Search

Background: Pott’s disease is a rare form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that manifests in a variety of clinical patterns. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can lead to serious complications. About 10-40% of patients with spinal tuberculosis may have a neurological deficit. Urgent measures are needed to halt the progression of the disease and deformity, especially to prevent and overcome paraplegia. In regards to management, every case is different and has a unique procedure. It includes simple medical management, simple decompression and debridement, anterior approach, and posterior approach, etc. Surgical decompression of the cord and instrumentation are needed in many cases besides chemotherapy. Although the anterior approach is used for cervical Pott’s disease but this procedure is very time-consuming and technically difficult in the lumbar and dorsal spine, especially in compromised patients and morbidity is more. The posterior approach alone is enough for achieving adequate decompression, debridement, reduction, fusion, reconstruction of the body, and maintaining sagittal alignment in the dorsal and lumbar Pott’s spine. The aim of the study was to describe the treatment modality and observe the outcome of treatment methods and incidence rate of infection sites among the patients of Potts spine. Material & Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh. The study duration was 7 years, from March 2016 to January 2023. During this period, a total of 30 cases of Pott’s disease were included in the study following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: 53.33% had been from the youngest age group of 15-34 years, and 80 % were male. Very few participants had been female in the present study. Back pain was the primary complication for 50% of cases, while spinal infection was observed in the cervical region for 16.67% of cases, 43.33% had infections in the dorsal region, and 30 % in the lumbar region. 10.00% of the participants had been treated with non-surgical methods, with only anti-TB medication for 18 months or more. Posterior decompression was the most common treatment method, with 23.33% having only posterior decompression, and 40.00% having posterior decompression with the use of additional instruments. Conclusion: The study observed that Pott’s disease was most common among young adult males, and the most common sites of spinal infections were in the dorsal and lumbar regions in the present study population, contradictory to the general findings. Decompression treatment, with and without additional instruments, was the most common form of treatment among the present study population.

Phytochemical analysis of Tanaecium bilabiatum leaf led to the isolation and identification of salacinin C, daturadiol and a mixture of triterpenes, α-amyrin and β-amyrin. Besides chemical analysis, the methanol extract of T. bilabiatum leaf, METBL was evaluated for analgesic, anti-diarrheal and hypoglycemic potential in mice model. For analgesic activity test by tail immersion technique, the extract significantly extended the percent elongation time of thermal nociception. METBL (400 mg/kg bw) also established the highest inhibition of formalin-induced abdominal writhing (69.39%) in mice, which was comparable with the standard aspirin (75.51%). Likewise, dose-dependent antidiarrheal activity was observed in this test. After oral administration, METBL demonstrated maximum inhibition (40.93%) of castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. In oral glucose tolerance test, the plant extract produced significant (p < 0.05) hypoglycemic activity. Therefore, it is concluded that T. bilabiatum is a promising source of bioactive compounds with analgesic, antidiarrheal and hypoglycemic potential. Bangladesh J. Bot. 52(1): 119-127, 2023 (March)

Eclipta alba L. (Family: Asteraceae) is an evergreen herb of ethnomedicinal significance in the Indian subcontinent. The present study was carried out to determine the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and thrombolytic activities of n-hexane, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions of ethanol crude extract of E. alba whole plant. Preliminary phytochemical screening was performed by qualitative tests which revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and amides in E. alba. During the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging assay, the aqueous soluble fraction of E. alba at a dose of 100 μg/ml showed maximum 87.5% inhibition in scavenging the DPPH radical with IC50 value of 7.86 μg/ml. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by egg albumin denaturation technique and RBC membrane stabilizing method. In both experiments, all the test samples of E. alba showed a concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory potential while the aqueous soluble fraction at the dose of 500 μg/ml demonstrated the maximum 90.12% inhibition of egg albumin denaturation and 78.42% inhibition of RBC membrane hemolysis against hypotonic solution. Antimicrobial sensitivity was evaluated by disc diffusion assay against several bacterial and fungal species. All the test samples at a concentration of 500 μg/disc exhibited noticeable antibacterial (zone of inhibition = 11-23 mm) and antifungal (zone of inhibition = 10-21 mm) activities when compared to the respective standard drug. The aqueous soluble fraction showed maximum activity against Lactobacillus casai (zone of inhibition = 23 mm). During antifungal test, the maximum activity was exhibited by the n-hexane fraction against Pityrosporum ovale (zone of inhibition = 21 mm). During in vitro thrombolytic assay, the aqueous soluble fraction revealed 56.84% lysis of blood clot, as compared to the standard streptokinase (84.60%). The results of our study suggest that E. alba can be considered for further investigation in order to discover the pharmacologically active natural products. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 26(1): 20-27, 2023 (January)

Staurogyne argentea Wall. (Family: Acanthaceae) is an important medicinal plant that has many traditional uses in tribal areas of Bangladesh. The current study emphasizes the pharmacological investigations of n-hexane, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions of ethanol extract of leaves of S. argentea to justify the traditional uses of this plant species in Bangladesh. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of S. argentea was confirmed by inhibition of egg albumin denaturation and erythrocyte membrane stabilizing methods. In both experiments, the aqueous fraction at concentration of 160 μg/ml exhibited significant inhibition of egg albumin denaturation by 76.91% with IC50 value of 24.22 μg/ml compared to standard Diclofenac-Na. In membrane stabilization assay, the aqueous fraction showed prominent anti-inflammatory activity by protecting the human erythrocyte membrane against hypotonic solution induced lysis. In addition, among all the aqueous fraction at 100 μg/ml also showed maximum antioxidant potential via the inhibition of DPPH scavenging by 75.05% (IC50= 42.92 μg/ml). The test materials were subjected to evaluate for the anti-diabetic activity by both in vitro starch iodine method as well as by oral glucose tolerance test in Swiss albino mice. In both experiments, the aqueous fraction showed maximum blood glucose lowering activity which is comparable to standard glibenclamide. The chloroform fraction (Conc. 500 mg/kg bw) exhibited moderate inhibition of both acetic acid-induced writhing reflex and yeast-induced pyrexia in mice. During sedative activity screening, different solvent fractions produced mild to moderate activity in comparison with standard diazepam. These findings revealed that S. argentea is a valuable source of bioactive compounds with diverge pharmacological actions, which validates its use in Bangladesh folk medicinal practices. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 26(1): 89-98, 2023 (January)

Background:Neuroenteric cysts are rare non-neoplastic lesions arising from a failure of dissolution of the transient neuroenteric canal between the foregut and the notochord. They are most frequently seen in the intraduralextramedullary space in the lower cervical and upper thoracic spine. Case description:A 5 yrs old boy presented to us with the complaints of neck and upper back pain and weakness of all four limbs. MRI scan shows an intraduralextramedullary cystic lesion at C6-T1 with significant compression over cord. After patient’s preparation a Posterior approach was used to remove the cysts. Post-operative course was un-eventful. Histological results were consistent with neuroenteric cysts. MRI image of 3 months follow-up shows no residual cysts and the boy has no further complaints. Conclusion:Neuroenteric cyst (NC) is a rare lesion usual location at lower cervical and upper dorsal area and should be considered among differential diagnoses. Complete excision is the treatment of choice. In most instances a dorsal surgical approach will be satisfactory. Bang. J Neurosurgery 2021; 11(1): 54-57

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most commonly diagnosed condition all over the world. Fish is a typical delicacy and one of the most nutritious foods available. Fresh fish bile, according to various indigenous healthcare professionals in Bangladesh, has anti-diabetic effects and its importance in the treatment or management of diabetes and cardiovascular illnesses has also been documented in few recent studies. The goal of this work was to test the hypoglycemic potential of Labeo rohita bile content in order to objectively validate this folklore claim. In this study, in-vivo investigation of the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of L. rohita bile was performed against a streptozotocininduced diabetic rat model. Rats were given bile extract at doses of 0.08 ml/kg body weight and 0.16 ml/kg body weight for one week. Here, metformin HCl (100 mg/kg body weight) was used as reference standard. Both the doses of bile extract exhibited significant hypoglycemic effect (p

People in Bangladeshi village area have long practice to take plant-based products for their basic health care. Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken (Family: Sapindaceae) is an important folk medicine in Bangladesh, India that has been used to cure a wide variety of human ailments. Here, the crude methanol extract of S. oleosa leaf (MESOL) and its various solvent (Hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, aqueous) fractions were evaluated to determine the level of biological activities by both In vitro and in vivo approaches. The crude methanol extract along with its different solvent fractions was investigated for antioxidant activity by measuring total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging assay. Cytotoxic activity was performed by brine shrimp lethality bioassay method. The blood clot lysis ability was screened using aspirin as standard. In vitro anti-inflammatory test was performed by RBC membrane stabilizing activity. Beside In vitro analysis, tail immersion procedure and formalin-induced writhing test were carried out to evaluate the analgesic activity of the plant extract in mice. In addition, the anti-diarrheal activity was determined by castor oil-induced diarrheal model in mice. The ethyl acetate fraction of S. oleosa showed prominent antioxidant activity by scavenging DPPH radical with an IC50 value of 9.46 μg/ml, possibly due to its highest phenol content (103.23 mg of GAE/g of plant extract). The crude methanol extract revealed significant cytotoxicity towards brine shrimp with an LC50 value of 16.79 μg/ml. The dichloromethane fraction showed moderate blood clot lysis ability (28.93% clot lysis) while the crude methanol extract of S. oleosa leaf produced the highest 74.62% inhibition of hemolysis that was induced by hypotonic solution. During in vivo assay, the crude methanol extract of S. oleosa leaf produced significant (p

Bridelia tomentosa Blume is a small evergreen tree which has enormous folklore applications in the treatment of colic, traumatic injury, epidemic influenza and neurasthenia. The main purpose of this study was to isolate bioactive compounds from the stem bark of B. tomentosa growing in Bangladesh. Extensive chromatographic separation and purification of the methanolic extract of stem bark of B. tomentosa led to the isolation of four compounds. The purified constituents were identified as friedoolean-5(6),14(15)-dien-3-one (1), β-taraxerol (2), D4- stigmasterone (3) and lupeol (4) by extensive analysis of NMR spectroscopic data. While compound 1 is appeared to be new, the other compounds (2-4) have been isolated for the first time from this plant. β-taraxerol (2) demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity against the brine shrimp Artemia salina and moderate to strong antimicrobial efficacy with the highest inhibitory potential against Salmonella Typhi (zone of inhibition = 21.3 mm) and Sarcina lutea (zone of inhibition =20.8 mm). In conclusion, B. tomentosa has been found to be a rich source of secondary metabolites and thus it may be studied further in order to isolate of more bioactive constituents. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 20(2): 213-218, 2021 (December)

The objective of the present study includes the evaluation of the antidiarrheal properties of the methanol extracts of Litsea deccanensis Gamble (MELD) bark, Litsealancifolia (Roxb.) Hook. f. MELL),Litseaglutinosa Gamble (MELG) and Litsea monopetala Roxb. (MELM) leavesin Swiss albino mice. The antidiarrheal activity was evaluated by measuring percentage inhibition of diarrheal feces, total fecal output, gastrointestinal motility and by using peristaltic indices. Castor oil was used to induce diarrhea in the experimental animal. The experiments were carried out by using three different doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight) of these four plant extracts. The number of wet feces and total weight of the feces were significantly (p < 0.05) and dose-dependently reduced by all the plant extracts and this effect was comparable with standard drug. MELD, MELL, MELG and MELM extracts at dose of 400 mg/kg body weight demonstrated diarrheal inhibition by 43.55%, 45.16%, 32.26% and 41.94%, respectively while it was 98.39% for the standard loperamide. Percentage (%) of fecal output for MELD, MELL, MELG and MELM extracts at the dose of 400 mg/kg were 40.14%, 62.27%, 64.06%, 46.26%, respectively.The gastrointestinal motility induced by castor oil was also reduced noticeably (p < 0.05) by all the plant extracts with the increasing doses. The percentage inhibition of gastrointestinal motility at the dose of 400 mg/kg were 26.26%, 33.22%, 32.36% and 22.52% for the MELD, MELL, MELG and MELM extracts respectively, while it was 27.56% for loperamide. In most cases, all the plant extracts can reduce the peristaltic indices which were comparable to control. The obtained results from this study revealed that the methanol extracts of four different species of Litsea found in Bangladesh may have antidiarrheal potential. It also provides the basis for the traditional use of these plants to treat diarrhea.

not available Bang. J Neurosurgery 2021; 10(2): 216-222

Drug interaction has turned into the preeminent regarding issues for a prescriber during polypharmacy. The foremost objective of this research was to form a complex between linagliptin and rabeprazole sodium by in vitro interactions. The interactions between the drugs have been examined by monitoring some chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses viz. TLC, HPLC, FT-IR, UV, Job’s plot, conductometric titrations, and Ardon’s spectrophotometric strategy. Rabeprazole sodium formed a stable complex with linagliptin, which was ensured from the insight of these analytical data. The developed complex’s bright spot was clearly watched in the TLC plate. The retention time (Rt) of the formed complex was 5.303 min, where the Rt were 3.364 and 3.103 min for linagliptin and rabeprazole sodium, respectively, in HPLC chromatograms. In FT-IR and UV spectra of the formed complex revealed some disappearance of characteristic peaks that affirmed the complexation. All of the variations of the spectrophotometric and chromatographic properties from the antecedent drugs indicated the drug-drug interaction. Another crucial fact for the experimental aim was to affirm the assumed drug interaction by in vivo model examination. The assessment of anti-diabetic property on alloxan-induced Swiss albino mice proved significant in vivo interaction between the drugs. It was outlined from the animal study that the hypoglycemic activity of linagliptin might be significantly affected due to the complex formation of the drug with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Nonetheless, it is the primary outcome of the interaction, which recommends the bigger in vivo study or clinical monitoring on the human model.

An experiment was conducted at the Field Laboratory, Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University during Aman season 2018 primarily to describe agro-morphological descriptors of a purple rice cultivar and to evaluate the effect of spacing on morphological traits, yield contributing characters and yield. The experiment comprised four rice cultivars; Purple rice and three other check cultivars viz. BR22, BRRI dhan34 and BRRI dhan46, and three spacing viz. 15cm×15cm,20cm×15cmand25cm×15 cm. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. All the studied morphological traits, yield contributing characters and yield were significantly differed among the cultivars and planting densities. Purple rice cultivar was 101.8 cm in height; the number of total tillers hill−1 12.88, number of non-effective tiller hill−1 1.37; leaf vertical and straight, purple in colour; panicle length 23.63 cm, number of primary and secondary branches panicle−113.28 and 15.56, length of primary and secondary branch 8.91 cm and 2.26 cm, number of total and unfilled grains panicle−1 140.5 and 57.95, respectively; 1000-grains weight 21.92 g, grain yield 3.55 t ha−1, harvest index 51.03% and lifespan 115 days. The spacing 25 cm × 15 cm was found to be better for both growth and grain yield of Purple rice. Purple rice could be used as potential breeding material for its exceptional morphological characteristics. [Fundam Appl Agric 2020; 5(2.000): 256-263]

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-aph-10.1177_1010539520977328 for Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavioral Responses Toward COVID-19 During Early Phase in Bangladesh: A Questionnaire-Based Study by Md. Jamal Hossain, Md. Ruhul Kuddus and S. M. Abdur Rahman in Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health

Snakin-1 (SN-1) is a cysteine-rich plant antimicrobial peptide and the first purified member of the snakin family. SN-1 shows potent activity against a wide range of microorganisms, and thus has great biotechnological potential as an antimicrobial agent. Here, we produced recombinant SN-1 in Escherichia coli by a previously developed coexpression method using an aggregation-prone partner protein. Our goal was to increase the productivity of SN-1 via the enhanced formation of insoluble inclusion bodies in E. coli cells. The yield of SN-1 by the coexpression method was better than that by direct expression in E. coli cells. After refolding and purification, we obtained several milligrams of functionally active SN-1, the identity of which was verified by MALDI-TOF MS and NMR studies. The purified recombinant SN-1 showed effective antimicrobial activity against test organisms. Our studies indicate that the coexpression method using an aggregation-prone partner protein can serve as a suitable expression system for the efficient production of functionally active SN-1. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:1520-1528, 2017.

Aims: The aim of the current study was to undertake phytochemical screenings and evaluate antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanol extract of whole plant of Vernonia cinerea Less. (VCME). Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out for one year in 2012 in the Department of Pharmacy, Southern University Bangladesh, Chittagong, Bangladesh. Methodology: For preliminary phytochemical screenings, the crude methanol extract of V. cinerea was subjected to various tests to determine the chemical nature of the extract. Antipyretic activity was assessed by the yeast-induced hyperthermia in mice. The analgesic property was evaluated by formalin-induced writhing test. Acetyl salicylic acid

Aims: In the present study, the crude methanol extract of tuber of Polianthes tuberosa Linn along with its all Kupchan fractions were investigated for antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, membrane stabilizing and thrombolytic activities. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out for one year in 2012 in the Department of Pharmacy, Manarat International University (MIU), Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh. Methodology: The antioxidant activity was evaluated by using free radical scavenging (DPPH) assay. Here, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was used as standard antioxidant. The total phenolic content was also determined and expressed in gallic acid equivalent. Cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of the plant fractions were determined by brine shrimp lethality bioassay as well as by the disc diffusion method, respectively. The membrane stabilizing activity was assessed by hypotonic solution and heat-induced methods and was compared with standard acetyl salicylic acid (ASA). Results: In the free radical scavenging assay, the crude methanol extraxct showed significant free radical scavenging activity with IC50 value 71.23 μg/ml. The highest phenolic content was found in crude methanol extract (113.49 mg of GAE/gm of extractives). In the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, both the crude methanol extract and its carbon tetrachloride soluble fraction demonstrated strong cytotoxic activity with LC50 value of 3.56 and 9.31 μg/ml, respectively compared to that of 0.451 μg/ml exhibited by standard vincristine sulfate (VS). In the disc diffusion antibacterial assay, all the plant samples showed mild to moderate activity (zone of inhibition = 9.0-15.0 mm) against test pathogens. In membrane stabilizing activity test, the plant samples at 2.0 mg/ml inhibited the isotonic solution-induced hemolysis of RBC by 65.23% and heat-induced hemolysis of RBC by 35.61%. During assay for thrombolytic activity, the crude methanol extract revealed 52.6% lysis of clot while standard streptokinase (SK) used as positive control, demonstrated 66.8% lysis of clot. Conclusion: The plant possesses significant bioactivities which rationalize its use as folk medicine.

The crude methanolic extract of the frııits of Melocanna baccifera (Roxb.) Kıırz and its different organic soluble Kupchan fraetions were sereened for antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. The antioxidant effect was measured by 1,1 -diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay and by the deternıination of total phenolic content (TPC). The polvphenol content w as assessed colorimetrically ıısing Folin-Ciocalteau method and expressed as gallic acid equivalent. Evaluation of antimicrobial and cytotoxic property w as performed by ıısing the disc diffusion method and brine shrimp lethality bioassay, respeetively. The highest total phenolic was found in the aqueous soluble fraetion (142.8 mg of GAE/g of dried extract) demonstrating the signifıcant antioxidant potentials. İn DPPH assay for free radical scavenging property, the aqueous soluble fraetion of Irııit of M. baccifera exhibited signifıcant antioxidant activitv with the 1C50 valııe of 28.5 jUg/mL as compared to 23.50 jUg/mL revealed by Standard butylated hydroxvl tolııene. İn brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the crude methanol extract exhibited nıoderate cytotoxic activitv having LCİ0 value 34.47 pg/mL as compared to vineristine sulphate (LC50 5.31 pg/mL). İn antimicrobial sereening, the average zone of inhibition produced by the crude methanol extract and the dichloromethane soluble fraetion were found to be 7.0-12.0 and 7.4-12.2 mm, respeetively at a concentration of 400 fJg/disc. A positive correlation was obsemed between total phenolic content and free radical scavenging activitv having correlation coefficient (R~)of 0.80. These results suggested that M. baccifera coııld be considered as a soıırce of bioactive secondarv metabolites having antioxidant properties and effective proteetion from free radicals

The present study was designed to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanol extract of whole plant of Asteracantha longifolia Nees (family Acanthaceae) in mice. The analgesic activity was determined for its central and peripheral pharmacological actions using hotplate, formalin induced pain and acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice. Anti inflammatory effects were determined by ear swelling induced by croton oil, xyleneinduced ear edema, leukocyte migration induced by carrageenan, cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation. Tramadol (10 mg/kg) and Ibuprofen (100 mg/kg) were used as reference analgesic agents. The crude ethanol extract showed a significant inhibition of ear swelling caused by croton oil and xylene in mice. The crude extract decreased leukocyte migration induced by carrageenan, also moderately inhibited the weight of granuloma induced by a cotton pellet, as well as the formalin-induced pain. The extract given by p.o. route, produced significant inhibition of abdominal constrictions caused by acetic acid. Moreover, the extract also showed moderate analgesic activity on the hot plate pain threshold in mice. These data demonstrated that the plant may contain bioactive compounds possessing anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bpj.v15i2.12586 Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 15(2): 171-176, 2012

Snakin-1 (SN-1) is a small cysteine-rich plant antimicrobial peptide with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity which was isolated from potato (Solanum tuberosum). Here, we carried out the expression of a recombinant SN-1 in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, along with its purification and characterization. A DNA fragment encoding the mature SN-1 was cloned into pPIC9 vector and introduced into P. pastoris. A large amount of pure recombinant SN-1 (approximately 40 mg/1L culture) was obtained from a fed-batch fermentation culture after purification with a cation exchange column followed by RP-HPLC. The identity of the recombinant SN-1 was verified by MALDI-TOF MS, CD and (1)H NMR experiments. All these data strongly indicated that the recombinant SN-1 peptide had a folding with six disulfide bonds that was identical to the native SN-1. Our findings showed that SN-1 exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against test microorganisms and produced very weak hemolysis of mammalian erythrocytes. The mechanism of its antimicrobial action against Escherichia coli was investigated by both outer membrane permeability assay and cytoplasmic membrane depolarization assay. These assays demonstrated that SN-1 is a membrane-active antimicrobial peptide which can disrupt both outer and cytoplasmic membrane integrity. This is the first report on the recombinant expression and purification of a fully active SN-1 in P. pastoris.