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.

Dose dependent anticonvulsant activity of Morus nigra in strychnine induced seizures model.

Herbal medicines have gained tremendous surge of interest in recent years. M. nigra leaves are a rich source of phenolics which are well-known for their antioxidant property. Morus nigra popularly known as black mulberry is considered to be the most significant species of genus Morus. This study was designed to evaluate its activity on seizure model in different doses. Five groups were made comprising of n=10 animals in each group respectively. Group I was on distilled water, Group II was administered with reference drug diazepam and Group III, IV and V were on 125mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg dose of Morus nigra for 15 days prior to experiment. On day 16th all animals were administered with strychnine after 30 minutes of respective treatments and three parameters were recorded i.e. duration, frequency and onset of seizures. M. nigra treatment showed significant seizure protection as noted by delayed latency of seizures (P<0.05), decrease in frequency and jerk's duration (P<0.05) in comparison to control and reference standard. Most significant (P<0.05) anticonvulsant effects were observed with 500mg/kg dose. Anticonvulsant activity of M. nigra could be due to potentiation of both Gabaergic and glycinergic activities. Antiepileptic potential of extract could also be amplified due to its antioxidant activity. This could serve as a non-pharmacological treatment for seizure management.

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.

The effects of alendronate treatment in the diagnosis and management of proximal femur osteoporosis: A real-life scenario.

Currently the increased focus is being given to reforming osteoporosis regimens. Optimizing the evaluation of pharmacological intervention occurs once a medicine has been approved. There is literature available on the use of alendronate in bone loss. The current study focuses on the efficacy assessment of alendronate on proximal femur bone density loss. Current work was carried out to analyze the data of the BMD. The study comprised of females who had received at least six months of Alendronate (70mg/week) for proximal femur osteoporosis. SPSS version-22 was used for analysis and a comparative change was regarded therapeutically significant. The reliability of the research was ensured by reporting cover-up and withdrawals. Among all the study participants who received Alendronate therapy the median height of females in centimeters (cms) was 155 (IQR=16) and the median weight was 55.5 Kilograms (Kgs) (IQR=15). The mean age of the population was 50.59±14.714. The study found the median T-score before therapy was -2.9 (IQR=0.7) and the median T-score after therapy was -2.51(IQR=1). The estimated difference of mean rank was statistically significant for pre- and post-therapy T-score (p=0.008). Hence, the results of this study indicate an improvement in BMD as a result of therapy. Alendronate at 70 mg per week is effective in reducing hip osteoporosis.

Covid-19 pandemic-prevalence of depression, anxiety and insomnia during Covid-19 lockdown and its associated factors in Karachi, Pakistan.

We aimed to determine the frequency of depression, anxiety and insomnia; identify associated factors; and compare these outcomes amongst a privileged and underprivileged class of Pakistan. A cross-sectional online and face to face survey was conducted in Karachi from April 2020 to May 2020. Validated depression (World Health Organization self-reporting questionnaire), anxiety (general anxiety and depression scale) and insomnia (insomnia severity index) scales were used. Out of 447 participants, the majority were less than 30 years (63.8%) and females (57.7%); 20.8% study participants belonged to poor or very poor socioeconomic status; 17% respondents were from lower middle status and 38% belonged to the higher middle or rich class. Depression, anxiety and insomnia were identified in 30%, 30.63% and 8.5% of participants, respectively. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and insomnia among privileged people was 37.8%, 16.6% and 11.3% respectively whereas among underprivileged were 17.8%, 16.6% and 4.1% respectively. There were significant differences in frequencies of depression (p<0.001), anxiety (p<0.001) and insomnia (p=0.009) among the privileged and underprivileged classes. We found a high prevalence of depression, anxiety and insomnia among both the privileged and underprivileged Pakistani population and a policy needs to be devised to ensure the mental health of Pakistani population.

Effect of different doses of lyophilized beetroot on fertility and reproductive hormones.

Infertility has recently been a common issue for which multiple medicinal as well as surgical treatments are available. Beta vulgaris commonly referred to as garden beet is one of the most utilized vegetable especially in salad dressings. The Present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of lyophilized beet root on fertility and reproductive hormones. The study was carried out in January 2017 on two different animal models. For fertility purpose albino mice of both genders weighing 20-25gm were divided into 5 pairs for each group, First group was control given distilled water, next was treated I being given beetroot 500mg/kg and last one was given 1000mg/kg beetroot. Similarly 5 pairs were made of buck and doe's weighing 1.75gm-2.5gm and labelled as Control, Treated I and Treated II and were administered distilled water, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg beetroot respectively. The pups were again mated after they grew up and in this way F1 generation was also observed. The kits were observed for presence of anomaly. The estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels were evaluated at baseline, during pregnancy and post pregnancy in rabbit model. Improved fertility with no anomalies in the pups and kits were observed. The reproductive hormones were also highly significantly increased (p<0.001) as compared to baseline values. The study suggests that beetroot would be very beneficial in improving fertility and maintaining hormonal level during fertility hence it would prove to be very beneficial in maintaining pregnancy as well as treating infertility.

Assessment of the co-relation between 1st set of Troponin I, age, duration of chest pain and LVEF in patients presenting with first stemi and treatment protocol followed.

Coronary heart disease is the cause of 17.1 million deaths per year throughout the world. The rationale of this study was to determine the importance of 1st set of Troponin I in relation to age, duration of chest pain and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients presenting with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction along with the treatment protocol followed in emergency. It was a cross sectional prospective observational study which was conducted at a tertiary care hospital, at the Cardiology department for a period of 12 months. All patients regardless of gender, aged between 30-80 years with co-morbidities were included presenting with acute STEMI. A total of 150 patients were included in this study with a mean age of 61.2±10.3 years out of which males were (71%). Around 61% of the people presented to emergency >12 hours after onset of chest pain. There was non-significant difference in the treatment protocol given to all patients. For statistical analysis SPSS 21 was applied and significant relationship was observed between age, duration of chest pain and LVEF (p value <0.05). It was seen in our population that people older than 50 years tend to present to emergency department late with chest pain symptoms which results in a linear rising relationship with Troponin I and with increasing Troponin I there was significant reduction seen in LVEF.

Screening of water distilled Rosa damascena Mill. flowers as hematopoietic agent in an animal model.

Pancytopenia is classified as low blood cell count. Low levels of hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are indicative of pancytopenic state. This pancytopenic state can be treatment (drug) or disease induced. Conventional approaches available to treat pancytopenia are usually associated with many undesirable adverse effects, are costly and parenterally administered. Interest in natural products has significantly increased due to their ability to stimulate cellular components of immune system. This study is designed to investigate the hematopoietic i.e. erythropoeitic, leucopoietic and thrombopoeitic potential of water distilled flowers of Rosa damascena Mill.