Ethnomedicinal plants used in the treatment of skin diseases in Hyderabad Karnataka region,Karnataka, India

Objective

To document traditional medicinal plants knowledge used in treating skin diseases at Hyderabad Karnataka Region.

Methods

The information on the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of skin diseases was gathered from traditional herbal healers and other villagers through interviews.

Results

A total of 60 plants species belonging to 57 genera and 34 families were found useful and herewith described them along with the method of drug preparation, mode of administration, probable dosage and duration of treatment. Several new findings on the traditional rural practices were reported.

Conclusions

The present study revealed that the Hyderabad Karnataka rural people is primarily dependent on medicinal plants for treating skin diseases.     

In Vitro Study to Evaluate Antibacterial and Non-haemolytic Activities of Four Iranian Medicinal Plants

Objective:

Aqueous extracts of four medicinal plants including Ferula gummosa, Echinophora orientalis, Nasturtium microphyllum and Verbascum thapsus were used to determine their antibacterial activities and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The aim of this study was to assess antibacterial activity of extracts of four medicinal plants against a Gram-positive and a Gram-negative bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus PTCC1431, and Escherichia coli HP101BA 7601c).

Methods:

Radial diffusion assay was used to assess the antibacterial activity of extracted samples. Haemolysis assay was also used to examine their nontoxic effects on human red blood cells.

Results:

This study showed that all the mentioned plants have satisfactory antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentration values of these samples were less than 750 μg/mL. In addition, no significant haemolytic activity was observed at their MIC values.

Conclusion:

The results of this study showed that all these studied plants have good potential for further studies for drug discovery.     

Antibacterial activities of selected medicinal plants in traditional treatment of human wounds in Ethiopia

Objective

To evaluate the activity of selected Ethiopian medicinal plants traditionally used for wound treatment against wound-causing bacteria.

Methods

Samples of medicinal plants (Achyranthes aspera, Brucea antidysenterica, Datura stramonium, Croton macrostachyus, Acokanthera schimperi, Phytolacca dodecandra, Millettia ferruginea, and Solanum incanum) were extracted using absolute methanol and water and tested for their antimicrobial activities against clinical isolates and standard strains of wound-causing bacteria using agar well diffusion and micro titer plate methods.

Results

Most of the plant extracts had antibacterial activities, among which Acokanthera schimperi and Brucea antidysenterica inhibited growth of 100% and 35% of the test organisms, respectively. Methanolic extracts had higher activities compared with their corresponding aqueous extracts. The most susceptible organism to the extracts was Streptococcus pyogens while the most resistant were Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris.

Conclusions

This finding justifies the use of the plants in wound healing and their potential activity against wound-causing bacteria. Their toxicity level and antimicrobial activity with different extraction solvents should further be studied to use them as sources and templates for the synthesis of drugs to control wound and other disease-causing bacteria.     

Assessment of effect of hydroalcoholic and decoction methods on extraction of antioxidants from selected Indian medicinal plants

Objective

To assess the effects of extraction methods on antioxidant activities of selected Indian medicinal flora.

Methods

Different parts of plants were extracted by hydroalcoholic and decoction methods using water and various concentrations of methanol (ME) viz. 75%, 50% and 25% ME. The antioxidant activity of all the different extracts was evaluated using two different antioxidant assays viz. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and superoxide anion radical scavenging assay. Total phenol and flavonoid content was also estimated.

Results

The results showed that the extracting solvent significantly altered the antioxidant property estimations of screened plants. High correlations between phenolic compositions and antioxidant activities of extracts were observed. High levels of antioxidant activities were detected in Manilkara zapota (M. zapota) as compared with other screened plants.

Conclusions

The results obtained appear to confirm the effect of different methods on extraction of antioxidants and antioxidant property of M. zapota.     

Can fruit seeds and undigested plant residuals cause acute appendicitis

Objective

To investigate the relation between fruit seeds, plants residuals and appendicitis.

Methods

Among cases that underwent appendectomy, the appendicitis cases having fruit seeds and undigested plant residuals in their etiology were examined retrospectively. Also, histopathological features, age, sex, and parameters of morbidity and mortality were used.

Results

Fruit seed was found in one case (0.05%) with presence of pus in appendix lumen, undigested plant residuals in 7 cases (0.35%). It was determined that there were appendix inflammation in 2 of the plant residuals cases, while there were obstruction and lymphoid hyperplasia in the appendix lumen of 5 cases. No mortality was observed.

Conclusions

The ratio of acute appendicitis caused by plants is minimal among all appendectomised patients, but avoidence of eating undigested fruit seeds and chewing plants well may help to prevent appendicitis.     

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using leaves of Catharanthus roseus Linn. G. Don and their antiplasmodial activities

Objective

To develop a novel approach for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using aqueous leaves extracts of Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) Linn. G. Don which has been proven active against malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum).

Methods

Characterizations were determined by using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction.

Results

SEM showed the formation of silver nanoparticles with an average size of 35–55 nm. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the particles were crystalline in nature with face centred cubic structure of the bulk silver with the broad peaks at 32.4, 46.4 and 28.0.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that the leaves of C. roseus can be good source for synthesis of silver nanoparticle which shows antiplasmodial activity against P. falciparum. The important outcome of the study will be the development of value added products from medicinal plants C. roseus for biomedical and nanotechnology based industries.     

In-vitro antimicrobial activity screening of some ethnoveterinary medicinal plants traditionally used against mastitis,wound and gastrointestinal tract complication in Tigray Region,Ethiopia

Objective

To screen the antibacterial activity of nine ethnoveterinary plants traditionally used for the treatment of mastitis, wound and gastrointestinal complications.

Methods

Hydroalcoholic exctracts of medicinal plants namely, Achyranthes aspera (A. aspera) L. (Family Asparagaceae), Ficus caria (F. caria) (Family Moraceae), Malvi parviflora (M. parviflora) (Family Malvaceae), Vernonia species (V. species) (local name Alakit, Family Asteraceae), Solanum hastifolium (S. hastifolium) (Family Solanaceae), Calpurinia aurea (C. aurea) (Ait) Benth (Family Fabaceae), Nicotiana tabacum (N. tabacum) L. (Family Solanaceae), Ziziphus spina-christi (Z. spina-christi) (Family Rhamnaceae), Croton macrostachys (C. macrostachys) (Family Euphorbiaceae), were screened against clinical bacterial isolates of veterinary importance from October 2007 to April 2009. The antibacterial activity was tested using disc diffusion at two concentrations (200 mg/mL and 100 mg/mL) and broth dilution methods using 70% methanol macerated leaf extracts.

Results

With the exception of S. hastifolium all plant extracts exhibited antibacterial activity. Among the medicinal plants tested C. aurea, C. macrostachyus, A. aspera, N. tabacum and vernonia species (Alakit) showed the most promising antimicrobial properties.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that many of the tested plants have antibacterial activity and supports the traditional usage of the plants for mastitis, wound and gastrointestinal complications treatment. Further studies into their toxicity and phytochemistry is advocated.     

Time of foaling in Arabian mares raised in Tiaret,Algeria

Objective

To enhance effectiveness of reproduction management in Arabian mares, factors influencing the time of foaling were investigated in this study.

Methods

Data were collected at the National Haras of Tiaret in Algeria from 2003 to 2010. The foaling time of 255 Arabian pure bred mares, aged from 3 to 20 years were used for this study.

Results

A total of 78.07% of foaling happens between 7 pm and 6 am.

Conclusions

The influence of the month of foaling and the sex of the foal, on the time of foaling was statically significant.     

Epidemiology of pediculosis capitis among schoolchildren in the eastern area of Bangkok,Thailand

Objective

To determine the prevalence of infestation with head lice in primary schoolchildren in the eastern area of Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods

The present study was to determine the head lice infestation (Pediculosis) levels in primary schoolchildren, during May, 2011 to July, 2011, A total of 3 747 schoolchildren aged 5-12 years old from 12 selected primary school of Ladkrabang district, the eastern area of Bangkok were examined for head lice. Pediculosis was defined as the presence of at least on living adult, nymph and viable egg.

Results

The overall head lice infestation rate was 23.32% and infestation rate was higher in girls (47.12%) than in boys (0%). The infestation rate among schoolchildren varied from 12.62% to 29.76%. The infestation rate among girls varied from 26.07% (12 years old group) to 55.89% (8 years old group).

Conclusions

Pediculosis is a common public health problem affecting primary schoolchildren in eastern area of Bangkok and those levels are epidemic importance.     

Cigarette smoking among school-going adolescents in Kafue,Zambia

Introduction

Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Interest in developing countries smoking prevalence has been growing since 1999.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of current cigarette smoking and associated factors among school-age adolescents in Kafue, Zambia.

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted using standard Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) methodology. Frequencies and odds ratios were obtained to assess the association between selected factors and current cigarette smoking.

Results

Data on current smoking were available for 1872 adolescents, of whom 891 (47.6%) were males and 981 females. Overall 154 (8.2%) adolescents were current cigarette smokers, while 93 (10.4%) males and 61 (6.2%) females were current smokers (p <0.001). The majority of the smokers usually smoked at their own home or at a friend''s house. Having some pocket money, having friends or parents who are smokers, and being exposed to pro-tobacco advertisements at social gatherings were associated with being a current cigarette smoker.

Conclusions

The traditional factors associated with smoking among adolescents elsewhere are also associated with smoking among adolescents in Kafue, Zambia. Public health interventions aimed to reduce adolescent smoking should be designed with these identified associations in mind.     

Tobacco consumption and its association with education among women residing in a rural area of Maharashtra: A?cross-sectional study

Background

Tobacco use is increasing among women and girls across the globe as well as in all parts of India. In India, 8 to 10 lakh people die due to tobacco related diseases every year. This tobacco epidemic among women needs to be prevented.

Objectives

Study was conducted to find the prevalence and pattern of tobacco consumption and it''s association with education among females (15–49 years) in a rural village of Pune, Maharashtra, India.

Material and Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 313 females (15–49 years) in a rural field practice area of a Medical College in Pune during Feb 11 to May 11. Pre-tested questionnaire was used for collecting data by interview after obtaining informed consent. Statistical analysis was performed (Epinfo software version 3.5.3.).

Results

Out of 313 female studied, 14.05% (44) and 0.96% (03) were found to be current and former tobacco user respectively while 84.98% (266) never used any form of tobacco in their lifetime. Mishri consumption (45%) was commonest form of smokeless tobacco use followed by quid use (36%). Majority of the tobacco users (54.55%) were illiterate. There was significant association between tobacco consumption and education level (p = 0.0295). Tobacco consumption was more with increasing age.

Conclusion

Tobacco consumption was found to be prevalent in 14.05% of women. Almost all of them used smokeless tobacco, mainly mishri. Tobacco consumption was directly associated with age and inversely with educational level. Therefore increasing women''s literacy may bring down tobacco use among women.     

Perinatal mortality audit at Tikure Anbessa Teaching Hospital,Addis Ababa,Ethiopia: 1995 to 1996

Objectives

To determine the prevalence and causes of perinatal mortality rates at Tikure Anbessa hospital, Ethiopia, 1995–96

Design

A cross-sectional review of hospital records of all women who delivered at Tikure Anbessa Hospital. Data were collected prospectively.

Setting

Teaching Hospital of Tikure Anbessa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Subjects

Women and neonates from 8986 deliveries. Deliveries exceeding 28 weeks of gestation or birth weight of 1000 grams were considered.

Materials and Methods

All deliveries were included for infants whose gestational age exceeded 28 completed weeks. When the gestational age was unknown, the birth weight of 1000 grams or more was considered. All perinatal deaths and obstetric complications were identified. Labour chart, mode of delivery and summary of delivery had been recorded by the responsible resident at a monthly combined obstetric and paediatric perinatal mortality meeting. Age of the mother, parity, booking status for antenatal care, obstetric complications, labour, mode of delivery, birth weight, gestational age, one and five minutes Apgar scores were collected.

Results

A total of 8986 deliveries were conducted during the study period. Of these 6933 (77.2%) were booked for antenatal care while the remaining 2053 (22.8%) were not booked in any health institution. The perinatal mortality rate of the hospital was 71.6 per 1000 live births. The risk of perinatal mortality was more than doubled among mothers who failed to book for antenatal care follow-up and no laboratory investigations was done were birth asphyxia followed by premature birth 15.4% and 12% respectively.

Conclusions

Perinatal mortality rates are high at Tikure Anbessa Hospital, Ethiopia. There is need to ensure that pregnant women are booked for antenatal care so as to provide adequate antenatal and perinatal health care.     

Electronic health records in small physician practices: availability,use, and perceived benefits

Objective

To examine variation in the adoption of electronic health record (EHR) functionalities and their use patterns, barriers to adoption, and perceived benefits by physician practice size.

Design

Mailed survey of a nationally representative random sample of practicing physicians identified from the Physician Masterfile of the American Medical Association.

Measurements

We measured, stratified by practice size: (1) availability of EHR functionalities, (2) functionality use, (3) barriers to the adoption and use of EHR, and (4) impact of the EHR on the practice and quality of patient care.

Results

With a response rate of 62%, we found that <2% of physicians in solo or two-physician (small) practices reported a fully functional EHR and 5% reported a basic EHR compared with 13% of physicians from 11+ group (largest group) practices with a fully functional system and 26% with a basic system. Between groups, a 21–46% difference in specific functionalities available was reported. Among adopters there were moderate to large differences in the use of the EHR systems. Financial barriers were more likely to be reported by smaller practices, along with concerns about future obsolescence. These differences were sizable (13–16%) and statistically significant (p<0.001). All adopters reported similar benefits.

Limitations

Although we have adjusted for response bias, influences may still exist.

Conclusion

Our study found that physicians in small practices have lower levels of EHR adoption and that these providers were less likely to use these systems. Ensuring that unique barriers are addressed will be critical to the widespread meaningful use of EHR systems among small practices.     

Comparative micromorphological study of wild and micropropagated Dioscorea bulbifera Linn.

Objective

To study the leaf epidermis of wild and micropropagated Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. (D. bulbifera) in order to document useful diagnostic features that may be employed for correct crude drug identification and to clear any taxonomic uncertainties in the micropropagated medicinal plant.

Methods

Growth responses of micropropagated D. bulbifera were observed on Murashige Skoog medium supplemented with 6-benzylamino purine (1.0 mg/L)+α-naphthaleneacetic acid (0.2 mg/L)+cysteine (20 mg/L) using nodal segments as explants. Leaves of the wild and micropropagated plants were studied microscopically.

Results

More than 80% shoot regeneration and formation of 10%-30% whitish-brown callus were observed within 3 weeks. The highest root proliferation was obtained from Murashige Skoog medium of 6-benzylamino purine (0.05 mg/L) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (0.01 mg/L) with mean root length of (27.00±1.25) mm and elongated single shoot of mean length (38.00±11.09) mm. Leaf epidermal features that revealed similarities between the wild and micropropagated plants included amphistomatic condition, presence of mucilage, glandular unicellular trichome with multicellular head, polygonal cells with smooth walls, stomata type and shape. Slight variations included thick cuticular wall with closed stomata in wild plant compared to thin walled opened stomata in the in vitro plant. Opening of stomata accounted for larger average stomata sizes of (7.68±0.38) µm and (6.14±0.46) µm on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces, respectively of the micropropagated plant compared to the wild.

Conclusions

The diagnostic features obtained in the study could serve as a basis for proper identification for quality control for standardization of the medicinal plant.     

Epidemiological Investigation of a Typhoid Outbreak

Background

An outbreak of typhoid fever among school children of a school in military station in central India is reported here. It comprises of 98 students out of which 87 students were from one school.

Methods

Detailed epidemiological case sheets were filled for cases and active case finding surveys were conducted among the school students during the period of study. It included 3313 students of the affected school.

Result

Attack rate of the affected school was 2.62 percent (RR 13.38, 99% CI of RR 10.8, 16.12). Blood samples were found to have Salmonella typhi in 5.43%. Eighty six blood samples (87.75%) were positive for Widal test. Sanitary survey revealed fecal contamination of water supply leading to the outbreak.

Conclusion

We recommend having a sound vaccination programme for children, adequate chlorination of water supply and formation of local groups at school level to monitor water quality on a daily basis.Key Words: Typhoid fever, Epidemiological investigation     

Effect of cytokinins on in vitro multiplication of Sophora tonkinensis

Objective

To determine the effects of different cytokinins at various concentrations on in vitro shoot multiplication of an important medicinal plant.

Methods

Nodal explants (1.5-2.0 cm) of Sophora tonkinensis were used. Multiple shoots were induced from nodal explants cultured on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, or 16.0 µmol 2-isopentyladenine (2iP), N6 benzyladenine, kinetin or thiadiazuron.

Results

Among the four investigated cytokinins, 2iP showed the best response for shoot multiplication. Maximum shoot induction (75%) was achieved on the MS medium supplemented with 2.0 µmol 2iP, with a mean number of 5.0 shoots per explant. In comparison to other cytokinins tried, 2iP showed the highest shoot elongation with a mean shoot length of 4.8 cm. Root initiation was observed within 15 d within the transfer of shoots onto the MS basal medium, and the rooting percentage was 100% with a mean number of 5.4 roots per shoot and root length of 6.2 cm over a period of 4 weeks. The healthy plants, hardened and transferred to a greenhouse for proper acclimatization, exhibited 100% survival.

Conclusions

It can be summarized that 2iP is the optimal plant growth regulator for Sophora multiplication.     

Dental Health Requirements for Psychiatric Patients

Background

This study was conducted to assess the dental treatment requirements of psychiatric patients in comparison with the non psychiatric patients admitted in the hospital.

Methods

A total of 103 hospitalised psychiatric patients were examined with an equal number of non psychiatric hospitalized patients.

Result

73.22 % of psychiatric patients exhibited higher caries index along with higher decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) as compared to 68.31 % in the control group. The incidence of periodontal diseases were significantly higher among the study group than the controls. There were statistically significant correlation between smoking, family pattern, calculus index and gingival index amongst psychiatric patients.

Conclusion

There was a higher incidence of caries index, missing teeth and less filled teeth among psychiatric patients, indicating extensive dental treatment requirement for this group.Key Words: Dental caries, Periodontal disease, Psychiatric patients     

Pharmacognostical,phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation for the antipyretic effect of the seeds of Saraca asoca Roxb.

Objective

To conduct a systemic evaluation of the medicinal value of seeds which include macroscopic and microscopic characterization, physiochemical evaluation, preliminary phytochemical screening and experimental antipyretic activity.

Methods

Saraca asoca seed was studied for pharmacognostical, phytochemical and other recommended methods for standardizations. Also, the acetone extract of the seeds was evaluated for acute toxicity study and antipyretic activity using Brewer''s yeast induced pyrexia in Wistar rats at oral doses of 300 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg.

Results

After phytochemical screening, the acetone extract showed the presence of saponin, tannins and flavonoids which inhibit pyrexia. The therapeutic efficacy achieved at both the dose levels of the research drug and standard drug aspirin (100 mg/kg) showed significant (P<0.01) antipyretic activity when compared to the control group. The highly significant antipyretic effect exhibited at the dose of 500 mg/kg was also found to be sustainable in nature.

Conclusions

The antipyretic effect of the acetone extract showed significant results in rats at the dose of 500 mg/kg after following the standard pharmacognostical and phytochemical methods.