PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MARKETED SAMPLE OF HERBAL NUTRACEUTICAL SUPPLEMENTS OF SHATAVARI (ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS)

Shatavari was called as "Queen of Herb". It improves female reproductive health including hormonal imbalance, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, polycystic ovarian syndrome, follicular growth, oocytes quality and infertility. Shatavari act as galactgogue and also as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immunomodulator for many infectious diseases. The present study was carried out to analyze the physicochemical and phytochemical properties of different forms of Shatavari supplement available in local markets. Three different forms of supplement such as tablet, capsule and powder were chosen by purposive sampling technique. Experimental research design was adopted for the study. Shatavari standard sample was found to have 5.29% of moisture content. The Total ash yield was 3.70%. The percentage of acid insoluble ash was found to be 2.39 and water soluble ash was 1.21%. The water extractives value (45.72%) was considerably higher than alcohol extractive (8.91%). Physicochemical analysis of Tablet, Capsule and Powder divulge the percentage of various parameters moreover similar to standard. The pH value reported that Shatavari was slightly acidic in nature. The phytochemical study revealed the presence of bioactive components like Saponins, Tannins and Glycosides in all forms of samples including standard. The present study reported that the formulation of different forms of Shatavari supplement contains several bioactive components which was essential to consider as an ideal Herbal Nutraceutical supplements. Hence Shatavari - An Herbal Nutraceutical supplement can be suggested to promote overall Health.

Computational studies on new Leishmanial drug targets against Quercetin

Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania parasite which resides in the infected sand flies. Control of Leishmaniasis remains a source of grave concern worldwide. Studies on Leishmaniasis triggered because of its outbreak in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, East Africa and South America. There is an urgent need for new therapeutic interventions such as vaccine and new drug targets as it develops resistance towards the available drugs. Quercetin, a derivative of polyphenolic flavonoid exhibits various biological activities by interacting with proteins and nucleic acids. In this study, computational analysis was performed to identify the potential drug target of Quercetin in Leishmania species by molecular docking. The newly predicted targets were subjected for subcellular localization prediction and determined the protein-protein interaction networks that would aid in the development of anti-Leishmanial drugs. This study helps in the identification of targets and development of anti-Leishmanial drugs.

A Novel Frequency Based Feature Extraction Technique for Classification of Corona Virus Genome and Discovery of COVID-19 Repeat Pattern

Abstract Genome sequence regulates the life of all living organisms on earth. Genetic diseases cause genomic disorders and therefore early prediction of severe genetic diseases is quite possible by Genome sequence analysis. Genomic disorders refer to the mutation that is rearrangement of bases in the Genome of an organism. Genome sequence analysis and mutation identification can help to classify the diseased genome which can be accomplished using Machine Learning techniques. Feature Extraction plays a crucial role in classification as it is used to convert the Genome sequences into a set of quantitative values. In this article, we propose a novel feature extraction technique called Frequency based Feature Extraction Technique which extracts 120 features from genome sequences for classification. In the current scenario, COVID-19 is the pandemic disease and Corona virus is the source of this disease. So, in this research work, we tested the proposed feature extraction technique with 1000 samples of Genome sequences of Corona virus affected patients across the world. The extracted features were classified using both Machine Learning and Deep Learning techniques. From the results, it is evident that the proposed feature extraction technique performs well with Convolutional Neural Network classifier giving an accuracy of 97.96%. The proposed technique also helps to find the most repeat patterns in the genome sequences. It is discovered that the pattern "TTGTT" is the most repeat pattern in COVID-19 genome.

The study of antibiotic-sensitivity and resistance pattern of bacteria causing catheter associated urinary tract infection

Background: present study is done to study the antibiotic-sensitivity and resistance pattern of bacteria causing catheter associated urinary tract infection. Objectives of this study were to study the bacterial etiology of CAUTI, to study the prevalence of various bacteria causing catheter associated urinary tract infection, the antibiogram (sensitivity and resistance) pattern of isolated bacteria and the percentage of asymptomatic bacteriuria in the study population.Methods: In this prospective observational study, under aseptic precautions, urine sample was taken after 48 hours of catheterization and sent for culture and sensitivity pattern is studied.Results: In this study 500 urine samples were cultured and its antibiotic sensitivity pattern was observed. Out of the 53 culture positive samples most the subjects had asymptomatic bacteriuria. The study gave the incidence of catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) to be 10.6% and about 9% were polymicrobial. In this study about 7 causative bacteria were isolated. Escherichia coli were the most common organism that was isolated. On studying the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of each isolate, it has been observed that all of them are multidrug resistant and the sensitivity pattern is migrating towards higher antibiotics.Conclusions: Empirical use of antibiotics must be avoided and antibiotics must be used only after sensitivity testing. This will help in selection of the appropriate antibiotic for therapeutic use and prevent indiscriminate and irrational use of antibiotics. This will also improve the cost efficiency and decrease the duration of hospital stay.

Bioreduction of silver nanoparticles from aerial parts of Euphorbia hirta L. (EH-ET) and its potent anticancer activities against neuroblastoma cell lines

Euphorbia hirta L. (Family: Euphorbiaceae) is a versatile medicinal plant and enriched with novel bioactive molecules and possess broad-spectrum pharmacological actions. Present work is aiming to synthesis and characterize of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by bioreduction method an using ethanolic extract of aerial parts of Euphorbia hirta L. (EH-ET). The synthesized AgNPs observed by a color change of source solution (as AgNPs) and further confirmed by the UV-Visible spectroscopic technique. The AgNPs synthesized were characterized by Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Zeta potential analysis. The synthesized AgNPs are polydispersed and some places it’s agglomerated. The particle size EH-ET silver nanoparticles were analyzed using Beckman coulter particle size analyzer (DelsaTM Nano common). The average size of the particles size noted in 2.9-206.3 nm. Anticancer activity of EH-ET Silver nanoparticles was tested against neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) and breast cancer cells (SH-SY5Y) and cytotoxicity were tested in vero cells by MTT assay. The preliminary confirmation of the synthesized AgNPs by the present method was made by the appearance of reddish brown color and the visible absorption peak at 429.5 nm. SEM image revealed that AgNPs synthesized were spherical in shape and silver nanoparticles were in the size range of 2.9 to 206.3 nm. FT-IR spectra showed the peaks corresponding to functional groups C=O, -C=C and -OH, which actively participated in bio-reduction and subsequent stabilization reactions in the synthesis of AgNPs. The obtained nanoparticles showed promising anticancer activity against neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Yc) and breast cancer cells (MCF-7) with IC50 values of 29.85 and 335 µg/mL, respectively. Whereas, the nanoparticles did not show any activity against vero cell lines. The synthesized silver nanoparticles using an ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta L. would be helpful for the preparation of potent cytotoxicity agents to destroy cancer cells.

A study of efficacy of intramuscular injection tramadol as labour analgesic and labour accelerator in 400 primigravida patients in latent phase of first stage of labour

Background: Labour pain is among the most severe pain experienced by women. Most women like to experience labour birth with active involvement and as naturally as possible. Hence, the need for analgesia to overcome labour pains is highly requested by women today. In developing nations where availability of facilities is the main limiting factor, intra muscular opioids can be used. The aim was to know the effect of Tramadol in labour analgesia and reduction in the duration of labour and to know the maternal and neonatal outcome after administration of TramadolMethods: This study was conducted in tertiary teaching care hospital in 400 low risk primigravidae who fulfilled selection criteria with full-term pregnancy with vertex presentation in late latent phase of labour were selected and given 100 mg tramadol hydrochloride intramuscularly.Results: The degree of pain relief in 1 st and 2 nd stage of labour, duration of labour, Apgar score of neonates and side effect of drugs were studied. In this study 23.5% of patients had grade II pain, 38.5% of patients had grade III pain and 38% of patients had no pain relief after Tramadol administration. Before drug, the mean pain score is 3.86 in stage I. After drug administration the mean pain score is 3.14 in stage I and 3.81 in stage II. The duration of first and second stage of labour also shortened.Conclusions: In low risk Primigravidae, IM Tramadol hydrochloride appears to be effective without side effects. Hence, in developing nations, where availability of facilities is the main limiting factor, IM opioids can be considered as suitable alternatives.

Immunostimulatory effect of the aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus niruri on the specific and nonspecific immune responses of Oreochromis mossambicus Peters

Plant derived immunostimulants are a promising alternative to chemotherapeutics and also perhaps vaccines. In the present study, we examined the immunostimulating properties of aqueous leaf extract of Phyllanthus niruri, an Indian traditional medicinal herb, on neutrophil activation and antibody response of Oreochromis mossambicus [Peters]. Serial ten-fold diluted doses of P. niruri ranging from 0.002 mg to 20 mg were administered to two groups of O. mossambicus [n=8]. One group of fishes was administered with sheep red blood cells and the primary and secondary antibody responses were estimated using direct haemagglutination assay. The other group of fishes was administered heat-aggregated BSA to assess the ability of plant extract to elicit neutrophil activation. Our results indicate a significant enhancement of both neutrophil activation and antibody response. Among the various doses tested, fishes administered 20 mg/kg body weight caused the maximal enhancement of both primary and secondary antibody response and 0.002 mg/kg showed higher neutrophil activation compared to that of the control group. This short study indicates that aqueous leaf extract of P. niruri has the potential to be used as an immunostimulant and after confirming its immunostimulatory properties by a battery of tests on other nonspecific and specific parameters and disease-protective property by challenging the fish with virulent fish pathogens, it can be used either as a routine feed supplement to activate the immune system of farmed fishes or as an adjuvant to enhance the efficacy of vaccines

Antiulcer effect of Feronia elephantum Correa leaf and bark extract in indomethacin induced albino rats.

In the present study, the gastro protective effect of Feronia elephantum leaves and bark in a model of NSAIDinduced ulcer in rat was analyzed. The lyophilized extract was given by oral gavages (500 mg/kg) three times at 12 hr intervals before administering Indomethacin at 20 mg/kg. Pretreatment with extract significantly decreased the ulcerated area. The volume and acidity of the gastric juice decreased in the pretreated rats. In conclusion, F. elephantum was able to decrease the acidity and increase the mucosal defense in the gastric areas, there by justifying its use as an antiulcerogenic agent.

GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Components of Feronia elephantum Correa (Rutaceae).

Feronia elephantum belongs to the family Rutaceae is well known in Indian traditional system for its traditional uses. The present investigation was carried out to determine the possible bioactive components of leaves and bark of F. elephantum using GC-MS analysis. 18 components from leaves and 14 components from bark of the above said plant were identified. The prevailing compounds in the ethanol extract of leaves of F. elephantum were 7– Norbornadienyl t-butyl ether (17.26%) , 2–isopropyl–5-methyl–1– heptanol (11.40%), 1– Octanol,2–butyl (8.47%), Phenol, 4–[2–(dimethylamino)–ethyl]– (4.56%), 2,3– Dimethylquinolin-4(1H)–one (3.58%), Ethyl iso–allocholate (1.63%). The ethanol extract of F. elephantum bark contained, 2–Propenenitrile, 3–(3.4-dimethoxyphenyl)–(60.72%) was found as major component followed by phenol, 4–(3-hydroxy-I-propenyl)-2-methoxy–(9.35%), 3-(2-NAcetyl– N-methylaminoethyl)indol (1.15%), cholesta–8,24–dine–3–ol, 4–methyl–(3a'- 4a')– (0.86%) as the major components.

Profile of diabetic foot complications and its associated complications--a multicentric study from India.

AIM: The aims of this study were to determine. The prevalence of foot complications such as neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), amputations and infections and the associated diabetic complications and practice of foot care among these subjects. METHODS: A total of 1319 type 2 diabetic patients, were selected from four different centres across India. The centres were Diabetes Research Centre (DRC), Chennai, Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), Madurai, Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore and All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), Delhi. Details were collected regarding foot problems and associated complications. RESULTS: The prevalence of neuropathy was 15% (n=193) and PVD was 5% (n=64). Infections were present in 7.6% (n=100) of patients. The infection rate varied from 6-11% in the different centres. Nearly 3% of subjects had undergone a minor or major amputation. DISCUSSION: This study found that the prevalence of infection was 6-11% and prevalence of amputation was 3% in type 2 diabetic patients. Neuropathy (15%) was found to be an important risk factor for diabetic foot infections. Effective foot care advice should be propagated to reduce the burden imposed by diabetic foot complication particularly in developing countries like India.