Cytomorphological and molecular characterization of inter-specific hybrid between cultivated sunflower and Helianthus argophyllus

Aim: To study useful variability generated in an inter-specific hybrid between cultivated sunflower inbred (ARM-243B) and silver leaf sunflower, H. argophyllus (ARG-2126) through cytomorphological traits and hybrid confirmation by molecular markers.Methodology: The present study on hybridization was undertaken using cultivated sunflower inbred (ARM-243B) and silver leaf sunflower H. argophyllus (ARG-2126). Thirty one morphological characters were recorded of cultivated sunflower (ARM-243B), H. argophyllus (ARG-2126) and inter-specific hybrid. A total of 50 PMCs were analysed for cytological observations. 62 SSR primers were used for molecular characterisation and hybridity confirmation in inter-specific hybrid. Results: Considerable variability was observed in inter-specific hybrid, with common traits including branched stems, anthocyanin coloration in petiole and disk florets, leaf petioles, and stems etc. Cytological abnormalities and reduction in pollen fertility indicated that generated inter-specific hybrid was true type. Out of sixty two SSR primers, nineteen showed parental polymorphism. ORS-1021 showed 10 bp allelic variation in inter-specific hybrid in a co-dominant manner and, hence, was used for hybrid confirmation. Interpretation: The results of this investigation showed that inter-specific hybridization between cultivated sunflower and H. argophyllus and transfer of desirable traits into cultivated sunflower is possible.

Effect of oral magnesium supplementation on the lipid profile and blood glucose of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Controversial reports are available regarding the effect of magnesium (Mg) on lipid profile and glycaemic control in diabetic patients. The present study was designed on 1) compare serum Mg levels in diabetic patients with those of non-diabetic controls and 2) to assess the effect of oral Mg supplementation on lipid profile and blood glucose of these patients. METHODS: The study included 40 patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and 54 age and sex matched non-diabetic controls. After the baseline investigations of all the subjects (n=94) including blood glucose, serum lipid and magnesium, the diabetic patients (study group) were supplemented with 600 mg of Mg oxide daily for 12 weeks. They were followed up every four weeks (for a total duration of twelve weeks) and investigated for the above parameters. RESULTS: Mean serum magnesium at baseline in the diabetic patients was significantly lower than that in controls (1.44 +/- 0.48 mg/dl Vs 2.29 +/- 0.33 mg/dl; p < 0.001). A significant fall in serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and a rise in HDL cholesterol levels was observed 4 to 8 weeks after initiation of magnesium supplementation and continued till the end of the study i.e. 12 weeks. Fasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels did not show any significant change after twelve weeks of magnesium supplementation when compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS: A significant hypomagnesemia was observed in diabetic patients as compared to controls and Mg supplementation resulted in a beneficial effect on the lipid profile of these patients with no significant effect on blood glucose levels.

Inhibitory role of Syzygium cumini on autacoid-induced inflammation in rats.

The ethanolic extract of Syzygium cumini bark has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity in our previous studies. The present study is an attempt to elucidate the anti-inflammatory activity of S. Cumini bark against inflammation induced by individual autacoid insult. Histamine (1 mg/ml), 5-HT (1 mg/ml), bradykinin (0.02 mg/ml) and PGE2 (0.001 mg/ml) were used as inflammogens. One of these agents (0.1 ml) was injected s.c. into the right hind paw of each rat. The ethanolic extract of S. cumini bark was tested at the doses of 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o. The results indicated the anti-inflammatory activity of S. cumini bark in histamine, 5-HT and PGE2-induced rat paw oedema. However, there was no such significant inhibition of oedema volume observed in bradykinin-induced rat paw oedema at any dose level. Thus, it is concluded that S. cumini exhibits inhibitory role on inflammatory response to histamine, 5-HT and PGE2.

Postnatal changes in the brain lipids, glycolipids and gangliosides of rats exposed to arrack/ethanol during gestation and lactation.

Effects of exposure of an alcoholic beverage (arrack and its equivalent quantity of alcohol throughout pregnancy and lactation on brain lipids were investigated. Female rats were exposed to arrack (12.00 ml/kg body weigh/day) and ethanol (4.00 g/kg body weight day) before conception and throughout gestation and lactation. For 21 days pups were nursed by their own mothers, afterwards they were fed normal laboratory feed. We found that the level of cholesterol, phospholipids, triacylglycerols, free fatty acids, cerebrosides, ceramide dihexosides, ceramide polyhexosides, sulfatids,, mono and diglycosyl diglycerides and gangliosides were increased in the brain of 21st and 45th day pups. The alterations in the glycolipid profile of the brain persisted even when pups were not directly exposed to alcohol. These alterations in the glycolipid and ganglioside metabolism may be associated with the developmental abnormalities of the brain seen in FAS. The elevation produced in the glycolipid profile of arrack administered pups were more than that caused by its equivalent quantity of ethanol. This suggested an interaction of congeners in the arrack with the alcohol.

Anemia and nutritional status of pre-school children in Kerala.

A study on the pattern of anemia and its relation to nutritional status and dietary habits was conducted among 3633 pre-school children of 108 selected anganwadi centers in rural areas of Kerala State during the period 1996 to 1998. Children were invited with their parent or guardian. Capillary blood was collected from each child and hemoglobin was estimated by cyanomethemoglobin method. Weight and height of children were taken for assessing their nutritional status. The information regarding their age, sex, clinical condition and dietary habits was collected in a performa through an interview. Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship of anemia to sex, dietary habits, and nutritional status. For multivariate analysis logistic regression model was employed. The prevalence of anemia was 11.4%. The percentage of anemic children among male and female children was 10.25 and 12.55 respectively and statistical analysis showed that female children were more susceptible to anemia. Normal nutritional status was seen among 46.7% of the children. When 187 (11.78%) of the mild undernourished children were anemic, the percentage anemic among the moderate undernourished children was 57 (16.37%). Moderate under nutrition and anemia showed a significant association. Anemia was reported among both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Among 927 vegetarians, 86 (9.27%) were anemic and among 2,706 non-vegetarians, 328 (12.1%) were anemic. Dietary survey revealed that, consumption of iron sources, whether haem or non-haem, was below the recommended level. Undernutrition can be attributed as the major reason for nutritional anemia. Changes in eating behaviour could have potentially affected the iron bio-availability.

Prenatal exposure of an alcoholic beverage (Arrack) on fetal lipid metabolism in rats.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a country liquor (Arrack) and the equivalent quantity of ethanol on liver function and lipid metabolism in utero. Female rats of average weight 125 g were exposed to Arrack (12 ml/kg body weight/day) and ethanol (3.2 ml/kg body weight/day) for 15 days before conception and throughout gestation. On 13th day and 19th day of gestation, altered liver function and hyperlipidemia was seen in the fetus of both the treated groups. Altered liver function was evidenced by the increased activity of alcohol dehydrogenase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase or alanine amino transferase (GPT). Hyperlipidemia was caused by increased biosynthesis since the incorporation of 14C acetate to lipids and activities of HMG CoA reductase and lipogenic enzymes were elevated. Arrack seemed to potentiate the toxicity induced by alcohol indicating the role of non ethanolic portion. Hepatic functions of the 13th day fetuses were effected to a lesser degree than the 19th day hepatic liver.

Effect of ethanol/arrack on the lipid metabolism of mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation in rats.

Female rats were exposed to arrack (12.0 ml/kg body weight/day) and ethanol (4.0 g/kg body weight/day) before conception and throughout gestation and lactation. On 19th day of gestation and 21st day of lactation there was increase in the cholesterol phospholipids, triglycerides and free fatty acids in the mammary gland of rats administered arrack/ethanol in comparison with the controls. The lipoprotein lipase activity showed significant increase in the treated groups, in which the activity decreased on 21st day in comparison with 19th day. The absolute and relative weight of mammary gland also showed a significant decrease in ethanol/arrack treated group. The biochemical alterations produced in the mammary gland by arrack and its equivalent alcohol were different showing that non-alcoholic portion of arrack interferes with the toxicity induced by alcohol. Arrack was found to be a potent hyperlipidemic agent than ethanol.

Interaction of ethanol and ascorbic acid on lipid metabolism in guinea pigs.

Influence of excessive intake of ascorbic acid (AA) on alcohol induced hyperlipidemia was investigated. In the present study four groups of male guinea pigs were maintained for 30 days as follows: (1) Control group (1 mg AA/100 g body wt). (2) Ethanol group (I mg AA + 9 g ethanol/100 g body wt). (3) AA group (25 mg AA/100 g body wt). (4) AA + Ethanol group (25 mg AA/100 g body wt + 9 g ethanol 100 g body wt). It was shown that tissue ascorbic acid concentration increased with the intake of mega dose of AA. Alcohol administration depleted tissue ascorbic acid content. But coadministration of AA and alcohol enhanced AA levels in comparison with the ethanol group. Alcohol induced hyperlipidemia was reduced in almost all the tissues by the intake of ascorbic acid. This was observed to be due to increased hepatic catabolism of cholesterol to bile acids. However cholesterogenesis was enhanced as evidenced by the increased HMG CoA activity. Thus the results indicate that the mega dose of AA ingestion is beneficial in reducing alcohol induced hyperlipidemia and AA deficiency.

Pharmacological effects of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf extract on the ECG and blood pressure of rat.

Neem leaf alcoholic extract (NLE) was investigated for its effects on the ECG and blood pressure of rat. Intravenous administration of NLE (100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg) resulted in initial bradycardia followed by cardiac arrhythmia in rats. NLE produced a significant and dose-related fall in blood pressure which was immediate, sharp and persistent. Pre-treatment with either atropine or mepyramine failed to prevent the hypotensive effect of NLE.

In vitro anthelmintic action of some indigenous medicinal plants on Ascardia galli worms.

Different parts of ten indigenous medicinal plants were screened for their in vitro anthelmintic activity against Ascaridia galli worms of the birds. Preparations from Carica papaya, Sapindus trifoliatus, Butea frondosa and Momordica charantia were more effective than piperazine hexahydrate.