Background: Long-term use of drugs currently used for the treatment of inflammation is associated with serious adverse effects. Nigella sativa, an herb exclusively used in traditional medicine, is reported to inhibit both cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate of antiinflammatory activity N. sativa seed fixed oil in different models of inflammation in rats and to compare it with control and aspirin. Materials and Methods: Albino Wistar rats of either sex weighing 180-200 g were used in this study. N. sativa seed fixed oil was used to evaluate anti-inflammatory by carrageenin-induced hind paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma, and formaldehyde induced arthritis method by oral administration in healthy albino rats. The study was conducted with prior approval of Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. Results: In the model of acute inflammation, i.e., carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats, N. sativa showed anti-inflammatory activity which was statistically significant as compared to control (P < 0.001) but less than aspirin. In cotton pellet induced granuloma method, N. sativa significantly decreased the formation of granulomatous tissue, as compared to control (P < 0.001). N. sativa showed significant anti-inflammatory activity comparable to aspirin in formaldehyde induced arthritis model of chronic inflammation (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The result of this study suggests that N. sativa seed fixed oil possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity in rats.

a b s t r a c tObjectives: The study was carried out with the aim of evaluation of the adverse drug reaction profile of anti-snake venom serum (ASV) in a rural tertiary care hospital. Methods: An observational study was conducted in SRTR Medical College, Ambajogai, Maharashtra, India. A total number of 296 indoor case papers of snake bite from February to September 2011 and June to August 2012 were retrieved from the record section and the antivenom reactions were assessed. In addition, basic epidemiological data and prescribing practices of ASV were also analyzed. Results: Vasculotoxic snake bites were more common (50.61%) than neuroparalytic ones (22.56%). Mild envenomation was the commonest presentation. A total of 92 (56.10%) patients who received ASV suffered from antivenom reactions. The most common nature of reaction was chills, rigors (69.56%) followed by nausea and vomiting (34.8%). 10e15% patients suffered from moderate to severe reactions like hypotension and sudden respiratory arrest. We did not find any dose response relationship of ASV to risk of reactions (odds ratio 0.37). Intradermal sensitivity test was performed in about 72% cases. Conclusion: Our study showed a higher incidence of reactions to ASV at our institute.

||ABSTRACT Background: Children constitute 40% of India's population. They tend to suffer more frequently from illnesses, when compared with adults and elderly. Most of these illnesses are self-limiting. There are reports that these illnesses are treated inappropriately leading to polypharmacy. Children are more vulnerable to the various adverse events related to the use of drugs. Though many studies have been carried out to evaluate the drug prescribing pattern in adult patients, but similar studies in paediatric population are limited. Aims and Objective: To evaluate the pattern of drug prescribing and dispensing in pediatric outpatient clinic in a rural tertiary-care teaching hospital using WHO Core drug use indicators. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the pediatric outpatient clinic of Swami Ramanand Teerth Rural (SRTR) Medical College, Ambajogai, Maharashtra, India. Data were collected by scrutinizing the prescriptions written by the treating physician in pediatric outpatient clinic, using WHO core drug use indicators and by interviewing parents of 300 children attending outpatient clinic. Result: The average number of drugs per prescription was 3.4 and actually dispensed was 2.5. There was a high trend of using brand names (49.6% of prescriptions) while prescribing than generic names. Use of antibiotics (60.6% of prescriptions) was frequent, but injection use (0.8% of prescriptions) was very low. A high number of drugs prescribed (77.5%) conformed to WHO list of essential medicines for children and were dispensed (69%) by the hospital pharmacy. The parents' understanding of the correct usage of drugs was low (59%), and only 10.5% of drugs were adequately labeled. The copy of an essential drugs list was not available. The availability of essential drugs was 75%. Conclusion: This study highlights the problem of overprescribing of antibiotics, inadequate labeling, and a trend toward polypharmacy. The prescribing from WHO list of essential medicines for children was fair; the use of injections was low. Interventions to rectify overprescription of antibiotics, use of brand names, and inadequate labeling of drugs is necessary to improve rational drug use.

ABSTRACT   Background: Anxiety disorders remain the commonest mental disorder in general population. Both these disorders are common in pregnant women and postpartum period and are underdiagnosed. There is a paucity of research on mental disorders and their risk factors among women during postnatal period in India. This study aims to estimate the incidence of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression and explore the common associated factors among postnatal women in India. Aim: The present study aims to study the incidence and risk factors of generalised anxiety disorders among mothers attending the outpatient department clinic (OPD) for vaccination of their children or gynaecology OPD for follow up. Methods: Total of 180 women of postpartum period, up to 6 months, was randomly selected and assessed using self-report questionnaire GAD-7 for GAD. General demographic details were obtained via a revalidated proforma. Incidence and risk factors for both these mental disorders were assessed. Results: The incidence of GAD was found to be 31.11%. Primigravida mothers scored higher on GAD-7 score than multigravida mothers and incidence of GAD was also higher in primigravidas mothers (p=0.042). There was no significant association between age of mother, socioeconomic status of mother, and sex of the child born, with development of GAD in the postnatal period. Substance abuse in husband was significantly related to development of GAD in women in postnatal period. Conclusion: A significant proportion of women had generalised anxiety disorder. Pregnancy for the first time was associated with increased risk of GAD. Substance abuse by husband is significantly associated with development of GAD and depression during postnatal period.