Effect of Selected Fruit Wastes on Hematological Parameters in DEN-Induced Hepatic Carcinoma in Rats

Fruits and processed food demand has greatly increased due to which a huge amount of fruit waste is generated. In this study, the effect of the ethanolic extract of waste material Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel and Vitis vinifera (grapes) seeds was evaluated on hematological parameters in Wistar rats with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced hepatocellular carcinoma. The treatments were divided into four groups: Group 1 was untreated while Groups 2-4 received 200 mg/kg body weight of DEN by single intraperitoneal administration. Groups 3 and 4 received DEN and co-treated with 400 mg/kg pomegranate peel extract and 400 mg/kg grape seed extract, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the body weight of animals in Group 2, while Group 3 and 4 animals were found to have a significant rise in body weight. The weight of the liver was significantly increased in the cancer-bearing group and its size was significantly reverted in the treated groups. The kidney and spleen showed a significant decrease in size of cancer-induced groups, and these organs significantly increased in treated groups. Hemoglobin, red blood cells (RBC), neutrophil, packed cell volume (PCV), Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were significantly reduced in Group 2 animals compared to Group 1. The levels of white blood cells (WBC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were increased significantly in Group 2 animals relating to Group 1. Both in Group 3 and 4 animals, these changes were reversed. Results reveal that selected fruit wastes alleviate vital hematological parameters in hepatocellular carcinoma-induced rats

Children pillion rider safety awareness among motorcycle users in Malaysia

Motorcycle is one of the more popular modes of transport for Malaysian people due to its low price and easy usability. This paper reviews the current safety initiatives undertaken to address the need to enhance children safety whilst riding as pillion on motorcycles and suggest possible remedial action to counter the possible lack of awareness for child pillion riders. A search was undertaken of all the major database of articles. Articles related to children’s safety systems, children related injuries, children related accident data, available laws and legislation were reviewed. There is a greater need for the stricter enforcement of safety laws in Malaysia due to the fact that the accident statistics show a large percentage of motorcycle accidents involve pillion riding children. However, enforcement of laws in developing countries is not easy and one has to start at the root of the problem, i.e. the parents and adults who ride these children as pillion on motorcycles. This paper highlights the need for new safety initiatives and programmes to be undertaken by the government, law agencies and non-governmental organisations for parents and adults to understand the importance of their children safety while riding on motorcycles. Engineering countermeasures and intervention are needed to protect these vulnerable users. Besides the helmet, a device capable of providing some sort of protection to the child whilst riding pillion should be designed and developed

Screening for adulticidal bioactivity of South African plants against Anopheles arabiensis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was conducted to evaluate whether a selection of South African ethnomedicinal plants included in this study displayed insecticidal properties when screened against adult stages of the mosquito.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>381 crude extracts of 80 plant taxa in 42 families were sprayed onto ceramic tiles and screened using the cone bio-assay method for insecticide efficacy testing. Blood-fed, female <it>Anopheles arabiensis </it>mosquitoes were exposed to the treated tiles for a period of sixty minutes. Mosquito mortality was monitored for twenty-four hours.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of all the extracts analysed, the highest activity was observed in <it>Ptaeroxylon obliquum </it>(Ptaeroxylaceae) and <it>Pittosporum viridiflorum </it>(Pittosporaceae), a single extract from each, exhibiting more than 50% mortality. A large proportion (81.63%) of the extracts tested displayed low levels of mosquitocidal activity. The remainder of the extracts (17.85%) exhibited no bioactivity (0% mortality).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The screening results have shown that in accordance with WHO standards, none of the crude extracts tested had exhibited greater than 60% mortality against the adult stages of the malaria vector <it>Anopheles arabiensis</it>.</p

Design, Development and Evaluation of Herbal Extract Loaded Nanogel of Abutilon Indicum Linn for Hemorrhoids

The Aim of the present study is to formulate and evaluate the nanogel of ABUTILON INDICUM LINN. The objective of the work is satisfied with the following methodology: The authenticated plant leaf was powdered and transferred to the soxhlet apparatus for crude drug extraction by using ethanol (500ml). The process is maintained in 60 ˚C for 8 hours. The extract was collected in round bottom flask and concentrated by heating. Finally it was stored in suitable temperature. 2ml of extract was used in different 5 trials (ANGF1 TO ANGF5) Then prepared nanogel was subjected to evaluation test. In ABUTILON INDICUM LINN many formulation were reported for different activities like Anti inflammatory activity, Lipid lowering activity, Analgesic activity, Antioxidant and antibacterial activity, Hepatoprotective activity, Hypoglycemic activity, Antidiarrhoeal activity but now this novel formulation of nanogel in ABUTILON INDICUM LINN is mainly focusing on hemorrhoids. One out of four of human population may suffer with hemmorrhoidal symptoms atleast once in life time so this formulation may be effective and beneficial for the society. From the results of the present experimental investigation, it may be concluded that the formulation of ABUTILON INDICUM LINN nanogel showing small vesicle size, with desire release of ABUTILON INDICUM LINN. Hence, ANGF5 is the optimized formulation. The optimized formulation was found to follow zero order release pattern which was revealed by the linearity shown from the plot of Time vs Concentration. So we can conclude that ABUTILON INDICUM LINN nanogel facilitate higher cellular penetration and possess high bioavailability and sustained release

Evaluation of phytomedicines from street herbal vendors in Tamil Nadu, South India

26-39A survey was conducted among the street herbal vendors during 1997-2000 in eight districts of Tamil Nadu, South India to highlight the use of medicinal plants used for the preparation of various traditional medicines. More than 100 medicinal plants are used by the herbal vendors for the preparation of different types of medicines for the treatment of about 25 ailments. The paper also discusses antimicrobial activity of different street herbal formulations against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginoso and Candida albicans.</i

Conceptual design and prototype of an ergonomic back-leaning posture support for motorbike riders

599-604This study presents a prototype of an ergonomic back-leaning postures support for motorbike in Malaysia. Motorbike riders are more exposed to musculoskeletal disorders such as lower back pain. Prototype consists of two basic components, frame and backrest cushion. Prototype back-leaning posture support is evaluated by comparing it with anthropometry data in terms of flexible range accommodations and by test runs on road with riders. Prototype has shown better comfort seating, adjustability, stability, solidity, durability and safety for riders

Study on Physiological Effects on Palm Oil Mill Workers Exposed to Extreme Heat Condition

406-410The objective of this study was to determine heat exposure on palm oil mill workers and its effect on physiological changes in them. Parameters considered environmental temperature, relative humidity, metabolic workload, body core temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. The average time of monitoring was 2 hrs for intermittent exposure and 8 hrs for overall exposure. Workers were exposed to moderate heat stress during this study period. There were significant differences between heat exposure and physiological changes before shift and after working for 2 hrs and 8 hrs, respectively. Metabolic workload of respondents in medium work category was 200-350 kcal/hr in respect to ACGIH level. Overall heat exposure levels in all divs. in this palm oil mills were found unsuitable for working duration of 8 hrs a day. This study also found that the WBGTin value exceeded the limit of ACGIH for a medium workload category (75% work, 25% rest). Ideally, every area in each division requires individuals to work for 50% of the time and rest for 50% of time for each working shift

Effects to teaching environment of noise level in school classrooms

659-664This study determines noise level in school classrooms during school hours and identifies the effects of noise to teaching environment in classrooms using a Sound Level Meter (SLM) and a questionnaire survey on 44 teachers and 150 students. Data analyses, using t-test, one sample t-test and one-way ANOVA (Tukey’s HSD Post Hoc test), indicates that noise level in school classroom during school hours exceeded WHO guideline value. This noise affects teachers and students in term of teaching and learning process and human health