Halima Nazar

Clinical evaluation to assess the safety and efficacy of coded herbal medicine "Dysmo-off" versus allopathic medicine "Diclofenac sodium" for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

The purpose of the present research work was to carry out clinical study on primary dysmenorrhea to comparatively examine the coded herbal drug formulation “Dysmo-off” with authentic allopathic medicine “Diclofenac sodium” (NSAIDs). A random controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of coded herbal medicinal treatments Dysmo-off with Diclofenac sodium/Phenylacetic acid. These evaluations were based on verbal rating scale so as to ascertain the rate of analgesic effects on dysmenorrhoeic pain. The patients were randomly allocated with the ratio of 1:2 for controlled treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (n = 40) received Diclofenac sodium tablets twice daily for 4 days (50 mg one day prior to and three days after the menstruation), and test treatment with Dysmo-off (n = 80) received powdered Dysmo-off twice daily for four days (5 g one day prior to and three days after the menstruation). Treatment lasted for 4 consecutive menstrual cycles. Hemoglobin, ESR and ultrasound were measured at baseline during study. All subjects were clinically studied and completed the assigned therapy during the period May 2001 to June 2004.

An Integrated Approach to Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency is a common nutritional disorder in developing countries and contrib‐ utes significantly to reduced work productivity and economic output as well as to increased morbidity and mortality. There are well-established biochemical tests for assessing iron status in developed countries. However, cost and interference from infectious conditions make it difficult to assess iron status in many developing country settings. Examination of the hemoglobin distribution in the population and assess‐ ment of the hemoglobin response to supplementation are alternative approaches to define iron status and the nature of anemia. Prevention and control of iron deficiency requires the combined approach of dietary improvement, fortification of a common staple food when feasible, and appropriate iron supplementation for infants and pregnant women. In all these intervention activities, operational research is needed to improve effectiveness. In addition, controlling iron deficiency requires coordination with other nutrition and primary health care programs as part of an integrated approach to improved health and nutrition of the population. A randomized, controlled doubleblind clinical trial was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of herbal medici‐ nal treatment syrup Sharbat-a-Folad versus syrup Ferplex for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

Antioxidant Activities and Inhibitory Effects of Dietary Plants against Sodium Nitroprusside Induced Lipid Peroxidation in the Mouse Brain and Liver

The antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts of 6 medicinal plants, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula (black and yellow), Terminalia arjuna, Balsamodendron Mukul, and Alium sativum against lipid peroxidation in mouse tissues were investigated. Extracts showed inhibition against thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) induced by pro-oxidant (5 μM sodium nitroprusside) in the mouse brain and liver. Extracts displayed high free radical scavenging activities against DPPH (IC50, 23.23±1.2 μg/mL, P. emblica), 20.24±0.9 μg/mL (T. chebula yellow), 17.33±1.1 μg/mL (T. chebula black), 19.44±0.45 μg/mL (T. arjuna), 56.59±2.1 μg/mL (Balsamo-dendron Mukul), and higher than 200 μg/mL (A. sativum). Higher antioxidant and inhibitory effects of T. chebula black are attributed to a higher phenolic content, Fe(II) chelating ability, reducing ability, nitric oxide radical scavenging, and free radical scavenging activity. Oxidative stress in the brain and liver could potentially be managed/prevented by dietary intake of these plants.