RESUMO
Menthol is the most commonly used substance in many cosmetics and pharmaceutical products either as an active ingredient or in the form of excipient. In the present study, different samples of commercially available peppermint oil were subjected to standardization by determination of physicochemical characteristics, acid value, and resinified oil content. Thin layer chromatography [TLC] has been used to confirm the presence of menthol. The result showed that the quality control test performed for the evaluation of the physicochemical parameters of peppermint oil can be considered useful in its standardization. The results of acid value and the resinified oil tests, carried out on the raw material, have found to be within the standard limits. The results indicated specified number of free fatty acids and absence of greasy impurities. The data obtained from the study would be useful in the authentication of the commercial peppermint oil samples. In TLC studies, the Rf value of the active constituent has been determined by comparison with its standard spot. This technique may be used as a tool for the correct identification of the active constituent which could help in the standardization of the peppermint oil samples
RESUMO
To determine the BMI status of the students of Dow Medical College and to calculate frequency of different BMI categories. A cross-sectional questionnaire based study was carried out in Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. Body weight and height were measured and body mass index [BMI] values were calculated by dividing weight with [height]2. Overweight and obesity were defined using WHO international standard BMI cut-offs. The overall prevalence of underweight students was 29.9% out of which 9.6% fell under the category of severely underweight [BMI of < 16.5]. In overweight category there were 8%. The frequency of students falling in Obese Class I, II and III was 2.7%, 0.6% and 0.0% respectively. It was found that more female students compared to male students were underweight. In the overweight and obese categories there was a preponderance of male students. A positive correlation was found between perception of obesity amongst parents and overweight obese students. According to this study, underweight, especially in girls, should be considered a serious health problem among adolescent students which needs to be addressed. Obesity on the other hand does not seem to be a major issue amongst them