effect of neem [Azadirachta indica] leaf extract and neem compound nimolicine on gastric acidity

This study has been conducted to look at the and acid effect of Neem and to compare the effect of leaf extract with the pure compound nimolicine on the gastric acidity. Nimolicine has been studied for its anti acid effect for the first time. Experimental study. This study was conducted in the department of Physiology, Baqai Medical College and the Department of Pharmacology in Baqai Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karachi. Ethanol induced gastric ulcers in albino rats were treated with methanolic neem leaf extract [800mg/day for 5 days] and nimolicine [1%/day for 3 days] and the gastric acid secretion was estimated. The control of the treated group was given peanut oil 1 ml/day for 5 days. The effect on gastric secretion was compared with the effect of anti-ulcer drugs cimetidine [50 mg/kg for 7-10 days] and omeperazole [2.5 mg/kg/day for 7-14 days]. Neem leaf extract is a better suppressor of H-ion secretion compared to nimolicine but both neem leaf extract and nimolicine did not show a significant suppression of acid compared to ranitidine and omeperazole. The comparison between control and ranitidine in suppression of acid was significant. Methanolic NLE and neem compound nimolicine do not decrease gastric acidity and their role as anti-ulcer agents may be because of other mechanisms which need to be studied

Effects of quality of water on enteric disorders of protozoal origin

Enteric disorders of protozoal origin i.e. Amoebiasis and Giardiasis are a major health problem in India. They are mostly water-borne. The prevalence of these disorders largely depends on quality of water consumed. The quality of water in India is. still below the recommended standards i.e. zero coliform per 100 ml of water [W.H.O., 1984].The present study, which was conducted in Jamalpur a suburb of Aligarh District [U.P.], included a total of 1270 individuals. The period of study was one year. Water supply in these houses was mainly [89.2%] from standpost. A few have access to piped water supply, The occurrence of Amoebiasis was very high i.e. 20.1% which was found mainly after 19 years of age. The average episode of Amoebiasis in standpost group and piped water group was 3 and 4 respectively.In standpost group majority of sample [87.3%] was contaminated as compared to piped water supply. The morbidity rate was higher in males than in females. The frequency of Amoebiasis was 18.8% and Giardiasis 25.2%. The occurrence of Giardiasis was common in 1-12 years of age and Amoebiasis had no specific group. The frequency according to standpost group and piped water group for Amoebiasis was 15% and 13.1% while Giardiasis 20.1% and 17.5% respectively. Giardiasis was more common in both source of water supply than Amoebiasis. The morbidity rate in standpost group was slightly higher