Estimation of Heavy Metals and Microbiological Quality of Locally Manufactured Herbal Products in Bangladesh

The current research was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals and microbiological quality in Bangladeshi herbal products used for the treatment of various ailments. For these purposes twenty four herbal products have been collected from the local market of Bangladesh which is manufactured by Sri Kundeshshari Aushadhalaya Ltd. Chittagong, Sadona Aushadhalaya Ltd. Dhaka, Sri Durga Aushadhalaya Ltd. Chittagong, Shakti Aushadhalaya Ltd. Dhaka. Heavy metals have been determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer [AAS] and microbial parameters have been detected by applying standard analytical method. The concentration of heavy metals namely Lead [Pb], Cadmium [Cd], Copper [Cu], Zinc [Zn], Nickel [Ni], Cobalt [Co], Manganese [Mn] and Iron [Fe] have been identified in the range of [0.0-1.75] ppm, [0.0- 0.27] ppm, [0.27-2.54] ppm, [1.31-28.67] ppm, [0.18-1.28] ppm, [0.00- 0.00] ppm, [1.55-6.83] ppm, [9.21-142.85] ppm respectively. All of the samples except K[3] [Tables 3 and 4] have not crossed their acceptable limit of heavy metals according to manufacturer doses for daily consumption. The total viable count [TVC] of the samples was ranged from nil to 1.92×10[4] CFU/ml and the total yeasts and moulds count were found nil to 1.68×10[2] CFU/ml. Salmonella or Escherichia coli was not present in any of the samples. The microbial quality of the herbal drugs was satisfactory limit according to United States Pharmacopoeia [2006][1]

Some medicinal plants used by the rural practitioners [kabiraj or boiddya] of Bangladesh for treating menstrual troubles and leucorrhoea

The traditional practitioners of Bangladesh use a huge number of medicinally active plants for the treatment of various diseases including female diseases. The present study reveals that, the traditional medicine men used 60 plant species belonging to 39 families to cure female diseases like menstrual troubles and leucorrhoea. These plants are being used by them from time immemorial. In this paper short diagnostic description of these plants, Botanical name, Family name, Tribal name [Chakma [C], Marma [M], Murong [Mu], Mogh [Mo], Santal [S] Tanchangya [T], Garo [G]], Bengali name [B], English name [E], type of the plants, availability, mode of preparation, uses and doses are described

survey of medicinal plants as regards to their uses by the tribal practitioners in the Chittagong hill tracts of Bangladesh to check various diseases

More than seven hundred of medicinal plants have so far been enlisted as growing in Bangladesh [Yousuf et. al., 2009]. This number of indigenous medicinal plants is increasing day by day in this country. Most of these plants are used by the rural practitioner, especially tribal practitioner of Chittagong Hill Tracts [CHTs] as an efficacious remedy to treat various ailments. The present study reveals that the tribal practitioners of Chittagong Hill Tracts have applied 138 plant species belonging to 54 families for the treatment of many complicated diseases such as Jaundice, Rheumatism, Skin diseases, Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Asthma, Malaria, Stomach pain, Gonorrhoea, Diabetes, Urinary diseases, Liver diseases, Pneumonia, Menstrual diseases, Heart diseases, etc. Short diagnostic description of these plants is described

Indigenous medicinal plants used by the tribal healers of chittagong hill tracts to treat diarrhoea and dysentery

More information was gathered about traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery by the tribal communities of three hilly districts [Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari] in Chittagong. The tribal communities depend on medicinal plants for treating many difficult diseases. These medicinal plants have been used by them as effective remedy from time immemorial. The present study reveals that, the tribal communities use 56 plant species belonging to 36 families for the prevention as well as treatment of above mentioned diseases. All of the plants were collected from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. Short diagnostic description of plants, botanical name, family name, Bengali name, English name, Tribal name, systematic position, plant preparation, uses and dosage information are described

Traditional folk medicine used by the tribal practitioners of Chittagong hill tracts of Bangladesh to alleviate rheumatism

The present investigation was undertaken on the use of indigenous medicinal plants by the tribal practitioners [Kabiraj] inhabiting the hilly districts called Chittagong Hill Tracts [CHTs] of Bangladesh to treat rheumatism. A large number of people in this area depend on the medicinal plant resources because of their poverty and/or their tradition. Study reveals that the tribal medicine man used eighty-six species of medicinal plants distributed into forty-five families for the treatment of rheumatic disorders. All the species were collected from different places of Hill Tracts districts and identified by the authors with the help of Bangladesh National Herbarium

Some indigenous medicinal plants knowledge for treating bronchial asthma in chittagong hill tracts, Bangladesh

Traditional medicinal plant knowledge of 20 plants species in the Chittagong Hill Tracts used in the treatment of asthma is documented. These plants are being used in the Chittagong Hill Tracts by the 13 tribal communities in traditional medicine for hundreds of years with reputation as efficacious remedies although there may not be sufficient data for sustaining their efficacy. Short diagnostic description, systematic position, tribal names of the plants are described. Plant preparation, dose and period of use are directly translated from Chakma Marma Pharmacopoeia in collaboration with tribal professional practitioners and bilingual tribal guides of Khagrachari Hill District, Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh

Documentation of some medicinal plants used by the tribal communities of chittagong Hill tracts of Bangladesh for treatment of skin diseases

The Tribal communities of The Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh use a lot of medicinally active plants to treat various diseases. The investigation revealed that, the Tribal communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts use 41 plant species belonging to 27 families for treatment of skin diseases. These plants are being used by the Tribal communities for hundreds of years. All plants were collected and identified by the authors with the help of the Tribal communities, books, photographs and comparing identified herbarium. Short diagnostic descriptions of the plants, botanical name, family name, Bengali and English names, botanical features and dose information are described

Ethno-medical uses of some medicinally active plants for treating malaria in Chittagong hill tracts, Bangladesh

Traditional medicinal knowledge on 21 plant species in the Chittagong Hill Tracts has been documented which have the active principles for the treatment of malaria. These plants are being used in the Chittagong Hill Tracts by the 13 tribal communities in traditional medicine for hundreds of years with reputation as efficacious remedies although there may not be sufficient data available for sustaining their efficacy in this regard. Short diagnostic description, systematic position and tribal names of the plants are described. Plant preparation, dose and period of use are directly translated from Chakma Marina Pharmacopoeia in collaboration with tribal professional practitioners and bilingual tribal guides of Khagrachari Hill District, Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh

Prevention of peritoneal adhesions by administration of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, cortisone and oral vitamin E

Previous studies have shown that dietary supplements of vitamin E or intraperitoneal administration of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose [SCMC] solution reduced postoperative adhesions by approximately 50%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose [SCMC] [Hercules cellulose gum, grade 7H4F, Food Grade, Hercules Inc., Wilmington, D.E.] to prevent adhesions and to compare this solution with cortisone and vitamin E and to determine whether there is synergistic beneficial effect of vitamin E and SCMC in reducing postoperative adhesions

Immunological aspects of pancreatic transplantation in dogs

This study comprised 20 dogs, for which pancreas transplantation has been performed [20 donors and 20 recipients]. Whole pancreas transplantation was carried out for 10 dogs, while the other 10 dogs have undergone segmental pancreas transplantation. Fasting serum glucose began to rise very late, serum amylase level showed daily variation, which was not significant for diagnosis of rejection while C-peptide levels showed a marked significant decrease in its level three to six days before pathological diagnosis of rejection. Mixed lymphocyte culture [MLC] and response to phytohemagglutinin [PHA] nitrogen has been performed to monitor rejection one week postoperatively. The results of MLC for the functioning grafts were statistically lower than those for the non functioning rejected grafts being were statistically lower than those for the non functioning rejected grafts being [75.68 +/- 10.96] and [125.89 +/- 31.05] count per minute [CPM], respectively. The response to PHA nitrogen showed a good response in the functioning grafts, while the non functioning rejected grafts had a poorer response for PHA being [162.89 +/- 26.13] and [78.14 +/- 16.56], respectively, which began to occur from six to two days before actual rejection. No significant difference was observed between the group of total and that of segmental pancreas transplantation

Abdominal tumours in infancy and childhood, study of 240 cases

A total of 240 infants and children having abdominal tumors was admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Unit, Mansoura University Hospital, during the period from 1989 to 1994. Their ages ranged from 1 month to 12 years with a mean age 3.1 years. They included 135 males [56.3%] and 105 females [43.7%]. They were presented mainly by abdominal enlargement with other symptoms varying from simple dyspepsia to acute abdomen. This study discussed 5-year experience in different abdominal tumors in infancy and childhood

Manometric evaluation of continence after surgery for imperforate anus

Functional results after surgical correction of anorectal anomalies were assessed in 45 patients clinically and manometrically, in addition to 5 control children. The clinical assessment followed Kelly score. Continent patients had marked high pressure zones. Thus, anorectal pressure profile was found to correlate well with continence. Patients with high anomalies had lower pressure zones whatever the operation done if compared to patients with intermediate or low anomalies yet the results varied according to the operation done. Manometry was compared to defecography and was found to be more accurate