Experimental evaluation of Hiṅgvādi Ghṛta in behavioral despair using animal models

Context: Depression, a sustained mood disorder caused by selective diminution of specialized cells in brain is increasing at an alarming rate. It will be the second largest morbid illness by next decade and is the leading cause of suicidal deaths. The available antidepressant medications benefit only a third of its recipients and have many side effects. Hence, it is imperative to search in Ayurveda for leads. Aim: To evaluate Anti- depressant activity of Hiṅgvādi Ghṛta in vivo. Settings and Design: Comparative preclinical study. Materials and Methods: Hiṅgvādi Ghṛta (HG) was prepared using standard operating procedure, physicochemically analyzed and assessed. Tail Suspension Test (TST) model with Swiss albino mice and Forced Swim Test (FST) model with Wistar albino rats were used to assess anti-depressant activity. Imipramine hydrochloride in dose of 15 mg/kg for TST and 10 mg/kg for FST, was the standard drug and Ghee as vehicle control in dose of 0.1g/20g for TST and 0.72g/200g for FST orally. Hiṅgvādi Ghṛta in doses of 0.05g/20g (x/2), 0.1g/20g (x) and 0.2 g/20g (2x) for TST and 0.36g/200g (x/2), 0.72g/200g (x) and 1.44g/200g (2x) for FST was administered to 3 test groups for 21 days orally except Plain control group which received only distilled water. Duration of immobility in seconds for TST and number of rotations for FST were noted for assessment. Statistical Analysis Used: One way ANOVA followed by Dunnets test and Paired t test. Results: HG was significantly effective at dose of 0.1gm/20gm for TST (P = 0.0037; P < 0.01) and 0.72g/200g for FST (P = 0.0055, P < 0.01) comparable to Imipramine hydrochloride. Conclusions: HG displayed potent anti depressant activity comparable to standard drug Imipramine Hydrochloride

Influence of socio-economic status on lifestyle preferences contributing to childhood obesity: A cross-sectional study

Background: Socioeconomic status (SES) is the major determinant for lifestyle preferences in individuals, contributing to development of metabolic diseases like obesity. Aims: This study was undertaken to study the influence of SES on lifestyle preferences, namely dietary habits, food beliefs, physical activity, and their contribution to childhood obesity in school children of Pune city. Settings and Design: School-based, cross-sectional, observational study. Materials and Methods: Following approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee, the study was conducted in schools representing high, medium, and low SES in Pune. Children of either sex, aged 9–14 years were recruited after obtaining parental consent and verbal assent of children. Anthropometry and body composition along with dietary choices, food beliefs, and physical activity was recorded using predesigned questionnaires. Statistical Analysis: Parametric data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, whereas nonparametric data are expressed as median (range). Distribution of children into different weight categories and data regarding unhealthy food consumption frequency and food beliefs is expressed in percentages. Results: Of 424 total recruited children, obesity prevalence was the highest in high SES school children (10.49%) while overweight prevalence was high in middle SES school children (18.11%). Middle SES school had maximum children with high waist circumference and body fat percentage along with high frequency of unhealthy food consumption. Surprisingly, activity profile from middle SES school was significantly better as compared to other schools. Conclusion: Children from middle SES school with maximum prevalence of overweight displayed poor dietary choices, average food beliefs, and habits pressing the need for aggressive strategies for obesity prevention