Beneficial effects of oral vitamin D supplementation in diabetes mellitus type II patients - a clinical study in Karachi.

Vitamins are an essential component of the human body for growth and maintaining health. All vitamins have a significant role in metabolism, as a prophylactic in preventing various diseases, and maintaining health. Literature studies have predicted the positive impact of vitamin D on sugar level in blood of type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D plays a significant role in treating diabetes mellitus because it helps produce insulin and helps in the growth of beta cells of the pancreas. The present study was conducted for evaluating the impact of oral vitamin D in reducing the hyperglycemic conditions in patients after treatment of 1-6 months duration. 52 type 2 diabetes patients were enrolled in the study. The results showed that Vitamin D supplementation of 16 weeks reduced fasting blood glucose and HbA1C significantly in Vitamin D deficient Type 2 diabetes.

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 The sample was withdrawn at day 0, 30th and 60th day through cardiac puncture.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.

Rising trend of Nutraceuticals: Evaluation of lyophilized beetroot powder at different doses for its hypolipidemic effects.

A diet comprising of nutrients that would control hypertension as well as hyperlipidemia would be very beneficial over all. This study aimed to assess the effect of lyophilized beet root powder at different doses on lipid profile and hyperlipidemia model. Albino rabbits weighing 1500-2000gms were taken for both studies. Beetroot powder was administered to animals at 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg doses and after two month dosing the blood samples were withdrawn and lipid profile was assessed. Next a model of hyperlipidemia was created comprising of albino rabbits that were divided into five groups each containing n=6. Group I was considered as control, Group II was marked as Negative control, Group III was taken as standard, whereas Group IV and V were considered as treated and given different doses of beetroot. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, 45th day and at day 60th of study. Highly significant decrease in lipid profile (Cholesterol, LDL and TGS) and significant increase in HDL was observed by both doses after one month. HDL was increased more at 1000mg/kg dose. The presence of flavonoids and saponins in beetroot is responsible for hypolipidemic effect. From our research we came to the conclusion that beetroot powder reduced the lipid profile and could be beneficial in treatment of cardiovascular disease due to atherosclerosis and obesity.

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.

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.