Glabridin, a polyphenolic flavonoid derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) roots, has shown anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The current study sought to investigate glabridin's immunomodulatory effect in ovalbumin induced allergic asthma. Healthy male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. Group I served as a control group. Asthma was induced in groups II– IV. Groups III and IV were treated with glabridin (40 mg/kg) and methylprednisolone (15 mg/kg), respectively. Inflammatory cells counts were determined in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Serum IgE levels and levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in lung homogenate were measured. The levels of mRNA expression of pro‐inflammatory, anti‐inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were analysed. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and acute toxicity of glabridin were also checked. Glabridin significantly decreased inflammatory cells in the blood and BALF. It increased the concentration of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Glabridin markedly decreased serum IgE levels and DTH when compared to asthmatic rats. It significantly alleviated the expression of TNF‐α, IL‐4, IL‐5, CXCL1, iNOS, and NF‐κB. Administering 10 times the therapeutic dose of glabridin did not show any signs of acute toxicity. Findings suggest that glabridin has the potential to ameliorate allergic asthma and its effects are comparable to those of methylprednisolone. The immunomodulatory effect of glabridin might be contributed by the suppression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers, IgE antibodies, and elevation of antioxidant enzymes, suggesting future study and clinical trials to propose it as a candidate to treat allergic asthma.
Vitamin D is an important vitamin for bone metabolism and development of immune functions. Purpose: To determine the serum levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and calcium in diagnosed patients of hypothyroidism in comparison to healthy controls group. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Methodology: Total subjects were sixty with n=30. Control group comprised of normal females and diseased group had females that were diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Blood was collected from all the subjects from antecubital vein. Serum was separated to determine the serum levels of vitamin D and calcium. Statistical analysis: Data analyzed by SPSS 22.0v. T-test applied for comparison between groups with P-value <0.05 as significant. Results: Serum 25 hydroxy-vitamin D and calcium levels were significantly lower in the diseased group as compared to the control group having P-value < 0.001. Conclusion: This study clearly showed that hypothyroid patients were deficient in vitamin D and calcium as they had lower serum levels when compared with healthy individuals. Key Words: 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D and Calcium, Hypothyroidism and Healthy Individuals.
Aim: To analyse the outcome of oral and intravenous therapy of iron preparations in treating anaemia in pregnant women. Study Design: Prospective Study. Place and duration of study: Department of Pharmacology and department of Gynaecology and obstetrics, Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College, Sialkot from May 2020 to July 2021. Methods: Between May 2020 and July 2021; A total of 1200 patients presenting to obstetric department with anaemia were included in the study after fulfilling inclusion criteria. Pregnant patients with haemoglobin level 7-8gm/dl at 24th week of gestation were included in the study. The therapy was started on 24th week of gestation. The haemoglobin levels were determined at 24th week and then at 37th week of gestation. The increase in the haemoglobin level was then determined. Serum ferritin levels were done at 37th week of gestation. Results: It was observed that there was an increase in the haemoglobin level after all the treatment regimes. The increase in haemoglobin in the group B and C was statistically significant with P value of < 0.001 when compared with the group A. However, no statistical significant difference was observed between group B and group C. Conclusion: The haemoglobin and serum ferritin level were significantly increased in the subjects after oral ferrous sulphate, however parenteral formulation are more effective in noncompliant patient where quick improvement in haemoglobin levels are to be achieved. Keywords: Anaemia, pregnancy, iron deficiency, pharmacotherapy
Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that causes number of health issues. Purpose: To demonstrate the effect of cinnamon bark oil on Leydig cell count and morphology with measurement of serum testosterone levels. Study Design: Experimental study. Methodology: Healthy male wistar rats (n=30) were taken and divided into 3 groups with n= 10. Group A functioned as control. Cadmium chloride was administered to the rats to induce testicular toxicity in group B. Group C was the treatment group. Animals were euthanized on day 15. Leydig cell count and morphology was done after haematoxylin and eosin staining of the testicular tissue sections. Serum testosterone level was done by ELISA. Statistical analysis: Data analyzed by SPSS 22.0v. Results: Cadmium chloride was observed to significantly reduce leydig cell counts and serum testosterone levels in group B. No significant effect was observed on the morphology of the leydig cells. Cinnamon bark oil significantly improved the leydig cell count. Serum testosterone levels were observed to increase after the cinnamon bark oil administration. Conclusion: This study clearly showed that cinnamon bark oil has protective effect on the cadmium induced testicular toxicity. Key Words: Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay, High Density Lipoprotein, Cinnamon Bark Oil and Optical Density.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.