Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of bioactive fraction (ethyl acetate fraction) of Dillenia indica methanolic extract in experimental diabetic Wistar rats. Methods: Type-1 diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight), and type-2 diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight), 15 min after the intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg nicotinamide. The rats were treated by administering graded oral doses of isolated ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of D. indica (DIEE), 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for 21 d. The blood glucose level was estimated at weekly intervals by glucometer. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were also evaluated in normal and diabetic rats by an autoanalyzer. Results: In both experimental models, daily oral treatment with DIEE for 21 d resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose (P<0.01), serum cholesterol (P<0.05) and triglycerides (P<0.05) levels whereas HDL-C level was found to be increased (P<0.05) as compared with the diabetic control group. Conclusion: DIEE at 400 mg/kg body weight has prominent antidiabetic effect in experimental type-1 and type-2 diabetes models in rats. It may therefore be used as an alternative remedy for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To perform the pharmacognostic study of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (P. pinnata) stem bark. Method: The pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic, fluorescence analysis and physicochemical parameters. Results: The bark consisting of channelled, recurved, slightly quilled, usually 0.2-1 cm thick, lenticellate pieces with outer surface ash-grey to greyish-brown and internal surface yellowish-white to cream coloured having unpleasant odour and bitter taste. The main microscopic characterstics of the bark include phellem (5-20 or more layers of cork), phellogen (2-3 layered) followed by 10-15 layered phelloderm. Among other microscopic components were phloem parenchyma, phloem fibre and stone cells, traversed by wavy medullary rays. Further, physicochemical analysis of the bark power showed total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash and sulphated ash as 10.94, 1.96, 1.47 and 15.8 % w/w respectively. The alcohol and water soluble extractives values of the stem bark were 9.6 and 18.4 %w/w respectively. Conclusions: Various pharmacognostic characters observed in this study helps in botanical identification and standardization of P. pinnata L. in crude form.

The genus Michelia, belonging to family Magnoliaceae, consists of about 80 plant species mainly distributed in South Asian countries. The plants of this genus have been traditionally used in curing various diseases like fever, colic, leprosy, eye disorders, inflammation, antidote for scorpion, etc. Ninety-four compounds isolated from nine species of the genus Michelia like sesquiterpenes, steroids, flavonoids, aporphines, phenols, esters, benzenoid and alkaloids have antibacterial, anticancer and antiplasmodial activities. This review presents first time detailed information on chemical and biological properties of constituents isolated from the genus Michelia.

OBJECTIVEA series of 2-benzylideneaminonaphthothiazoles were designed and synthesized incorporating the lipophilic naphthalene ring to render them more capable of penetrating various biomembranes.

METHODSSchiff bases were synthesized by the reaction of naphtha[1,2-d]thiazol-2-amine with various substituted aromatic aldehydes. 2-(2'-Hydroxy)benzylideneaminonaphthothiazole was converted to its Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal complexes upon treatment with metal salts in ethanol. All the compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activities by paper disc diffusion method with Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis and Gram negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of all the Schiff bases and metal complexes were determined by agar streak dilution method.

RESULTSAll the compounds moderately inhibited the growth of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. In the present study among all Schiff bases 2-(2'-hydroxy)benzylideneaminonaphthothiazole showed maximum inhibitory activity and among metal complexes Cu(II) metal complex was found to be most potent.

CONCLUSIONThe results obtained validate the hypothesis that Schiff bases having substitution with halogens, hydroxyl group and nitro group at phenyl ring are required for the antibacterial activity while methoxy group at different positions in the aromatic ring has minimal role in the inhibitory activity. The results also indicated that the metal complexes are better antibacterial agents as compared to the Schiff bases.

Amines ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cobalt ; Copper ; Nickel ; Schiff Bases ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Thiazoles ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the pharmacognostic characters of an important medicinal plant, Holoptelea integrifolia (H. integrifolia) Roxb.

METHODSThe pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of organoleptic, microscopic, macroscopic and fluorescence analysis.

RESULTSThe characteristic microscopic features of leaves were observed as trichomes, multicellular trichomes, xylem cells, phloem cells, collenchyma, vascular bundles, spongy parenchyma and palisade cells. The characteristic microscopic features of root bark included cork cambium, primary cortex, phloem fibers, medullary rays, endodermis, pericycle and lignified fibers in the transverse section and longitudinal section. The characteristic microscopy of root bark powder showed the presence of cortex cells, sieve tubes, calcium oxalate crystals and lignified fibers. Macroscopic study showed that leaf shape-oval, apex-acute, base-cordate and leaf margin was entire with glabrous surface, bitter taste and characteristic odour. The morphological features of root bark showed deep fissured, rough and firm surface with rhitydome and the periderm parallel to cambium.

CONCLUSIONSVarious pharmacognostic characters observed in this study help in the identification and standardization of H. integrifolia.

Microscopy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Ulmaceae ; anatomy & histology ; cytology

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, though an uncommon surgical procedure in paediatric age group is still associated with a higher risk of post-operative bile duct injuries when compared with the open procedure. Small leaks from extra hepatic biliary apparatus usually lead to the formation of a localized sub-hepatic bile collection, also known as biloma. Such leaks are rare complication after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, especially in paediatric age group. Minor bile leaks can usually be managed non-surgically by percutaneous drainage combined with endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP). However, surgical exploration is required in cases not responding to non-operative management. If not managed on time, such injuries can lead to severe hepatic damage. We describe a case of an eight-year-old girl who presented with biloma formation after laparoscopic cholecystectomy who was managed by ERCP.
Bile ; Bile Ducts ; Child* ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Stents*

Objective: Schizophrenia is a serious disease characterized by impairment in the perception or expression of reality, leading to occupational and social dysfunction. The use of antipsychotic medication is now universal in the first-line treatment of schizophrenia. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of asenapine with a standard atypical antipsychotic, olanzapine in treating this disease. Methods: It was designed as a single blind, randomized, controlled, parallel group, single centre Phase IV trial of a newer atypical antipsychotic, asenapine versus existing standard atypical antipsychotic, olanzapine. Total 80 subjects were enrolled as per eligibility criteria.Each recruited subject received daily treatment with the trial medication (Olanzapine 10 mg or Asenapine 10 mg daily) for duration of 12 weeks. BPRS, CGI-S, CGI-I, Laboratory parameters and compliance was assessed and analyzed. Continuous variables were compared by t test and non-parametric data was analyzed by Mann−Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Likely categorical variables were analyzed by chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. Results: The duration of schizophrenia at presentation was comparable in both the treatment groups. There was significant reduction of BPRS score between any two visits of each treatment groups. The decline in CGI-S and CGI-I scores was statistically significant (p ＜ 0.001) when compared between visits of any of the both treatment arms.Adherence to treatment was excellent for all patients. Conclusion Newer atypical antipsychotic asenapine is more effective than standard olanzapine in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia in this study and further larger studies are to be done.

OBJECTIVEAyurvedic formulations are preferred over other formulations as well as commercialized on broad level to treat various ailments. The World Health Organization has established certain guidelines for quality control of heavy metals and pesticide residues. Bacopa monnieri, a popular herb with immunomodulator and memory-enhancing properties is the chief constituent of several Ayurvedic formulations, which include Brahmi Vati (BV), Brahmi Ghrita (BG) and Saraswat Churna (SC), etc. In view of the World Health Organization guidelines, two products of each formulation from six different manufacturers were purchased from Ayurvedic Pharmacy, Bulanala-Varanasi, India for testing heavy metal and pesticide residue.

METHODSIn the present study, all the formulations--BV, BG and SC--were selected for estimation of four heavy metals namely lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) by a plasma emission spectrophotometer. Organochlorine pesticidal residues were estimated for dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane, isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and α-endosulfan, etc. in total 12 samples of test formulations containing Bacopa monnieri L. using gas chromatography technique.

RESULTSOut of 12 samples, Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni were present in all samples but below the permissible limit. Although atrazine, aldrin, dialdrin were in below detection limit, but other pesticides were detected in some samples as oxamyl, hexachlorocyclohexanes (α-HCH, β-HCH and γ-HCH), dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene.

CONCLUSIONThe presence of heavy metals in the formulations was low to cause toxicity. However evaluation of heavy metals and pesticide residue in every batch is necessary.

Bacopa ; chemistry ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Medicine, Ayurvedic ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; Pesticides ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo prepare the Praval bhasma (PB) and to perform its characterization.

METHODSThe preparation was performed strictly as per method prescribed in Ayurvedic formulary of India followed by preliminary tests including Nischandratva, Rekhapurnatvam, Varitaramtavm, Nisvadutvam and Amla pariksha. The physicochemical characterization was done with the use of instrumental techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX).

RESULTSThe FTIR bands appearing in final product spectra showed a significant shift in infrared vibration frequency as well as intensity when compared with the raw material, which was indicative of formulation of bhasma. The XRD analysis revealed that raw material contained CaCO3 whereas in case of final product of bhasma, CaO was identified. SEM analysis revealed the difference in particles size of bhasma (10-15 μm) and raw material (100-150 μm). The EDAX analysis showed presence of different concentration of carbon in both the samples.

CONCLUSIONIt may be concluded that modern analytical techniques may be involved to evaluate the quality aspects of PB. The findings of the present research work may be helpful for further formulation and standardization of PB in routine analysis.

Animals ; Anthozoa ; chemistry ; Biological Factors ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Female ; Medicine, Ayurvedic ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Quality Control ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; X-Ray Diffraction