Evaluation of Hepatoprotective effects of different doses of Lyophilized Beetroot powder in albino rabbits.

Beta vulgaris L. is a vegetable most commonly consumed in salads and has been shown to possess multiple benefits. This research was carried out to observe the effects of Beta vulgaris powder at different doses orally in albino rabbits on liver biochemical parameters and coagulation. The study was carried out on albino rabbits which were divided into three groups designated as Group I (administered distilled water) Group II and III (administered beetroot powder at 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg dose respectively) orally for 2 month duration. The sample was withdrawn at day 0, 30th and 60th day through cardiac puncture. The results showed that both doses of Beta vulgaris were considered safe for use as all the liver parameters were significantly decreased compared to control. Among both doses 500mg/kg dose was considered safer as it reduced the parameters significantly compared to 1000mg/kg dose. Blood coagulation factors at both the doses showed significant increase which was in reference range. Beta vulgaris is a highly beneficial dietary product with ample amount of flavonoids and anti-oxidant agents which might help in improving the liver function and also play a role in coagulation by increasing both fibrinogen levels and prothrombin time.

Determination of anxiolytic and antidepressant like activity of hydro alcoholic fruit extract of Pyrus communis (L.) and its impact on the memory after chronic dosing in animal models.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anxiolytic and antidepressant activity of ethanolic fruit extract of Pyrus communis (pear), in comparison with escitalopram in rodents (rats and mice). Thirty Wistar rats of about 200-250gm and albino mice of 25-30gm, male gender were divided into three groups each comprising of (n=10) animal respectively. Control group received distilled water, positive control received 10mg escitalopram & treated group received 200mg/kg/day of Pyrus communis ethanolic fruit extract orally for 30 days. They were evaluated by using the open field test, forced swim test (FST), plus maze test, light and dark test, hole poking test, stationary rod test, water maze test & cage crossing activity. Results were expressed as mean ± SD. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software (VERSION 21) one way ANOVA followed by Tukey test was used for post hoc analysis. Our result showed that fruit extract had significant antidepressant-like behavior in FST (p<0.001), open field (p<0.05), cage crossing (p<0.001) , significant anxiolytic activity in light and dark box test, plus-maze activity and significantly enhanced learning in water maze and stationary rod test when compared with control. The Pyrus communis fruit extract showed the anxiolytic and antidepressant-like profile in rats and mice. However, further studies need to be carried out in clinical trials for its use in different neuropsychological disorders.

A herbal treatment approach for the management of clinical, hormonal and ultrasound parameters in reproductive age group women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A randomized clinical trial.

Around fifteen percent women of reproductive age have been effected by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS); a complicated disorder; and apparently there is no standard therapy available. Considering this lack, we design present work; for the assessment of a herbal medicine (Femitex-SP4) in managing PCOs. During 2016-17; this study was carried out at Abbasi Shaheed hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 150 patients aged between 18-44 years were included as per Rotterdam criteria. Patients received 500 mg of powdered herbs in capsule form twice daily. The primary outcomes were regular menstruation and ovulation plus change in fasting blood sugar levels. Changes in free testosterone levels and ovarian morphology was secondary outcome measures. Continuous outcomes before and after treatment were compared by Student's t-test (one tailed, independent). P = 0.05 was considered as significant. Women menstrual cycle was considerably improved. Fasting blood sugar levels did not change (p=0.103392). Progesterone levels were same at the starting point and after treatment (P=0.318322). With complete recovery in 6 patients; a notable change was found in ovarian size. Free testosterone levels were also dropped significantly (p<0.00001). Our main success was drastic improvement in normalizing menstrual cycle during therapy. Herbal treatment is proven to be clinically effective in most of the patients; particularly PCOs patients with menstrual irregularities. Hence, Femitex-SP4 can be taken as a better treatment for PCOs.

Higher incidence of prescribing rates and utilization of broad spectrum cephalosporin in young patients: A retrospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital.

Frequent use of antibiotics has been developed resistance and the use of broad spectrum cephalosporin must be limited in children. The study evaluated the association of prescribing patterns of third generation cephalosporin with diagnosis, age, availability of cultural sensitivity report and gender. It is an observational study that was carried out in the duration of six months in a low socio-economic tertiary care hospital. The data of six hundred and eighty-five (685) patients were collected from the medical records of the tertiary hospital. The cephalosporin are the most prescribed antibiotics in children 118/217 (54.3%) followed by adults 119/403 (29.5%) and teenagers 18/65 (27.6%). Whereas, 75/217 (34.5%), 126/403 (31.2%) and 22/65 (33.8%) were prescribed cephalosporin with combination in patients respectively. The culture sensitivity was performed only in 25% of patients i.e., 173/685, Of 173 culture reports 70 and 91 cases from children and adults respectively. Blood is mostly examined specimen in children and urine in adults. Escherichia coli was highly recovered pathogen in culture sensitivity report. The study concluded broad spectrum cephalosporin antibiotics were highly prescribed in children. The culture sensitivity was performed in limited number of patients. Antibiotics stewardship programme will be implemented to reduce the prescribing of broad spectrum cephalosporin in young patients.

In-vitro bioassays of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Aseel dates.

Aseel is amongst the most vital date variety of Pakistan. Beside its nutritional value, it also got remedial uses therefore for the first time different in-vitro bioassays were performed to assess its medicinal value. Aqueous (DFAE) and ethanol (DFEE) extracts of fresh Aseel dates were used for the purpose. Microplate alamar blue assay was done for antibacterial activity, Brine shrimp lethality test for cytotoxicity and MTT assays with different cancer cell lines were used for anti-cancer activity. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity were also evaluated by free radical scavenging bioassay and chemiluminescence technique. Alamar blue assay of both extracts exhibited weak antibacterial activity against E.coli, S, flexenari and S. aureus. Brine shrimp lethality revealed absence of cytotoxicity at 1000µ/mL concentration. DFEE 50 µ/mL was effective against MCF-7,MDA-MB-231, PC3, 3T3 and Hela cancer cell lines showing 17.59%, 20.90%, 37.60%, 22.35% and 36.70% inhibition whereas DFAE exhibits 20.46%, 30.86%, 15.21%, 29.70% and 16.40 % inhibition respectively. Similarly both extracts also showed varying degree of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity against standard drug. The results are suggestive of weak bioactivity of Aseel date extracts might because of reduced potency however further studies are required for better understanding of observed results and separation of active ingredients from Aseel dates.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant potential of seed extracts of Vernonia anthelmintica.

Seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica in the form of Ethanol seed extract of Vernonia anthelmintica (EEVA), Hexane extract of Vernonia anthelmintica (HEVA) and water decoction of Vernonia anthelmintica (WDVA) were evaluated for their in-vivo anti-Inflammatory potential in carrageenan induced rat paw model. The results were compared to anti-inflammatory activity of standard drug (ibuprofen) and untreated groups. In-vitro evaluation of antioxidant potential of EEVA and HEVA were also conducted by "DPPH scavenging assay". The results of present study depicts that HEVA and EEVA in higher dose possess a strong anti-inflammatory potential as compared to standard anti-inflammatory drugs, whereas WDVA showed milder anti-inflammatory potential. DPPH assay has revealed strong anti-oxidant potential of EEVC with the percentage Radical Scavenging activity (%RSA) of 89.709 at concentrations of 500 ul as compared to standard drugs gallic acid (23.436±0.43) and acetyl salicylic acid (111.44±0.7) at concentrations of 95.95 µM. The other extract HEVC has shown to have insignificant %RSA at the concentration of 500µl. Hence the present study revealed that selected extracts of Vernonia anthelmintica exhibited significant in-vitro antioxidant and in-vivo anti-inflammatory potential.