Anti-urolithiatic effects of Punica granatum in male rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The traditional use of Punica granatum has been reported to regulate urine discharge and controls the burning sensation of urine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals model of calcium oxalate urolithiasis was developed in male rats by adding ethylene glycol 0.75% in drinking water. The Punica granatum chloroform extract (PGCE) and Punica grantum methanol extract (PGME) orally at 100, 200 and 400mg/kg, respectively, were administered along with ethylene glycol for 28 days. On 28 day, 24h urine was collected from individual rats and used for estimation of urine calcium, phosphate and oxalate. The serum creatinine, urea and uric acid levels were estimated in each animal. The kidney homogenate was used for the estimation of renal oxalate contents. The paraffin kidney sections were prepared to observe the CaOx deposits. RESULTS: The ethylene glycol control (Gr.-II) had significant (P<0.001 vs. normal) increase in levels of urine oxalate, calcium and phosphate, serum creatinine, urea and uric acid and renal tissues oxalates, as compared to normal (Gr.-I). The paraffin kidney sections show significant histopathological changes. The treatment of PGCE and PGME at 100, 200 and 400mg/kg doses, significantly (P<0.001 vs. control) decreased the urine oxalate, calcium and phosphate, renal tissue oxalates and serum creatinine, urea and uric acid, in EG induced urolithiasis after 28 days. CONCLUSIONS: The PGCE and PGME at the doses of 400mg/kg, found to be more effective in decreasing the urolithiasis and regeneration of renal tissues in male rats.

Extra-oesophageal presentation of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease has now been definitely associated with pulmonary symptoms and diseases, such as asthma, cough, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and pulmonary fibrosis; otolaryngologic symptoms and findings include hoarseness, pharyngitis, cough, laryngitis, subglottic stenosis, globus, and laryngeal cancer. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is also associated with noncardiac chest pain, dental erosion, sinusitis and sleep apnoea. This discussion focuses on some of these extra-oesophageal presentations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and the general management of these individuals.

Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Calotropis gigantea on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Swarnabhasma, an Ayurvedic preparation containing Calotropis gigantea R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) is extensively used by Ayurvedic physicians for treatment of diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and nervous disorders. In the present study, we report the effect of chloroform extracts of Calotropis gigantea leaf and flower on free radical scavenging activity, and lipid profile in streptozotozin-induced diabetic rats. The lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were measured in liver homogenate and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid profile were measured in blood serum. Administration of single dose of streptozotozin (55 mg/kg, i.p.) caused significant increases in lipid peroxidation, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were significantly decreased. Further, administration of chloroform extracts of Calotropis gigantea leaf and flower to streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats at a dose of 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg orally for 27 d lead to a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Consequently, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were significantly increased. Glibenclamide was used as a positive control (10 mg/kg). It was observed that the effect of chloroform extracts of Calotropis gigantea on alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, superoxide dismutase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, levels are comparable to that of those produced by the positive control.

Depression--an adverse event with nifedipine.

Two cases are reported in which depression was associated with the use of calcium channel blocker, nifedipine. In one instance, a patient became unresponsive to treatment with nortriptyline when nifedipine was introduced. In both cases, the depression resolved following discontinuation of nifedipine.

Alprozolam poisoning.

We report a rare case of Alprazolam poisoning presented with coma and respiratory depression in a young girl with positive family history of suicidal attempts by her father, mother and sister. The Alprazolam was available in large amount in form of "Physicians Samples" as her elder sister was a medical representative. The patient was successfully managed.