Evaluating the effects of basil (Ocimum basilicum) in the experimental model of Alzheimer's disease in rats

Alzheimer is a destructive neurodegenerative disease related to elderly age of people and it is described by memory decline, loss of cognitive and psychiatric characters. The Ocimum species has been used for anti-ulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the possible role of basil (Dino cultivar) in rats against Alzheimer disease (AD). Dino cultivar was selected among the 16 basil genotypes and 4 cultivars growing under field condition in 2019 vegetation period. Some quality properties such as essential oil and its compositons and extract yield of the Dino cultivar were determined. Also, biochemical parameters and immunohistochemical findings and behavioral test were obtained in rats against AD. Dino had high essential oil content (1.28%), five major essential oil compositions (p-Allyl-anisole, linalool, trans-caryophyllene, methyl eugenol and beta bergamontene) and extract yield. The extract of the Dino cultivar was used for the biochemical parameters of the Alzheimers as total antioxidant status (TAS: 0.21-0.82 mmol/L), total oxidant status (TOS: 5.7-15.23 µmol/L), catalase (CAT: 2.17-177.31 U/L), oxidative stress index (OSI: 1.056-3.818), malondialdehyde (MDA: 0.365-2.022 mmol/L), superoxide dismutase (SOD: 194-207 U/mL) and Glutathione peroxidase1 (GPX1: 10.82-18.22 ng/mL) in experimental rats. Also, the effect of the extract was used to determine immunohistochemical findings and behavirol test results. As a result of the study, the extract of the Dino cultivar had positive effect on AD depending on the examined properties. It can be suggested that basil extract can be used for the treatment of AD.

Farmer-led conservation of paddy landraces in Western Odisha

Despite the Green Revolution's impact, many small-scale farmers continue cultivating landraces for their agronomic, culinary, and cultural values. This study, conducted in Odisha, focuses on region-specific on-farm conservation practices employed by farmers for landraces. Five focused group discussions were conducted in five villages, involving 15 landrace custodian farmers in each village of Western districts of Odisha. The Four-Square Analysis, a participatory approach, was utilized to evaluate landrace conservation practices in five villages. Principal Component Analysis and Biplot visualization were employed to analyze the relationships between practices, varieties, and conservation scores. Focused group discussion revealed that a total of 30 paddy landraces were cultivated and conserved in the sampled villages. The study identified diverse landraces such as Kalabati, Katia, and Kusum kali, each valued for unique traits and cultural significance. Paddy landraces with disease resistance, medicinal value, and economic significance were commonly cultivated in households or on a larger scale. Important agronomic practices involved organic farming, reduced fertilizer use, biological pest control, System of Rice Intensification (SRI), and bacterial culture for landrace conservation. Management practices comprised seed banks, diversity blocks, seed exchanges, and community cultivation. The findings highlight the importance of farmers' indigenous knowledge, their beliefs and cultural practices in conserving landraces. Landraces which were rare and cultivated due to cultural or social importance require special attention in conservation efforts. Incentivizing community involvement and implementing tailored strategies would be crucial for effective landrace conservation initiatives

A preliminary study on the safety and efficacy of the compound Unani medicine Jawarish-e-Shahi in the treatment of palpitation

Heart palpitations are the sensations or feelings that accompany an excessively rapid, skip-beat, or fluttering heartbeat. Heart palpitations can be brought on by a variety of factors, such as anxiety, tension, fear, caffeine, nicotine, some medications, dietpills, physical activity, and fever. Herbal remedies have long been utilized widely in the therapeutic management of palpitations because available synthetic medications have substantial negative effects. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of the Unani medication Jawarish-e-Shahi in patients experiencing palpitations. The information provided here is an open-level, multicentric clinical study that was carried out at the “Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine in Aligarh”, Uttar Pradesh, from 2016 to 2019 on 74 cases of palpitation streated with Jawarish-e-Shahi. A p-value of<0.05 was proved to be significant in the statistical analysis of the presented data, which was conducted using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Dunnett's test. The study's findings, which were compared to baseline data from various follow-ups of palpitation cases treated with Jawarish-e-Shahi, demonstrated a notable improvement in a number of palpitation symptoms, including anxiety, perspiration, nausea, vomiting, and chest heaviness. A significant decline in diastolic pressure and pulse rate had also been observed. Reduction in number of pallor (pale appearance of patients) in baseline, 1st follow-up and post-treatment had been noted. Based on the investigation, the Unani medicine is safe and non-toxic. More research on a large size of population with palpitations is suggested for further study.

Reviving the traditional cloth toy craft of Haryana

Haryana has a rich tradition of handicrafts. Traditional cloth toys are one of the most valuable handicrafts. The rural women of Haryana were expert in making variety of these toys. The most common toys were gindu (ball) gudia (doll), jhoonjhana (rattle), saikal (bicycle with a rider), bail (pair of bullocks, in khadar zone) or oont (a camel in bagar zone), baandar- baandri (pair of monkeys), ghora (horse rider), etc. This traditional art of making cloth toys is now extinct. The present study was an attempt to prove the potential of revival of traditional cloth toy crafts of Haryana. For this purpose the traditional stuffed toy bullock was modified to suit the needs and taste of potential contemporary users. The market potential of the modified toy bullock was got assessed by Indian as well as foreign people at trade fair, Delhi. The assessment was done on the basis of aesthetic appeal, utility, workmanship, uniqueness, colour combination, fabric and traditional value. The overall acceptability of modified toy bullock was found to be very good

The effect of different doses of Tarantula-Logoplex® on oxidative status and biochemical parameters in Japanese quails

Two commercial forms of Tarantula cubensis (TC) extract are used as homeopathic agents in veterinary medicine. These are Tarantula-Logoplex® (TL) and Theranekron® (THR). This study aims to evaluate the effect of TL on albumin (ALB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), cholesterol (CHO), creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) values in healthy quails. A total of 24 Japanese quails were divided into 2 equal groups TL0.6 (n: 12, 0.6 mL/animal, IM) and TL0.8 (n: 12, 0.8 mL/animal, IM). Before the application, control blood was taken from the medial metatarsal vein of 6 quails in each group. Blood was drawn from the medial metatarsal vein at the 2nd, 4th, 8th, 24th and 48th hours after administration (6 quails were used at each sampling time). Animals were euthanized by decapitation after blood collection at the last sampling time. ALB, AST, ALP, CHO, CRE and BUN levels were measured with an auto-analyzer, whereas MDA, SOD and CAT values were determined with an ELISA reader. TL caused increases in hepatic damage markers (AST, ALP) and fluctuations in oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD). Due to the increase in AST and ALP values in Japanese quail, it is recommended to be careful when using TL at these doses