Background: Ficus carica has been broadly used as traditional medicine around the world. Less toxicity of this plant represent its possible uses as therapeutic remedy for several disorders. In folk medicine, Ficus carica fruit has been used to treat hyperuricemia and associated conditions like gout and renal stones. However, no scientific work has been done so far to observe these effects. Aim and Objective: To assess that Ficus carica (Fig fruit) extract can lessen the elevated blood levels of uric acid in hyperuricemia induced by potassium oxonate in rats. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Pharmacology Department of Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore and completed in six months. Methods: Thirty-six rats were divided randomly into six groups. Group A was the negative control. Group B was the positive control and rats in this group were given potassium oxonate intraperitoneally (250 mg/kg) to induce hyperuricemia. Group C received potassium oxonate and allopurinol (5mg/kg) also. Group D, E, & F received potassium oxonate and Ficus carica in three different doses low (250mg/kg), medium (500 mg/kg), and high (750 mg/kg) respectively. In all groups, potassium oxonate was administered on days one, three and seven while test agents were administered for seven consecutive days. Sampling was done on day zero, one, three and seven. Results: In experimental animals, Ficus carica fruit extract decreased serum levels of uric acid in dose dependent manner. It reduced uric acid levels significantly (p value < 0.001) in medium and high dose extract groups as compared to hyperuricemic control group. Serum uric acid levels in medium dose group E (2.8 + 0.54) and low dose group F (2.5 + 0.31) were comparable to that of allopurinol group C (2.2 + 0.27) though this effect was observed earlier in allopurinol group C indicating quicker onset of allopurinol action. Conclusion: Fiscus carica features antihyperuricemic effects. It resulted in significant decrease in levels of uric acid in serum of the extract treated animals in doses of 500mg/kg and 750mg/kg. Keywords: Ficus carica, Hyperuricemia, Potassium oxonate, Serum uric acid (SUA), Xanthine Oxidase.

Objective: In this trial, we have observed efficacy of two different probiotics in Rotavirus and non-Rotavirus diarrhea in infants of 6 months to 12 months. Method: The study was done to observe efficacy of two different probiotic strains in Rotavirus and non- Rotavirus diarrhea in infants. The study included the infants suffering from acute severe diarrhea. 105 infants were selected and they were divided randomly into three groups. There were 35 infants in one group. The samples of stool were sent to microbiology lab for Rotavirus testing. The treatment plan was standard treatment of diarrhea for infants in group A. The treatment plan for infants of group B and group C included same standard management of diarrhea, in addition they also received probiotics Enterococcus faecium SF68 and Saccharomyces boulardii respectively. Results: There was reduction in stool output and improvement in consistency of stool in infants of group B and C as compared to infants of group A. There was decrease in stool frequency in non-Rotavirus diarrhea in infants of group B and C while there was no significant difference between groups regarding Rotavirus diarrhea. Conclusion: Probiotics helped to decrease the stool output in non-Rotavirus diarrhea. There was not any significant difference in groups regarding Rotavirus diarrhea. How to cite: Khan FA, Irum z, Khan MZ, Yousaf N, Piracha MI, Zaheer S. Effect of Probiotics on Rotavirus and Non- Rotavirus Diarrhea in Infants: Randomized Controlled Trial. Esculapio - JSIMS 2022;18(03):248-252 Keywords: Rotavirus, Non-Rotavirus, Saccharomyces boulardii,, Enterococcus faecium Sf68

Objectives: This study was done to observe the effect of Enterococcus faecium SF68 and Saccharomyces boulardii in acute severe diarrhea in infants. Methods: It was a single blind, randomized controlled clinical trial done in Children Hospital, Lahore. The infants were selected between 6 months to 12 months of age. All the infants were suffering from acute diarrhea with severe dehydration. Total 105 infants were selected and randomly divided into three groups having 35 infants in each group. Infants in group A received standard treatment of diarrhea. Infants in group B and C received Enterococcus faecium SF68 and Saccharomyces boulardii respectively twice daily for five days along with standard treatment of diarrhea. All the infants were monitored for five days. The treatment response was observed in terms of frequency of diarrhea, duration of diarrhea, stool consistency and length of hospital stay. Results: The frequency of diarrhea, duration of diarrhea and length of hospital stay were significantly reduced in both group B and C as compared to group A. Conclusion: Enterococcus faecium SF68 and Saccharomyces boulardii helped to reduce the stool frequency, duration of diarrhea, length of hospital stay and also improved the stool consistency in acute severe diarrhea in infants. Key Words: Probiotics, Enterococcus faecium SF68, Saccharomyces boulardii, Acute severe Diarrhoea How to Cite: Ahmad F.K, Zeeshan M.K, Mudabbir A.R, Irum Z, Perveen F, Chiragh S. Protective Effect of Enterococcus Faecium Sf68 and Saccharomyces Boulardii in Acute Severe Diarrhea in Infants: Randomized Controlled Trial. Esculapio.2020;16(04):59-65.

Hyperuricemia is a purine metabolism disorder characterised by an excess of uric acid in the blood and considered as a risk factor for gout, coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and a variety of other illnesses. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors have key role in management of hyperuricemia and related disorders but multiple adverse effects associated with these agents have minimized their chronic use. Ficus carica fruit has been widely used around world as a therapeutic agent for several disorders. In traditional medicine it has been used to treat gouty arthritis but the effect has not been scientifically established so far. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibition of Ficus carica fruit extract. Method: The ethanolic extract of Ficus carica fruit was evaluated in vitro at five different doses for its xanthine oxidase inhibition. Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity was measured spectrophotometrically and inhibitory concentration IC 50 was calculated. The dose dependant inhibition of Ficus carica fruit was compared with inhibition of standard drug allopurinol. Results: Ficus carica fruit extract was found to possess xanthine oxidase inhibition with IC50 27.5 µg/ml in comparison to the allopurinol with IC50 11.0 µg/ml.Thus the agent can be used as alternative to standard drug allopurinol for treatment of hyperuricemia and related disorders. Conclusion: The study showed that Ficus carica fruit has potential to inhibit the xanthine oxidase so can be used as natural source to treat gout and many other xanthine oxidase related medical disorders. Keywords: Ficus carica Extract (FCE), Xanthine Oxidase (XO), Xanthine Oxidase Inhibition (XOI), Hyperuricemeia (HU).

Back ground: Hyperlipidaemia, characterized by elevation of one or more lipid types in blood, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Management of hyperlipidaemia is helpful to control the fatal outcome of cardiovascular diseases. This experimental study was done to observe the effects of pulp of Ficus carica fruit on lipid profile in induced hyperlipidemic rats in comparison to atorvastatin. Methodology: The duration of study was 12 weeks. In this study forty male rats were taken and divided into four groups. One group was normal control which was given normal diet throughout study period of 12 weeks. The second group was positive control which was given high fat diet for 12 weeks. The remaining two groups were experimental groups which were given high fat diet for 12 weeks. Hyperlipidaemia was induced after giving high fat diet for first four weeks to the experimental groups. The pulp of Ficus carica fruit and atorvastatin was then added to diet of two experimental groups respectively in addition to high fat diet for the next 8 weeks. Body weight, fasting lipid profile, LDL/HDL ratio and AIP were measured at baseline, 4th, 8th, and 12th week of study. Results: Pulp of Ficus carica fruit significantly improved fasting lipid profile, AIP and LDL/HDL ratio. HDL was also significantly increased. However there was no change in body weight. Conclusion: Ficus carica fruit has marked antihyperlipidemic properties comparable to standard drug atorvastatin. Key words: Hyperlipidaemia, ethanolic extract, pulp, Ficus carica

ABSTRACT Background: Central obesity a worldwide metabolic and cosmetic problem poses significant health risk. Ajwa date seed has antioxidant property and its high fiber content may prevent fat absorption and reduce fat deposition. Objective: To evaluate the effect of Ajwa date seed powder on visceral fat depots and inflammatory response in high fat fed Sprague Dawley female rats. Methodology: Thirty-six healthy rats of four weeks age were divided into three groups and followed for 12 weeks. Group A (normal control) received regular diet. Group B (HFD control) received high fat diet, while group C (HFD+Ajwa group) received high fat diet along with 2% Ajwa date seed powder. Body weight was measured weekly. Blood sample was drawn for the estimation of serum IL-6 and leptin levels by ELISA method at 12th week. After which rats were euthanized; perinephric fat was removed and weighed in grams. Results: HFD+Ajwa group gained less body weight as compared to HFD control group (p value = 0.012). There was a remarkable reduction in perinephric fat weight (p value ≤ 0.001) and level of IL-6 in HFD+Ajwa group (p value ≤ 0.001) as compared to HFD control. There was no significant difference in serum leptin level of the rats of all groups (p value = 0.567). Conclusion: Ajwa date seed can prevent visceral adiposity and gain in body weight. Moreover, it has anti-inflammatory effect; but no significant effect on satiety hormone. Key Words: Obesity, Visceral fat, P. dactylifera L (Ajwa date) seed, IL-6, Leptin.