Posted by admin on Jan 1, 2012 in |
The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of the bark of Terminalia arjuna. The plant part was extracted with methanol to yield the crude extract. The antimicrobial activity test of the methanol extract of the bark of Terminalia arjuna was done using disc diffusion method. Standard antibiotic discs of Kanamycin (30 μg/disc) were used as standard. The crude extract was used at a concentration of 500μg/disc. All the microorganisms were susceptible in various degrees to the extract. The methanol extract was found to be moderately active against Staphylococus aereus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The zone of inhibition was found from 12 mm to 19 mm. The crude methanol extract was again studied for investigating free radical scavenging potentiality and was subjected to this study with 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The methanol extract of the bark of the plant exhibited the potential free radical scavenging activity (antioxidant effect) having IC50 value of 7.05 µg/ml. The cytotoxic activity...
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Posted by admin on Jan 1, 2012 in |
In this study, solvent-free and phase transfer catalysis conditions coupled with microwave irradiation and their advantages in synthesis of N-alkylation of primary anilines were reported. In this way two different microwave processing techniques were compared in terms of reaction yields. Consequently, microwave irradiation significantly reduced reaction times compared to traditional heating methods. Particularly synthesis by solvent-free solid supported microwave irradiaton was found more eco-friendly and had higher reaction efficiency against to phase transfer catalysis condition. Organic reactions under solvent-free conditions is advantageous because of enhanced selectivity, efficiency and more importantly, toxic and volatile solvents are avoided. So that this eco-friendly green approach might be applied to the rapid assembly of various alkylation...
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Posted by admin on Jan 1, 2012 in |
Background: Beside the fact of poor adherence to antiretroviral drugs in resource limited country, serious adverse effects of the drugs and treatment failure complicate the whole management of antiretroviral therapy. Consequently, treatment modification and discontinuation of therapy has become a common phenomenon and hence limitation of treatment option has turn out the major concern of the future HAART. The aim of the study was to assess the factors responsible for modification of ARV regimen in patients taking ARV drugs. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted between January 2007 and December 2007 in Dessie regional referral hospital Result: One hundred twenty two patients switch their first regimen in Dessie regional referral hospital within the study period. The most frequent prescribed first regimens before switch were AZT/3TC/EFV (36%), AZT/3TC/NVP (27%), D4T/3TC/EFV (19%) and D4T/3TC/NVP (18%). Toxicity (66%) followed by co-morbidity (14%) and planning pregnancy (11%) were the most common reasons for modification of antiretroviral therapy .The main toxicity was anemia (64 patients)and peripheral neuropathy (11 patients). Conclusion : The...
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Posted by admin on Jan 1, 2012 in |
This work was conducted at a Libreville herbal market located in Peyrie in order to inventory plants used by people for the management of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and to evaluate their pharmacological effects. The method of preparation and modes of administration were also recorded. Twenty nine herbalists were interviewed using questionnaires. Twenty two plant species belonging to sixteen families and seventeen recipes were identified. The commonly used plants were Guibourtia tessmannii, Musanga ceropioiodes, Senecio gabonensis. Among them, G. tessmannii appeared to be the most used plant species. Phytochemical studies on extracts of G. tessmannii revealed the presence of alkaloids, sugars, polyphenols, sterols, tannins and saponosids. Pharmacological studies performed in the isolated aorta of rats showed a vasorelaxant effect on adrenalin- or KCl- induced contraction. G Tessmannii-induced vasorelaxation was significantly but not totally reduced by endothelium removal or by a pretreatment with L-NAME, suggesting the involvement of endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Medicinal plants and G. tessmannii in particular may represent a sourceofefficientantihypertensive...
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Posted by admin on Jan 1, 2012 in |
Nephropathy is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes. Hydrogen sulfide(H2S)has been implicated in controlling the renal glomerular (vascular) and tubular functions. This study investigates the metabolism of H2S and its effect on the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Diabetes was induced in WKY rats by streptozotocin in two groups. One diabetic group received NaHS, a H2S donor. While a vehicle treated group served as a control. Blood pressure was measured in conscious rats and at the end of the treatment period in anesthetized rats. In addition, pulse wave velocity (PWV) was also observed. Plasma and urine H2S levels and creatinine concentration and electrolytes were measured weekly throughout the 34-day period. Diabetic rats had lower (p<0.05) plasma and urine levels of H2S and lower urinary sodium to potassium ratio. Moreover, diabetic group had higher plasma sodium, higher absolute urinary sodium excretion, higher plasma creatinine and higher PWV (all p<0.05) but with similar mean arterial pressure compared to control (p>0.05). Treatment with the H2S donor restored H2S, plasma creatinine,...
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