BackgroundRoot extracts of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) are known to possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects. An aqueous extract of roots plus leaves of this plant has shown to yield higher percentages of withanolide glycosides and, accordingly, may possess better analgesic, anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects than root alone extracts.ObjectivesTo evaluate efficacy and tolerability of a standardized aqueous extract of roots plus leaves of W. somnifera in patients with knee joint pain and discomfort.Material and methodsSixty patients with knee joint pain and discomfort were randomized in a double-blind manner to W. somnifera 250 mg, W. somnifera 125 mg and placebo, all given twice daily. Assessment was done by Modified WOMAC, Knee Swelling Index (KSI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline and at the end of 4, 8, 12 weeks. Tolerability was assessed by incidence of adverse effects in treatment groups. Student's ‘t’ test and ANOVA were used to compare mean change from baseline within and between the study groups. A p < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsAt the end of 12 weeks, compared to baseline and placebo, significant reductions were observed in mean mWOMAC and KSI in W. somnifera 250 mg (p < 0.001), W. somnifera 125 mg (p < 0.05) groups. VAS scores for pain, stiffness and disability were significantly reduced in W. somnifera 250 mg (p < 0.001), W. somnifera 125 mg (p < 0.01) groups. W. somnifera 250 mg group showed earliest efficacy (at 4 weeks). All treatments were well tolerated.ConclusionsBoth the doses of an aqueous extract of W. somnifera produced significant reduction in outcome variables, with the 250 mg group showing significantly better response. In addition, the therapeutic response appears to be dose-dependent and free of any significant GI disturbances.

No abstract

Background and objective: Incidence and prevalence of Diabetes in developing countries like India is on the rise. Diabetic nephropathy is one of the commonest causes of proteinuria associated with renal disorder and creates a sound socio-medical and pharmacoeconomic basis for healthcare decision making. The principal aim of this research is to facilitate rational use of drugs in the patient population suffering from Diabetic nephropathy. Materials and methods: We collected the data from 313 Diabetic patients who got admitted in the Department of Nephrology from June 2009 to December 2010 with proteinuria on urine analysis and the drug utilization pattern was analyzed statistically. Result: Based on our observation, Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) inhibitors like ACEIs and ARBs are the most frequently used agents in case of Diabetic nephropathy with proteinuria besides the anti diabetic therapy. Among those, ARBs are more commonly prescribed than ACEIs. Conclusion: Early detection of nephropathy and the use of reno-protective agents like ARBs and or ACE inhibitors, may delay the progression of renal disease in Diabetic patients besides reducing the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

No abstract

No abstract