To compare amlodipine with cilnidipine on antihypertensive efficacy and incidence of pedal edema in hypertensive individuals. This was a three months prospective, observational study done at the tertiary care center of Karnataka, India. A total number of 60 (n = 60) newly diagnosed hypertensives (≥140/90) of either gender, attending outpatient department of medicine, were included in the study. Out of 60 patients, 30 patients who have been prescribed tablet amlodipine 5–10 mg/day and the other 30 who have been prescribed tablet cilnidipine 10–20 mg/day orally by the consulting physician, depending upon the severity of hypertension were followed every fortnight, screened for the presence of pedal edema and blood pressure control over a period of 3 months. Antihypertensive efficacy between two groups was compared by unpaired t-test and incidence of pedal edema was compared by Fisher's exact test. Of 30 patients in the amlodipine group, 19 patients presented with pedal edema (63.3%) and 2 patients (6.66%) in cilnidipine group presented with pedal edema during the study period. There was a significant difference in the incidence of pedal edema between amlodipine and cilnidipine group (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in the antihypertensive efficacy of amlodipine and cilnidipine (P > 0.05). Both amlodipine and cilnidipine have shown equal efficacy in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. But cilnidipine being N-type and L-type calcium channel blocker, associated with lower incidence of pedal edema compared to only L-type channel blocked by amlodipine.

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Background: Many people believe that all cosmetics are safe but there are number of studies proving that majority of the cosmetics contains heavy metals or other chemicals. In this study we selected two heavy metals arsenic and lead because as per the Indian scenario is concerned most of the Hindu and Muslim females uses lead/arsenic based cosmetics.Methods: For the qualitative/quantitative estimation to detect heavy metals such as arsenic and lead in cosmetics, 20 different types of cosmetics were purchased from local market, labelled and analysed by qualitative test for heavy metals method and ICP-AES Analysis of cosmetics method.Results: A questionnaire was framed out in English and analysis showed that students had an adverse effect while using cosmetic products. Preliminary analysis of some samples gave positive results and for confirmation these samples were sent to IIT Bombay for ICP-AES analysis. Some of the samples showed variable level of heavy metals such as lead and arsenic. Highest concentration of lead and arsenic was found in Surma followed by Sindoor, lip balm and Kajal.Conclusions: Heavy metals are one of the major contaminant in our eco system. Apart from this a number of cosmetic products also contain the same. Chronic use of this kind of cosmetic products will leads heavy metal toxicity.

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Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders in the general population. Around 15-20% patients in general practice present with anxiety disorders. It is characterized by excessive worrying, apprehension, uneasiness and fear about uncertainties in future. Recent studies have shown that as many as 18% of Americans, 20.7% of Indians and 14% of Europeans are affected by anxiety. 1,2 The DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association) covers the following major categories of anxiety disorders: panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia), social phobia (social anxiety disorder), specific phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified. 3 Decreased levels of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system is responsible for causing anxiety.Most of the anxiolytics achieve their goal by modulating the GABA receptors. [4][5][6] Benzodiazepines are the most commonly used, safe and effective drug in the short term management of anxiety. 7 Long-term use of benzodiazepine has psychological and physical adverse effects. They are also associated with tolerance, physical dependence and withdrawal syndrome on sudden discontinuation. 8,9 Hence, the requirement for newer, well-tolerated and efficacious treatment remains high.Boswellia serrata (BS) is a tree of moderate height, grows mainly in hilly parts of India. The therapeutic value of resinous gum (Guggulu), has been known since a long period. Gum resin possesses anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, and analgesic activity. 10,11 BS is a proven antioxidant. 12 Phytochemical analysis has shown the presence of many valuable compounds such as lignans, flavonoids, hydrolysable tannins (ellagitannins), polyphenols, triterpenes, sterols and alkaloids. In vitro tests also revealed that Boswellic acid, isolated from ABSTRACT Background: Boswellia serrata (BS) has been described in the ancient Ayurvedic texts Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita. It possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-arthritic and antioxidant properties. It is found that BS helps in surging of GABA levels in mice brain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible anxiolytic activity of BS in Swiss albino mice by light and dark arena (LDA) and elevated plus maze (EPM) models. Methods: In this study, BS (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg; p.o) was evaluated for anxiolytic action and compared with standard drug (diazepam) and control (normal saline) in mice by LDA and EPM models. In LDA, number of entries and time spent in light and dark boxes were noted for individual mouse. Similarly, number of entries and time spent in open and closed arms were recorded for EPM model. Results: One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett's post-hoc test was used to analyze the data. BS in a dose of 50 mg/kg has shown significant increase in time spent in light box (p<0.05) and decrease in time spent in dark box (p<0.05) when compared to control group in LDA model. Si...