In Vitro Biological Screening of Hartmannia rosea Extracts.

The present study is focused on the assessment of the medicinal therapeutic potential extracts of H. rosea to investigate their pharmacological implications based upon science proofs. The antioxidant activity of fraction of H. rosea, namely, n-hexane (HR-1), ethyl acetate (HR-2), chloroform (HR-3), and n-butanol (HR-4), was performed by using the DPPH radical scavenging method. The cytotoxicity and enzyme inhibition assessment were also performed. All the extracts showed significant antioxidant, antibacterial, and protein kinase inhibition but none of the extracts exhibited α-amylase inhibition activity. The chloroform extract HR-3 may block a kinase receptor from binding to ATP; the lead molecule will be isolated, which may stop cancerous cell growth and demotion of cell division. It is predicted that ethyl acetate, chloroform, and n-butanol extracts of H. rosea contain polyphenolics, flavonoids, and alkaloids that are biologically effective candidates exhibiting significant cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. They may control oxidative damage in the body tissues and act as potential antidiabetic and anticancer agents. These studies will also be helpful for future drug designing and drug development research.

Neonatal outcome in meconium stained amniotic fluid-one year experience.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of clear liquor and meconium stained liquor on mode of delivery, and to evaluate neonatal outcome. METHODS: It was a Cross sectional analytical study, conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shaikh Zyed Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute/Hospital, Lahore and Shaikh Zaid Women Hospital Larkana, from April 2006 to March 2007. Two hundred and fifty patients from Larkana and 250 patients from Lahore in clear liquor group were included in the study. Similarly 125 patients from each city, that is 250 patients which had meconium stained liquor were included in group 2. The subjects with meconium stained amniotic fluid and clear amniotic fluid were registered as group 1 and 2. The socio demographic information, fertility history and gestational age of subjects were recorded. The investigations and information regarding mode of delivery and duration of labour were also noted. All babies delivered were attended by paediatricians. RESULTS: In this study 500 cases with clear liquor and 250 cases of meconium stained liquor were selected from two cities, Lahore and Larkana. Out of these 55 (22%) patients had grade I meconium stained liquor, 140 (56%) patients and 55 (22%) patients had grade II and grade III meconium stained liquor respectively. The mode of delivery is significantly affected by meconium staining of liquor. The effect of meconium stained liquor was significant on time of delivery. There were 40 (16%) post date deliveries in meconium stained liquor as compared to 1% in subjects with clear liquor. The effect of meconium staining of liquor was significant on Apgar score, neonatal admission, meconium aspiration syndrome and neonatal deaths. CONCLUSION: Meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), is associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. Caesarean sections were performed twice as frequently in women presenting with MSAF.