street Drug

Although Bangladesh continues to be a low prevalence area, it is surrounded by high prevalence countries (High prevalence of HIV/AIDS in neighboring India). We however must not adopt a complacent attitude in respect as our country has all the determinants for an explosive outbreak of HIV/AIDS epidemic. Curses of poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, proximity of Bangladesh to the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ & high prevalence of STDs, make our country seriously vulnerable. Drug use increases the HIV risk and can start very early-for example, glue-sniffing by youngsters living or working on the streets. The danger of becoming infected with HIV by sharing injecting equipment is well known, and real. Unemployment, slum housing, family fragility, frequent cross-border movement of people, lack of

information, unsafe blood transfusion, physical and sexual abuse-that create a “risk environment” of violence for many young people in the region. In addition increased number of migrant workers, unsafe practice in health service, unsafe sex practice etc. movement of population, less use of condom, polygamy, homosexuality, extra-marital relations, further increases the susceptibility.

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Although no Antidepressant is ideal, St. John s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) extract has proved its Antidepressant efficacy to the market that encourages effectiveness. It is a medicinal herb of centuries-old therapeutic stand, and has been named “arnica of the nerves” because of its therapeutic benefit to the nervous diseases. Its benefit of improving mood and quality of sleep are the reasons for its use in mild to moderate depression.

The chemical constituents that may be responsible for the safe Antidepressant action of this widely used Antidepressant are hypericin, pseudohypericin, hyperforin, naphtodianthrones, flavonoids, phenylpropanes, biflavones, terpene and sesquiterpene oils, tannins, xanthones, phloroglucinols, and essential oils. Many of the pharmacological activities appear to be present because of the presence of

hypericin and flavonoid constituents.

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Although Bangladesh continues to be a low prevalence area, it is surrounded by high prevalence countries (High prevalence of HIV/AIDS in neighboring India). We however must not adopt a complacent attitude in respect as our country has all the determinants for an explosive outbreak of HIV/AIDS epidemic. Curses of poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, proximity of Bangladesh to the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ & high prevalence of STDs, make our country seriously vulnerable. Drug use increases the HIV risk and can start very early-for example, glue-sniffing by youngsters living or working on the streets. The danger of becoming infected with HIV by sharing injecting equipment is well known, and real. Unemployment, slum housing, family fragility, frequent cross-border movement of people, lack of

information, unsafe blood transfusion, physical and sexual abuse-that create a “risk environment” of violence for many young people in the region. In addition increased number of migrant workers, unsafe practice in health service, unsafe sex practice etc. movement of population, less use of condom, polygamy, homosexuality, extra-marital relations, further increases the susceptibility.

Continue Reading »

Although no Antidepressant is ideal, St. John s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) extract has proved its Antidepressant efficacy to the market that encourages effectiveness. It is a medicinal herb of centuries-old therapeutic stand, and has been named “arnica of the nerves” because of its therapeutic benefit to the nervous diseases. Its benefit of improving mood and quality of sleep are the reasons for its use in mild to moderate depression.

The chemical constituents that may be responsible for the safe Antidepressant action of this widely used Antidepressant are hypericin, pseudohypericin, hyperforin, naphtodianthrones, flavonoids, phenylpropanes, biflavones, terpene and sesquiterpene oils, tannins, xanthones, phloroglucinols, and essential oils. Many of the pharmacological activities appear to be present because of the presence of

hypericin and flavonoid constituents.

Continue Reading »

In 2002, 8.5 percent of the US civilian noninstitutionalized population had purchased at least one prescription Antidepressant. The currently available classes of Antidepressants include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), novel Antidepressants, and tetracyclic Antidepressants.

MAOIs act by inhibiting monoamine oxidase, a complex enzyme system that metabolizes excess serotonin and epinephrine. It holds the potential of inducing potential life-threatening problems, and therefore cannot be used in patients with congestive cardiac failure or in those with a history of liver disease. It is dangerous to those who are hypersensitive to its ingredients. The important drugs of this class include isocarboxazid (Marplan), moclobemide (Aurorix, Manerix, Moclodura), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), levo-deprenyl

(Selegiline, Eldepryl), and harmala.

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