A Clinicopathological Study on Cyclical Mastalgia with Special Reference to Serum Oestrogen Level and Breast Volume.

Cyclic mastalgia is defined as a breast pain that has a relationship to the menstrual cycle. As far as research studies are concerned the main etiological factors for cyclical mastalgia include dietary factors and hormonal imbalance. In this study, the clinicopathological aspect of cyclical mastalgia is studied with special reference to serum oestrogen and breast volume. This study provides valuable data on cyclical mastalgia with special reference to serum oestrogen level and breast volume.METHODSA total of 101 patients meeting inclusion criteria were selected for this prospective comparative observational study. Sample was selected from OPD patients from Surgery Department, Medical College Kolkata. A detailed history of the patients who was taken with special reference to the dietary habits and lifestyle. A thorough physical examination including breast size and volume were taken (by visual assessment method, size of the undergarments the patient wear and then breast circumference measurement) and the findings were noted. Patients underwent Tru-Cut biopsy for histopathological study and Oestrogen Receptor Status. All data was captured in a predesigned Case Data Sheet and analysis of all the data was done from the CDS using master chart or grand chart.RESULTS58.3% patients with cyclical mastalgia have h/o fatty diet. Patients with increased breast volumes had increased levels of serum oestradiol which signifies that mastalgia with medium and large size breast would respond to antioestrogens better than those patients with small sized breast volume. Majority of the patients with cyclical mastalgia in our study had medium breast volumes as per Bra-size, where the range of 32-36 has the highest frequency (42.8%). The mean measurement of bra size is 33.7 and the standard deviation is 3.737. In our study, we find positive correlation with breast volume and serum oestrogen level (Pearson correlation of breast volume as 1 and serum oestrogen level as 0.381 respectively) and negative correlation with breast volume and serum progesterone level (Pearson correlation of breast volume as 1 and serum progesterone level as -0.134 respectively).CONCLUSIONSThis study shows a significant positive correlation between breast volume, fatty diet and oestrogen level with cyclical mastalgia.

Partial Purification and Characterization of Albain 1, a Triterpene with Antimicrobial Activity, from the Wood Extract of Avicennia alba Blume

Secondary metabolites of plants are important resources for development of new drugs. Mangrove plants are very well known sources of wide variety of secondary metabolites. Many of these secondary metabolites from mangroves have been found to possess significant biological activities where human health is concerned. Avicennia albaBlume is one such mangrove plant with reports of having many such secondary metabolites of clinical and commercial interests.Aim:To evaluate antimicrobial activity potential of A. albawood extract and to isolate new bioactive constituent(s) responsible for such biological activity.Methodology: Preliminary screenings of antimicrobial activities in different organic solvent extracts of A. albawood tissue were done by TLC-bioautography method and phytochemical nature of the antimicrobial constituent(s) in the extracts have been studied. One compound exhibiting significant antimicrobial activity, named as Albain 1, has been isolated. MIC value has been determined for Albain 1. The purity and structure of Albain 1 have been determined by HPLC, 1HNMR, FTIR and HRMS etc. analysis.Results: 1HNMR, FTIR and HRMS analysis have found out that the isolated compound Albain1 is a triterpene and the molecular formula is C30H48O4.It has exhibited remarkable antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus polymyxa, Bacillus pumilas (MIC 125μg / ml).Conclusion:The observed antimicrobial activity of the isolated fraction of A. albaoffer great potentials in pharmaceutical industries.

Phytochemical contents, antimicrobial and antioxidative activities of Solanum sisymbriifolium.

The present study was aimed at screening the phytochemical contents, antimicrobial and antioxidative activities from the aerial parts of Solanum sisymbriifolium. S. sisymbriifolium is known to be traditionally used in various kinds of ailments including pain and inflammation, some of which may be due to infection by various microbes found in our environment. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponins in this plant. Screening for the antimicrobial activity of tissue extracts by disc diffusion assay against test microorganisms revealed the presence of antimicrobial activity, maximum activity being found in the methanolic extracts. The activity was stable against drastic thermal and pH treatments. The antioxidative activity of its aerial tissue extracts was determined using DPPH-radical scavenging method. Antioxidant activities have been implicated as agents for fighting many other diseases such as cancer that result from oxidative damages arising out of synthesis of compounds via natural metabolic routes. The study suggests the use of Solanum sisymbriifolium species for further isolation and characterization of its bioactive compounds leading to the development of new antimicrobial drugs.

Antimicrobial activity of Pavetta indica leaves.

Antimicrobial activity of the aqueous and organic solvent extracts of the leaves of Pavetta indica were tested against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae using disc diffusion assay. Most of the leaf extracts showed bactericidal activity against B. subtilis. None of the extracts exhibited any activity against E. coli and S. cerevisiae. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), thermal stability and qualitative phytochemicals studies were performed. Both MIC and MBC of the aqueous and methanol extracts were found to be between 1.95 - 7.81 mg/ml. The activity of aqueous and methanol extracts were found to be stable despite thermal treatment. Phytochemical analysis of aqueous extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins and carbohydrates. Methanol extract was found to be positive for saponin and cardiac glycosides. TLC and bioautography were also done to identify the active fractions responsible for the antimicrobial activities. Results showed the presence of a number of bactericidal components. The study suggests P. indica to be a source for isolation of antibacterial compounds for human health care and use as preservatives in food processing industry.

Studies on phytotoxic effect of aluminium on growth and some morphological parameters of Vigna radiata L. Wilczek.

Aluminium toxicity is a major deterrent for plant growth in acid soils below pH 5.0. This study deals with effect of aluminium toxicity on growth of mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) seedlings. Seed germination (in %) declined with increased content of Al2(SO4)3, while promotive effect was observed at very low dosage. Different concentrations of aluminum sulphate salt were applied to mungbean seeds. Measurement of aluminium content in mungbean leaves was done through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Root length (root and hypocotyl length) and shoot length (shoot and epicotyl length) was measured at seven days old seedling stage. Different concentrations of Al2(SO4)3 were found to have significant effect both on shoot and root length. Leaf area, fresh and dry weight was significantly reduced. Increased stomatal frequency and trichome density with an increase in concentrations of Al2(S04)3 was observed through scanning electron microscope.