iosr-JPBS   Volume-6 ~ Issue-3

Abstract: Objective: To study the prevalence of anemia and socio-demographic factors associated with anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal hospital. Material and methods: Total 100 pregnant women were selected for the study and the study was carried out from Sep 2011 to Jan 2012. Pretested and prestructured questionnaire was used to collect general information. Blood samples were collected by qualified technician for hemoglobin estimation. Socio-economic classification by B.G. Prasad was adopted. Classification of anemia by WHO was used. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Overall prevalence of anemia among the pregnant women was found to be 63%. Factors such as level of education and socio-economic status were found to be significantly associated with prevalence of anemia. Conclusion: There is a need for realization that health system should focus on various factors that contribute to the occurrence of anemia and include them as important mediators in the National Health Policy.

Key words: - Anemia, Socio-economic classification, Hemoglobin.

Abstract: Malaria infections in a stable endemic malaria community of Abagana, a rainforest community in southeastern Nigeria was studied between April and August 2012. Advocacy visits to the traditional ruler and opinion leaders of the community and proper explanations of the project were used to obtain permission to carry out the study. The community was mobilized through public announcements in the churches, schools, markets and group meetings. Thick and thin blood films were used to concentrate, and identify malaria parasites using oil immersion lense of bright field light microscope. Estimates of parasite intensity per person was made on each positive slide by parasite count in the microscope fields. Participants were grouped into sexes, age, education and occupation. A total of 141 participants made up of 59(41.84%) males and 82(58.16%) females were involved in the study. Of the 141 participants, 76(53.90%) were positive with malaria parasites, among whom 32(42.11%) were males and 44(57.89%) were females. Of the positive malaria cases, malaria intensity among the participants were light 32(42.11%), moderate 35(46.05%) and heavy 9(11.84%) and was spread across all the groups and villages. These results revealed holoendemicity of malaria in the community. Intervention efforts including massive educational campaigns were suggested.

Keywords- Endemic,holoendemicity,intensity,parasite,rainforest

Abstract: Photochemical crosslinking is a best alternative method when compared to conventional crosslinking methods such as chemical and physical methods, by using vitamins like riboflavin and ascorbic acid as photochemical initiators to enhance the physicochemical properties of collagen poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) blend without any toxic by products. Collagen and poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) blends were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Swelling studies, Tensile testing and the surface properties were studied by Contact angle measurements and Microscopy. Collagen and PVP blended samples were irradiated with the UV light wavelength λ=300nm for 30 minutes by using 0.03% riboflavin and ascorbic acid as photosensitizers and the samples were air dried at room temperature. Collagen- PVP blended hydrogels showed good swelling properties and the lower contact angles indicate their hydrophilic nature. The photochemical crosslinking also improved the thermal stability of the hydrogels which can be confirmed by broad endothermic peak between 80-1800C in the thermoscan. The FTIR spectral changes clearly exhibited that these two polymers were strongly crosslinked and miscible.

Keywords - Collagen, Poly (vinyl pyrrolidone), Photochemical crosslinking, Vitamins, Hydrogel, Drug delivery

Abstract: The current orthodox treatment modalities for diabetic mellitus have many setbacks including undesirable side effects and the high cost of long term treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-diabetic effectsand compare some biochemical parameters of four plants; Ocimumgratissimum (OG),Aloe vera (AV), Brassica oleracea(BO) and Ipomoea batatas(IB) on alloxan induced diabetic rats. The preliminary phytochemical screening reveals the presence ofalkaloid, tannin, cardiac glycoside, resin and steroids in all four plants. Diabetic was induced by interperitonial injection of alloxan monohydrate while treatment was done for 21 days. Diabetic rats had significant increased (P˂0.05)cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and artherogenic index (AI). Treatment of experimental rats with 150 mg/kg bw. of aqueous extractsof plants significantly decrease (P˂0.05) the levels of cholesterol and LDL in OG and BO treated groups when compare with the control. Computed artherogenic index was significantly reduced (P˂0.05) in AV treated group when compared to the control. Aqueous extracts also significantly (P˂0.05) alter serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in a similar manner with metformin treated group. Result showed that decrease in plasma glucose was in the order IB˃OG˃BO˃AV. All plant extracts possess antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic effects and were able to ameliorate the weight loss observed in diabetic rats. Keywords: Aloe vera,Brassicaoleracea,Comparativestudies,Diabetics,Ipomoeabatatas,Ocimumgratissimum

Abstract: The rural and marginal people of Bangladesh are deprived of modern treatment facilities and hence greatly depend on medicinal plants. Besides, the higher cost and toxicity of synthetic drugs drives scientists towards search for natural source of medication for a number of diseases. Cost-effectiveness, easy availability and fewer side effects are making the herbal medicine more popular both among rural and city people. Plants with Cytotoxic and clot lysis potential are good candidate as source of novel anti-tumor agents and thrombolytic drugs. This study aimed at screening out of phytochemical constituents and evaluation of cytotoxicity and thrombolytic potential of an important medicinal plant Achyranthes aspera methanolic leaf extract. In vitro phytochemical screening of A. aspera leaf extract carried out by qualitative tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids and saponins while phlobatannins were absent. Cytotoxicity test of A. aspera leaf extract carried out by Brine shrimp Lethality (BSL) Bioassay showed the highest percentage of mortality (90%) in 1250 μg/ml and LC50 value was 50.12 μg/ml. Thrombolytic test showed 32.87 ± 9.42% clot lytic activity for A. aspera while positive control (streptokinase) and negative control (water) showed 81.19 ± 3.78% and 6.67 ± 2.58% clot lysis, respectively. Synergistic effect of streptokinase and A. aspera extract also produced better result (56.30 ± 6.95%) than A. aspera alone.

Keywords: Achyranthes aspera, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, phytochemical screening, LC50

Abstract: Fifteen species belonging to 9 terrestrial fungal genera were isolated from diseased fruits and vegetables on PDA media during this investigation. Aspergillus came in high incidence genera and represented by three species namely; A. flavus var colamnaris, A. niger and A. ochraceus. Another four fungal genera were came in the second position after Aspergillus and represented by two identified species these were; Acremonium, Alternaria, Fusarium and Penicillium. The remaining four fungal genera which isolated were representative by only one species were; Botryotrichum sp., Gilmaniela humicola, Mucor hiemalis and Torula sp. Solanum lycopersicum was yielded the highest number of genera and species (7 and 11, respectively). Psidium guava was yield the lowest number of fungal genera and species (1 and 1). All fungal which isolated in this investigation were screened for their ability to cellulose production on CMC agar plates within 3 days, among all tested isolates Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium proliferatum were the highest fungal isolates produced clear zone (3.65 mm) and (3.15 mm) respectively.

Key Words: Aspergillus, Fruit, Psidium guava, Solanum lycopersicum, Vegetables

Abstract:Present study deals with the qualitative analysis of ethanolic extract of Legume pericarp (pod wall) and seeds of Acacia farnesiana (L). In which we analyze 22 Phytochemical, which are use full for controlling the diseases in Human beings. In India, Acacia farnesiana L. is known as Mulla tumma, Kampu tumma in local area and it is commonly known as Aroma and sweet acacia also. The aim of the present study is to investigate the presence or absence of phytochemicals such as Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Steroids, Proteins, Carbohydrates, Tannin, Amides, Terpenoides, Amines, Phenol, Test for Unsaturation, Carboxylic acid, Test for NH2, Nitrogen, Sulphur, Halogen, Starch, Saponin, Ascorbic acid, Glycosides, Reducing Sugar and Triterpenoids contents of the selected medicinal plants. The ethanolic extract of legume pericarp indicates the presence of major bioactive compound compare to seeds.

Keywords: Acacia fernesiana L., qualitative analysis, bioactive compound.

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