@article{ author = {Ali, A. and Rao, N. Venkat and Shalam, Md. and Gouda, T. Shivaraj and Shantakumar, S. M.}, title = {Anticonvulsive Effect of Seed Extract of Caesalpinia bonducella (Roxb.)}, abstract ={In traditional system of Indian medicine, C.bonducella is widely used for its antipyretic, antiperiodic, anticonvulsive, and antiparalytic activities. For assessing anticonvulsant activity, pentylenetetrazole, maximal electro shock, strychnine- and picrotoxin-induced convulsions models were used. Diazepam was used as a standard reference for all models except maximal electro shock model, wherein phenytoin was used as standard reference. Seed kernels of C. bonducella were powdered and subjected to successive extraction with solvents like petroleum ether (PE), ethanol, methanol and water using soxhlet apparatus. All the extracts were administered as suspension in 2% gum acacia in all the experiments. Preliminary phytochemical investigation of petroleum ether extract of caesalpinia bonducella revealed the presence of saponins, glycoside, starch, sucrose, proteins, sterols and reported constituents like homoisoflavone (bonducillin) and a non alkaloid bitter principle (natin ). It was found to be non-toxic even up to the dose level of 3000mg/kg (LD 50 ). In pentylenetetrazole, maximal electro shock, strychnine- and picrotoxin-induced convulsion models medium and high doses (600 and 800mg/kg) of the extract showed significant anti-convulsant activity. The present investigation revealed that the PECB possessed anticonvulsant activity which may be contributed to the presence of phytoconstituents such as saponins, proteins, homoisoflavone (bonducillin), carbohydrates and sterols present in the drug, as these are already reported for their anxiolytic and anti-convulsant activities.}, Keywords = {}, volume = {8}, Number = {2}, pages = {51-0}, publisher = {4}, url = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-194-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-194-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics}, issn = {9}, eissn = {10}, year = {2009} } @article{ author = {Bhalke, R. D. and Anarthe, S. J. and Sasane, K.D. and Satpute, S. N. and Shinde, S. N. and Sangle, V. S.}, title = {Antinociceptive Activity of Trigonella foenum-graecum Leaves and Seeds (Fabaceae)}, abstract ={Present study reports analgesic activity of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of leaves and seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. (Fabaceae) using hot plate method for evaluation of central analgesic activity and acetic acid induced writhing test for evaluation of peripheral analgesic activity in mice. &nbsp; All the extracts of Trigonella foenum-graecum showed significant central and peripheral analgesic activity at the dose of 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Amongst all the extract methanolic extract of leaves of Trigonella foenum-graecum showed highest increase in reaction time in hot plate method and more inhibitory effect on writhing induced by acetic acid. Pentazocin and paracetamol was taken as standard drug for hot plate and writhing model respectively.}, Keywords = {}, volume = {8}, Number = {2}, pages = {57-0}, publisher = {4}, url = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-193-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-193-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics}, issn = {9}, eissn = {10}, year = {2009} } @article{ author = {Shah, S. and Mohan, M. M. and Kasture, S. and Sanna, C. and Maxia, A.}, title = {Protective Effect of Ephedra nebrodensis on Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats}, abstract ={Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic with broad spectrum anti-tumour activity. Its effectiveness has been limited by the occurrence of dose-related myocardial and bone marrow toxicity. As oxidative stress is the main factor in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, we presumed that agents which enhance endogenous antioxidants can prevent DOX induced cardiotoxicity. Animals received either DOX (3 mg/kg, i.p.) every other day or combination of Ephedra nebrodensis (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) and DOX or Ephedra nebrodensis (200 mg/kg, p.o.) extract alone for 2 weeks. Vitamin E (25 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a positive standard. Cardiotoxicity was assessed by recording changes in ECG (increased QT interval), measuring the levels of cardiac marker enzymes such as lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and the antioxidant defence enzyme such as reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lipid peroxidative value (LPO) at the end of treatment schedule. Changes in heart rate were also measured in all groups. Treatment with Ephedra nebrodensis (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) significantly ( p <0.05) decreased the levels of LPO and cardiac marker enzymes, increased the levels of other antioxidant defence enzymes, GSH and SOD, reversed the changes in ECG and prevented the decrease in heart weight in DOX-treated group. The results suggest that Ephedra nebrodensis has the potential in preventing the cardiotoxic effects induced by Doxorubicin.}, Keywords = {}, volume = {8}, Number = {2}, pages = {61-0}, publisher = {4}, url = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-192-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-192-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics}, issn = {9}, eissn = {10}, year = {2009} } @article{ author = {Aminisani, N. and Ehdaivand, F. and Shamshirgaran, S. M. and Mohajery, M. and Pourfarzi, F. and SadeghiyehAhari, M. D.}, title = {Zinc Supplementation during Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial}, abstract ={Zinc deficiency during pregnancy has been related to adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, the results of zinc-supplementation trials have not been consistent in improvement of pregnancies outcomes. This study was undertaken to investigate whether zinc supplementation was associated with pregnancy complications in Iranian women during the last 2 trimesters. It also assessed the anthropometric measurements of infants at birth. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted in Ardabil Province located in northwest of Iran. One-hundred ninty-six pregnant women between 16-20 weeks of gestation were recruited from urban healthcare centres. These women had no evidence of hypertension, diabetes, renal disease, history of prematurity, premature rupture of membranes (PROM) or low birth weight (LBW) infants. They were randomly assigned to receive zinc (50 mg daily) or placebo until delivery. Basic information was collected on socioeconomic status, reproductive and disease histories before randomization. The subjects were monthly followed during pregnancy and maternal complications were carefully recorded. The weight, length and head circumference of each infant was measured within 24h of birth. Of the 196 women, 17 were excluded from the study (9 in the zinc group and 8 in the placebo group, NS). The supplementation had no significant effect on prematurity, preeclampcia, PROM and stillbirth as well as gestational age, infant length and head circumference. The incidence of low birth weight was significantly lower in those under Zinc than placebo ( p = 0.01). Meanwhile, pregnancy-induced hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) were observed only in the placebo group. The birth weight was also higher in the zinc group than that in the placebo group ( p = 0.03). Supplementation with 50mg elemental zinc during pregnancy improved birth weight but did not reduce maternal complications.}, Keywords = {}, volume = {8}, Number = {2}, pages = {67-0}, publisher = {4}, url = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-191-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-191-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics}, issn = {9}, eissn = {10}, year = {2009} } @article{ author = {Arumugam, S. and Palanivelu, A. and Retnasamy, G. and Ramaiyan, D.}, title = {Study on the Antiseizure Activities of Inner Bark of Guettarda Speciosa (L.)}, abstract ={This article reports the results of an investigation of antiepileptic activity of Guettarda speciosa (L.) in rats. The ethanolic (95%) extract of inner bark of G. speciosa. Linn (EEGS) was used for acute toxicity test and then it was screened for antiepileptic activity on Maximal Electroshock (MES)- and Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)- induced seizures models in albino wistar rats. No toxicity was observed up to the recommended dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight orally as per OECD guidelines No. 423. Animals were pretreated with EEGS at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. There was significant delay in clonic seizure induced by PTZ and a dose-dependent decrease in duration of hind leg extensor phase in MES model after treatment with the extract. In MES model, EEGS showed significant reduction in duration of hind leg extension with 200 mg/kg dose and effect was dramatically reduced with 400mg/kg. Similar dose-dependent delays on the onset of clonic convulsions were obtained with PTZ. The complete protective effect against mortality was reported in both models. This study predicted possible mechanism of the formulation mediated through chloride channel of the GABA or benzodiazepine receptor complex. The ethanol extract of the inner bark of G. speciosa (L.) deserve further investigation for detailed elucidation of active constituents and the mechanisms of action in the epilepsy treatment.}, Keywords = {}, volume = {8}, Number = {2}, pages = {73-0}, publisher = {4}, url = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-190-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-190-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics}, issn = {9}, eissn = {10}, year = {2009} } @article{ author = {Prabu, D. and Nappinnai, M. and Ponnudurai, K. and Thirugnanasambanthan, A. and Srinivasan, S. and Ramvikas, M.}, title = {Effects of Turnera ulmifolia (Linn.) Leaves on Blood Glucose Level in Normal and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats}, abstract ={The methanolic extract of leaves of Turnera ulmifolia L was evaluated for its effect on blood glucose in alloxan-induced diabetic and euglycemic rats. The extract were administered at three doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as standard for control group. In euglycemic rat, extract were administered at three doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. Extract at 400 mg/kg and glibenclamide significantly reduced blood glucose level in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats and raised the liver glycogen content significantly. This indicates that the leaves extract of Turnera ulmifolia L posses anti-hyperglycemic activity.}, Keywords = {}, volume = {8}, Number = {2}, pages = {77-0}, publisher = {4}, url = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-189-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-189-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics}, issn = {9}, eissn = {10}, year = {2009} } @article{ author = {Mirkhani, H. and Fadakar, P.}, title = {Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Physicians in Appropriate Prescription of Organic Nitrates in Iran}, abstract ={Organic nitrates are commonly used in angina pectoris and ischemic cardiomyopathy. In order to optimize their effectiveness and patient convenience, several aspects must be observed. Adequate doses, suitable dosage forms and asymmetric pattern of usage to prevent the nitrate tolerance are some factors that a physician must be familiar with. The objective of the present study was to define the pattern of organic nitrates administration by Iranian physicians. To investigate the pattern of organic nitrates prescription, 42000 written prescriptions by physicians were reviewed and 345 of those which had at least one nitrate drug in, were considered. Also, a questionnaire was designed and the responses of 54 physicians were collected. Results showed that nitroglycerine 6.4 mg was the most and isosorbide dinitrate 40 mg was the least prescribed oral forms. No spray and topical forms had been prescribed. The most written dosing frequency was three times a day. Asymmetric pattern of usage had not been observed in prescriptions. Results of questionnaires showed that about 80% of physicians were familiar with nitrate tolerance phenomenon but only about 20% of them knew the appropriate way to prevent it. More than half of the respondents believed that the appropriate dose for ischemic heart disease was higher than that in congestive heart failure while it was claimed that the opposite was right. These findings suggest that more efforts must be carried out to increase the knowledge, attitude and practice of Iranian physicians regarding the appropriate dosing and administration of organic nitrates.}, Keywords = {}, volume = {8}, Number = {2}, pages = {83-0}, publisher = {4}, url = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-187-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-187-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics}, issn = {9}, eissn = {10}, year = {2009} } @article{ author = {Mojtahedzadeh, M. and Sabzghabaee, A. M. and Ganji, M. R. and Razavi, P.}, title = {Risk Factors and Prognostic Factors of Acute Renal Failure in Patients Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit, Tehran-Iran}, abstract ={Acute renal failure (ARF) is defined as a sudden and continuous decrease of glomerular function associated with azotemia, and may be followed by decreased urinary output. There is a high incidence of ARF in ICU patients with a high mortality rate. Many factors can promote ARF development or influence its outcome. This study was done to assess the incidence, risk factors, outcome and treatment of patients who develop ARF in ICU. One hundred seventy five patients admitted to general ICU were studied. The impact of some factors such as age, sex, hypertension, length of stay in ICU, sepsis, oliguria, surgery, consumption of nephrotoxic drugs such as aminoglycosides and underlying chronic renal failure on development and prognosis of ARF was evaluated. ARF developed in 42(24%) patients with the mortality rate of 59.5%. Among factors studied, only use of aminoglycosides was statistically significant in relation to ARF development (P= 0.041 ), and the factors found to be associated with increasing mortality were hypertension (P=0.015) and prolonged stay in the ICU (P=0.012). In conclusion, among the prognostic factors, two were associated with a worse outcome of patients with ARF: hypertension and prolonged stay in the ICU. Unfortunately, the rapidly-changing clinical status of critically ill patients prohibits the clinician to make a clear decision on the prognosis of patients.}, Keywords = {}, volume = {8}, Number = {2}, pages = {87-0}, publisher = {4}, url = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-188-en.html}, eprint = {http://ijpt.iums.ac.ir/article-1-188-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics}, issn = {9}, eissn = {10}, year = {2009} }