An activity-directed fractionation and purification process was used to identify the antioxidant components of Cedrus deodara. Dried heartwood powder of C. deodara was first defatted with petroleum ether and then extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extract showed strong antioxidant activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. This fraction was then subjected to separation and purification using silica gel column chromatography. Three compounds with potent antioxidant activity were isolated in significant yields and identified by spectroscopic methods ((1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, IR, and MS). They were identified as (-)-matairesinol, (-)-nortrachelogenin, and a dibenzylbutyrolactollignan (4,4',9-trihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-9,9'-epoxylignan). This is the first report of the occurrence of these compounds in C. deodara.

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is one of the commonest endocrinopathies seen in pregnancy and affects both maternal and fetal outcomes. There is little data available on its prevalence in Indian pregnant women. This study was conducted at Bhaskar medical college and hospital situated in a rural/suburban area near Hyderabad, Telengana, India. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of thyroid disease among pregnant women. Methods: All consecutive pregnant women registered from January 2014 to December 2014 were included in the study. Morning samples of serum were tested for T 3 , T 4 and TSH. Results: A total of 1340 women were included in the study. 260 pregnant women (19.41%) had TSH values more than 3.0 mIU/L, the cutoff value used for upper limit of normal in this study. Out of these, 216 had normal T 4 value, hence labeled as subclinical hypothyroidism and 44 had low T 4 , hence termed overt hypothyroidism. Three pregnant women had overt hyperthyroidism and 11 had subclinical hyperthyroidism. Nine women had low T 4 values-Isolated hypothyroidism. Conclusions: Prevalence of thyroid disease in pregnancy was found to be higher in our patients, more so the sub clinical hypothyroidism.

ABSTRACT. Sixty‐seven neuroleptic‐medicated mentally handicapped subjects in a hospital were studied to determine the prevalence of Parkinsonian side effects. A Parkinsonism scale was devised and administered. Sixty‐one per cent of the sample had mild to moderately severe side effects. Sex, age, cumulative and current chlorproma‐zine doses, cumulative and current anticholinergic doses and anti‐epileptic medication status did not predict the Parkinsonism scores. Overt brain damage was not a predictor. The difference between the neuroleptic medicated group and neuroleptic free matched controls was highly significant indicating that the Parkinsonian type of movement disorder was related to neuroleptic medication.