ANTIOXIDATIVE AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF FOUR IMPORTANT MEDICINAL HERBS OF BANGLADESH

The evaluation of total phenolic contents, antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activities of four medicinal plants such as Centella asiatica, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Euphorbia hirta, Alstonia scolaris were performed using 80% methanol as a solvent. They were screening out to investigate their phytochemical properties. Preliminary phytochemical studies revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, phenols, saponins, terpenoid, cardiac glycosides and tannins as the chemical class present in the extracts. The results suggest the phytochemical properties of the plant for curing various ailments. Preliminary antioxidative activities of the samples were also determined and among them we found that Centella asiatica contained highest total poly phenols (77.40 mg GAE/g sample) as well as DPPH radical scavenging activity (88.16%) and reducing power (OD=1.36). This shows that the plant may be potent source of natural antioxidants. The antimicrobial activity can be determined only in Centella asiatica and Holarrhena antidysenterica methanolic extract. However both of them showed considerable level of activity against standard strains and clinical isolates of some gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The obtained results provide a support for the use of these plants in traditional medicine and for its further investigation

Search for beneficial activities in botanical resources

医博甲第1157

Examination of Cluster Groups of Risk Behaviors and Beliefs Associated with Non-Communicable Diseases with Latent Class Analysis: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Bangladesh

This cross-sectional observational study examined the cluster groups of risk behaviors and beliefs associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the demographic factors that influence these cluster groups. The questionnaire survey was conducted in Lohagara Upazila in Narail District, Bangladesh and included basic demographics and items associated with NCDs. The inclusion criteria for the participants in this study included those who were aged between 20 and 80 years and both sexes. The survey items were based on risk behavior, belief, and improvement behavior. To identify the several cluster groups based on NCD-related behavior and belief patterns, a log-likelihood latent class analysis was conducted. Then, a multinomial regression analysis was performed to identify the factor associated with each cluster group. Of the 600 participants, 231 (38.5%) had hypertension, 87 (14.5%) had diabetes, and 209 (34.8%) had a body mass index of 25 or more. Finally, risk behaviors and beliefs associated with NCDs were classified into three cluster groups: (1) very high-risk group (n = 58); (2) high-risk group (n = 270); and (3) moderate-risk group (n = 272). The very high-risk group was significantly associated with female gender, older age, fewer years spent in education, and the absence of daily medication compared to the moderate-risk group. Educational interventions in rural Bangladesh should be immediately implemented to improve the risk behaviors and beliefs associated with NCDs

Community-based intervention for managing hypertension and diabetes in rural Bangladesh

Abstract Background Approximately 80% of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been reported in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, studies on the usefulness of educational interventions run by non-healthcare workers in combating NCDs in resource-limited areas in rural parts of LMICs are limited. This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of a community-based simple educational program run by non-healthcare trained staff for several outcomes associated with NCDs in a resource-limited area. Methods Six villages in the Narail district in Bangladesh were selected, two each in the first and second intervention and the control groups, in the Narail district in Bangladesh were selected. Pre- and post-intervention survey data were collected. The first intervention group received the “strong” educational intervention that included a checklist poster on the wall, phone call messages, personalized advice papers, seminar videos, and face-to-face seminars. The second intervention group received a “weak” intervention that included only a checklist poster on the wall in their house. The outcome was the proportion of NCDs and changes in systolic blood pressure and blood sugar level. Confidential fixed-effects logistic regression and multiple linear regression were performed to identify the effectiveness of the intervention. Results Overall, 600 participants completed the baseline survey and the follow-up survey. The mean systolic blood pressure reduced by 7.3 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.6–9.9) in the first intervention group, 1.9 mm Hg (95% CI − 0.5–4.2) in the second intervention group, and 4.7 mm Hg (95% CI 2.4–7.0) in the control group. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the between-group differences in the decline in systolic blood pressure were significant for the first intervention versus control (p = 0.001), but not for the second intervention versus control (p = 0.21). The between-group differences in the reduction in blood glucose after the intervention, were not significant on multiple linear regression analysis. Conclusions Community-based educational interventions for NCDs provided by non-healthcare staff improved the outcomes of hypertension and risk behaviors. Well-designed community-based educational interventions should be frequently implemented to reduce NCDs in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries. Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR; UMIN000050171) retrospectively registered on January 29, 2023

Additional file 1 of Community-based intervention for managing hypertension and diabetes in rural Bangladesh

Additional file 1: Figure S1. Lifestyle checklist poster on the wall to prevent noncommunicable diseases. Participants were required to stick the poster on their house wall. The poster was translated in the local language. Some modifications were performed before translation for considering local culture. Figure S2. Semi-advice paper. Grouping was conducted using baseline data by latent class analysis. The advice paper was translated in the local language. Figure S3. Systolic blood pressure and blood sugar level before intervention by group of past medical history. Systolic blood pressure (B) blood sugar. Table S1. Multiple linear regression analysis for the decrease in mean blood pressure between pre- and post-intervention. Table S2. Systolic blood pressure each group of pre-diagnosed and classification. Table S3. Education years and Income by sex. Table S4. Multiple linear regression analysis for the decrease in systolic blood pressure between pre- and post-intervention one considering interaction. Table S5. Blood sugar each group of pre-diagnosed and classification