Hepatoprotective potential of Andrographis paniculata aqueous leaf extract on ethanol induced liver toxicity in albino rats.

To investigate the protective effect of the leaf extract of Andrographis paniculata (Ap) against ethanol induced liver toxicity in male albino rats. The liver toxicity was induced by the administration of ethanol to the animals at the optimum dosage of 7.9g/kg body wt., orally for 45 days. After induction of liver toxicity the aqueous plant extract of A.p was administered to the animal 250 mg/kg body wt., for 45 days. The liver toxicity and protective effect of the plant extract was assessed by the estimation of liver marker enzymes, antioxidant enzymes and liver histopathological studies. The ethanol induced animals the liver marker enzymes like ALT, AST, ALP and Bilirubin were significantly elevated (P<0.001) when compared to the normal animals. After administration of aqueous extract of A.p the elevated levels of marker enzymes were significantly decreased (P<0.001). The antioxidant enzymes were decreased significantly in ethanol induced animals after administration of plant extract the decreased levels were increased significantly (P<0.001). The aqueous leaf extract of A.paniculata could protect the liver against ethanol induced liver toxicity by possibly reducing the rate of lipid peroxidation and increasing the antioxidant defense mechanism in rats.

N-Phthaloyl gamma-aminobutyric acid affects biochemical circadian rhythms in Wistar rats.

N-Phthaloyl gamma-aminobutyric acid (P-GABA) was administered to Wistar rats and 24 hr rhythms of glucose, cholesterol, total protein and lactic acid levels in blood were studied under semi-natural light dark conditions. P-GABA administration caused desynchronisation of the rhythms; while glucose and lactic acid rhythms were advanced, cholesterol and total protein rhythms were delayed. Since GABA is being involved in conveying dark information to the clock, exogenous administration of P-GABA may reduce the photic information received by the clock. The results could be explained by slightly less than 1 hr daily delays (or) advances respectively which would bring the peak times to the points 21 days after the start of administration.

Temporal oscillations of phosphatases in N-phthaloyl gamma-aminobutyric acid treated rats.

N-pathaloyl gamma-aminobutyric acid (P-GABA) was administered to Wistar and 24 hr rhythms of acid and alkaline phosphatases were studied under light-dark conditions. P-GABA administration advanced the peak times of phosphatases. Since GABA is being involved in conveying dark information to the clock, exogenous administration of P-GABA might reduce the photic information received by the clock. The results could be explained by slight daily advances which would bring the peak times to the points 21 days after the start of administration.

Assessment of iodine deficiency in selected blocks of east and west Champaran districts of Bihar.

OBJECTIVE: A survey conducted in 1964 reported a goitre prevalence of 40.3% in East and West Champaran districts of Bihar. No recent survey has been documented on the prevalence of iodine deficiency in these districts. The present study was therefore undertaken (i) to assess the prevalence of IDD in these districts, and (ii) to estimate the iodine content of salt consumed by population. METHODOLOGY: In each district, one block was selected. In each block more than 630 children in the age group of 6-12 years were included in the study and were clinically examined. Urine samples were collected from 261 children and were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. A total of 456 salt samples were collected from children and 35 from traders from the two districts and analyzed using the standard iodometric titration method. RESULTS: The total goiter prevalence was 11.6%. The percentage of children with < 2, 2.0-4.9, 5.0-9.9 and > or = 10 mcg/dl of urinary iodine excretion level were 12.3, 13.4, 23.4 and 51.0, respectively. The median urinary iodine excretion of the children was 10.0 mcg/dl. None of the families were consuming salt with a nil iodine content and about 29.3%, were consuming salt with less than 15 ppm of iodine. Of the 35 salt samples collected from traders, all had iodine and about 17% had less than 15 ppm of iodine. CONCLUSION: The study stresses the need for strengthening the existing system of monitoring of quality of salt being provided in the East and West Champaran districts by Government of Bihar.