ABSTRACT
In the present study, Chitin has been extracted from Podophthalmus vigil. The obtained chitin was transformed into the more useful chitosan we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of different concentrations (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) of chitosan against 10 species of bacteria and fungi by agar-disc diffusion method. As the concentration of chitosan increased, the antimicrobial effect was strengthened. In the conjugated diene method, the total antioxidant activity of chitosan was ranging from 18.37% to 79.58% at varying concentrations (0.1 to 10mg/ml). The reducing capability ranged from of 0.12% to 0.48% at varying concentration (0.1 to 10mg/ml). The 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging potential of chitosan ranged from 18.08% to 55.56% at varying concentrations (0.1 to 10mg/ml). The chelating ability of chitosan from Podophthalmus vigil on ferrous ions was ranging from 25.82% to 73.54% for the concentration between 0.1-10mg/ml. Hydroxyl radicals scavenging activity of chitosan (0.125- 2 mg/ml) was found to be higher than the ascorbic acid and the range was from 23.18% to 93.28%. Superoxide anion radical was ranging from 5.21% to 65.81% for the concentration between 0.125-2 mg/ml. overall, chitosan from Podophthalmus vigil was good in antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, and may be used as a source of antioxidants, as a possible food supplement or ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of aqueous solution of Biophytum sensitivum leaf extract (BSEt) on normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diabetes was induced in adult male Wistar rats by the administration of STZ-nicotinamide (40, 110 mg/kg b.w., respectively) intraperitoneally. BSEt (200 mg/kg) was administered to diabetic rats for 28 days. The effect of extract on blood glucose, plasma insulin, total haemoglobin, glycosylated haemoglobin, liver glycogen and carbohydrate metabolism regulating enzymes of liver was studied in diabetic rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BSEt significantly reduced the blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin levels and significantly increased the total haemoglobin, plasma insulin and liver glycogen levels in diabetic rats. It also increased the hexokinase activity and decreased glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase activities in diabetic rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results of our study suggest that BSEt possesses a promising effect on STZ-nicotinamide-induced diabetes.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Blood Glucose , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental , Drug Therapy , Enzymes , Glycated Hemoglobin , Glycogen , Hypoglycemic Agents , Therapeutic Uses , Insulin , Blood , Liver , Chemistry , Niacinamide , Toxicity , Oxalidaceae , Chemistry , Plant Extracts , Therapeutic Uses , Plant Leaves , Chemistry , Plasma , Chemistry , Rats, Wistar , Streptozocin , Toxicity , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The performance of four rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody screening assays was evaluated on an established panel of samples. All the assays showed 100% sensitivity and specificities in the range of 98.6-100%. These tests can safely be used for screening at centres in India where facilities are limited.