Women Participation And Decentralised Politics

The position of women in politics was analyzed a number of years ago in the well-known United Nations study edited by Maurice Duverger. Men continued to believe that political activity was a masculine Prerogative. The old theory of female incapacity had been replaced by a „functional‟ theory about the division of aptitudes, which is necessarily reflected in the division of labour. In its modernized form, this kind of functional theory recognizes the right of women to work outside the home and to participate in civic and political affairs, yet emphases their special concern with „home policy‟ matters, i.e., motherhood and its problems, education and the family. Women‟s political activity becomes channeled into these areas rather than into political parties, trade unions and the life. The best way to judge the position of a nation is to find out the status of women. In reality the status of women is the measuring rod for assessing the standard of culture of any age. The social status of women is a country- represents the social spirit of the age

Women Representation and Rural Politics

The Panchayathraj system has been playing an important role for development of the social economic and political life of the rural Women representation of rural politics. Village is the basic unit of social life in India. This is fact that more than three-fourth Indian population still lives in the villages. The concern of the government for the life, liberty and prosperity of the rural masses, soon after independence, was reflected in various measures adopted by it to better their lot. As a matter of fact, the prominent leader‟s freedom struggle such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Jai Prakash Narian indicated that the major task of Independent India would be to take democracy to the grass-roots level and to involve the rural masses in the task of national reconstruction. According to Mahatma Gandhi, true democracy could not worked by twenty men sitting at the Centre. It has to be worked out from below by the people of every village. The author concludes with a suggestion that the village Grama Panchayathiayats are not the relic of tribalism of feudalism but are the results of mature political thinking through ages. Village Grama Panchayathiayats in India could really succeed in bringing about decentralization of economic and political power under the conditions of social and equality. Firstly, interaction between enlightened rural women and illiterate elected one‟s should be encouraged. Secondly, these women could be taken out to the urban areas and their interaction with educated urban elected women representatives be arranged

N-Acetylcysteine amide: A derivative to fulfill the promises of N-Acetylcysteine

In the present human health scenario, implication of oxidative stress in numerous pathologies including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, liver, renal, pulmonary disorders, and cancer has gained attention. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), a popular thiol antioxidant, has been clinically used to treat various pathophysiological disorders. However, NAC therapy is routine only in paracetamol intoxication and as a mucolytic agent. Over six decades, numerous studies involving NAC therapy have yielded inconsistent results, and this could be due to low bioavailability. In order to overcome the limitations of NAC, an amide derivative N-Acetylcysteine amide (NACA) has been synthesized to improve the lipophilicity, membrane permeability, and antioxidant property. Recent studies have demonstrated the blood-brain barrier permeability and therapeutic potentials of NACA in neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple sclerosis, Tardive dyskinesia, and HIV-associated neurological disorders. In addition, NACA displays protective effect against pulmonary inflammation and antibiotic-induced apoptosis. Forthcoming research on the possible therapeutic properties of NACA and its generics in the management of pathologies associated with extracellular matrix degradation and oxidative stress-related inflammation is highly exiting. Superior bioavailability of NACA is likely to fulfill the promises of NAC as well as a molecule to improve the endurance and resident time of bioscaffolds and biomaterials. Till date, more than 800 reviews on NAC have been published. However, no comprehensive review is available on the therapeutic applications of NACA. Therefore, the current review would be the first to emphasize the therapeutic potentials of NACA and its derivatives

Implications of phytochemicals in snakebite management: Present status and future prospective

In spite of vast advances in healthcare services, treatment of snakebite still remains a challenge to medical fraternity, because of unresolved complications of severe local tissue damage and consequential physical disabilities. Though anti-venom therapy reduces mortality, is ineffective against local tissue damage. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that several alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids, saponins, sterols, glycosides, etc., from herbal medicines effectively neutralized local tissue damage induced by venom toxins/enzymes. This review emphasizes the interplay of venom toxins/enzymes in local toxicity and their neutralization using phytochemicals. Further, approaches using phytochemicals and anti-venoms are reviewed for better management of snakebite

Topical application of serine proteases from Wrightia tinctoria R. Br. (Apocyanaceae) latex augments healing of experimentally induced excision wound in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance Wrightia tinctoria R. Br. (Apocyanaceae) is a folk medicinal plant known to have immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antihemorrhagic potential. Wrightia tinctoria latex is used for treatment of various clinical conditions including psoriasis, blisters, mouth ulcers, and extensively for topical application on fresh wounds to promote accelerated healing. Aims of the study To investigate the wound healing potential of Wrightia tinctoria latex proteases using a mouse model. Materials and methods Proteolytic activity of Wrightia tinctoria latex proteases (WTLP) was determined on various substrates (casein, gelatin and collagen (type-I and IV)). The thermal stability and the class of proteases present in WTLP were determined using heat treatment and specific protease inhibitors, respectively. Excision wound model in mice was used to evaluate the healing potential of WTLP application (twice daily, 10 mg/kg). Neosporin, a standard drug, was used for comparison. The progression of healing was monitored using physical (wound contraction), biochemical (collagen content, catalase and MMP activity) and histological examinations. Results WTLP contains thermostable serine proteases, which are completely inhibited by PMSF. WTLP showed strong caseinolytic, gelatinolytic and collagenolytic activity. The excision wound healing rate upon WTLP treatment was significantly higher than (>2-fold) the control group (49% vs. 18%, *p<0.01) on day 3 and throughout the study. PMSF pre-treated and heat denatured WTLP failed to promote wound healing. In addition, serial biochemical analysis of the granulation tissue demonstrated 1.5-fold more (2444±100 vs. 1579±121 μg/100 mg tissue) hydroxyproline content and 5.6-fold higher catalase activity (16.7±1.3 vs. 3±0.3 units/mg) compared to controls. Further, the enhanced collagen content and matrix metalloproteinase activity correlated with wound contraction rate following WTLP and Neosporin treatment. Histological analysis on day 9 confirmed complete epithelialization, re-establishment of skin structure and accelerated wound healing following WTLP treatment. Conclusions The thermostable serine proteases of Wrightia tinctoria latex are directly involved in the wound healing process. Our findings provide a biochemical basis for the role of WTLP in the enhancement of wound healing. The study supports traditional topical application of Wrightia tinctoria latex on fresh wounds to promote accelerated healing

Local and systemic toxicity of echis carinatus venom: neutralization by cassia auriculata l. leaf methanol extract

Viper bites cause high morbidity and mortality especially in tropical and subtropical regions, affecting a large number of the rural population in these areas. Even though anti-venoms are available, in most cases they fail to tackle viper venom-induced local manifestations that persist even after anti-venom administration. Several studies have been reported the use of plant products and approved drugs along side anti-venom therapy for efficient management of local tissue damage. In this regard, the present study focuses on the protective efficacy of Cassia auriculata L. (Leguminosae) against Echis carinatus venom (ECV) induced toxicity. C. auriculata is a traditional medicinal plant, much valued in alternative medicine for its wide usage in ayurveda, naturopathy, and herbal therapy. Further, it has been used widely by traditional healers for treatment of snake and scorpion bites in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. In the present study, C. auriculata leaf methanol extract (CAME) significantly inhibited enzymatic activities of ECV proteases (96 +/- A 1 %; P = 0.001), PLA(2) (45 +/- A 5 %; P = 0.01) and hyaluronidases (100 %; P = 0.0003) in vitro and hemorrhage, edema and myotoxicity in vivo. Further, CAME effectively reduced the lethal potency of ECV and increased the survival time of mice by similar to 6 times (17 vs 3 h). These inhibitory potentials of CAME towards hydrolytic enzymes, mortal and morbid symptoms of ECV toxins clearly substantiates the use by traditional healers of C. auriculata as a folk medicinal remedy for snakebite

Malabarase, a serine protease with anticoagulant activity from Trimeresurus malabaricus venom

In the present study we describe the purification and characterization of Malabarase, a serine protease from Trimeresurus malabaricus venom. Purification was achieved by gel-permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-75 followed by ion-exchange chromatography on CM Sephadex C-25. Homogeneity of Malabarase was confirmed by RP-HPLC. Malabarase is a monomer that migrated as a single protein band on SDS-PAGE under both reducing and non-reducing conditions. The molecular mass of Malabarase was determined to be 23.4. kDa using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Malabarase is the first serine protease purified from T. malabaricus venom and is selective for fibrinogen. Malabarase hydrolyzes Aα and Bβ but not γ-chains of fibrinogen similar to the metalloproteases, Malabarin and Trimarin, isolated from the same venom. However, the action of Malabarase on plasma coagulation is opposite than those of Malabarin, Trimarin and the whole venom. Malabarase significantly prolonged plasma coagulation time from 152-341. s; whereas Malabarin, Trimarin, and whole venom, greatly reduce plasma clotting time from 152 to 12, 48, and 14. s, respectively. Malabarase did not show hemorrhagic or myotoxic activity. In contrast, Malabarin, Trimarin and whole venom are highly hemorrhagic and myotoxic. These observations support the specificity of Malabarase towards fibrinogen and its non-toxic nature. In conclusion, Malabarase is a fibrinogen-specific, anti-coagulant, and non-toxic serine protease. Its selective action and non-toxic nature might make it useful for treating thrombotic disorders

Differential action of Indian Big Four snake venom toxins on blood coagulation

Snake venom toxins affect hemostasis by modulating blood coagulation factors resulting in pro/anti-coagulant status of blood. Most of the reported effects are in vitro which do not reflect in-vivo coagulation status. The specific interference of venom toxins on coagulation factor(s) in vivo can be used as a marker to identify the snake species responsible for envenomation and administration of species-specific anti-venom thereafter. The current review attempts to highlight specific alterations induced by BIG FOUR venomous snakes of India towards blood coagulation factors. Future insights in this regard will be valuable in identifying the snake species responsible for bite which in most cases is unknown

Purification and characterization of an anti-hemorrhagic protein from Naja naja (Indian cobra) venom

Snake venom Kunitz-type proteins are well known to inhibit serine proteases but a few studies have also shown matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) inhibition. In view of the fact that MMPs and snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs) have similar catalytic site, inhibition of SVMP activity by Kunitz-type proteins remains to be studied. Recent proteomic studies of Naja naja (N. naja) venom revealed the abundance of Kunitz-type proteins. In this regard, present study aimed at purification of a protease inhibitor from N. naja venom that inhibits the toxicity of SVMPs rich Echis carinatus (E. carinatus) venom. N. naja venom effectively inhibited E. carinatus venom-induced hemorrhage. Purification of the active principle responsible for anti-hemorrhagic effect was achieved by fractionation of N. naja venom in three successive chromatographic steps. SDS-PAGE revealed that purified anti-hemorrhagic protein (NNAh) has an apparent molecular mass of ∼44 kDa and single peak in RP-HPLC demonstrated its homogeneity. NNAh also inhibited myonecrosis induced by E. carinatus venom and reduced activity of creatine kinase in NNAh treated animal sera substantiated the anti-myonecrotic effect. Hemorrhage and myonecrosis inhibitory effects of NNAh were further supported by inhibition of E. carinatus venom-mediated gelatinolysis and collagenolysis. NNAh falls into the category of Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor as determined by peptide mass fingerprinting and shown to be a strong inhibitor of chymotrypsin. Collectively our data signify that NNAh is a Kunitz-type chymotrypsin inhibitor which also inhibited metalloprotease activities of E. carinatus venom. In future, complete sequence of NNAh and peptide region(s) responsible for inhibition will assist to deduce the mechanism of action