Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2017 in |
Aims: To evaluate and analyze effectiveness of animal simulation based teaching in pharmacology in comparison to conventional methods to undergraduate medical students. Methods: An interventional and comparative study was conducted among second professional MBBS students. All students were divided into two groups A and B. Four demonstrations of experimental pharmacology were demonstrated by conventional method and animal simulation method by same teacher. Both groups were equally exposed to both modes of demonstrations. Every demonstration was followed by an assessment containing thirty objective type questions. Feedback was taken to analyze generalized opinion about the programme on likert’s scale. The data was analyzed by using Fisher’s exact test and p value calculated. Results: Percentage of students who scored 60% or more was higher in simulator based teaching in assessment related to procedure, related pharmacology and applied pharmacology. The difference between total scores of both groups in all four demonstrations was statistically significant with p value < 0.05. In feedback, percentage of students who opted three or more on likert scale was...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2017 in |
The present study focuses on the ‘antioxidant approach’ as a therapeutic intervention for Parkinson’s disease (PD). It deals with understanding of the effects of Ocimum sanctum extract on oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers, responsible for neurodegeneration. The standardized hydromethanolic extract of O.sanctum, Linn (Os HM) at the dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg were evaluated for their neuroprotective effects against MPTP induced Parkinsonism. Single divided doses of MPTP were used for induction of parkinsonism in male mice. L-DOPA rich and free fractions of Mucuna pruriens and Bromocriptine were considered as positive standards. The antioxidant effect and thus the neuroprotective potential was estimated based upon the levels of protein oxidation products, endogenous enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant pool of glutathione, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase and catalase. The results revealed that Os HM extract, particularly at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, significantly depleted the protein carbonyl content, restored the decreased levels of GSH. Os HM prevented the observed compensatory response with superoxide dismutase levels against MPTP treatment. It also...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2017 in |
Colocasia esculenta corm aqueous extract was assessed for its in vitro antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging potential by seven different assays, viz. total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total flavonol content, reducing power estimation as well as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide (NO) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities. Results reveal that the total phenolic, total flavonoid and total flavonol content present in C. esculenta corm extract were found to be 68.25 ± 17.52 mg of GAE (Gallic Acid Equivalent)/g, 26.70 ± 40.18 mg of QE (Quercetin Equivalent)/g and 1.40 ± 53.99 mg of QE/g of dry extract respectively. Reducing power of the extract was found to be concentration dependent as it increase with increase in concentration and it was maximum at the highest evaluated concentration of 200 µg/ml. Significant antioxidant efficacy of C. esculenta corm was further confirmed by IC50 values of DPPH, NO and ABTS radical scavenging assays as they were found to be 74.34 ± 12.17 µg/ml, 65.52 ± 7.76 µg/ml and 132.29 ± 14.13...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2017 in |
Objectives: The study was aimed to evaluate and analyse the drug promotional literature distributed by pharmaceutical companies to physicians. This was done using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for ethical medicinal drug promotion and International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) Code of Practice, 2012. Detailed analysis of claims was done. Material and Method: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out in OPD of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 194 brochures were collected and evaluated according to the WHO criteria and IFPMA Code of practice, 2012. Further claims were categorised and detailed analysis of exaggerated and false claims was done and the authenticity of the brochures was checked. Results: None of the brochures gave complete information in accordance to the WHO and IFPMA Code of practice, 2012. Majority of the claims were about efficacy (77.31%) and safety (13.91%). Seven of them were exaggerated and false. Conclusion: The study concluded that the drug information provided in the promotional brochures can be incomplete and unreliable with the questionable...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2017 in |
Natural antioxidants play an important role in the prevention of many age-related diseases and promotion of health. Among natural antioxidants from plants, flavonoids and other phenolic compounds are potent antioxidants and chelating agents. Betel (Piper betle) is the leaf of a vine belonging to the family Piperaceae, which also includes pepper and kava. It is valued both as mild stimulant and appetiser. Betel leaf is mostly consumed in Asia, and elsewhere in the world by some Asian emigrants, with or without tobacco, the later is an addictive psychostimulating and euphoria-inducing formulation with adverse health effects. Betel leaf is said to have antioxidant properties. No reports are available on the antioxidant potential of the leaf extracts of common betel verities chewed in Odisha. Keeping this in view, the antioxidant activities of leaf extracts of five selected betel varieties (Vishnupuri, Desawari, Ghajipur, Desipaan and Jaleswar) were carried out. Results revealed that the leaves have sound ROS scavenging activity. Present papers highlights the antioxidant and medicinal importances of common betel varieties, the traditional edible...
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