Current Issues

Prashant S Bhokardankar¹,  Balasubramani², Manjiri  Prashant Bhokardankar³

¹*Professor, Department of Rasshastra- B.K. Siddhakala Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Sangamner, India

²Manager R&D, AVT Natural Products Pvt.Ltd., Cochin, India

³Ayurved Expert and Physician, Sangamner, India

Abstract

Amruttotharam kasayam (AK) is used by a practitioners of Indian system of medicine (Ayurveda) for ailments like chronic fever. Commercial AK samples were collected from the local market in Coimbatore, India and subjected to HPLC conditions using Gallic acid as a marker. Mean value of Gallic acid in commercial samples was found to be 2.93% while reference range was 2.80-4.44%.

Chin Mee Wong^1*, Jing Jing Ling¹, Dr. Paul M. Neilsen^2,3, Dr. Siaw San Hwang³

¹Department of Research and Development, Malaysian Pepper Board, Lot 1115,  Jalan Utama, Pending Industrial Area, 93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

²School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity, Bruce Highway, 4702, North Rockhampton, QLD, Australia

³Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology (Sarawak Campus), Jalan Simpang Tiga, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

The study aimed to further evaluate the wound healing property of P. nigrum L. using bioassay-guided fractionation method. The ethanolic extract of Piper nigrum L. was fractionated in two stages using column chromatography and preparative reversed phase C18 HPLC, respectively. Significant wound healing properties screened using the scratch wound assay was observed through the cell migration assay in fraction number three (PNE3) out of the 14 fractions, exhibiting 36.7% and 43.8% closure of wound gap within 20 hours at concentration of 0.3 and 1.0 µg/mL, respectively. Sub-fractions which were further fractionated from PNE3 showed comparatively reduced wound healing activity using the same bioassay. The sub-fractions were also compared to Piperine, a major component of P. nigrum L. and the results were comparable. This experimental study revealed that Piperine works together with other compounds in P. nigrum L. to improve wound healing as claimed by those home remedy.

Wrood S. Al-khfajy¹, Ahmed Hamed Jwaid², Zakariya Al-Mashhadani¹

¹Mustansiriyah University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Baghdad, Iraq

²University of Baghdad, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

Glaucoma is the ultimate commonly acquired optic neuropathy. It signifies a public health challenge since it causes an irreversible blindness. The single known treatment of the disease is decreasing of intraocular pressure (IOP), which has been revealed to lessen glaucoma progress in a diversity of large proportions of clinical trials. Herein in this literature, we briefly define the optical Renin Angiotensin system (RAS) signaling pathway and define the most essential components, physiological actions of major angiotensin peptides, and the Renin Angiotensin system blockers. And discuss the potential implications of their modulators as a new therapeutic target in glaucoma. The literature has shown that the individual RAS modulators including, Angiotensin converting enzymes 1(ACE1) inhibitors, Angiotensin converting enzymes 2 (ACE2) Activators, Angiotensin receptor-1 (AT-1) blocker, and renin inhibitors have a potentials role in modulation of aqueous humour homodynamic, by neuroprotection of the retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and acceleration of the aqueous humour outflow. In conclusion, RAS modulators have an imperious role in lowering IOP, these compounds will pave the approach for prospect innovation, improvement, and publicizing of novel drugs to treat glaucoma and therefore, aid save vision for millions of people suffering with this slow progressive optic neuropathy.

Dr. Humaira Zafar^1*, Dr. Kiran Tauseef^2*, Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Lodhi^3*

¹Assoc Prof. of Pathology, Consultant Microbiologist, Al Nafees Medical College, Islamabad

²Assoc Prof. of Pathology, Consultant Haematologist Al Nafees Medical College, Islamabad

³Professor & Head Deptt of Physiology, Al Nafees Medical College, Islamabad 

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess the correlation of body mass index (BMI) with primary dengue viral infection in urban and rural population of district Rawalpindi. Descriptive Cross Sectional Comparative Study. Microbiology Department, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Affiliated with Rawalpindi Medical College (RMC), Rawalpindi. It was carried out from 1^st March 2010 to 30^th September 2011. A Stratified random sampling was adopted for 240 (N) subjects residents of urban and rural areas of District Rawalpindi. Urban residents were 144(n) while rural ones were 96(n). The height in meter square and weight in kilogram (kg) were the parameters used to calculate BMI. A 3ml venous blood sample was drawn from each participant for the detection of IgG antibodies against dengue virus by 3^rd generation ELISA (Enzyme linked Immunosorbant Assay). The prevalence of primary Dengue viral infection (DVI) for urban residents   according to the current study is 34.7% (n=50 out of the total 144 subjects).  While 19.7% prevalence of primary DVI (n=19 out of the total 96 subjects) was noted for the residents of Rural strata. The correlation of primary DVI with five categories of BMI amongst urban and rural residents is evaluated by applying chi square test. The p-Value was not found to be significant for any of the five categories of BMI either an urban or rural resident. There is no significant association of primary dengue viral infection with BMI of an individual.