Chemical composition of some medicinal plant products of indigenous origin

Chemical compositions of leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica), sajna (Moringa oleifera), arjun (Terminalia arjuna), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), turmeric (Curcuma longa); rhizomes of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric; fruits of amla (Emblica officinalis), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bohera (Terminalia belerica) and bulbs of garlic (Allium sativum) of indigenous origin were determined. Proximate and mineral components [Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn)] were determined. Dry matter (DM) varied from 964g/kg in arjun leaves to 892g/kg in tulsi leaves. Sajna leaves were high in protein (240g/kg), whereas haritaki fruits were low (34g/kg). Highest amount of ether extract (EE) was found in turmeric rhizomes and the lowest in amla fruits. The crude fibre (CF) ranged from 134 g/kg in turmeric leaves to 7g/kg in garlic bulbs. Highest amounts of ash were found in tulsi leaves (136g/kg), whereas haritaki had 42g/kg. All the plant products had high Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) and haritaki ranked the highest. Neem leaves contained the highest amount of Ca and Mg. Fruits had lower amounts of P than other products. K content ranged between 8510 ppm in turmeric leaves and 4190 ppm in arjun leaves. Tulsi leaves contain higher amounts of Na, whereas arjun leaves contained less. Tulsi leaves contain higher amount of Cu and Zn than other plant products. The Mn content ranged from 17 ppm in ginger to 780 ppm in garlic bulbs. Only sajna and neem leaves are considered as fair sources of protein. Such ingredients may be considered as good sources of Ca and Mg. DOI: 10.3329/bvet.v25i1.4616 Bangl. vet. 2008. Vol. 25, No. 1, 32-39

Early detection of cervical intraepithelial lesions by simple visual inspection after acetic acid among women in Rajshahi medical college hospital

Aim: To evaluate the performance of visual inspection of acetic acid (VIA) in the detection of precancerous and early cancerous lesions of cervix. Materials and methods: Total 5593 eligible women who randomly came to the Gyenae out patient department (OPD) of RMCH (Rajshahi Medical College Hospital) were examined by VIA. Detection of well defined, opaque, acetowhite lesions close to the squamocolumner junction or in transitional zone or dense acetowhitening of ulceroproliferative growth on the cervix constituted a positive VIA. Those who had abnormal results in screening test & those who had clinically suspicious lesions were sent for colposcopic evaluation (n= 442) & directed biopsy were taken from colposcopically suspected areas (n=214). The final diagnosis was based on histology. Results: Out of 5593 patients, 442 (7.20%) were VIA positive. 442 patients were colposcopically evaluated .Among them, 228 (51.58%) were normal and 202(45.70%) had different stages of cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN) and 12 ( 2.71 % ) had carcinoma of cervix. Out of 214 patients biopsied, 23.36 % patients had a final diagnosis of CIN lesions, 5 (2.33%) had carcinoma in-situ & 17 cases (7.94%) had invasive carcinoma. Besides to find out the predictable factors of cervical lesions data have been collected from VIA positive patients regarding age of first coitus and first delivery, history of extra marital exposure and STI, use of contraceptive methods and family history of cancer. Age of first coitus between 12 to 15 years and 16 to 20 years were observed among 203 (46 %) and 40 % (177) women respectively. More than half of the patients (62%) were experienced with their first delivery within the age 15-20 years which was below 15 years of 12 % (53) patients. Fifty four percent patients used OCP and barrier methods used were only 10 %. Family history of cancer was observed among 09 % women. 58% patients were belonged to lower middle class and upper group were only 9% (table 1) Conclusion: In our study detection of different grades of intraepithelial lesions (CIN-I, CIN-II, CIN-III, invasive carcinoma) of cervix by VIA was comparable to that of colposcopy. So VIA is suitable for detection of precursor lesions of cervical cancer in low resource settings and also for diagnosis, follow up treatment and epidemiological studies of cervical cancer. Key words: Visual inspection; VIA; cervical carcinoma; colposcopy; screening; epidemiological studies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i4.9494 BJMS 2011; 10 (4): 240-244

Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer at Chittagong Medical College Hospital - A Milestone

Introduction: A defect in any part of the body involving extensive soft tissue loss adversely affects the functional ability. With the advent of microvascular free tissue transfer in the reconstruction of large defects, the problem is going to be solved. However, studies are still going on about the different aspects of its success and failure. The present study is one such step to share our early experience.Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Chittagong Medical College Hospital from August 2009 to April 2010. We reviewed the operative experiences of free tissue transfer on 5 cases. Standard microvascular anastomotic techniques as well as peroperative & postoperative heparinization were maintained in all the cases. Follow up results were evaluated at varying periods following standard protocol.Results: Of the 5 cases reconstructed, 4(80%) had lesions in the maxillofacial region and 1(20%) in the ankle region. In terms of diseases they suffered, 3(60%) had squamous cell carcinoma and 2(40%) sustained mechanical injury. The outcome of treatment demonstrates that 3(60%) cases recovered uneventfully, one developed slight loss of sensation on the left thumb (20%) and another one failed to recover (20%).Conclusion: In this study successful microvascular free tissue transfer was possible in 80% cases. With the increase in experience we can expect increased success rate as well.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bdjps.v1i1.6485Bangladesh Journal of Plastic Surgery (2010) Vol. 1 (1) pp.3-8