron [II] and Zinc [II] -amino acids complexes

Essential metalloelements are usually present in the human body as low - molecular weight protein complexes and are required for various vital physiological and metabolic functions. The bioavailability of these elements depends on their absorption from food sources. Their lower or higher amounts adversely affect the biological functions. Iron [II] and zinc [II] complexes of twelve different amino acids, were synthesized and evaluated for their in - vivo absorption in rabbits. All the metal amino acid - complexes showed more absorption as compared to the respective inorganic salts. The iron [II] and zinc [II] phenylalaninates, leucinates and histidinates were more readily absorbed and showed higher metal concentration in sera as compared to the rest of metal - amino acid complexes. The phenylalaninates showed the highest absorption followed by leucinates and histidinates

Neuropharmacological activity of an ayurvedic medicine

Nardostachys jatamansi is used in large quantities in preparation of Ayurvedic medicine The decoction of roots is used for epilepsy, hysteria and weakness. Available report suggest it effect on brain biogenic amines and on seizure threshold. Present study is designed to evaluate its Neuropharmacological profile. Gross behavioural study revealed its responsiveness in few Neuropharmacological tests

Pharmacological activity of M. methoxy coumaric acid

M - methoxy coumaric acid is a primary metabolite related to shikimate pathway. m - methoxy coumaric acid produced significant in levels of brain biogenic amine when injected intraperitonially. This primary metabolite gave positive responses in some tests for neuropharmacological screening and in - vivo and in - vitro experiments. It could therefore be a suggested as a promising psychotropic drug with an unidentified mode of action

Effect of aspirin on vaso active substances of cardiovascular tissues of rabbit

Aspirin has been used in several diseases [Saeed and Suria, 1984] including inflammatory conditions of cardiovascular system [Eadie, 1983]. The primary mode of action of aspirin is very well established through prostaglandins. In this presentation the action of aspirin has been evaluated on the quantities of vasoactive substances like catecholamines, 5-HT and histamine in cardiovascular tissues of rabbit by fluorimetry. The role of these substances in producing inflammatory conditions is very well documented. Significant reduction of the above mentioned vasoactive substances is observed in some cardiac tissues and blood vessels after the week long oral administration of aspirin