A comparative study of the common complaints and secondary complications in patients of osteoarthritis on allopathic, homeopathic and herbal system of medicines.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis worldwide and progression of arthritis may lead to secondary complications. Osteoarthritis is the degradation of joint tissues from the effects of injury, grinding sensation and inflammation. There are three main systems of medicine including allopathic, homeopathic and herbal system for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Plants are the basis for traditional medicine which is still widely practiced today. The objective of the present study is to find out the complaints and secondary complications in patients of osteoarthritis on allopathic, homeopathic and herbal system of medicine. This study was conducted in Karachi from January 2019 to January 2020. Allopathic, Homeopathic and Herbal practitioners were consulted in the study (n=600, with= 200 in each study group). Data was analyzed by SPSS 22 version. Finding of the study suggest that after the treatment with allopathic medicines orthopaedician, family physician or rheumatologist / internal medicine specialist, there was no significant difference in complaints (Chi-square =0.598, p=0.742). Moreover, there was no significant difference in complications (Chi-square = 0.039, p=0.981). While treatment with homeopathic medicines either by orthologist or family physician significant difference in complaints were observed (Chi-square =4.86, p=0.027). The patient visiting family physicians have higher number of complications than orthologists. While treatment with herbal medicines either by orthologists or family physician there was significant difference in complaints. (Chi-square =5.404, p=0.020). The study reveals that there is no significant difference of complaints and complications in allopathic systems of medicine when treating osteoarthritis, while it is significant for homeopathic and herbal medicine.

In vivo assessment of anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects of Syzygium cumini leaves extract in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. is one of the very popular traditionally used medicinal plants with numerous pharmacological activities including antioxidant, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory. However, actions of S. cumini on blood coagulation and other parameters of blood were poorly pharmacologically studied. Therefore, aim of this present investigation is to examine the effects of methanolic extract of S. cumini on blood coagulation and anticoagulation factors in healthy white albino rabbits at different doses. METHODS: Blood samples were drawn twice during this study and biochemical assays were performed to determine the effect on different parameters such as coagulation, anticoagulation, hematological, Protein C (PC) and thrombin antithrombin (TAT) complex and platelet aggregation. RESULTS: The results showed significant increase in RBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets counts up to 1.4 × 103/cm, 2.2 g/dl, 6%, 248.2 × 103/cm respectively. While, thrombin and bleeding time were also prolonged in dose dependent manner which is highly significant (p ≤ 0.005) as compared to control. Similarly, highly significantly increased (p ≤ 0.005) in levels of protein C, thrombin antithrombin complex at dose of 500 mg/kg were observed. Whereas, levels of platelets aggregation and fibrinogen were decreased at high doses. CONCLUSION: The obtained findings of hematological and coagulation tests concludes possibly S. cumini possess anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects.

Anticonvulsant activity of DNS II fraction in the acute seizure models.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Delphinium nordhagenii belongs to family Ranunculaceae, it is widely found in tropical areas of Pakistan. Other species of Delphinium are reported as anticonvulsant and are traditionally used in the treatment of epilepsy. Delphinium nordhagenii is used by local healer in Pakistan but never used for scientific investigation as anticonvulsant. Thus, Delphinium nordhagenii was subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation and the most active fraction, i.e. DNS II acetone was chosen for further testing in the acute seizure models of epilepsy to study the antiepileptic potential in male mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different doses (60, 65 and 70mg/kg, i.p.) of DNS II acetone fraction of Delphinium nordhagenii was administered 30min prior the chemoconvulsant's injection in the male mice. Convulsive doses of chemoconvulsants (pentylenetetrazole 90mg/kg, s.c. and picrotoxin 3.15mg/kg, s.c.) were used. The mice were observed 45-90min for the presence of seizures. Moreover, four different doses of DNS II (60, 65, 70 and 100mg/kg, i.p.) were tested in the MES test. RESULTS: The DNS II acetone fraction of Delphinium nordhagenii has exhibited the anticonvulsant actions by preventing the seizures against PTZ- and picrotoxin-induced seizure as well as 100% seizure protection in MES test. The results are comparable with standard AEDs (diazepam 7.5mg/kg, i.p. and phenytoin 20mg/kg, i.p.). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the Delphinium nordhagenii possesses the anticonvulsant activity. Further analysis is needed to confirm the structure and target the extended activity profile.