Urochondra setulosa (Trin.) C.E. Hubbard is a coastal halophytic grass thriving on the coastal dunes along the Pakistani seashore. This grass could be useful in coastal sand dune stabilization using seawater irrigation. The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that Ca(2+) (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 50.0 mmol/L) alleviates the adverse effects of KCl, MgSO(4), NaCl and Na(2)SO(4) at 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mmol/L on the germination of Urochondra setulosa. Seed germination was inhibited with increase in salt concentration with few seeds germinated at and above 400 mmol/L concentration. No seed germinated in any of the KCl treatments. Inclusion of CaCl(2) substantially alleviated the inhibitory effects of all salts. Germination was higher under photoperiod in comparison to those seeds germinated under complete darkness. Among the CaCl(2) concentrations used, 10 mmol/L was most effective in alleviating salinity effects and allowing few seeds to germinate at 1000 mmol/L KCl, MgSO(4), NaCl and Na(2)SO(4) solution.
Calcium ; pharmacology ; Germination ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Light ; Photobiology ; Poaceae ; drug effects ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; Salts ; pharmacology ; Seeds ; drug effects ; radiation effects

Purpose: Proctitis distal to colorectal anastomosis is rare and infrequently reported. We evaluated the incidence, symptoms, treatment, and potential risk factors associated with this condition. Methods: We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study in Västmanland County, Sweden. This investigation included all patients who underwent sigmoidectomy with colorectal anastomosis between 2008 and 2020. We excluded patients without an anastomosis and those with inflammatory bowel disease. Results: Of the 546 patients identified, 233 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of whom 26 (11.2%) developed proctitis distal to colorectal anastomosis. The most frequent symptoms included urgency (n=16, 61.5%), increased stool frequency (n=12, 46.2%), and anorectal pain (n=12, 46.2%). Endoscopic balloon dilation was performed in 20 cases (76.9%), with 10 requiring only a single therapeutic procedure. The median number of dilations was 3 (range, 1–8). Multivariable analysis revealed that surgery due to malignancy and emergency surgery were associated with elevated risk of proctitis. A subgroup analysis of patients who underwent surgery due to malignancy indicated that smoking (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–14.0) and emergency surgery (odds ratio, 6.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–37.1) were also associated with increased proctitis risk. Conclusion Proctitis distal to colorectal anastomosis is not uncommon following sigmoidectomy. Patients undergoing emergency surgery or surgery due to malignancy and who had a history of smoking displayed an increased risk of developing proctitis. Due to the paucity of symptoms observed, particularly in patients with a diverting stoma, routine endoscopic rectal examination should be performed during follow-up after sigmoidectomy.

Purpose: Proctitis distal to colorectal anastomosis is rare and infrequently reported. We evaluated the incidence, symptoms, treatment, and potential risk factors associated with this condition. Methods: We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study in Västmanland County, Sweden. This investigation included all patients who underwent sigmoidectomy with colorectal anastomosis between 2008 and 2020. We excluded patients without an anastomosis and those with inflammatory bowel disease. Results: Of the 546 patients identified, 233 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of whom 26 (11.2%) developed proctitis distal to colorectal anastomosis. The most frequent symptoms included urgency (n=16, 61.5%), increased stool frequency (n=12, 46.2%), and anorectal pain (n=12, 46.2%). Endoscopic balloon dilation was performed in 20 cases (76.9%), with 10 requiring only a single therapeutic procedure. The median number of dilations was 3 (range, 1–8). Multivariable analysis revealed that surgery due to malignancy and emergency surgery were associated with elevated risk of proctitis. A subgroup analysis of patients who underwent surgery due to malignancy indicated that smoking (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–14.0) and emergency surgery (odds ratio, 6.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–37.1) were also associated with increased proctitis risk. Conclusion Proctitis distal to colorectal anastomosis is not uncommon following sigmoidectomy. Patients undergoing emergency surgery or surgery due to malignancy and who had a history of smoking displayed an increased risk of developing proctitis. Due to the paucity of symptoms observed, particularly in patients with a diverting stoma, routine endoscopic rectal examination should be performed during follow-up after sigmoidectomy.

Purpose: Proctitis distal to colorectal anastomosis is rare and infrequently reported. We evaluated the incidence, symptoms, treatment, and potential risk factors associated with this condition. Methods: We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study in Västmanland County, Sweden. This investigation included all patients who underwent sigmoidectomy with colorectal anastomosis between 2008 and 2020. We excluded patients without an anastomosis and those with inflammatory bowel disease. Results: Of the 546 patients identified, 233 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of whom 26 (11.2%) developed proctitis distal to colorectal anastomosis. The most frequent symptoms included urgency (n=16, 61.5%), increased stool frequency (n=12, 46.2%), and anorectal pain (n=12, 46.2%). Endoscopic balloon dilation was performed in 20 cases (76.9%), with 10 requiring only a single therapeutic procedure. The median number of dilations was 3 (range, 1–8). Multivariable analysis revealed that surgery due to malignancy and emergency surgery were associated with elevated risk of proctitis. A subgroup analysis of patients who underwent surgery due to malignancy indicated that smoking (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–14.0) and emergency surgery (odds ratio, 6.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–37.1) were also associated with increased proctitis risk. Conclusion Proctitis distal to colorectal anastomosis is not uncommon following sigmoidectomy. Patients undergoing emergency surgery or surgery due to malignancy and who had a history of smoking displayed an increased risk of developing proctitis. Due to the paucity of symptoms observed, particularly in patients with a diverting stoma, routine endoscopic rectal examination should be performed during follow-up after sigmoidectomy.

Purpose: Proctitis distal to colorectal anastomosis is rare and infrequently reported. We evaluated the incidence, symptoms, treatment, and potential risk factors associated with this condition. Methods: We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study in Västmanland County, Sweden. This investigation included all patients who underwent sigmoidectomy with colorectal anastomosis between 2008 and 2020. We excluded patients without an anastomosis and those with inflammatory bowel disease. Results: Of the 546 patients identified, 233 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of whom 26 (11.2%) developed proctitis distal to colorectal anastomosis. The most frequent symptoms included urgency (n=16, 61.5%), increased stool frequency (n=12, 46.2%), and anorectal pain (n=12, 46.2%). Endoscopic balloon dilation was performed in 20 cases (76.9%), with 10 requiring only a single therapeutic procedure. The median number of dilations was 3 (range, 1–8). Multivariable analysis revealed that surgery due to malignancy and emergency surgery were associated with elevated risk of proctitis. A subgroup analysis of patients who underwent surgery due to malignancy indicated that smoking (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–14.0) and emergency surgery (odds ratio, 6.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–37.1) were also associated with increased proctitis risk. Conclusion Proctitis distal to colorectal anastomosis is not uncommon following sigmoidectomy. Patients undergoing emergency surgery or surgery due to malignancy and who had a history of smoking displayed an increased risk of developing proctitis. Due to the paucity of symptoms observed, particularly in patients with a diverting stoma, routine endoscopic rectal examination should be performed during follow-up after sigmoidectomy.

Traditional medicine systems around the globe, like Unani, Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, include a number of sugar-based formulations, which contain a large amount of saccharide-containing sweetener, such as honey, sucrose or jaggery. With pervasive lifestyle disorders throughout the world, there have been discussions to consider alternative sweetening agents. Here, from the perspective of Unani medicine, we discuss how the saccharide-based sweeteners may be an essential component of these traditional preparations, like electuaries, which may be deprived of their bioactivities without these saccharides. With contemporary researches, it is known that apart from their own therapeutic effects, saccharides also form deep eutectic solvents which help in enhancing the bioactivity of other ingredients present in crude drugs. In addition, they provide energy for fermentation which is essential for biotransformation of compounds. Interestingly, the sugars also increase the shelf-life of these compound drugs and act as natural preservatives. On the basis of this review, we strongly believe that saccharide-based sweeteners are an essential component of traditional medicines and not merely an excipient.
Medicine, Ayurvedic ; Medicine, Traditional ; Medicine, Unani ; Sugars ; Sweetening Agents

Two new sesquiterpenes, trivially named ricinusoids A (1) and ricinusoids B (2), were isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of Ricinus communis. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic techniques, including 1D- and 2D-NMR, UV, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The compounds (1-2) were also assessed for in-vivo sedative and analgesic like effects in open field and acetic acid induced writhing tests respectively at 5, 10, and 20 mg·kg i.p. Pretreatment of both test compounds caused significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in locomotive activity like sedative agents and abdominal constrictions like analgesics. Both compounds (1-2) possessed marked sedative and antinociceptive effects in animal models.
Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Animals ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Locomotion ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Structure ; Pain ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Ricinus ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Three new alkyl substituted anthraquinone derivatives, trivially named as symploquinones A-C (Compounds 1-3) were isolated from Symplocos racemosa. The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses (UV, IR, Mass, H- and C-NMR, and two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques). The resulting data were also compared with the reported literature. These compounds were then subjected to antibacterial or antibiofilm testing. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited good antibacterial activity in the concentration range of 160-83 μg·mL against Streptococcus mutans, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis. Both compounds were further screened for anti-biofilm activity, which revealed promising activities at sub-MIC concentrations. None of the compounds were found to be active against Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Anthraquinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Biofilms ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Ericales ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Proteus mirabilis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; Streptococcus mutans ; drug effects ; physiology

OBJECTIVE: The study examines the effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume bark on crystallization of calcium oxalate. METHODS: The antilithiatic effect of various concentrations of the hydro-alcoholic extract of C. zeylanicum was investigated at various stages of stone formation, using Cystone as a standard reference drug. The effect on calcium oxalate crystallization was evaluated by measuring the change in turbidity over time, during crystal nucleation, growth and aggregation, in the metastable solution of calcium chloride and sodium oxalate. The slope from the change in turbidity over time was measured using a spectrophotometer at 620 and 214 nm in respective tests. The inhibition rate was estimated by comparing turbidity in the presence and absence of extract. Crystals formed under experimental conditions were observed under a light microscope, and number and shape of the crystals were assessed in a randomly selected field. Phytochemical analysis and high-performance thin-layer chromatography of the extract was also carried out. RESULTS: C. zeylanicum significantly reduced crystal nucleation at concentrations of 4, 8 and 10 mg/mL (P < 0.001). The inhibition percentage of crystal growth was between 28.30% and 92.46% in the presence of C. zeylanicum extract and from 20.76% to 64.15% with various concentrations of Cystone. The maximum inhibition of crystal growth was obtained from C. zeylanicum at 2 mg/mL (92.46%). Microscopic examination revealed a reduction in the number and size of crystals. In the aggregation assay, the inhibition percentage of C. zeylanicum was between 16.27% and 100%, while Cystone was from -214.68% to 100% at different concentrations. The highest (100%) inhibition of aggregation was found at 4 mg/mL of both the test and standard drugs. CONCLUSION We found that C. zeylanicum hydro-alcoholic extract has notable inhibitory effects on various stages of crystallization, in terms of turbidity of solution, as well as the crystal size, number and morphology.

Two new dimeric naphthoquinones, 5',8'-dihydroxy-6,6'-dimethyl-7,3'-binaphthyl-1,4,1',4'-tetraone (1; Di-naphthodiospyrol D) and 5',8'-dihydroxy-5,8-dimethoxy-6,6'-dimethyl-7,3'-binaphthyl-1,4,1',4'-tetraone (2; Di-naphthodiospyrol E), along with known naphthoquinones diospyrin (3) and 8-hydroxy diospyrin (4) were isolated from the chloroform fraction of extract of Diospyros lotus roots. Their structures were elucidated by advanced spectroscopic analyses, including HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, and J-resolved NMR experiments. The fractions and compounds 1-4 were evaluated for urease activity and phosphodiesterase-I, carbonic anhydrase-II and α-chymotrypsin enzyme inhibitory activities. Compounds 1 and 2 and their corresponding fractions showed significant and selective inhibitory effects on urease activities. The IC values of 1 and 2 were 260.4 ± 6.37 and 381.4 ± 4.80 µmol·L, respectively, using thiourea (IC = 21 ± 0.11 µmol·L) as the standard inhibitor. This was the first report demonstrating that the naphthoquinones class showed urease inhibition.
Biological Assay ; Diospyros ; chemistry ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Naphthoquinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; Urease ; antagonists & inhibitors