Analgesic effect of extracts of Alpinia galanga rhizome in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the analgesic effect of extracts of Alpinia galanga (AG) rhizome in mice and elucidate the possible mechanism for its analgesic action. METHODS: Analgesic action of extracts of AG rhizome was studied in three experimental models of nociception. Albino mice of both sexes weighing 25 to 30 g were used in this study. For the hot-plate test, mice in the five groups with six in each received three different doses of ethanolic extracts of dried rhizome of AG suspended in 2% gum acacia orally, morphine subcutaneously and 2% gum acacia orally, respectively. Reaction time was observed after administration of vehicle or drugs. For the hot-plate test after naloxone pretreatment, mice in the five groups received naloxone subcutaneously 30 min prior to the administration of vehicle or drugs and reaction time was observed as explained above. In the writhing test, writhes were induced by injecting acetic acid intraperitoneally in another 30 mice which were randomly allocated to five groups of six in each and received three different doses of ethanolic extracts of dried rhizome of AG suspended in 2% gum acacia, aspirin suspended in 2% gum acacia and 2% gum acacia orally, respectively. The mice were observed individually for a period of 15 min and the number of writhes was recorded for each animal. RESULTS: AG treatment significantly increased the latency period in the hot-plate test at all three doses at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min time intervals compared with control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Naloxone pretreatment significantly reduced the latency period in hot-plate test for both AG and morphine groups as compared with corresponding groups that did not receive naloxone pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). AG at all doses significantly reduced the number of writhes compared with control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The study confirmed the analgesic effect of AG rhizome and hence justified its use in ethnomedicine for the treatment of pain due to various causes. The probable mechanism of its analgesic action may be central as well as peripheral.

Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Workplace Stressors among Nurses in Tertiary Health Care Settings.

BACKGROUND: Chronic job stress adversely impacts both mental health of nurses and patient care. There is paucity of data regarding workplace stressors and negative emotions among nurses. AIMS: To assess depression, anxiety and stress among nurses and analyse their association with workplace stressors. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted in two tertiary care hospitals. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Four hundred and thirty one nurses completed nurses rated depression, Anxiety and Stress instrument (DASS-21) and a questionnaire probing perceived workplace stressors on a 4 point Likert scale . The stressors across subgroups of workareas were compared. SATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Association between stress, anxiety or depression and workplace stressors were analysed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: 50.8% of nurses had stress; 74% had anxiety; 70.8% had depression. 79.1% had at least one of them. Stressed, anxious or depressed nurses were more concerned about lack of job satisfaction and conflicts with supervisors. Work-place stressors varied with work areas: private hospital, no job satisfaction, conflicts with doctors and patients; government hospital, acquiring infectious diseases; ICUs, inadequate salary; non-ICUs, odour and sounds in workplace and conflicts with patients. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was high. Workplace stressors varied across different working areas. Interventions need are to be tailored accordingly.

Health Literacy Status and Understanding of the Prescription Instructions in Diabetic Patients.

This study aimed to assess the health literacy (HL) of patients having diabetes mellitus, their understanding of prescription instructions (PI), and the correlation between HL and understanding of PI. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 263 adult diabetic patients who were assessed for their understanding of route of intake of the prescribed medication(s), frequency of intake, number of medication(s) to be consumed each time, indication for the medication(s), and the relation of drug intake with food. The HL of the patients was assessed by using Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine, a screening test comprising of 66 health-related words. The number of correctly pronounced words was used to assign a grade-equivalent reading level. There was a significant difference in the understanding of PI in patients with low and high HL levels. A significant difference was observed between the mean total score for interpreting PI in patients with 7 or fewer years of education compared with the other groups with a higher educational status (P < 0.001). To conclude, diabetic patients with low HL level will have difficulty in understanding PI. Hence, an alternative comprehensive strategy needs to be adopted in clinical practice in these patients to provide them the instructions to take medications properly.

Analgesic effect of extracts of Alpinia galanga rhizome in mice / 中西医结合学报

To evaluate the analgesic effect of extracts of Alpinia galanga (AG) rhizome in mice and elucidate the possible mechanism for its analgesic action.