Unfolding the enigma of lamina cribrosa morphometry and its association with glaucoma

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is worldwide prevalent ailment, affecting millions, and leading irreversible cause of blindness. The treatment strategies revolve around one modifiable factor, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), despite POAG presenting with normal IOP. Emphasis is put forth in recent past detecting structural elements of glaucoma; lamina cribrosa (LC) is found to be a promising prospect. Morphological alterations of LC are implicated as early sign before onset of glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON). In this review, the authors explored scientific works from 1976 till 2018 through Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, HEC Digital Library, Springerlink, and PakMedinet in four months' time, extracted structural features of LC, its measurable attributes, fresh innovations employed for in-vivo visualization and clinical signs aiding in establishing diagnosis of glaucoma which will assist as a prophylactic measure against GON. No such work has ever been done in South-East Asia including our country. So LC opens a new horizon for research in Pakistan.

Effect of Nelumbo nucifera fruit on scopolamine induced memory deficits and motor coordination

From prehistoric time till today herbal medications are supposed to have neuroprotective effects both by inhibiting acetyl cholinesterase enzyme or antioxidant ability and are also affordable. Thus extensive studies are necessary to investigate the pharmacological effects of herbal plants. The goal of the present study was to ascertain the outcome of Nelumbo nucifera fruit (NNF) on scopolamine induced amnestic rats along with motor coordination in mice in order to explore its pharmacological use in disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD). The effect of NNF on learning and memory was assessed by Morris water maze test using 35 Wister rats weighing 200-230 g evenly divided in to five groups. While motor coordination was assessed using Rot rod test, 35 male locally bred albino mice weighing 20-25 g were equally divided in to five groups. Group I was kept as control (10 ml/kg gum tragacanth). Group II, III and IV were labeled as treated groups (NNF 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg). Group V served as reference group (piracetam 200 mg/kg). All drugs were given by oral route as a single dose for 15 days in both experiments to rats and mice, however scopolamine (1 mg/kg IP) was used in Morris water maze test 40 min after the administration of drugs to rats for the induction of amnesia. In Morris water maze test, N. nucifera fruit caused highly significant and significant decrease in escape latency in the amnestic rats at 200 and 100 mg/kg as compared to control. In Rota rod test, N. nucifera fruit did not exhibit any notable changes in the riding time at any dose as compared to control. N. nucifera fruit have demonstrated ameliorating effects on memory without affecting muscle coordination. Hence NNF seems to have great potential for therapeutic application in memory disorders, such as AD which may be due to its ability to enhance cholinergic neurotransmission and exerting antioxidant effect and thus encourage more preclinical and clinical trials in this field.

Effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. seeds methanol extract on learning and memory

Prevention and delay in the onset of memory disorders will have a great impact on society by reducing the disease burden and finances. Drugs available for the treatment of learning and memory disorders are few. There is need to develop a better drug, several studies have shown the therapeutic effectiveness of herbal extracts for the learning and memory disorders because of their neuroprotective effects, hence herbs should be evaluated scientifically to form a basis for the future discovery of newer drugs. In this study, effect of Trigonella-foenum graecum L. seeds methanol extract (TFGS-ME) was evaluated in mice on learning and memory process by both exteroceptive and interoceptive behavioral models at three different doses. Elevated plus maze test was employed to assess the effect on learning and memory as an exteroceptive behavioral test. Scopolamine-induced amnesia was performed to assess effect on learning and memory as interoceptive behavior test. In both tests, it was found that animals received extract at 200 mg/kg exhibited a highly noteworthy decline in transfer latency on both acquisition and retention days in contrast to control animals, suggestive of improved learning and memory process. Results were equivalent to the standard drug piracetam at similar dose indicating that TFGS-ME improves learning and memory process and has significant potential as an antiamnesic agent. Hence there is need to separate the dietary components which may play a vibrant role in the future invention of novel drugs.

First aid facilities in the school settings: Are schools able to manage adequately?

Background and Objective:

Children spend most of their time in schools and are vulnerable to injuries and mild ailments, hence requiring first-aid care. School teacher can provide immediate first-aid care in the absence of any health professional. This study assesses first-aid facilities within school premises and assessment of teachers on first aid training.

Methods:

A cross sectional study was conducted from July-December 2017, participants were full time school teachers of both public and private sectors at both primary and secondary levels, having a minimum of one year experience. Questionnaire was filled on one to one basis by taking oral interview.

Results:

Out of 209 teachers, 72.7% were from private sector. Stomachache was the most common medical incident (82.29%) requiring first-aid care in schools. First aid box was available in all schools but its contents were not satisfactory. Sick bay was not found in any school. 68.42% of teachers were not trained in first-aid management because of lack of opportunity, however 56% were willing to enroll in any first aid training and majority (91.38%) considered it essential for their professional life.

Conclusion:

First aid facilities at various schools of Karachi and availability of trained teachers who can provide first aid care is unsatisfactory.

Anti-epileptic activity of Nelumbo nucifera fruit

Epilepsy is the most commonly encountered neurological disorder affecting around 70 million people worldwide, out of which approximately 80% belongs to developing countries. Several shortcomings appeared with the use of conventional antiepileptic agents like, inadequate seizure control, side effects and cost which limit their use. Thus extensive studies are necessary to investigate the pharmacological effects of plants, which would facilitate discovery of novel drugs from herbal source permitting their use to benefit mankind. Hence current study was focused to evaluate the anti-epileptic potential of Nelumbo nucifera fruit in order to ascertain its therapeutic potential. Anti-epileptic activity was assessed using strychnine induced seizure model in 35 male Wister rats divided in five groups i.e. control, reference and 3 test groups. Each group was composed of 7 animals and was given 2% gum tragacanth (control), diazepam 1 mg/kg PO (reference) and N. nucifera fruit 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg PO (test) OD for 15 days. N. nucifera fruit extract at 200 mg/kg exhibited extremely noteworthy delay in the inception of convulsions as compared to control however duration of convulsions was increased significantly but intensity of convulsions was reduced resulting in better survival rate i.e. 42.85% which was comparable to diazepam. Therefore it can be concluded that N. nucifera fruit may be valuable in managing epilepsy but further studies are required on large number of animals to confirm these findings.

Effect of methanol extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seeds on anxiety, sedation and motor coordination

Currently available anxiolytics cause numerous adverse effects and show craving and tolerance during long term treatment. Currently traditional medicines have been re-evaluated widely through work on various plant species. Numerous plants in traditional system show pharmacological activity with unlimited prospective for therapeutic use. Hence we planned to evaluate the effect of methanol extract of T. foenum-graecum L. seeds on anxiety, sedation and motor coordination in mice at different doses following 15 days of oral feeding. Effect on anxiety was assessed by Hole board test and Light and Dark transition models.Phenobarbitone induced sleeping time and Rota rod test were performed to assess effect on sedation and motor coordination. In Hole board test, T. foenum-graecum L. seeds decreased the number of head dips in mice at all the three doses. In Light and Dark transition model, T. foenum-graecum L. seeds increased the period spent in the light box and the number of moves among the two compartments at 100 and 200 mg/kg as compared to control animals. In phenobarbitone induced sleeping time, T. foenum-graecum L. seeds did not reveal any sedative effect. In Rota rod test, extract exhibited significant skeletal muscle relaxant effect at 200 mg/kg (at 90 min) as compared to the control animals. Results of our study shows significant antianxiety effects of T. foenum-graecum L. seeds and may also recommend improved adverse effect profile as compared to diazepam.

Evaluation of hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of methanol extract of Brassica oleracea

AIM

The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of the methanol extract of Brassica oleracea var. capitata (MEB) was evaluated in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits.

METHOD

The study was conducted on twenty-eight healthy white rabbits of either sex. All animals were equally divided into four groups. After confirmation of hyperglycemia, the animals of the treated and standard groups were administered MEB (500 mg·kg(-1)) and glibenclamide (10 mg·kg(-1)), respectively for 15 and 30 days. The animals of the normal and diabetic controls received normal saline 1 mL/day equivalent to the volume of doses given to the test and standard animals. Biochemical tests were performed at the end of dosing, i.e. the 16(th) and 31(st) days.

RESULTS

The MEB revealed a decrease of 106.6 mg·dL(-1) in fasting blood glucose as compared to diabetic control, which was almost comparable to glibenclamide; both of these changes were highly significant. The decrease in total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein was 94.3 and 96.5 mg·dL(-1), respectively, whereas the high-density lipoprotein was increased by 26.7 mg·dL(-1), as compared to diabetic control. All of the changes in lipid profile were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest the potential of MEB as a hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agent.