A Systematic Overview on Some of the Traditionally Used Plants of Assam

Assam is a state of the North Eastern part of India. There are different types of plants well distributed in various parts of the state. These plants have various medicinal properties and are used traditionally to cure diseases because of its fewer side effects. A large number of surveys have been documented about different kinds of traditionally used plants of Assam. The purpose of this Study is to do a Systematic overview on various aspects like its taxonomical characters, geographical habitat, Cultivation along with its physicochemical constituents, Pharmacological and medicinal properties so that it can be useful to treat the various diseases efficiently. Various traditional plants such as Carica papaya, Cocos nucifera, Murraya koenigii, Ocimum sanctum, Musa paradisiaca, Averrhoa carambola, Aegle marmelos, Azadirachta indica, Citrus limonum, Psidium guajav, Hibiscus rosa sinensis, Catharanthus roseus, Trichosanthes dioica, Cynodon dactylon, Brassica rapa were reviewd. Keywords: Assam, plants, Physicochemical constituents, Pharmacological and Medicinal uses

An appraisal of clinicopathological parameters in Japanese encephalitis and changing epidemiological trends in upper Assam, India

Context: Japanese encephalitis (JE), an acute mosquito-borne viral disease, is one of the leading causes of viral encephalitis in the South-East Asian region. JE is endemic in Assam. The morbidity and mortality due to JE is significant with outbreaks every year during the monsoons. Aims: The aim was to study the clinicopathological profile of JE; to examine their role in predicting disease outcome; and to document the increase in the incidence of JE among the adult population in this region. Materials and Methods: Clinically suspected acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) cases admitted in Assam Medical College and Hospital during the period of May 2011 to April 2012 were tested by JE virus specific Immunoglobulin M capture ELISA. Statistical Analysis Used: Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0. Results: Out of 424 AES cases, 194 were JE positive. The occurrence of JE in adults was higher (P < 0.001) than the pediatric age group. The study recorded a high rate of renal dysfunction in JE cases. A single case of JE induced abortion and two cases of JE-neurocysticercosis co-infections were documented. Regression analysis revealed that adult population, unconsciousness, paresis and elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein level were associated with a worse prognosis in JE cases. Mortality in JE positive cases was higher than the JE negative cases (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The study attempts to highlight the role played by a combination of clinical and laboratory parameters in assessing the severity and outcome in JE and may help in directing the limited medical resources toward those that need it the most