ABSTRACT
Background: Breast feeding and colostrum is the first birthright of every newborn. It is the least expensive, safe, healthiest, natural feed that can be given very easily to any newborn baby for proper physiological growth and psychological development. Exclusive Breast feeding is a term used to define the process by which only breast milk is given to the new born till the first six months of life. Early initiation of breast feeding is very important in reducing infant morbidity and mortality. Rate of exclusive breast feeding is only 35% world-wide and complementary feeding is not started timely. Objective: To know the current situation of exclusive breast feeding, problems encountered by lactating mothers, factors affecting exclusive breast feeding and complementary feeding. Material and Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 200 mothers having children less than 2 years of age attending pediatrics OPD, Gynecology & obstetrics OPD and postpartum ward of Mayo Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. The information about subjects’ demography and practices towards breast feeding were collected from the mother on structured proforma. Result: 200 lactating mothers were included in the study. Majority of mothers are from age group 24-29 years ie 105 (52.5%).out of 200 babies 110 are female and 90 are male and 20 (10%) lactating mothers initiated breastfeeding within 1 hours of delivery. Majority of mothers 102 (51%) initiated breastfeeding within 1-6 hours and only 46.5% babies were exclusive breastfed upto 6 months. 89% of mothers given colostrum to their babies. 47% of mothers given pre-lacteals to babies and formula milk (23%) was the common pre-lacteals followed by cow’s milk (11%). Only 49.3% children were started complementary feeding between 6-9 months. 45% do not encountered any problem during breastfeeding. 55% were having some problem during feeding. 20% mothers were having feeling of insufficient milk secretion followed by 12.5% not knowing about time and frequency of feeding. Conclusion: There were many demographic, social-economic factors and literacy of mother affecting exclusive breastfeeding. Breast feeding is almost universal in India but the rate of early initiation of breast feeding and exclusive breastfeeding are very low. Several factors can be attributed on the breast feeding practices. Social awareness programs, benefits of breast feeding and mass education of family regarding feeding practices should be started to promote exclusive breast feeding and complementary feeding.
ABSTRACT
Free radicals pose serious threat to tissues and vital organs, especially membrane lipids, proteins and nucleic acids of cells. Overproduction of reactive oxygen/ nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and other related radicals lead to oxidative stress which has been implicated in aging and a number of diseases. Free radicals react with biomolecules and cause lipid peroxidation, loss of enzyme activity, mutation and carcinogenesis. A number of degenerative diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and adverse hepatic conditions have been attributed to accumulation of free radicals. Diseases resulting from radical overload might also lead to different types of cancers. However free radicals at low or moderate levels are vital to human health. ROS and RNS produced in a well regulated manner help maintain homeostasis at the cellular level in the normal healthy tissues and play an important role as signaling molecules. Cellular antioxidant enzyme systems including superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidases/reductase, peroxiredoxins along with non enzymatic antioxidants viz., tocopherols, vitamin C and glutathione etc., apart from several dietary components protect cells and organisms from the lethal effects of excessive ROS production. Natural products of plant origin have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases resulting from radical overload. The diversity of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, carotenes and saponins etc. present in plants and dietary components provide drug leads for the development of novel therapeutic agents. This review deals with the components of free radical biology, their adverse consequences in humans and amelioration of diseases by botanical therapeutics.
ABSTRACT
Anticancer potential of Piper longum fruit against human cancer cell lines (DU-145 prostate, A549 lung, THP-1 leukemia, IGR-OVI-1 ovary and MCF-7 breast) as well as its in vitro and in vivo biochemical efficacy in AlCl3-induced hepatotoxicity were evaluated in the rats. Dried samples were extracted with several solvents using soxhlet apparatus. Flavonoid content in chloroform, benzene, ethyl alcohol and aqueous extracts of fruit was 19, 14, 12 and 11 μg quercetin equivalent/mg of sample, respectively. Hexane extracts exhibited 90-92% cytotoxicity against most of the test cell lines (A549, THP-1, IGR-OVI-1 and MCF-7), while benzene extract displayed 84-87% cytotoxicity against MCF-7, IGR-OV-1 and THP-1 cell lines. Among extracts, hexane, benzene and acetone extracts demonstrated considerable cytotoxicity (91-95%) against A549 (lung cancer) cell line in Sulforhodamine B dye (SRB) assay. Cell cycle analysis revealed that hexane, benzene and acetone extracts produced 41, 63 and 43% sub-G1 DNA fraction, demonstrating cell cycle inhibitory potential of these extracts against A549 cell line. Chloroform, ethyl alcohol and aqueous extracts displayed 71, 64 and 65% membrane protective activity, respectively in lipid peroxidation inhibition assay. P. longum fruit extracts also ameliorated AlCl3-induced hepatotoxicity, as indicated by alterations observed in serum enzymes ALP, SGOT and SGPT activity, as well as creatinine and bilirubin contents. In conclusion, study established the cytotoxic and hepatoprotective activity in P. longum extracts.