Pharmacology

Purpose: To investigate the sedative, hypnotic and anticonvulsant activities of the ethanol extract of the roots of the Flemingia chappar (ERFC) on the central nervous system (CNS) of mice. Methods: The ethanol extract of the roots of F. chappar in doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, p.o., was studied in mice for its sedative effect by evaluating its locomotor activity; its hypnotic effect was assessed by measuring pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, while anticonvulsant effect was determined by evaluating its activity on maximal electroshock-induced and pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. The latency of tonic convulsions and number of animals protected from tonic convulsions were noted. Results: ERFC (200-600 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) decreased locomotor activity. ERFC also produced dose-dependent prolongation of pentobarbitone sleeping time. In addition, ERFC (400 and 600 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the duration of seizure induced by maximal electroshock (MES), The same dose also protected from pentylenetetrazol-induced tonic seizures and significantly (p < 0.05) delayed the onset of tonic seizures. Conclusion: The results indicate that the ethanol root extract of F. chappar has sedative and anticonvulsant activities, thus justifying its use in traditional medicine for epilepsy

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in elderly. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease. But some category of drugs like AchE inhibitors and NMDA antagonists were used along with some antioxidants and some other supportive therapy. There is a possibility to slow down the brain's degeneration caused by Alzheimer's with natural treatments. In the present study animals were divided randomly into five groups of six animals each. Group I animals were given 0.1 % w/v CMC orally by using intra-gastric catheter at dose (10 ml/kg), Group III and Group IV animals were pretreated with hydroalcoholic extract of Areca catechu Linn (HAEAC) for a period of 3 weeks (200 and 400 mg/ kg b.w) and Group V animals were treated with donepezil (1.5 mg/kg/b.w i.p) and were kept in light/dark cycle. During this period the animals were trained in water-maze, Y-maze, exploratory behaviour and passive avoidance apparatus for memory. Amnesia is induced by intra cerebro ventricular injection (I.C.V) of βamyloid (25-35). I.C.V injection for the 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th groups were performed on the 21 st day of the pretreated animals and continued for 5 days. The last dose was given 60 minutes prior to behavioral testing and on 30 th day scarification of animals was done for in-vitro studies. Hydroalcoholic extract of Areca catechu Linn showed significant protective effect on neurodegeneration and also showed improvement on memory retention activity when compared with β-amyloid (25-35) induced animals (Group II).

The research work deals with the screening of ethanol and chloroform extracts of Pachyrrhizus erosus seeds for central nervous system (CNS) depressant activity. The Pachyrrhizus erosus seed is known to contain rotinoids, flavonoids and phenylfuranocoumarin derivatives as chemical components and is reported to have antifungal, antisecretory, insecticides, antibacterial and spasmolytic activity. Since seeds of Pachyrrhizus erosus is used as folk medicine in treatment of insomnia, we made an attempt to study its CNS depressant effect. The different activities studied were potentiation of pentobarbitone-induced sleep, test for locomotor activity, effect on muscle co-ordination, antiaggressive and antianxiety activities. The result of the study reflected that ethanol extract of the seeds (150 mg/kg, p.o) decreased locomotor activity, produced muscle relaxation and showed antianxiety and antiaggressive activity.

Objective: This study aims to assess the prescribing patterns and appropriateness of antibiotics in treating cough/cold and diarrhea in children. Given that infants and children are highly vulnerable to illnesses, the objective focuses on analyzing the types and appropriateness of antibiotics prescribed by healthcare professionals. Methods: The study involved analyzing the prescriptions of pediatric patients diagnosed with cough, cold, respiratory, and gastrointestinal diseases. The analysis focused on the types of drugs, particularly antibiotics, prescribed for these conditions. Results: The study found that baby girls are more susceptible to colds and coughs than boys, with infants aged 0 to 2 being particularly affected, likely due to improper care and winter exposure. Respiratory and gastrointestinal issues emerged as the most prevalent health concerns among pediatric patients, with cough and cold accounting for 33.3% of cases, highlighting a significant issue with upper respiratory tract infections. A high frequency of antibiotic prescriptions was observed, especially cefixime and amoxicillin, which are often irrationally prescribed for viral infections like the common cold. Conclusion: Respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders are the most common issues among pediatric patients, with upper respiratory tract infections being particularly prevalent. The study identified a concerning trend of irrational antibiotic prescriptions, especially for viral infections such as the common cold. The findings call for improved prescribing practices to ensure antibiotics are used appropriately and only when necessary, emphasizing the need for evidence-based treatments to enhance patient safety and public health outcomes

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. In recent researches, it is demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are expressed extensively in cardiovascular system and regulate gene expression in various cardiovascular diseases. Here, we are giving overview on number of miRNAs involved in pathophysiology of various cardiovascular diseases, and diagnostic and therapeutic potentials of miRNAs in these diseases. MiRNAs are a group of small non-coding mRNAs with approximately 18-22 nucleotides in length that regulate gene expression post transcriptionally. MiRNAs are regulated in various cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, congestive heart failure, congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease and stroke. Some of these miRNAs also act as potential biomarker of these cardiovascular diseases. Inhibition of these miRNAs via different approaches like chemically modified antisense oligonucleotide, antagomirs, and locked nucleic acids serves as effective approaches for inactivating pathological miRNAs. Clinical trials are being conducted on therapeutic and diagnostic potentials of miRNAs. However, extensive researches are required to explore the therapeutic and diagnostic values of miRNAs as successful as classical approaches.

Frozen shoulder or adhesive capsulitis is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and disability in the general population. Its prevalence is 2-5% in the general population and 10-20% among diabetics. It predominantly affects females and most commonly affects people between the ages of 40 and 60 years. The left shoulder is more likely to be affected, with both shoulders affected in 12% of cases. A case study is presented to illustrate the clinical presentation, aetiology, diagnosis, radiological assessment, and management of frozen shoulder through Hijamah bila shurt (dry cupping) in a 60-year-old diabetic male patient. The present case was studied for over 8 weeks; Hijamah (dry cupping) was done on prescribed points for the affected shoulder twice a week for 8 weeks, and assessment was done at baseline and every 2 weeks. This study concluded that regimental therapy Hijamah bila shurt (dry cupping) has a significant effect in reducing pain, stiffness of joints, and increasing...

The scope of Unani medicine is increasing day by day as people are becoming more interested in herbal and organic world. However, Unani (herbal) knowledge needs to be coupled with scientific documented research done to verify its efficacy. The aim of this paper is to provide updated knowledge on hypertension and its management in the Unani system of medicine. Hypertension is a major health hazard globally especially in developed countries. In the Unani system of medicine, there are mudirrat (diuretics) to reduce body fluids and minerals, and musakkin (relaxants) and munawwim (sedatives) are also advised by Unani physicians to reduce anxiety. Unani physician, Razi recommends venesection for this particular ailment. Unani physicians have given the concept of hypertension as “Imtila-ba-Hasb-ul-Auiya” and have said that this occurs due to sue-e-mizaj damwi and comes under the heading of Imtila. Literally ‘Imtala’ means gathering and fullness of the body with madda (fluids). To be precis...

This study assesses the use of antibiotics in pediatric patients and also rationality & irrationality of prescriptions.The present study was a population based analytical epidemiological design in the settings of an urban population in Moradabad, (UP) India, during Jan 2009 to April 2009. The intended work can be divided into the following steps: by selecting the antibiotics prescribed prescription then divided the prescriptions according to the following criteria; category of antibiotic used, combination of antibiotic used, site of infection diagnosed & rationality and irrationality of prescriptions. It is important to determine and reduce the antibiotic use in children as it can cause resistance to antibiotics in them that can lead to different problems. The most common antibiotics prescribed in pediatric patients belong to the class of Quinolones (43.18%), among which Norfloxacin (28.95%) predominates. Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid (40.74%) was the most frequently used antibiotic combination. It was concluded that maximum number of prescriptions were found rational based on considering the number of antibiotics per prescription and drug interaction, while irrational prescriptions were found to be less.

In our modern era, life style of human being changes and updates every day that may affect their health status. There is an incredible expectation that natural origin drugs lack undesirable effects not like synthetic drugs, though have the same potency and efficacy. No scientific data is available about the antianxiety properties of Delphinium denudatum root and Amaranthus spinosus leaves. In this regard, the present study was designed to carry out comparative and combined study on antianxiety properties of Delphinium denudatum root and Amaranthus spinosus leaves. Methods: Delphinium denudatum root and Amaranthus spinosus leaves were defatted with petroleum ether, and then extracted with hydroalcoholic solvent by soxhlation process. The hydroalcoholic extract of both drugs singly and in combination were evaluated for their anxiolytic effects on Wistar albino rats in doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg using different anti-anxiety tests like Elevated Plus Maze, Staircase, Actophotometer, and Light and Dark tests. Results: Both hydroalcoholic extracts possessed flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, steroids, sterols, etc. In the dose dependent manner, both the hydroalcoholic extracts produced good anxiolytic activity. The best result was obtained by a combination of them in higher dose. Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extracts of Delphinium denudatum root and Amaranthus spinosus leaves and their combination may act as a potent anxiolytic agents in rats. Amaranthus spinosus was found to be more effective than Delphinium denudatum.