FLORISTIC DIVERSITY OF KAKALBHAGI AND BORAKOTA WETLAND OF SONITPUR DISTRICT, ASSAM

Aquatic plants support all life forms through extensive food webs and biodiversity, therefore they are known as “Kidney of the Landscape” and also “Biological Super Market”. Richness of biodiversity especially of angiospermic plants is well observed in aquatic or wetland vegetation.  The present study records the valuable aquatic plants of Kakalbhagi and Borakota wetlands of Sonitpur district having economic as well as ethnomedicinal importance. From the study, a total of 72 species has been enlisted; Asteraceae and Araceae are found to be dominant in dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous families respectively. Ipomoea aquatica, Marsilea minuta, Nymphaea nouchali, Nymphaea rubra, Nymphaea pubescens are some economically important aquatic species of those wetlands. But due to natural as well as anthropogenic activities like encroachment for construction, excessive collection of species for various commercial purposes, pollution etc. the floristic diversity is decreasing very rapidly and creating threats to the native flora of the region. It is unfortunate to say that the richness of density of some species like Euryale ferox, Trapa natans are decreasing day by day at an alarming rate. So it is very much urgent to take every action for proper conservation of these two significant wetlands of the district of Sonitpur

Diversity and inventorization of angiospermic flora in Dibrugarh district, Assam, Northeast India

The floristic composition of the Dibrugarh District of Assam has remained unexplored and the present study on Angiosperms addresses this fact. A total of 462 species of flowering plants belonging to 334 genera under 106 families recorded as per the APG IV system of classification and 116 families were recorded according to Bentham and Hooker system. 39% of native species were included in superorder Superrosids, 29% from superorder Superasterids, 18% from superorder Monocots and 7% from superorder Magnoliids. The orders with the highest number of native species were Lamiales (35), Malpighiales (29), Rosales (26), Gentianales (23), Sapindales (18), Fagales (19), Alismatales (17), Poales (14), Zingiberales (13) and Laurales (11) which accounted for 60.8% of the species. A total of 129 non-native or invasive species were represented in 12 superorders. Habit analysis showed that herbs were represented by the highest proportion followed by trees, shrubs and climbers. Twenty species are listed under various IUCN threat categories and one species under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Traditional uses of some reported species were also documented. The present study was conducted to understand the diversity of local flora, which can be helpful in the conservation of natural vegetation and sustainable utilisation of resources in this region

Pesticide applications in Agriculture and its Environmental and Human Health Impacts

The use of chemicals in modern agriculture has significantly increased productivity is very common now a days. There has been an increase in the concentration of pesticides in food and in our environment, with associated negative effects on human health and the environment. The excessive use of pesticides has generated increasing concerns on the negative effects of human health as well as the environment. Impact on the environment of Pesticides can pose serious distress on soil, water, territory, and other vegetation. The pesticides application directly kill the insects, pest, weeds and pathogens but it also indirectly can be harmful and toxic on to the host of the other organism which are birds, beneficial insects, and all other non-target plant and animals. Insecticides are usually the most extremely toxic class of pesticides; however, herbicides can also pose risks to non-target organisms. With this concern most of the pesticides and chemicals are non-biodegradable, and as a result of bioaccumulation, they can enter into the food chain and eventually distress human and animal health, on the whole environment and ecosystem

Sustainable prospective of some selected species from Moraceae and Araceae family of Northeast India: A Review

The north-eastern region of India is a rich hub of floristic diversity. The intricate relationship between forest resources and indigenous people is a key to sustainability and rural livelihood. The objective is to review on some plants that has possible function for sustainable source of food. The regional people have been utilizing various species of the two commonly available angiosperm plant families viz. Araceae (Alocasia macrorrhizos, Colocasia esculenta) and Moraceae (Ficus carica, F. semicordata, F. auriculata) as a source of food, herbal medicine, and fodder plants. A variety of natural compounds found among various members of these two families are alkaloids viz., Alocasin B, ?-monopalmitin in A. macrorrhizos; flavonoids viz., orientin, isovitexin, in C. esculenta; betulinic acid, lupeol in F. auriculata; quercetin, leucine, tryptophan in F. carica; terpenoids like ?-thuzene, ?-pinene in F. semicordata; besides the presence of phenols, tannins, saponins, fats, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins, minerals like Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Cu. The rich tradition of indigenous herbal healthcare practices for curing various ailments are widespread among the rural communities. The review entails the indigenous practices with pharmacological efficacy, phytochemistry and sustainable prospects of Moraceae and Araceae which are widely used in food, nutraceutical and medicinal aspects. These lesser-known plant species may attribute to ecological restoration, bioremediation of toxic compounds, discovery of novel therapeutics, sources of carbon sink in near future as well

Study on folk remedies using medicinal plants by Karbi tribe of West Karbi Anglong District, Assam, India

The present study was conducted to document the indigenous knowledge on folk medicines of the Karbi tribe in three remote villages of West Karbi Anglong district, Assam. A total of 80 ethnomedicinal plants recorded were used in treatment of 31 different ailments. Data were collected through restructured questionnaire and quantitative analysis was done. Herbaceous plants occupied the maximum numbers and leaves were the most used plant part among the other parts. The Fic value ranged from 0.74-1, and the used value (UV) ranged from 0.02-1.2; Azadirachta indica was found to be have the highest UV. The study has revealed the pattern of people-plant interactions in the region and the importance of plant medicines playing a vital role in the health care practices and survival of the forest dwellers. There is utmost need of documenting the ethnomedicinal practices of Karbi tribe as they are passing those knowledge generations after generations only by means of practical utilizations without proper pharmacopoeia.

ASSESSMENT OF CYP2D6*10 POLYMORPHISM WITH POST HERPETIC NEURALGIA PATIENTS UNDERGOING TRAMADOL TREATMENT

objective: To evaluate association of CYP2D6*10 polymorphism with respect to demographic characteristics (age at onset, genders and weight), numerical rating scale (NRS) for measuring pain intensity in relation with resting and movement associated pain and adverse drug effects of PHN patients receiving tramadol therapy. Methods: Total 246 patients of PHN (148 males and 98 females) were selected who fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Clinicians were recorded numerical rating scores (at rest and with movement), and note down adverse drug side effects during the time of study. All samples were analyzed for CYP2D6*10 polymorphism using PCR-RFLP method. results: We observed genotype distribution of CYP2D6* 10 did not vary significantly with age at onset [non-responders (p=0.317) and responders (p=0.260)], genders[ non-responders (p=0.317) and responders (p=0.949)], and weight [non-responders (p=0.298) and responders (p=0.279)] and also did not find significant role with respect to resting (p=0.428) and movement associated type of pain (p=0.178). In addition, CYP2D6*10 was not associated with adverse effects such as somnolence (p=0.135), dizziness (p=0.178), local site reactions (p=0.535), headache (p=0.502), hypotension (p=0.567) and nausea and vomiting (p=0.268) of analgesic therapy. Therefore we conclude that, CYP2D6*10 may not be a predictor of treatment outcomes of patients with PHN receiving tramadol

Cuscuta campestris (Convolvulaceae): new addition to the alien flora of Assam, India

Cuscuta campestris is a well known holoparasitic angiosperm of the family Convolvulaceae. Here, this species is reported as a new addition to the alien Flora of the Assam state. Detailed taxonomic description has been given along with relevant information and colour photographs for its correct identification

National Social Service Scheme: Integration in Medical Education

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I woke up and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”- Rabindranath Tagore \ud National Service Scheme popularly known as “NSS” was launched on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth centenary year, 1969 under Ministry of Youth affairs and Sports, in 37 universities, involving students, with the primary aim to establish meaningful linkage between the campus and the community