Bioassay-guided isolation of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive glycoterpenoids from the flowers of Verbascum lasianthum Boiss. ex Bentham

Infusions of Verbascum lasianthum flowers have been used for hemorrhoids in Turkish folk medicine. In order to evaluate the scientific basis for this practice, in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Verbascum lasianthum Boiss. ex Bentham flowers were investigated. A methanolic extract of the flowers was shown to possess significant inhibitory activity in the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model and in p-benzoquinone-induced writhings in mice. Through bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation procedures eight compounds, 6-O-(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)--l-rhamnopyranosylaucubin (1), 6-O-(4-O-trans-p-methoxycinnamoyl)--l-rhamnopyranosylaucubin (2), sinuatol (3), aucubin (4), geniposidic acid (5), catalpol (6), ajugol (7) and ilwensisaponin A (8) were isolated and their structures were elucidated by spectral techniques. An iridoid glucoside, aucubin (4) and a triterpenoid saponin, ilwensisaponin A (8) were found to possess significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, per os without inducing any apparent acute toxicity or gastric damage. Results of the present study support the continued and expanded utilization of plants employed in Turkish folk medicine.     

Comparative study of the effect of tube drainage versus methylprednisolone after third molar surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of tube drainage versus a single dose of methylprednisolone (MP) on maximal mouth opening, facial swelling, and pain after third molar surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-two patients requiring extraction of bilaterally impacted mandibular third molars were selected. Each patient had 2 operations. In the first operation, a drainage tube was inserted into the buccal fold after the suture procedure and left there for 3 days. In the second operation 1 month after the first surgery, 1.5 mg/kg intravenous methylprednisolone was administered 1 hour before the surgery. The patients were evaluated by the same person for maximal mouth opening, facial swelling, and pain in the immediate preoperative time point and on the second, fifth, and seventh days after surgery. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in mouth opening on fifth and seventh days but none in facial swelling and pain between MP group and drain group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of a drain or methylprednisolone is useful in reducing postoperative discomfort after third molar surgery.     

The validity and reliability of the Fatigue Severity Scale in Turkish multiple sclerosis patients

The aims of this study were to investigate the Fatigue Severity Scale's Turkish version's validity, reproducibility, internal consistency and parameters. Multiple sclerosis patients' disability levels were determined by the Expended Disability Status Scale and depression status was established with the Beck Depression Inventory. The Fatigue Severity Scale and Beck Depression Inventory were administered through self-report methods and assistance, without guidance, given where needed. An interval of 1 week was allowed between the applications. Seventy-two definitely diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients and matched 76 healthy controls were included. The multiple sclerosis patients' median Expended Disability Status Scale score was 4.0 (1.0-9.5). There were statistically significant differences between multiple sclerosis patients' and healthy controls' Fatigue Severity Scale scores (P<0.001). After controlling for depression, Fatigue Severity Scale scores were lowered, but there was still a significant difference between them (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the interviews for Fatigue Severity Scale1 and Fatigue Severity Scale2 (P=0.719). Internal consistency for Fatigue Severity Scale was good for multiple sclerosis patients (ICC=0.81, P<0.001). Cronbach's alpha of Fatigue Severity Scale1 was 0.89; Fatigue Severity Scale2 was 0.94. Expended Disability Status Scale scores (P<0.05) and Beck Depression Inventory scores (P<0.001) have a significant effect on the Fatigue Severity Scale. In conclusion, scales have a great importance in following up and assessing the results of treatment strategies. The Turkish validation of the Fatigue Severity Scale is reliable and valid, and is an appropriate tool to assess fatigue in the Turkish multiple sclerosis population.     

Two cases of quadricuspid aortic valve.

Quadricuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital malformation of the aortic valve. Most cases are discovered incidentally at autopsy or at aortic valve replacement. Recent advances in echocardiography epecially transesophageal echocardiography led to diagnosis of more cases before surgery. Two cases of quadricuspid aortic valve are presented.