Thesis defence: Alternatives for available antiemetic

Author said cancer was one of the most fatal diseases which are treated with cytotoxic drugs including Cisplatin.

Research scholar Ihsanullah was recommended for a PhD degree after he successfully defended his thesis at the Video Conferencing Hall of the University of Peshawar on Friday. His topic of research was ‘Evaluation of some selected medicinal plants and their combinations in Cisplatin induced vomiting in vomit models; behavioral neurochemical correlates.’ In his research, the scholar proved the extracts of Bacopa monnieri, Zingiber officinale and Cannabis sativa have the potential to relieve vomiting induced by chemotherapy. He said cancer was one of the most fatal diseases which are treated with cytotoxic drugs including Cisplatin. He added vomiting was one of the major adverse reactions of these drugs, which has been the reason of non-compliance by some patients, ultimately leading to refusal of curative treatment. Therefore, it was need of the day to unveil such drugs which may be cost effective and superior to already available antiemetic drugs such as ondansetron and metoclopromide, he said. Professor Dr Fazal Subhan of the Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar was Ihsanullah’s PhD supervisor, while Dr Nasiara Karim served as his external examiner.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2013.