OBJECTIVES:Rubia cordifolia L. (RC) is a well-known and highly valuable medicinal plant in the Ayurvedic system. The present study involves evaluating antioxidant and cardioprotective property of RC root extract.MATERIALS AND METHODS:The characterization of RC root extract was carried out using standard phytochemical and biochemical analysis. The functional groups were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and phytotherapeutic compounds were identified using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). Cardioprotective activity of RC root extract was investigated against cyclophosphamide (CP; 100 mg/kg, i.p)-induced cardiotoxicity in male albino Wistar rats. RC (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o) or silymarin (100 mg/kg, p.o) was administered immediately after CP on the 1st day and the next consecutive 10 days. Biochemical and histopathological analysis was performed to observe the cardioprotective effects of RC root extract.RESULTS:Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of secondary metabolites that include alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and anthraquinones in RC root extract. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of several functional groups. Based on HR-MS analysis, eight major phytotherapeutic compounds were identified in methanol root extract of RC. Biochemical analysis in CP-induced rat model administered with RC extract revealed significantly enhanced levels of antioxidant markers such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase. Histopathological study showed that the rat model treated with the root extract had reduced the cardiac injury.CONCLUSION:Our results have shown that the RC extract contains various antioxidant compounds with cardioprotective effect. Treatment with RC root extract could significantly protect CP-induced rats from cardiac tissue injury by restoring the antioxidant markers.

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A prospective study to evaluate oral iron preparations in antenatal women at a tertiary care hospital Satyanarayana V.*, Shabeer D., Suma Jayaram, Basavaraj Bhandare INTRODUCTIONIron deficiency anaemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. Anaemia is defined by World Health Organization as a state where haemoglobin (Hb) is less than 11gm/dl and haematocrit less than 33%. 1Estimates from the WHO report that 35-75% (average 56%) of pregnant women in developing countries and 18% of women from industrialized countries are anaemic.The most common cause of anaemia is iron and folate deficiency. Iron deficiency anaemia accounts for 75-95% cases of anaemia in pregnancy. It can occur because of poor nutrition, malaria, hookworm infestation and closely spaced pregnancies.The net Iron requirements for pregnancy is 840 mg approximately.2 Per WHO Daily oral iron and folic acid supplementation with 30 mg to 60 mg of elemental iron is recommended for pregnant women to prevent maternal anaemia, puerperal sepsis, low birth weight, and preterm birth. Pregnant women commonly develop iron deficiency anaemia because of increasing iron demand of the developing foetus and placenta and the increased blood circulating volume in the body during pregnancy. 4 In pregnancy, the total volume of plasma is dramatically increased (50%) along with increase in red cell mass (18-25%), because of this disproportionate increase in plasma ABSTRACT Background: Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in pregnancy worldwide. It can be mild, moderate or severe. Severe anemia can have very serious consequences for mothers and babies. Pregnant women requiring medication represent a challenge to healthcare providers to avoid any teratogenic risk to foetus. The purpose of this study was to provide information about the most effective iron preparations prescribed to pregnant women and to evaluate the haemoglobin status before and after oral iron therapy. Methods: This was a Prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, between October 2013 and March 2014.This study was conducted by reviewing the antenatal care Outpatient department case papers of 200 pregnant women who were anaemic. Results: Demographic profile, detailed medical history and drug intake in current pregnancy was noted. The prescription pattern was assessed. Of the three common iron preparations prescribed, Ferrous sulphate was the most common preparation. Findings of our study showed that all pregnant anaemic women included in the study were provided with iron and folic acid therapy and the most effective oral iron preparation was Ferrous sulphate. Conclusions: Present study shows that ferrous sulphate is the most common iron preparation prescribed. Ferrous sulphate and ferrous fumarate preparations showed better improvement in Hb levels. Anaemia is common among all pregnant women and therefore it raises the concern about high morbidity and mortality associated with pregnancy ou...

INTRODUCTIONPsoriasis is one of the common, chronic, inflammatory cutaneous diseases in India.1 It is characterized by aberrant differentiation and hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and inflammatory infiltration of leukocytes, predominantly into the dermis.2 It affects 2% to 3% of the world's population, with chronic plaque-type psoriasis accounting for approximately 90% of the cases. 2Prevalence of psoriasis ranges across population from 0% to 11.8% across different populations. 3,4 In India, most prevalence studies are hospital based. 5Kaur et al study that included 782 patients showed a prevalence of 1.4 % among the total dermatology outpatients. A similar study by Bedi et al. reported 2.8% prevalence among the dermatology OPD cases. Genetic correlation in terms of family history showed wide differences between studies. Bedi reported positive family history of psoriasis in 14% of their patients, while Kaur et al reported the same in only 2% of their patients and found that first degree relatives were affected in 84% of the cases, while second degree relatives only in 12% cases. 6,7 Currently the treatment options include the use of Methotrexate, which is an established standard; systemic drug approved by USFDA for the treatment of psoriasis. It acts mainly by inhibiting immune cells and is shown to be more potent in decreasing the number of lymphocytes than keratinocytes. 9Other available options are cyclosporine and oral retinoids, all of which are associated with severe toxicity and are usually an expensive ordeal in Indian scenario. There is a need for novel treatment approach with a better ABSTRACT Background: Psoriasis is a common skin condition affecting a huge segment of global population. So far, the treatment has been confined to drugs like methotrexate, cyclosporine and oral retinoids which are highly toxic for long term usage and requires a novel drug that is safer. Methods: Cases of plaque type psoriasis are divided into two arms and treated with methotrexate monotherapy in group A and methotrexate plus pioglitazone combination therapy in group B. The outcome of the study is analyzed using PASI score and DLQI scoring systems. Results: Group A and Group B showed significant reduction in the PASI and DLQI scores. Group B was better in terms of efficacy (p<0.05) when compared to Group A. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of DLQI scoring. Both groups had similar side effect profile. Conclusions: Pioglitazone which acts by sensitizing the cells to insulin poses no risk of hypoglycemia. It is more specific for the treatment of psoriasis as it targets the keratinocytes. Present study suggests a possible role as an adjuvant in the treatment of psoriasis, and could pave way for low dose methotrexate and thereby reducing the potential side effects.