Iron-Chelating Property of Phytic Acid in Thalassaemia: An In vitro Study.

Aims: The aim of this study is to report an oral iron chelator phytic acid (PA), on blood samples from different types of thalassaemic patients of various age groups and physical conditions. Study Design: The In vitro iron chelating effect was evaluated by ferritin assay using ELISA. Methodology: Blood from the iron-overloaded 30 Thalassaemic patients of different age groups, body weights and heights were collected and the serum was separated. Patients without any history of blood transfusion and chelation therapy were taken as control group. The ELISA based ferritin assay was performed with standard phytic acid (40% water solution, Fluka), using Desferrioxamine (DFO) as control (0.5g Deferoxamine mesylate USP, Novartis, USA). The serum ferritin levels were recorded in two different conditions (treated with DFO and PA) at different time intervals (10, 30 and 60 min) by measuring absorbance at 450 nm. Results: The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test of patient samples in two different conditions showed that the ferritin concentration, treated by DFO and PA, was significantly decrease in PA treated group compared to DFO, when used in equivalent concentrations, at intervals of 10 min (P=0.760),30 min (P=0.537) and 60 min (P=0.055). Conclusion: The common iron chelators DFO or Deferiprone used as monotherapy may lead to transient and incomplete removal of iron, while PA showed a more complete and sustained removal of ferritin due to specific chemical binding at a wider pH range. However, further trial is required to establish its maintenance dose, comparative efficacy and mechanism of action.

Serological aspects of Dengue fever and its correlation with clinical features in a recent febrile outbreak.

The study was done to assess correlation between serology and clinical features of Dengue fever at Burdwan Medical College, where after clinical examination, blood samples were processed by E.I.A. Of 139 cases, mostly between 1 to 20 years, Male-Female ratio was 80:59. Bleeding manifestation was observed only in 3 cases, and Lymphadenopathy, Myocarditis were uncommon features. Few patients have biphasic temperature. Fever and severity of symptoms did not have correlation. Patients' blood was examined for Dengue viruses, with only 44.6% positivity. Correlation exists between illness duration and antibody titer. [r = 0.41; (P < 0.01)]. Fever other, than Dengue also exhibited similar symptoms, but optical density in EIA test was less. As high fever with similar symptoms may be due to causes other than Dengue, thorough search for other viral infection namely Chikungunya should be done in endemic areas also.

In vitro Antioxidant Activities of the Fractions of Coccina Grandis L. Leaf Extract

The present study was aimed at investigating the antioxidant activities of the various fractions of the hydromethanolic extract of the leaves of Coccinia grandis L. Voigt. (Cucurbitaceae). The antioxidant activities of the fractions have been evaluated by using nine in vitro assays and were compared to standard antioxidants such as ascorbic acid; a-tocopherol; curcumin and butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT). All the fractions showed effective Hdonor activity; reducing power; free radical scavenging activity; metal chelating ability and inhibition of Beta-carotene bleaching. None of the fractions exerted an obvious pro-oxidant activity. The antioxidant property depends upon concentration and increased with increasing amount of the fractions. The free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities may be attributed to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds present in the fractions. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the leaves of C. grandis are a potential source of natural antioxidant

Effects of plant extract Centella asiatica (Linn.) on cold restraint stress ulcer in rats.

Extract of C. asiatica (Linn.) inhibited significantly gastric ulceration induced by cold and restraint stress (CRS) in Charles-Foster rats, Antiulcer activity of plant extract was compared with famotidine (H2-antagonist) and sodium valproate (anti-epileptic). Plant extract, formotidine and sodium valproate showed a dose dependent reduction of gastric ulceration. Plant extract increased brain GABA level which was also dose dependent. Pretreatment with bicuculline methiodide (specific GABAA-antagonist) at the dose level of 0.5 mg/kg im, reversed the antiulcerogenic activity of both plant extract and sodium valproate. Bicuculline as such did not induce gastric ulceration in normal rat.

Antimicrobial activities of mycotoxin MT81 and its structural derivatives.

Antimicrobial activities of mycotoxin MT81 and its acetylated, benzoylated and acetic acid derivatives were determined by zone inhibition method. MT81, acetylated MT81 and acetic acid MT81 exhibited sensitivity (31.25, 62.50, 62.50 micrograms/ml respectively) to all the test bacteria. Benzoylated-MT81 did not exhibit any activity even up to 1000 mcg/ml. MT81, its acetylated and acetic acid derivatives exhibited antifungal activity up to 62.5 micrograms/ml and 125.0 micrograms/ml respectively against test yeasts and other fungi. Benzoylated MT81 also exhibited antifungal activity but the degree was comparatively less.