Antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of gossypin and procumbentin – cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibition studies

In the present study the antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of a few selected flavonoids were investigated. Procumbentin, gossypin, chrysin and methylhespiridin were studied for antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities using in vitro enzymatic assays and in animal models utilizing acetic acid‐induced writhing in mice and hind paw edema in rats. In vitro studies were performed using TMPD (NNN′N′‐tetramethyl‐p‐phenylene diamine) and oxygraphic methods for COX‐1 (cyclooxygenase‐1), COX‐2, 5‐LOX (5‐lipoxygenase) and 15‐LOX. Gossypin and procumbentin showed COX‐2 inhibitory activity and exhibited IC₅₀ (COX‐2/COX‐1) ratios of 0.14 and 0.11, respectively. None of the flavonoids tested in this study showed LOX inhibitory activity. Four groups were studied for each test compound following intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of doses of 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg. Antiinflammatory activity was measured by the carrageenin‐induced rat hind paw edema model and antinociceptive activity by acetic acid‐induced writhing. Procumbentin and gossypin showed antinociceptive activity at the 100 mg/kg dose. Gossypin showed antiinflammatory activity at doses of 10, 30, 100 mg/kg. Procumbentin and gossypin exhibited COX‐2 inhibitory activity when tested by in vitro methods. Procumbentin and gossypin showed antinociceptive, and gossypin showed antiinflammatory, activities. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Salmonella senftenberg: ear infection. A case report

A case of Otitis media, a rare complication of Salmonella senftenberg infection is reported.     

Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of Ginkgo biloba in rats

The mechanism of hepatoprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba (GB), an herbal preparation with wide variety of therapeutic application, on paracetamol (Pcml) induced hepatic damage in rats has been investigated. GB treatment restored the marker enzyme levels indicating the in vivo protective effects against Pcml induced liver damage both in preventive and curative aspects. GB also reversed the increased TBARS levels, and elevated the GSH content of the liver. The results obtained from the study indicate hepatoprotective nature of GB, which might be due to its ability to prevent lipid peroxidation and replenishing the gllutathione level. The effects of GB were comparable to that of silymarin.     

Awareness of post-exposure prophylaxis guidelines against occupational exposure to HIV in Hospital Sungai Petani

Occupational risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is a matter of concern for health care workers. We conducted a study to gauge the level of awareness amongst HCW (doctors and nurses) working in Hospital Sungai Petani regarding the post-exposure prophylaxis in case of needle stick injuries from confirmed or suspected cases of HIV. Nineteen Doctors (56%) and 13 nurses (25%) were aware of correct risk of transmission. None identified all the four risk fluids correctly. 94% of doctors and 98% of nurses correctly stated that washing the site with soap and water is the initial procedure, but only few (1/10 of doctors and 1/3 of nurses) knew whom to contact immediately after injury. Twenty three doctors (67%) and 41(78%) nurses were aware of the use of Zidovudine but only 10 participants were aware of the use of second drug. Only 6 doctors (17%) and 8 nurses (15%) knew the correct duration of post-exposure prophylaxis. Twenty-three doctors (67%) and 35 nurses (67%) knew that the drugs were available in Hospital Pharmacy and 11 doctors and 12 nurses knew the approximate cost of therapy. On the average about 50% of doctors and nurses have fair knowledge of post exposure prophylaxis against HIV. Ongoing awareness and training are necessary to improve the same.