ANTIOXIDANT AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF THE MIXTURE OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF ALPINIA SPECIOSA AND ALPINIA CALCARATA RHIZOME

Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate the antioxidant and free radipotentials of the mixture ethanolic extract of rhizomes of Alpinia speciosa and Alpinia calcarata.Methods: The ethanolic mixture extract of rhizomes was prepared in the ratio of 50:50 of Alpinia speciosa and Alpinia calcarata was subjected to the analysis of phytochemicals, total phenolics and flavonoid contents and free radical scavenging activities such as DPPH, Nitric oxide radical, Superoxide radical, Hydroxyl radical, Ferric reducing antioxidant power, reducing power and Metal ion-chelating activities were determined.Results: The rhizome mixture extract showed total antioxidant content, good flavonoid and moderate amounts of phenolics content. In DPPH, Nitric oxide and Superoxide radical scavenging activity, IC50 was found 136.22±3.44 µg/ml, 53.67±0.47µg/ml, 74.20±1.48µg/ml respectively with the standard ascorbic acid [3.61±0.20 µg/ml, 49.06±0.18 µg/ml and 39.81±0.22 µg/ml]. For the Hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, the IC50 values were 42.02±2.51 µg/ml with the standard Rutin [17.15±0.02 µg/ml]. The Ferric reducing antioxidant power was found 497.32±7.49 mmol/Fe (II)g with the standard Ascorbic acid 1956.20±74.08 mmol/Fe (II)g. The Metal chelating activity was found 96.23±0.39 mg EDTA/g sample with the standard ascorbic acid 205.86±0.53 mg EDTA/g sample. The reducing power was determined, the concentrations 20 µg/ml absorbance of the rhizome mixture was 0.05 and 100 µg/ml absorbance 0.14 with the standard ascorbic acid was absorbance 0.54 and 2.0.Conclusion: The results of present study showed that mixture ethanolic extract of rhizomes of Alpinia speciosa and Alpinia calcarata possesses high potential antioxidant activity and could be a potential source a natural antioxidant that could have great importance as therapeutic agents in preventing oxidative stress-related degenerative diseases

Clinical Study on Palmoplantar Keratoderma

INTRODUCTION : Palmoplantar keratodermas are a heterogenous group of disorders characterized by hyperkeratosis of palms and soles. They may be inherited or acquired disorders. Clinically there are three major patterns of involvement, diffuse, focal and punctate types. The differentiation between the different types depends on the presence or absence of transgrediens, erythematous borders, hyperhidrosis and systemic involvement. Acquired PPK occur later in life, and attributable to an underlying etiology like inflammatory and reactive dermatoses, infections, drugs, systemic diseases and internal malignancy. In the evaluation of PPK, a thorough history taking including the family history is essential to establish clinical diagnosis to assess the prognosis, to take therapeutic decisions and offer genetic counseling. The terminology and nosology of inherited PPK are continuously evolving. Advances in molecular genetics may help in further simplification. As they are rare disorders, literature reports are based on individual family reports. Only few studies are available about the prevalence of palmoplantar keratoderma in the Indian population. Systematic analysis on the etiology of PPK’s has not been done so far in our population. Hence we have undertaken this study to analyze about PPK in detail. AIM OF STUDY : 1. To study the prevalence of PPK among patients attending the Dermatology OPD, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai. 2. To study the etiology of PPK whether inherited or acquired. 3. To analyse the age distribution. 4. To Analyse the sex distribution. 5. To analyse various clinical presentations and associated Symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS : STUDY DESIGN : Descriptive study. STUDY PERIOD : Two years from October 2009-September 2011. STUDY CENTRE : Department of Dermatology and Leprosy, Rajiv Gandhi Government General hospital, Madras Medical College, Chennai. STUDY POPULATION : Patients with Palmoplantar keratoderma attending the Out Patient Department of Dermatology and leprosy, Rajiv Gandhi Government General hospital were enrolled for the study. DATA COLLECTION : Based on the proforma, detailed analysis was done which include the history taking, with particular emphasis on the age of onset of the disease, progression of the disease, involvement beyond the palms and soles, discoloration of the keratotic surface, recurrent skin infections, recurrent blisters, constricting bands over digits, auto amputation of digits, dryness of skin, seasonal variation and collodion baby. History of itching, scaling of the skin, characteristics of scales, pain, fissuring of the keratotic surface, bleeding from the fissures, malodor from the thickened surface, burning sensation, skin lesions elsewhere in the body, pigmentary disturbances and photosensitivity was noted History of appendageal involvement like hypo or hyperhidrosis, hair changes like woolly hair, teeth involvement, mucosal involvement and nail changes was also recorded. History of involvement of other structures like eyes and ears and involvement of other systems like cardiovascular system, central nervous system was also enquired. P r evious treatment history and response to the treatment were also recorded.Detailed family history, history of consanguinity and involvement of siblings and first degree relatives were noted. Pedigree chart was drawn for patients with hereditary palmoplantar keratoderma. RESULTS : Out of 86,429 patients who attended our outpatient department during the study period, total number of patients with palmoplantar keratoderma was129 corresponding to 0.15%. Based on the age of onset, family history, consanguinity and clinical presentation, the patients were classified into hereditary and acquired PPK, consisting of 70 and 59 patients respectively, represents 0.08% and 0.06% of total PPK. CONCLUSION : The prevalence of PPK at the Department of Dermatology and Leprosy, Rajiv Gandhi Government General hospital, Madras Medical College, Chennai was 0.15%. Hereditary PPK constituted about 0.08% and acquired PPK constituted 0.06%. In hereditary PPK itself, PPK syndromes and PPK associated with genodermatosis constituted about 61.43% and 38.57% respectively. • Hereditary PPK was commonly detected in second decade (37.14%). Acquired PPK was commonly seen in the fifth decade (33.89%). Overall it was commonly seen in the second decade 32.8%. • Gender wise analysis showed that Hereditary PPK was more common in males (54.29%) than females (45.73%). In hereditary PPK a males topped the list with 61.42%. However in acquired PPK female preponderance is seen with 54.23%. • Acquired PPK was commonly noted in house wives and manual laborers (33.89%). • Diffuse nontransgrediens type was the common pattern (77%) in hereditary type. Focal type was the common pattern (54.27%) in the acquired type. • Unna Thost syndrome was the common one. Among which males were commonly affected. • Others syndromes which was seen in decreasing order of their prevalence were Mal de Meleda, Naxos disease, Griethers disease, Olmsted syndrome, Papillon Lefevere syndrome, Clouston syndrome, Focal plantar keratoderma and Marginal keratoderma. • Among the PPK associated with other genodermatosis, Ichthyosis Vulgaris was frequently seen followed by Bullous Icthyosiform Erythroderma, Lamellar ichthyosis, Sjogren Larsson syndrome, Familial pitryasis rubra pilaris, Kindler syndrome, Epidermolysis bullosa, Symmetrical progressive erythrokeratoderma, Pachy dermo periosteitis and Dowling Degos disease. • In the acquired PPK, psoriasis was the common cause followed by hand and foot eczema. • Psoriasis was common in females and in fifth decade. • Hereditary PPK had poor DLQI SCORE. • The common complications was fissuring. Pitted keratolysis is the common secondary infection. • Systemic associations were found to be rare

Rainfall Uncertainty and Drought Proofing Strategies by farmers in Southern India

Droughts are a common occurrence in semi-arid areas and their frequency and intensity is expected to increase further with increasing variability in rainfall distribution. Based on a study of 120 farmers from 4 districts in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, this paper identified the range of measures farmers adopt in response to droughts. Despite significant negative externalities, farmers assign higher priority to drilling new wells rather than investing in water conservation structures or demand management strategies. Among the different strategies followed, adoption of drip irrigation and purchase of tanker water for providing life-saving irrigation to perennial crops yield the highest financial return. Expansion of micro irrigation and reuse of municipal waste water are suggested as drought mitigation strategies

Phytochemical screening and antibacterial evaluation of stem bark of Mallotus philippinensis var. Tomentosus

Mallotus philippinensis var. Tomentosus is a medicinal plant, which was tested against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Bacillus subtilis. Phytochemicalscreening of the stem bark of M. philippinensis indicates the presence of secondary metabolites. From the results obtained, eluted fractions of chloroform and methanolic extracts showed excellent zone of inhibition comparable to the standard drug used. However, the hexane extract did not show any appreciable activity. The results of the study showed the justification of the use of the plant against the bacterial pathogens

Antibacterial properties of Passiflora foetida L. – a common exotic medicinal plant

Passiflora foetida L. (stinking passion flower) is an exotic medicinal vine. The antibacterial properties of leaf and fruit (ethanol and acetone) extracts were screened against four human pathogenic bacteria i.e. Pseudomonas putida, Vibrio cholerae, Shigella flexneri and Streptococcus pyogenes by well-in agar method. The results showed the leaf extract having remarkable activity against all bacterial pathogens compared to fruits. This study supports, the traditional medicines (herbal extracts) to cure manydiseases like diarrhea, intestinal tract, throat, ear infections, fever and skin diseases

Feasibility of an Alcohol Intervention Programme for TB Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) - A Qualitative Study from Chennai, South India

The negative influences of alcohol on TB management with regard to delays in seeking care as well as non compliance for treatment has been well documented. This study is part of a larger study on the prevalence of AUD (Alcohol Use Disorder) among TB patients which revealed that almost a quarter of TB patients who consumed alcohol could be classified as those who had AUD. However there is dearth of any effective alcohol intervention programme for TB patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).This qualitative study using the ecological system model was done to gain insights into the perceived effect of alcohol use on TB treatment and perceived necessity of an intervention programme for TB patients with AUD. We used purposive sampling to select 44 men from 73 TB patients with an AUDIT score >8. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews were conducted with TB patients with AUD, their family members and health providers.TB patients with AUD report excessive alcohol intake as one of the reasons for their vulnerability for TB. Peer pressure has been reported by many as the main reason for alcohol consumption. The influences of alcohol use on TB treatment has been elaborated especially with regard to the fears around the adverse effects of alcohol on TB drugs and the fear of being reprimanded by health providers. The need for alcohol intervention programs was expressed by the TB patients, their families and health providers. Suggestions for the intervention programmes included individual and group sessions, involvement of family members, audiovisual aids and the importance of sensitization by health staff.The findings call for urgent need based interventions which need to be pilot tested with a randomized control trial to bring out a model intervention programme for TB patients with AUD

In vivo efficiency of Bacillus sp. isolated from biofloc system on growth, haematological, immunological and antioxidant status of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT)

In aquaculture, Biofloc technology is emerging as one of the successful sustainable technologies to increase production. It is known to possess several immunostimulatory compounds exhibiting possible probiotic effect in culture. Here, we explored the in vivo efficiency of Bacillus infantis (T1), B. subtilis (T2), Exiguobacterium profundum (T3) and B. megaterium (T4) isolated from biofloc systems for improving the growth and immune performance of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT). Animals (10+0.08 g) were stocked at a density of 100 per m-3 in 500 L FRP tanks for 42 days in triplicate. All the four probiotics (OD =1) were mixed with basal diet in treatments and feed without probiotic maintained as control. A significant difference (P <0.05) in weight gain, specific growth rate and FCR were observed between treatments and control with 100% survival. Serum albumin, globulin, protein, total blood count, glucose, myeloperoxidase activity and SOD were significantly different (P <0.05) between treatments and control. T4 and T2 showed better immunological and anti-oxidant ability when compared to other strains. Results from principal component analysis demonstrated that B. megaterium and B. subtilis can be the promising probiotic bacteria isolated from biofloc systems exhibiting multiple benefits with improved growth and health of the culture animals

In vivo efficiency of Bacillus sp. isolated from biofloc system on growth, haematological, immunological and antioxidant status of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT)

714-721In aquaculture, Biofloc technology is emerging as one of the successful sustainable technologies to increase production. It is known to possess several immunostimulatory compounds exhibiting possible probiotic effect in culture. Here, we explored the in vivo efficiency of Bacillus infantis (T1), B. subtilis (T2), Exiguobacterium profundum (T3) and B. megaterium (T4) isolated from biofloc systems for improving the growth and immune performance of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT). Animals (10+0.08 g) were stocked at a density of 100 per m-3 in 500 L FRP tanks for 42 days in triplicate. All the four probiotics (OD =1) were mixed with basal diet in treatments and feed without probiotic maintained as control. A significant difference (P 0.05) in weight gain, specific growth rate and FCR were observed between treatments and control with 100% survival. Serum albumin, globulin, protein, total blood count, glucose, myeloperoxidase activity and SOD were significantly different (P B. megaterium and B. subtilis can be the promising probiotic bacteria isolated from biofloc systems exhibiting multiple benefits with improved growth and health of the culture animals