Antihyperlipidemic Activity of Bauhinia purpurea Extracts in Hypercholesterolemic Albino Rats

Abstract: Bauhinia purpurea is a flowering plant. Several species of this plant are known to possess pharmacological activities. It is a less explored plant, but it possesses phytoconstituents such as flavonoids which are purported to exhibit wide pharmacological activities. In the present study the ethanol extract of unripe pods and leaves of Bauhinia purpurea was evaluated for antihyperlipidemic activity in cholesterol high fat diet (CHFD) induced hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia was induced by giving high cholesterol diet in standard rat chow diet for thirty days. The groups of rats selected for the study were treated with atorvastatin, ethanol extract of unripe pods and ethanol extract of leaves daily for the whole period. Changes in body weight and the analysis of serum lipids were carried out at the end of the study. There was a marked decrease in body weight, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels. Also there was a significant increase in high density lipoprotein levels after the treatment with Bauhinia purpurea extracts. Ethanol extract of leaves showed a marked effect over body weight reduction and also had a significant effect on the lipoprotein profile. There is a lowered atherogenic index, TC: HDL-c and LDL: HDL-c ratios in the extract treated groups. The present work indicated that Bauhinia purpurea extracts significantly suppressed the CHFD induced hyperlipidemia in rats, suggesting the antihyperlipidemic and antiatherogenic potential of the extracts. Further studies are needed to characterize the phytoconstituents responsible for the study

Growth of the Indian white prawn Penaeus indicus in relation to stocking density

One month old seed of Penaeus indicus were stocked in 4 identical ponds at stocking densities of SJm*, 10/m", 25/m» and 50/ms and after 110 days they had attained a size of 128 mm 108 mm, 88 mm and 64 mm respectively. There was a clear inverse relationship between stocking density and growth Growth was comparatively very fast during the first month and a half and then slowed down considerably in all the ponds. The implications of the observed growth patterns are discussed

Role of adipokines, oxidative stress, and endotoxins in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, implicated in the pathophysiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Present study aimed to assess the role of adipokines, oxidative stress, and endotoxins in the pathogenesis of NAFLD in T2DM.Methods: Present cross-sectional observational study included healthy controls (n=50; group 1); T2DM patients without NAFLD (n=50; group 2), T2DM patients with NAFLD (n=50; group 3). Study subjects were age and gender matched.Results: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), endotoxin, malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly elevated and adiponectin, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and glutathione (GSH) were significantly lower (p<0.001) in T2DM patients with NAFLD when compared to T2DM patients without NAFLD and controls. Endotoxin showed significant positive correlation with TNF-α (r=0.304; p<0.001), hs-CRP (r=0.193; p=0.018), and MDA (r=0.420; p<0.001), and significant negative correlation with adiponectin (r=-0.406; p<0.001). TNF-α and IL-6 showed significant positive correlation with MDA (r=0.526; p<0.001, r=0.229; p=0.005) and significant negative correlation with adiponectin (r=-0.396; p<0.001, r=-0.318; p<0.001), FRAP (r=-0.418; p<00.001, r=-0.170; p=0.038), and GSH (r=-0.353; p<0.001, r=-0.301; p<0.001).Conclusions: Authors observed elevated endotoxin, oxidative stress, inflammation and lower adiponectin levels in T2DM subjects compared to controls. These changes were more pronounced in T2DM with NAFLD when compared to T2DM without NAFLD.  Lower adiponectin levels were found to be a better predictor of NALFD in T2DM and is associated with oxidative stress and systemic inflammation

Hadron energy response of the Iron Calorimeter detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory

The results of a Monte Carlo simulation study of the hadron energy response for the magnetized Iron CALorimeter detector, ICAL, proposed to be located at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is presented. Using a GEANT4 modeling of the detector ICAL, interactions of atmospheric neutrinos with target nuclei are simulated. The detector response to hadrons propagating through it is investigated using the hadron hit multiplicity in the active detector elements. The detector response to charged pions of fixed energy is studied first, followed by the average response to the hadrons produced in atmospheric neutrino interactions using events simulated with the NUANCE event generator. The shape of the hit distribution is observed to fit the Vavilov distribution, which reduces to a Gaussian at high energies. In terms of the parameters of this distribution, we present the hadron energy resolution as a function of hadron energy, and the calibration of hadron energy as a function of the hit multiplicity. The energy resolution for hadrons is found to be in the range 85% (for 1GeV) -- 36% (for 15 GeV).Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures (24 eps files

Management of tibial diaphyseal fractures with linear external skeletal fixators using carbon connecting rods in dogs

Dogs (12) with unstable tibial diaphyseal fractures, selected for this study, were stabilized with bilateral uniplanar Type II external skeletal fixators using stainless steel positive profile centrally threaded transfixation full pins, 2- way AO clamps and indigenously designed carbon fiber rods. Clinical lameness evaluation and radiographic evaluation for fixator stability, fragment alignment and callus formation were studied. Post-operatively, no breakage or bending of the carbon fiber rods was seen throughout the fixation period. Fixator staged disassembly and complete removal was done on an average 4–9 weeks in all cases which showed grade I lameness after removal. Complications like pin tract infection, wound at suture site due to wound dehiscence and wound at pin-skin interface were seen, which subsided later without any affect on bone healing. Lameness grading, pain score and radiographic evaluation of healing were estimated in all the cases throughout the fixation period. ESF using carbon fiber connecting rod appears as a practicable method for repair of tibial diaphyseal fractures with minimum risk of fixator destabilization. Fixator staged disassembly at 4 weeks accelerated bone healing and promoted earlier limb function

Multifocal Epithelial Hyperplasia of Oral Cavity Expressing HPV 16 Gene: A Rare Entity

Focal epithelial hyperplasia is a rare contagious disease caused by human papilloma virus. Usually HPV involves either cutaneous or mucosal surfaces, whereas concomitant mucocutaneous involvement is extremely rare. We report such a unique case of multifocal epithelial hyperplasia involving multiple sites of oral cavity along with skin lesions in a 65-year-old female. We also discuss the probable multifactorial etiology and variable clinical presentations of the lesions, including evidence of HPV 16 expression, as detected by polymerase chain reaction. The present report illustrates the need for careful examination and prompt diagnosis of the disease, as it might be associated with high risk genotypes such as HPV 16 and 18