Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Cissampelos pareira root in rats

In the present study, 50% ethanolic extract of Cissampelos pareira roots (CPE) in acute, subacute and chronic models of inflammation was assessed in rats. Per os (p.o.) administration of CPE (200, 400 mg/kg) exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity. In acute inflammation as produced by carrageenin 59.55% and 64.04%, by histamine 15.38% and 30.77%, by 5-hydroxytryptamine 17.78% and 31.11% and by prostaglandin E₂-induced hind paw edema 19.23% and 30.77% protection was observed. While in subacute anti-inflammatory models using formaldehyde-induced hind paw edema (after 1.5 h) 38.36% and 47.95% and in chronic anti-inflammatory model using cotton pellet granuloma 15.02% and 19.19% protection from inflammation was observed. CPE did not show any sign of toxicity and mortality up to a dose level of 1000 mg/kg, p.o. in rats. Both acute as well as chronic administration of CPE (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) did not produce any gastric lesion in rats. These data indicate that CPE possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity without ulcerogenic activity suggesting its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent for use in the treatment of various inflammatory diseases.     

Antinociceptive and antiarthritic activity of Cissampelos pareira roots

In the present study, 50% aqueous ethanolic extract of Cissampelos pareira (Menispermaceae) roots (C. pareira) at the dose levels of 100-400 mg/kg, once daily for 3 days exhibited significant (P < 0.001) resistance against mechanical pain after 30 min in analgesymeter induced pain in mice. In acetic acid (0.6%; i.p.) inducing writhing, Cissampelos pareira significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the writhing episodes; the degree of percent protection at 200 and 400 mg/kg was 22.73 and 51.63. The hot plate reaction time was increased by 2.07 (P < 0.05) and 2.70 (P < 0.001) folds. respectively. Further Cissampelos pareira showed the dose dependent significant protective effect against complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis. The percentage protection on the 18th day was 40.54 (P < 0.01) and 71.52 (P < 0.001) at 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. Lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase and N-acetyl glucosaminidase) were decreased by 50% (P < 0.01) and 26.26% (P < 0.05) by using Cissampelos pareira, dextramethasone decreased them 56.56% (P < 0.01) and 31.82% (P < 0.01) and the glycoprotein contents (total hexose and sialic acid) were increased by 1.55-folds (P < 0.01) and 1.51-folds (P < 0.05) by using Cissampelos pareira while dextramethasone increases them by 1.51-folds (P < 0.001) and 1.60-folds (P < 0.01) respectively in stomach homogenate with respect to arthritic group. The increased pain threshold and protective effect against CFE by Cissampelos pareira vindicated its medicinal value in treatment of pain and arthritis.     

Bi-directional Glenn shunt in presence of anomalous pulmonary venous connection; modified Bi-directional Glenn shunt

Bi-directional Glenn shunt is a common procedure in a patient with functional single ventricle on the way to Fontan completion. The procedure becomes challenging when there is an associated anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the superior vena cava. We describe an infant with an anomalous pulmonary venous connection high up in the superior venacava, which was managed surgically by performing an anastomosis between the superior venacava and pulmonary artery leaving the anomalous venous drainage intact.     

Osteoarthritis: Prognosis and emerging therapeutic approach for disease management

Osteoarthritis (OA), a disorder of joints, is prevalent in older age. The contemporary cure for OA is aimed to confer symptomatic relief, consisting of temporary pain and swelling relief. In this paper, we discuss various modalities responsible for the onset of OA and associated with its severity. Inhibition of chondrocytes receptors such as DDR2, SDF‐1, Asporin, and CXCR4 by specific pharmacological inhibitors attenuates OA, a critical step for finding potential disease modifying drugs. We critically analyzed recent OA studies with an emphasis on intermediate target molecules for OA intervention. We also explored some novel and safe treatments for OA by considering disease prognosis crosstalk with cellular signaling pathways.     

Antidiarrheal potential of standardized extract of Rhododendron arboreum Smith flowers in experimental animals

Objective:

To investigate standardized ethyl acetate fraction of Rhododendron arboreum (EFRA) flowers for antidiarrheal activity in experimental animals.

Materials and Methods:

A simple sensitive high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was used for the determination of hyperin in EFRA. The standardized fraction was investigated for castor oil, magnesium sulfate-induced diarrhea, measurement of gastrointestinal transit using charcoal and castor oil-induced enteropooling.

Results:

The concentration of hyperin in flowers of R. arboreum was found to be 0.148% by HPTLC. Oral administration of EFRA at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg exhibited dose-dependent and significant (P<0.05-0.001) antidiarrheal potential in castor oil and magnesium sulfate-induced diarrhea. EFRA at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg also produced significant (P<0.05-0.001) dose-dependent reduction in propulsive movement in castor oil-induced gastrointestinal transit using charcoal meal in rats. EFRA was found to possess an antienteropooling in castor oil-induced experimental animals by reducing both weight and volume of intestinal content significantly.

Conclusion:

These findings demonstrate that standardized ethyl acetate fraction of R. arboreum flowers has potent antidiarrheal activity thus justifying its traditional use in diarrhea and have great potential as a source for natural health products.KEY WORDS: Antidiarrheal, enteropooling, gastrointestinal motility, high performance thin layer chromatography, Rhododendron arboreum     

Suicide risk in first episode psychosis: a selective review of the current literature

Many studies have confirmed that the risk of suicide in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) is high, and high rates of premature mortality, particularly from suicide, may occur in the early phases of schizophrenia. However, suicide rates are difficult to measure in FEP patients, even in carefully defined samples, and there is relatively little specific information about the risk of suicide at illness onset or retrospectively concerning the untreated psychotic period. This selected review of the literature investigates suicidal behaviour with particular regard to severe suicidality (plans and attempts) and risk factors associated with suicide in FEP patients. A search was performed to identify all papers and book chapters during the period 1965-2010, and approximately 100 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of evidence suggests that risk of suicidal behaviour is relatively high in FEP patients. The research reports highlight the need for universal, comprehensive, public mental health interventions aimed, not only toward early detection, but also toward the rapid engagement in treatment of people with psychoses. These interventions should include an adequate assessment of suicidal behaviour in patients with FEP, and an examination of the efficacy of specific components of the interventions.