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Advancements in medical science and digital access made it easier for individuals to seek appropriate treatment. Despite living in the current information era, the practice of quackery has continued worldwide. The current scoping review was planned to explore different definitions and laws related to quackery, and the acceptance of allied healthcare services in traditional, cultural and legal contexts. The review examined a total of 3,327 published studies and 400 pieces of grey literature, including existing laws, regulatory authority websites, news articles and reports. A total of 56 studies and 21 excerpts were shortlisted for analysis. The definitions of quackery varied significantly across regions, but a general consensus is that unauthorised healthcare practices constitute quackery. Legal perspectives differed worldwide, with Europe, North America and Oceania discouraging allied healthcare services, such as homeopathy, naturopathy and traditional methods, considering them quackery. In contrast, Asian and African regions endorsed allied healthcare and established provider registration and licensing systems.

Objective: To determine the effect of pitavastatin, a third generation statin, on development of osteopenia in ovariectomized rats., Study Design: Experimental study., Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, from January to July 2013., Methodology: Forty female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into ovariectomized (OVX), Sham OVX and OVX given pitavastatin 0.4 mg/kg/day, 0.8 mg/kg/day, for 8 weeks. Bone density measurements using CT scan and Archimedes’ principle were made on femora and tibiae. Blood samples were analyzed for acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels., Results: Ovariectomy-induced osteopenic changes were indicated by significant decrease in bone densities and Hounsfield (HU) index of distal femoral and proximal tibial metaphyses and elevation of ACP and ALP levels. 0.4 mg/kg pitavastatin did not significantly alter the evaluated parameters. 0.8 mg/kg produced a restoration of HU of lower femur and femoral density comparable to Sham. HU of upper tibia and tibial density following 0.8 mg/kg was significantly higher than OVX but was not approximate to Sham. ALP and ACP with 0.8 mg/kg were comparable to Sham., Conclusion: Supra-therapeutic dose of pitavastatin was effective in preventing estrogen deficiency-induced decrease in bone density of ovariectomized rates, over an 8-week period.

Statins are used extensively as anti-hyperlipidemic agents. In addition to curtailing cholesterol synthesis they have been found to have multiple actions unrelated to cholesterol lowering "the pleiotropic effects," which includes inhibition of inflammation. We aimed at investigating the effect of pitavastatin a 3rd generation statin, in suppressing acute inflammation in rat paw edema model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of five groups (n=8): Control, indomethacin and pitavastatin (0.2mg/kg, 0.4mg/kg, 0.8mg/kg) treated. 1hour following treatment, inflammation was induced by sub-planter injection of egg albumin into the hind paw. Anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by measurement of edema formation every half hour for three hours, assessment of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) infiltration and measurement of tissue damage in skin biopsies. Ascending doses of pitavastatin were found to attenuate these parameters. The lowest dose of pitavastatin (0.2mg/kg) was found to significantly reduce edema volume, PMNL infiltration and tissue damage. The efficacy of the smallest dose was found comparable to indomethacin.

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) in acute watery diarrhoea and its role in reducing the frequency of episodes of diarrhoea in subsequent two months., Methods: Children from 2 mo to 12 years of age, with acute diarrhoea were selected according to inclusion criteria and randomised in S. boulardii group (treated with ORS, nutritional support and S. boulardii, 250 mg bid) and in control group (treated with ORS and nutritional support only). Active treatment phase was 5 d and each child was followed for two months afterwards. Frequency and consistency of stools as well as safety of drug was assessed on every visit. A comparison of two groups was done in terms of number of diarrhoeal episode in subsequent two months., Results: There were fifty patients in each group. Baseline characteristics such as mean age and the average frequency of stools were comparable in S. boulardii and control group at the time of inclusion in the trial. By d 3 it reduced to 2.7 and 4.2 stools per d respectively and by d 6 it reduced to 1.6 (S. boulardii Group) and 3.3 (control group). The duration of diarrhoea was 3.6 d in S. boulardii group whereas it was 4.8 d in control group (P = 0.001). In the following two months, S. boulardii group had a significantly lower frequency of 0.54 episodes as compared to 1.08 episodes in control group. The drug was well accepted and tolerated. There were no reports of the side effects during treatment period., Conclusion: S. boulardii significantly reduces the frequency and duration of acute diarrhoea. The consistency of stool also improves. The drug is well-tolerated.