Correlation of Radiographic Mental Foramen Position and Occulusion in Three Different Indian Populations.

BACKGROUND: The knowledge of the position of the mental foramen (MF) is important for administering local anaesthesia for diagnostic, surgical or operative procedures. AIMS: To determine the shape, position, symmetry of MF and its continuity with the inferior dental canal (IDC) on a digital panoramic view and to find its correlation with Angle's molar relations in three Indian subpopulations. The study also determines the correlation of inter-foramen distance in both genders of three Indian subpopulations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty digital panoramic radiographs were evaluated from three Indian subpopulations (Punjab, Rajasthan and Northeast [NE]). The assessment of occlusion was based on Angle's molar relationships. The data obtained were statistically analysed. RESULTS: The commonest position of the MF in the Rajasthan and NE populations was position 4 bilaterally, while in the Punjab population, it was position 3 on the right and position 4 on the left side. The majority of the MF was round in shape followed by oval. The mean distance between two MF was highest among the Punjab male population and least among the NE female population. The most frequent pattern of MF continuity with IDC was diffuse in Rajasthan population, separated in NE and continuous in Punjab. Correlation between Angle's molar relation with MF position was significant for Classes I and II but not for Class III. Correlation of inter-foramen distance between genders was highly significant in the NE and Punjab populations. CONCLUSION: The commonest MF position was aligned with the 1st premolar and between the 1st and 2nd premolar.

Hepatoprotective activity of leaves of Zanthoxylum armatum DC in CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Zanthoxylum armatum DC (Rutaceae) is extensively used in indigenous system of medicine as a tonic, carminative, stomachic and anthelmintic. In the present study, the hepatoprotective activity of the leaves ethanolic extract of Z. armatum (EEZA) was evaluated in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg registered a significant decrease in the levels of serum glutamyl oxalacetic acid transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamyl pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), and serum bilurubin (SBLN) and liver inflammation, which was supported by histopathological studies on liver, thus exhibited a significant hepatoprotective activity. The phytochemical screening of defatted ethanolic extract showed the presence of sterols, alkaloids, flavonoids, and reducing sugars.

Prediction of land use changes based on Land Change Modeler and attribution of changes in the water balance of Ganga basin to land use change using the SWAT model.

Conflicts between increasing irrigated agricultural area, commercial crops, shifting cultivation and ever increasing domestic and industrial demand has already been a cause of tension in the society over water in the Ganga River Basin, India. For the development of sustainable water resource strategies, it is essential to establish interaction between landuse changes and local hydrology through proper assessment. Precisely, seeing how change in each LULC affects hydrologic regimes, or conversely evaluating which LULC shall be appropriate for the local hydrological regime can help decision makers to incorporate in the policy instruments. In this study, hydrologic regimes of the Ganga River basin have been assessed with landuse change. Catchment hydrologic responses were simulated using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Meteorological data from IMD of 0.25°â€¯× 0.25° spatial resolution were taken as the climate inputs. Simulated stream flow was compared at different gauge stations distributed across the Gang River and its tributaries. Urbanization has been the topmost contributor to the increase in surface runoff and water yield. While increased irrigation demands were the dominant contributor to the water consumption and also added to the increased evapotranspiration. This study can be important tool in quantifying the changes in hydrological components in response to changes made in landuse in especially basins undergoing rapid commercialization. This shall provide substantive information to the decision makers required to develop ameliorative strategies.

Hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic extract of Pandanus odoratissimus root against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

BACKGROUND: Pandanus odoratissimus (Pandanaceae) is popular in the indigenous system of medicines like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy. In the traditional system of medicine various plant parts such as leaves, root, flowers, and oils are used as anthelmintic, tonic, stomachic, digestive and in the treatment of jaundice and various liver disorders. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of ethanolic extract of the root of P. odoratissimus against paracetamol (PCM) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatotoxicity was induced in male Wistar rat by PCM (2 g/kg b.w. p.o. for 7 days). The ethanolic extract of P. odoratissimus root was administered at the dose level of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg b.w. orally for 7 days and silymarin (100 mg/kg b.w. p.o.) as standard drug was administered once daily for a week. The hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract was evaluated by assessment of biochemical parameters such as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, total and direct bilirubin and triglycerides. Histopathological study of rat liver was also done. RESULTS: Experimental findings revealed that the extract at dose level of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of b.w. showed dose dependant hepatoprotective effect against PCM induced hepatotoxicity by significantly restoring the levels of serum enzymes to normal that was comparable to that of silymarin, but the extract at dose level of 400 mg/kg was found to be more potent when compared to that of 200 mg/kg. Besides, the results obtained from histopathological study also support the study. CONCLUSION: From the results, it can be concluded that ethanolic extract of the root of P. odoratissimus afforded significant protection against PCM induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Effect of the extract of Annona muricata and Petunia nyctaginiflora on Herpes simplex virus.

Annona muricata (Annonaceae) and Petunia nyctaginiflora (Solanaceae) were screened for their activity against Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and clinical isolate (obtained from the human keratitis lesion). We have looked at the ability of extract(s) to inhibit the cytopathic effect of HSV-1 on vero cells as indicative of anti-HSV-1 potential. The minimum inhibitory concentration of ethanolic extract of A. muricata and aqueous extract of P. nyctaginiflora was found to be 1 mg/ml.

Individual and combined effects of berberine and santonin on spore germination of some fungi.

Berberine and santonin were isolated from rhizomes of Berberis aristata and unexpanded flower buds of Artemisia maritima, respectively. Efficacy of these two chemicals individually as well as of their mixtures, was tested against spore germination of some saprophytic and obligate fungi. While berberine individually was effective against most of the fungi, Helminthosporium spp. were least affected even at the highest dose (1500 ppm). Santonin was equally effective against several fungi. Mixture of both alkaloids found to be more effective than individual ones. Keeping the dose of berberine constant and santonin at two different concentrations (viz. 250 and 500 ppm) the spore germination of Helminthosporium oryzae was stimulated. Increasing concentration of santonin inhibited the spore germination of all other fungi tested, Colletotrichum capsici being affected only by 20 and 5% (at berberine concentration of 250 and 500 ppm, respectively). On the other hand, santonin being constant and berberine at different concentrations, the mixture was effective against all the fungi.

Correlation of Palatal Rugoscopy with Gender, Palatal Vault Height and ABO Blood Groups in Three Different Indian Populations.

BACKGROUND: Palatal rugae (PR) are asymmetrical irregular elevations, recorded during maxillary cast fabrication, that can be used for identification purpose if previous comparative sources are available. AIM: This study investigated uniqueness of PR patterns in relation to gender, palatal vault forms, and ABO blood groups in three (North-East [N-E], Northern and Western) populations of India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on randomly selected 90 students, 30 from each sub population. Design - The palatal vault was recorded as Types I, II, and III. The maxillary casts were analyzed for each subject. The blood group of each subject was also recorded. Pearson's correlation coefficient tests were performed on cross-tabulations to evaluate significant relationship among different variables. RESULTS: The PR number was more among females with an insignificant correlation among gender and mean rugae size on both sides. Types I and II hard palate vaults were seen associated with straight forwardly directed PR pattern, while Type III with curved forwardly directed PR. On the right side, straight rugae shape was most common type. On the left side, straight rugae shape was most common in Northern population while in N-E and Western populations curved rugae was the dominating type. A highly significant correlation was found between ABO blood groups and different PR patterns. CONCLUSIONS: PR possesses unique characteristics and can be used along with palatal vault forms as well as ABO blood groups for racial and individualistic soft tissue oral print in forensic cases.

Antiinflammatory, Analgesic and Antipyretic Activities of Aerial Parts of Costus speciosus Koen.

In the present study, methanol extracts of Costus speciosus Koen. aerial parts were assessed for antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in experimental animals. The antiinflammatory activity of methanol extract of Costus speciosus (400 and 800 mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema test. Analgesic effect was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and Eddy's hot-plate models and antipyretic activity was assessed by Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The methanol extract of aerial parts of Costus speciosus in a dose of 400 and 800 mg/kg showed significant antiinflammatory activity (19.36 and 40.05% reduction) at 5 h postmedication. In analgesic models extract treated animals at (400 and 800 mg/kg) inhibited writhing's caused by acetic acid by 14.24 and 31.90%, respectively, and it also increased the latency period at both high and low doses which showed the mean reaction time at 16.60±0.355 s and 14.12±0.355 s, respectively, when compared to control in hot-plate test. It also reduces the rectal temperature of the animals at low and high doses significantly 37.03±0.108° and 36.63±0.098°, respectively, in Brewer's yeast induced pyrexia. The obtained results of the present investigation revealed that methanol extract of Costus speciosus has significant antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities.

Anti-inflammatory activity of an alkaloid from Solanum trilobatum on acute and chronic inflammation models.

The solasodine isolated from Solanum trilobatum has been examined for possible anti-inflammatory activity in acute and chronic inflammatory animal models. Solasodine (5, 30 and 75 mg kg⁻¹) exerted statistically significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, which was similar to that of indomethacin (10 mg kg⁻¹), a known anti-inflammatory agent. At the dose of 75 mg kg⁻¹, solasodine inhibited the arachidonic acid-elicited rat paw oedema 1 h after arachidonic acid challenge. Topical application of solasodine significantly inhibited the ear inflammation induced by multiple applications of tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate. It also suppressed the volume of exudates, total leucocytes and amount of neutrophil migration into the rat pleural cavity. Administration of solasodine at a dose of 75 mg kg⁻¹ significantly inhibited the adjuvant-induced rat paw oedema. These results suggest that solasodine exerts anti-inflammatory activity, at least partly through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways.

Pharmacognostical studies on Zanthoxylum armatum leaves.

The present study deals with the Pharmacognostical investigations on the leaves of Zanthoxylum armatum along with fluorescence characteristics ash and extractive values with an aim to identify and differentiate if from its possible adulterants and / or substitutes.

IDENTITY OF MOLLUGO STRICTA roots: A POSTENTIAL ANTIFERTILITY DRUG FOR FUTURE.

The salient diagnostic pharmacognostical characters of the roots of Mollugo strica which sows promise as an antifertility drug for future have been studied. The young root is di-to-tri-arch, diarch conditions being most common. The cork cambium arises in the outermost layer of cortex forming 2-3 layers of cork cells on the outside and phelloderm towards the innerside. In the nature root, two concentric stellar rings are formed around the central was the inner one being continuous where as the outer one is discontinuous. The central core of wood also show delignificant in the advanced stages. Starch and calcium oxalate are absent. Ash values and fluorescence analysis are also determined.

Immunomodulators of plant origin - a review.

The immunomodulatory property of plants is being studied with greater interest in recent years. This is more so because of the growing awareness regarding the need to modulate the immune system to achieve the desirable effects of preventing an infection rather than treating it at an advanced state. The recent advances in this field are summarized in this article.

Experimental studies on artemisia vulgaris - a possible antifertility drug.

The effect of alcoholic extract of the aerial parts of Artemisia vulgaris Linn on estrous cycle and implantation, in female albino rats, was studied. The drug induced an irregular estrous cycle with random disappearance of estrous phase and increase in the number of metestrus phases within the estrous cycle, observed for the total test period of 18 days. It exhibited 80% anti-implantation activity without showing any gross malformations in pups delivered, possibly due to its non-toxic nature even at the high dose of 3000 mg/kg p.o. These facts suggest the drug to possess some antifertility effect.

Antiulcer and cytoprotective action of wedelia calendulacea less.

The gastric antiulcer and ulcer healing effect of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the dried leaves of Wedelia calendulacea. Less was found to be significant. The effect of the aqueous extract was observed to be more pronounced in comparison with that of the ethanolic extract.

Effect of stress on immunity.

Immunological system is part of the complex component kapha of Ayurveda. Composed of an array of constituents, it acts as the internal surveillance system of the body. Diseases appear when immunity is compromised. This paper describes in detail the effect of stress on immunity.

Hepatoprotective activity of Annona muricata Linn. and Polyalthia cerasoides bedd.

The hepatoprotective effect of Annona muricata and Polyalthia cerasoides (Annonaceae) were monitored by estimating the serum transaminases (SGOT and SGPT), serum alkaline phosphatase (SALP), liver and brain lipid peroxidation (LOP) and their total protein content. Both drugs at a dose of 100 µg/kg significantly prevented the increase in serum transaminases, SALP, liver and brain LOP and decrease in liver and brain total protein content following carbontetrachloride (CCl) induced hepatoxicity in albino rats.

Investigation on fagonia cretica -its effect on hormonal profile and immunomodulation in rats.

The effect of alcoholic extracts of the aerial parts of fagonia cretica on estrous cycle and implantation in female albino rats was studied, It induced random omission of heat phase in eh estrous cycle and exhibited 100% anti implantation activity without exhibiting any toxic manifestation, However it was found to have some strong androgenic antiprogestational activity, and immunostimulating property.

Study of dermatomycoses.

555 clinically suspected cases of dermatomycoses were studied for causative fungi and their detailed clinical manifestations. The fungi were demonstrated on routine KOH mount and/or by culture in 464 cases (83.6%). Tinea corporis was the predominant fungal infection (30.6%) and T. rubrum was the main etiologic agent. Favus (T. schoenleini) was found only in cases from Jammu and Kashmir valleys. There was a high incidence of tinea capitis among children. Trichophyton tonsurans was isolated in cases of tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis. Trichophyton ferrugineum and T. verrucosum were isolated from cases of tinea capitis; and Microsporum gypseum was isolated from tinea cruris infections.