Rashmi Singh

Ameliorative potential of quercetin against paracetamol-induced oxidative stress in mice blood

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ameliorative potential of quercetin (QC) against paracetamol (PCM)-induced oxidative stress and biochemical alterations in mice blood. A total of 36 mice were randomly allocated into six groups, six mice in each. Group I served as healthy controls, while groups II and III were administered with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and QC alone respectively. Group IV was administered with PCM alone. Groups V and VI were administered with PCM on day 0 followed by NAC and QC, respectively, for 6 consecutive days. On day 7 th blood samples were obtained and subjected for the assays of oxidative stress and serum biochemical panels. Erythrocytic lipid peroxides contents of alone PCM-intoxicated mice were significantly higher, while reduced glutathione contents were found to be significantly lower in comparison with the healthy controls. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were also found to be singnificantly lower in these mice. Additionally, significantly increased activities of serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase, as well as levels of bilirubin, urea and creatinine were revealed by these mice. Postadministration with QC remarkably alleviated the over production of MDA and improved GSH levels in PCM-intoxicated mice blood. In addition, antioxidant enzymes; glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were also improved significantly in these mice. QC had also considerably ameliorated the altered biochemical parameters toward normalcy. Thus, it can be concluded that QC may constitute a remedy against PCM-induced oxidative stress and reno-hepatic injuries.

Adsorption and Movement of Carbofuran in Four Different Soils Varying in Physical and Chemical Properties

Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the adsorption and movement of carbofuran on four divergent textured Indian soils at a fixed volume fraction (fs = 0.1) of methanol/water mixtures using batch equilibrium and soil thin layer chromatography (soil TLC) techniques. The measured equilibrium adsorption isotherms for silt loam (FSL and ASL) and loam (KL) soils were L-shaped and for sandy loam (BSL) soil S-shaped, all being well fitted by the Freundlich isotherm. A higher adsorption of carbofuran was observed on FSL followed by ASL, KL and BSL soils as anticipated by the values obtained for the Freundlich constant, KF and partition coefficient, KD. The Frontal Retardation factor (FRf) values obtained from soil TLC studies were inversely proportional to the KF and KD values. The affinity of carbofuran towards organic carbon, organic matter and clay content of the soils was evaluated by calculating the KOC, KOM and KC values. The negative magnitude of the Gibbsfree energy (ΔG0) indicated the spontaneity of the adsorption of carbofuran onto the soils studied. The leaching index (LI) of carbofuran calculated for the soils studied indicated its high potential to leach into shallow aquifers and ground water. Pearsons correlations calculated for KF and KD against the soil properties showed a highly significant correlation with the clay + silt content of the soils. Multiple regression of KF and KD against the soil properties indicated that the mineral content of the soils (clay and clay + silt) is the best predictor of carbofuran adsorption, followed by soil pH. Predicted log KOM values were also evaluated by using the aqueous solubility, the 1-octanol/ water partition coefficient (KOW), the adsorbability index (AI) and the first-order molecular connectivity index (1χ) of carbofuran. Use of the aqueous solubility, and the 1-octanol/water partition coefficient (KOW) to predict the extent of adsorption gave values which displayed a considerable error in comparison to those measured experimentally, whereas the use of the adsorbability index (AI) and the first-order molecular connectivity index (1χ) of carbofuran improved the predictions considerably.

Adsorption and Movement of Endosulfan in Soils: A Verification of the Co-Solvent Theory and a Comparison of Batch Equilibrium and Soil Thin Layer Chromatography Results

Batch equilibrium and soil thin-layer chromatography (soil TLC) techniques were used to investigate the influence of different volume fractions (fs = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0) of organic co-solvents (acetone and methanol) on the adsorption and movement of endosulfan in three different types of Indian soils (silt loam, loam and sandy loam). The measured equilibrium adsorption isotherms for all three soils studied were L-shaped for both co-solvent/water mixtures at all fs values. All isotherms were in close agreement with the Freundlich equation. Higher adsorption of endosulfan was observed on silt loam soil followed by loam and sandy loam soils at all fs values for both co-solvent systems, as was anticipated from the values of the Freundlich constants, K, and the partition coefficients, KD. The order of the K and KD values also confirmed that endosulfan adsorption was higher in methanol/water mixtures than in acetone/water mixtures and decreased with increasing fs values. The Rf values obtained from soil TLC studies were inversely proportional to the K and KD values for both co-solvent systems. The higher K and KD values and lower Rf values in methanol/water mixtures relative to acetone/water mixtures for all the three soils studied indicated that acetone had a greater potential for ground water contamination through leaching from potential sites than methanol. The affinity of endosulfan towards the organic carbon and clay content of the soils was evaluated by calculating the KOC and KC values. The data obtained indicated that, although the affinity of endosulfan was better correlated with the organic carbon content, the contribution of the clay content of soils towards endosulfan adsorption cannot be ignored. The adsorption data were used to evaluate the co-solvent theory for describing the adsorption of endosulfan in acetone/water and methanol/water mixtures. The aqueous-phase partition coefficients, KDW (mol/g), normalized with respect to foc for endosulfan were evaluated via the extrapolation fs → 0.

Effect of 82% Lactic Acid in Treatment of Melasma.

Melasma is an acquired, chronic, and symmetrical hypermelanosis, characterized by brown patches of variable darkness on sun exposed areas of body. There are numerous modalities of treatment currently in use for this disease, of which the chemical peeling is very commonly used. Therefore, the present work was done to see the effect of 82% lactic acid peel in the treatment of melasma. A total number of 20 patients of either sex attending the OPD of dermatology department with clinically evident melasma were included in the study. 82% Lactic acid peel was applied on the face for 12 weeks in each patient. Patients were evaluated clinically and photographically at various intervals and in follow-up till 24 weeks. Assessment of patient satisfaction and side effects were also noted. All the subjects completed the study. Application of this peel for 12 weeks significantly decreased the melasma area severity index score and also melasma severity scale score. Patient and physician analogue scales also showed the improvement by the treatment. Regarding the adverse effects, burning sensation was the only side effect noted in our study. In conclusion, 82% lactic acid peel is well tolerated and can be used for the treatment of melasma.

Effect of lisinopril and perindopril on serum lipid profile in Albino rabbits

Background: Hypertension with dislipidemia is becoming a common morbidity, since ACE inhibitors are the first line of antihypertensive drugs so present study was undertaken with the aim to evaluate the possible effects of ACE inhibitor on lipid profile in albino rabbits. Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur. Rabbits were divided into 2 groups with 6 in each group. Rabbits of Group I was given Lisinopril in dose of 0.25mg/kg and of group II was given Perindopril in dose of 0.20mg/kg for a period of 6 weeks. Lipid profile estimation (Serum Total cholesterol, serum HDL, serum LDL, serum Triglycerides and serum VLDL) was done at day 0, 7, 21 and 45 respectively. Results: After analysis Rabbits of group-I (Lisinopril) showed 3.1% decrease in serum cholesterol level at 45th day (P 0.05). Serum LDL level decreases by 4.4% and 8.6% at day 21 and 45 respectively (P<0.001). There was no significant change in Serum VLDL level. Rabbits of group- II (Perindopril) showed decreased total cholesterol levels by 2.6% (P<0.05). There was an increase in HDL level by 6.8 % at day 45(P<.05). Triglycerides and VLDL levels were not significantly altered while serum LDL level decreases by 6.7% at day 45 (P<0.01). Conclusions: From our study it was concluded that Lisinopril had a favourable effect on serum lipid profile by decreasing total cholesterol, increasing serum HDL level. It may increase triglycerides, decrease LDL. Perindopril increase serum HDL and decreases LDL, there is no significant change in cholesterol, TG and VLDL levels.

Autologus serum in treatment of dry eye disorder: An evaluation

Dry eye syndrome is a common disorder of the tear film in which eye is unable to maintain a healthy layer of tears to coat it. Despite various conventional treatments such as ocular surface lubrication, artificial tears, protective glasses and punctal occlusion many patients continue to have signs and symptoms of dry eye. That’s why autologous serum eye drops have been indicated for the treatment of dry eye. Therefore, to evaluate the effectiveness of the autologous serum eye drops in dry eye disorder, a total of 34 eyes of 20 patients were included in this study, who used autologus serum eye drops along with artificial tears. Out of 20 patients, 16 were males and 4 were females with M: F ratio of 4:1. The mean age of the patients was 51.95 years. Evaluations of patients were done before and after treatment in follow up, by determining the subjective and objective scores which showed that after follow up of 2 months all the subjective and objective scores were reduced in 28 eyes but 6 eyes did not show any improvement at follow up of 2 months as they stopped the drops after one month of use because of discomfort.