Septilin, A Polyherbal Formulation Against the Immunosuppression Induced by Cyclophosphamide and Cisplatin in Swiss Albino Mice

Background: Septilin (Spt) is an ayurvedic drug formulation from Himalaya Drug Company and is well-known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Interest in the use of medicinal plants and herbal medicine as immunomodulators has currently been the subject of scientific investigation worldwide. Cyclophosphamide (CP) and Cisplatin (Csp) are widely used chemotherapeutic drugs and are known for their immunosuppressive effects. Methods: The present study evaluated the immune-stimulating activity of Spt (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg; PO/7 days) against CP (50 mg/kg) and Csp (10 mg/kg) induced immunosuppression in mice sensitized with sheep Red Blood Cells (RBC) by measuring Hemagglutination Antibody (HA) titre values and by determining the haematological parameters, such as Haemoglobin (Hb) content, White Blood Cells (WBC), RBC and platelet counts. Thymus index and differential counts of leukocytes were also determined. Results: Upon HA assay, the titre was significantly decreased in CP (59.40%) and Csp (62.16%) in the treatment groups (P<0.001). An increase in the HA titre value in Spt-treated mice showed the stimulation of humoral immune response (P<0.001). The results of haematological study in Spt-treated mice indicated stimulation of total leukocytes, RBC and platelet counts. Moreover, Spt treatment prior to the administration of CP and Csp prevented the loss of body weight and minimized their adverse effect on the mice thymus. Conclusion: Our experimental evidence suggests the immunostimulatory potency of Spt against the immunosuppression induced by chemotherapeutic drugs in mice. The study results are comparable with the immune-potentiating effects of standard immunomodulatory drug Levamisole (Lev). Hence, Spt may be used as an adjuvant to obviate the immune suppression induced by chemotherapeutic medications.

A Clinico-Haematological Study of Causes of Pancytopenia

BACKGROUND This is a clinic-haematological study, conducted in Sidhanta Hospital, Bhopal, to identify the causes of pancytopenia. Out of total 1200 cases of complete hemograms, 56 cases were categorized as pancytopenias, and out of these, 24 cases were subjected to bone marrow examination. The remaining 32 cases of pancytopenia, were put on periodic follow up with peripheral blood smear examination, based on clinical data. Pancytopenia is the simultaneous presence of anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia that may result from various disease processes, involving the bone marrow primarily or secondarily. Pancytopenia is reduction in all the three cellular components of the blood, namely red blood cells (RBCs), leucocytes (WBCs) and platelets. It is a common entity which is encountered by practitioners. The presentation is in the form of cytopenias leading to infections, anaemia, or bleeding manifestations. All the cases of pancytopenia need a through approach to reach to the cause of the same so that it can be managed in the best possible manner. Cytopenias are reduction in any of the three cellular components of the blood i.e. RBCs, WBCs or platelets. It can be reduction in two cellular components (bicytopenia) or a reduction in all the three cellular components (pancytopenia). In bicytopenia, the most common combination to be seen is anaemia and thrombocytopenia, whereas the least common is leucopenia with thrombocytopenia. (1) For practical purposes, it should have haemoglobin < 10 g%, absolute neutrophil count < 1,500/cumm and platelets < 1,00,000/cumm. It is labelled as severe when the three values are < 7 g%, < 500/cumm and < 20,000/cumm respectively. The purpose of this study was to find out different causes of pancytopenia and the use of bone marrow examination in evaluation of pancytopenia. METHODS This is a cross sectional study, conducted exclusively in the Department of Medicine, at a tertiary care hospital, in Bhopal from August 2019 to December 2019. A total of 56 cases of pancytopenia were analysed with clinico-haematological features. Criteria for diagnosis of pancytopenia were: Haemoglobin less than 10 gm/dl, TLC less than 4000/mm3 and platelet count less than 1,00,000/mm3. We have correlated the complete hemogram findings with bone marrow examination (if required) and peripheral smear examination in order to analyse the root cause of every case of pancytopenia. Pancytopenia is a haematological entity, we have to analyse the cause of it in order to find out the correct diagnosis and treat the patient accordingly. Bone marrow examination is useful in the investigation of PUO (pyrexia of unknown origin), as it leads to an etiological diagnosis in many of the cases. RESULTS In these 56 cases, only 24 cases (42.85 %) were subjected for bone marrow examination. Commonest cause of pancytopenia was episode of viral fever constituting 28 cases (50 %). CONCLUSIONS In cases of PUO, bone marrow examination is a very useful investigation. In cases diagnosed as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), when the patient does not show improvement in counts, a repeat bone marrow examination should be done, as very rarely; acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia may be the cause. Though bone marrow examination is an absolute indication in cases of pancytopenia, it is important to wait for at least 2 – 3 weeks, and do a repeat hemogram, especially in cases of viral fever where the counts usually improve after fever subsides. KEY WORDS Pancytopenia, Bone Marrow, Viral Fever

Haematological Study on the Effects of Goko Cleanser (Herbal Mixture) on Adult Female Wistar Rats

Introduction: Goko cleanser is one of the popular herbal mixtures used by the Nigerian populace. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of this herbal mixture on some haematological parameters of adult female Wistar rats. Methodology: A total of twenty five Wistar rats weighing about 160 – 280g were divided into five groups according to their corresponding weights. The groups were designated as groups 1 – 5. Group 1 served as the control group, while groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 received 1000mg/Kg, 1500mg/Kg, 2000mg/Kg and 4000mg/Kg respectively. Results: The TWBC, PCV, PLATELET count, and RBC and Hb showed a statistically significant (p<0.05) increase for the test groups 2 – 5 when compared to the control group. The body weight had a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in groups 2, 4, and 5; while group 3 had a statistically insignificant (p>0.05) decrease. Conclusion and Recommendation: This study revealed that Goko Cleanser contains some haemopoietic benefits, but inhibit appetite centres. Hence, this study recommends that further study be carried out on the effects of this herbal mixture on the brain so as to reveal the extent of its effect on the appetite centres.

PANCYTOPENIA – CLINICAL & HAEMATOLOGICAL STUDY AT TERTIARY CARE CENTRE.

Introduction: Pancytopenia is the simultaneous presence of anaemia, leucopoenia and thrombocytopenia. This study was carried out to evaluate bone marrow findings in patients with pancytopenia. Materials and Methods: This is retrospective study carried out on 100 pancytopenia patient over the period of two years. Peripheral blood smears (PBS), Bone marrow aspiration (BMA) & Trephine Biopsy slides were retrieved from storage. Data analysed was compared with various studies published in literature Results: The maximum cases of pancytopenia were in the age group up to 20 years with male preponderance. Megaloblastic anaemia (43%) was found to be most common aetiology of pancytopenia and followed by iron deficiency anaemia (23%). Conclusion: Present study concludes that basic primary haematological investigations along bone marrow aspiration/trephine bone biopsy in the pancytopenia patients are helpful in understanding the disease process. This plays a key role in planning the further management.

Enzootic bovine leucosis in cows on farms in Almaty and Turkestan regions of Kazakhstan

The objective of this study was to evaluate pathomorphological and histopathological characteristics of internal organ tissues and skeletal muscles of Black-Motley cows with bovine laeukemia necropsied between 2013 and 2017. Pathomorphological and histopathological assessment of enzootic bovine leukosis was performed. The viral presence was proved by haematological study, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and agar-gel immunodiffusion. There was the pathomorphological manifestation of an immunosuppressive condition in the cattle, as well as leukemic cell accumulations in the brain, kidneys, duodenum, spleen, lymph nodes, cardiac and skeletal muscles. Our study is considered to bear significance concerning the description of microstructural changes involving lymph node trabeculae and myocardial fibres from leukemic cows. This investigation, therefore, provides new knowledge on histopathological features of enzootic bovine leucosis, which potentially may bring new insights into the disease mechanisms.

Oral submucous fibrosis: is it a collagen disease? A study in search for its aetiology

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The aetiopathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), though not an uncommon disease, is not yet well established. OSMF is prevalent in the geographical area of study. These were the driving factors to conduct this study. This haematological study in patients with oral submucous fibrosis was conducted to find out some definite causative features so that an effective treatment regime could be evolved.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This prospective hospital-based observational study was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) and Pathology in a tertiary care medical college hospital. The 150 clinically diagnosed patients were enrolled for the study. Routine laboratory tests were done to identify markers which would suggest autoimmune conditions. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> In 124 cases (83%), mild to moderately anaemia was observed while 75 cases (50%) showed raised ESR. Lymphocytosis and eosinophilia were observed in 42 cases (28%) and 48 cases (32%) respectively. Hyperglobulinaemia was observed in 45 cases (30%). In 18 cases (12%) leukocytosis was observed. In 30 cases (20%), pus cells were seen in urine, while ova and cysts were found present in 42 cases (28%).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The present study could not establish the commonly claimed theory of collagen disease. The exact aetiology of OSMF is not yet known. Some genetic factors seem to play a role, which make some people predisposed to react abnormally to chronic masticatories of different forms of areca nut, tobacco and areca leaves. Therefore further research in the direction of genetic studies will perhaps reveal the exact cause of OSMF.</p>