Toxicological effect of endocrine disrupting insecticide (deltamethrin) on enzymatical, haematological and histopathological changes in the freshwater iridescent shark, Pangasius hypothalamus.

This study investigated the deltamethrin (DMN) induced harmful effects on Pangasius hypophthalmus using enzymatic activity, haematological, and histopathological changes. LC50 value was 0.021 mg/L at 96 h, and sublethal toxicity was tested for 45 days at two `concentrations (i.e., 1/5th and 1/10th of LC50). Haematological parameters and enzymatic activities significantly changed between DMN-exposed and control groups (p < 0.05). Histopathologically, both DMN doses induced liver hyperemia, hepatic cell rupture, necrosis, hypertrepheoid bile duct, shifting nuclei, vascular haemorrhage, and hepatocyte degeneration, while in gill, secondary lamellae destruction, a fusion of adjacent gill lamellae, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, adhesion, and fusion were noticed. Kidney developed melanomacrophages, increased periglomerular and peritubular space, vacuolation, decreased glomerulus, hyaline droplets in tubular cells, loss of tubular epithelium, distal convoluted segment hypertrophy, and granular layer in brain pyramid and Purkinje cell nucleus. But, limiting pesticide impacts on freshwater fish and their habitat requires a holistic, cradle-to-grave approach and toxicological studies.

Efficacy Study of Folic Acid Supplementation on Homocysteine Levels in Adolescent Epileptics Taking Antiepileptic Drugs: A Single Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a chronic medical condition that requires long-term therapy with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). However, long-term employment of AEDs may lead to the onset of hyperhomocysteinemia, which has been found to modulate imperative metabolic mechanisms and induce cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). Therefore, adolescent population that have been diagnosed with epilepsy and utilize AEDs are among the most vulnerable, exhibiting higher risks of developing CVDs. PURPOSE: The present study was designed to explore the effects of folic acid (FA) supplementation on AED-induced hyperhomocysteinemia and CVD risk factors in adolescent epileptics. METHODS: The randomized clinical trial included adolescent epileptics (i.e., 10-19 years of age) of either sex, on antiepileptic therapy for > 6 months with high homocysteine levels (i.e., >10.9 µmol/L). At the time of enrolment, their baseline BP, lipid and homocysteine levels were recorded. Participants were randomly assigned to either treatment or placebo groups and received the respective treatments. At the end of the first month, BP, lipid and homocysteine levels were recorded and compared to determine the effect of FA on these parameters. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A significant fall in homocysteine levels was observed with FA supplementation (P < 0.05). However, this fall was significantly high in valproic acid treated epileptic patients. In addition, we observed an improvement in high-density lipoprotein levels, a risk factor for CVDs, but the change was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). The study results suggest that FA supplementation in epileptic patients receiving AED therapy may minimize AED-induced hyperhomocysteinemia and other CVD risk factors.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the pharmacodynamic interaction of 5-HT3 antagonist ondansetron and paracetamol in postoperative patients operated in an ENT department under local anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The preclinical incision pain models and clinical studies in healthy volunteers have demonstrated the central serotonergic analgesic mechanism, paracetamol analgesia. This has been evidenced by raised serotonin concentrations in the brain following paracetamol administration in a few studies. The inhibition of paracetamol analgesia by 5-HT3 antagonists suggests that this analgesia is 5-HT3 mediated. However, in a few studies, 5-HT3 antagonists themselves exhibited an analgesic action. Various studies in this context stated intricate results. The present study was intended to understand the pharmacodynamic interaction between paracetamol and ondansetron in postoperative patients. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial included 32 postoperative cases of either sex, ages between 18 and 70 years. The patients were randomly allocated into the placebo and test groups and received respective treatment at the end of surgery. The pain score was recorded using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) behavioral scale at awakening and every 30 min for the next 3 h. The postoperative rescue analgesic consumption for 24 h was recorded. The data were analyzed using OpenEpi and SciStatCalc statistical software. RESULTS: A significantly higher pain score was observed in the placebo group postoperatively for 60 min on VAS (p<0.05 and p<0.01), whereas the FLACC behavior scale score was significantly higher at 120 and 150 min (p<0.05). The test group patients were more comfortable throughout the study, and the postoperative analgesic requirement was significantly lesser (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacodynamic interaction between paracetamol and ondansetron coadministration does not block but instead increase paracetamol analgesia, reduce the postoperative analgesic requirement, and improve the postoperative comfort level.

Antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity of Clitorea ternatea Linn. on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Ethanol extract of Clitorea ternatea Linn. (EECT) was evaluated for its antihyperglycemic and antioxidative activity in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Antihyperglycemic activity of EECT was studied in normal fasted and glucose fed hyperglycemic and epinephrine induced hyperglycemic rats by estimating fasting serum glucose (FSG) by glucose oxidisae or peroxidase enzymatic method. Antioxidant activity of EECT was studied by assaying lipid peroxide/Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total nitric oxide, catalase (CAT) and glutathione levels in diabetic rats. The EECT (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed significant antihyperglycemic activity by decreasing FSG in all hyperglycemic models except epinephrine induced hyperglycemic rats; in which improvement in FSG was observed only with EECT in 400 mg/kg dose, whereas significant decrease in TBARS (P < 0.001), nitric oxide (P < 0.001) and significant increase in SOD (P < 0.001), CAT (P < 0.01) and reduced glutathione levels (P < 0.001) was observed in animals treated with EECT (200 and 400 mg/kg) compared to diabetic control group. The results indicated that EECT has remedial effects on hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

Clitorea ternatea, a herb from Indian folklore, improves streptozotocin-induced diabetes and diabetes-induced cognitive decline in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the antidiabetic, neurochemical-antioxidant and cognition protective effects of Clitorea ternatea leaves on a rat model of diabetic cognitive decline. METHODS: Antidiabetic activity was evaluated by serum glucose and body weight estimation in ethanol extract of Clitorea ternatea (EECT)-treated diabetic rats. Effects of EECT on spatial working memory (SWM) and spatial reference memory (SRM) were evaluated by Y-maze and Morris water maze tests respectively. Neurochemical-antioxidant effects of EECT were studied by acetylcholinesterase assay, and measurements of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels in diabetic rats. RESULTS: The 200 and 400 mg/kg of EECT showed a significant antidiabetic activity by decreasing serum glucose level (P<0.05, P<0.01), and there was a significant increase in the body weight in 400 mg/kg of EECT-treated diabetic rats (P<0.01). EECT was found to cause significant increases in SWM and SRM in retention trials on Y-maze and Morris water maze respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01). Significant decreases in acetylcholinesterase activity and TBARS level, and significant increase in CAT level were observed in rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg of EECT compared with rats in the diabetic control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Significant increase was also found in SOD in rats treated with 400 mg/kg of EECT. CONCLUSION: Clitorea ternatea exhibits antidiabetic and antioxidant activities, offers the protection against diabetes-induced cognitive decline, and warrants the need for further studies to elucidate its mode of action.

In vivo antimalarial activity of leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus (lour) spreng on Plasmodium berghei yoelii.

An invivo study of aqueous extract of the leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus on Plasmodium berghei yoelii was conducted on laboratory infected albino mice and compared with standard drug chloroquine. Reduction of parasitemia at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of aqueous extract for 24 hrs, 48 hrs, 72 hrs and 96 hrs were determined. The reduction of parasitemia after 96 hrs was 100%, 67.9% and 76.2% for standard, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of aqueous extract respectively. The isolation of active principle responsible for the reduction of parasitemia may give a promising drug molecule.