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ABSTRACT Background and Objective: A global increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress is a fundamental component in the pathogenesis of DM Ajwa dates are known to have a high antioxidant content, especially in their seeds. Hence this study was designed to determine the preventive effects of Ajwa date fruit on alloxan-induced diabetes in an experimental rat model. Methods: This experimental study was conducted at the Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups with eight animals in each. Rats in group A were normal control, whereas rats in group B were induced with intraperitoneal alloxan (160 mg/kg body weight) to develop diabetes. Groups C, D, and E rats were fed on a diet supplemented with Ajwa flesh, seed, and whole Ajwa respectively for 1 week. Blood and urine glucose levels were measured on days 0, 7 (pre-alloxan) and 11, 14, 19 (post-alloxan). Serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) for β-cell function (HOMA-β), and insulin resistance (HOMA[1]IR) were estimated terminally. Results: Diabetes was induced successfully in animals of all experimental groups except the normal control group. Rats of the Ajwa-seed group (D) showed relative resistance to diabetes induction with three non-diabetic rats on day 19. In group E, rats had lower blood sugar levels than rats in group C (p = 0.010). Serum insulin, HOMA-β and HOMA-IR, revealed partial beta cells restoration in the experimental animals of groups D and C. Insulin resistance was significantly higher, despite the highest insulin level (3.77 µIU/ml; p value Conclusion: Ajwa date seed powder appears to provide relative protection against the development of diabetes in rats induced by alloxan.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of joints with 0.24% global prevalence. Numerous pharmacological agents are available for the management of RA, but they are associated with many adverse effects. Alternative therapies for disease management are urgently needed. Colebrookea oppositifolia (CO) is an important herb with various traditional uses and pharmacological actions. In the present study, anti-arthritic effect of ethanolic extract of Colebrookea oppositifolia (EECO) leaves was evaluated in pristane induced arthritic rats (PIA) and compared to methotrexate by assessing body weight, clinical score of inflammation and histopathology. Aims & Objectives: To study anti-arthritic effect of C. oppositifolia on a rat model of pristane induced arthritis. Place and duration of study: This experimental study was conducted in Animal House of Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore from March to September 2019. Material & Methods: Total forty female Sprague Dawley rats were categorized into five equal groups (n=8). Group A (normal control), group B (disease control). Group C and D belonged to low dose (250mg/kg) and high dose (500mg/kg) EECO treated groups respectively, while group E was methotrexate treated group. Arthritis was induced within two weeks by single intradermal injection of pristane on day 0 in groups B, C, D and E. At Day 15, treatment was initiated and at day 28 paw joint sections were taken for histopathology. Data input and analysis was done by using IBM SPSS version • p value ?0.05 was considered significant. Results: At week 4, significant increase (approximately 16%) in body weight was observed in all treated groups as compared to disease control. A significant reduction (more than 50%) in clinical score of arthritis was observed in all treated groups compared to diseased control group in which clinical score was 14.50±0.2. All extract and MTX treated groups showed significant improvement (p

Introduction: Treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis have potentially fatal adverse effects and failure to achieve complete cure. Alternative medicines are, therefore, being researched for this purpose. Berberine is one of such compounds with high antioxidant activity that may prove beneficial in this disease. Aims & Objectives: To compare effects of berberine with methotrexate on pristane induced arthritis in rats. Place and duration of study: Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore; March to May 2014. Material & Methods: Forty female Sprague Dawley rats were allotted to five groups including a berberine control. Arthritis developed in 14 days with a single intradermal injection of pristane in arthritis control and experimental groups. Starting Day 15, berberine and methotrexate were administered as single daily intraperitoneal injection for next 14 days. Arthritis resolution was assessed by measuring body weight, clinical score of arthritis on day 0, 14 and 28 and joint histopathology terminally. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20, p value

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent episodes of breathlessness and wheezing. Keeping in view the problems in asthma control and side effects of available medication, there is a need for alternative treatments with better efficacies and fewer side effects. Atorvastatin is a statin that blocks HMG CoA reductase enzyme found in the liver, inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol. Blockade of this pathway also inhibits production of GTPases which are involved in airway inflammation, airway remodeling and contraction of smooth muscles of the bronchi. Aims & Objectives: To evaluate the symptomatic control in mild to moderate and uncontrolled asthma patients using standard treatment versus its combination with atorvastatin. Place and duration of study: This study was conducted in Pulmonology Department of Lahore General Hospital; Lahore over a 4-week duration from October 2018 till February 2019. Material & Methods: Patients of mild to moderate and uncontrolled asthma were enrolled in this study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups by lottery method, Group 1 and Group 2, with 34 patients in each group. Group 1 was continued with standard therapy of asthma and the Group 2 was administered atorvastatin 40 mg, once daily in addition to standard therapy for 4 weeks. The control of asthma before and after treatment was assessed based on Global Initiative for asthma (GINA) guideline questionnaire score. SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 22 was used for analysis of data. P-Value < 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Nonsignificant results were obtained when comparison between the groups was made based on GINA guidelines questionnaire score by Mann Whitney Utest Conclusion: It was concluded that atorvastatin has no role in symptomatic control in patients of mild to moderate and uncontrolled asthma.