Foliicolous fungi: Earths Living Wealth from Shrawasti (Uttar Pradesh), India.

During the survey of the North Tarai forests of Uttar Pradesh for Foliicolous Fungi during February, 2011 to October, 2013 in Bhinga Forest Range, Shrawasti Forest Division, Shrawasti (Uttar Pradesh, India) we came across one hundred fifteen fungal species representing forty six fungal genera inhabiting one hundred forty angiospermic host plants representing forty families. It was surprising to note and record that there are thirty nine novel fungal species and nineteen new host records.

Diversity of Potent Ethno-Medicinal Flora for Headache from North-Tarai Forests of (U. P.) India.

An ethno-medicinal survey was undertaken in the North Tarai Forests of Uttar Pradesh for the documentation of ethno-medicinal information of plants and herbs used for the treatment of various ailments in the area by traditional healers as well as rural inhabitants. The North Tarai region of U. P. has well blessed phytodiversity in its green natural forests as well as rich ethnic and rural communities. The rural inhabitants of the area are still far from modern civilization so they are totally dependent on forests for their various needs specially for healthcare. Due to the presence of rich traditional knowledge of medicine and great faith and belief on Ayurvedic and Siddha system of medicine the rural inhabitants use herbal medication. During the ethno medicinal survey we found one hundred forty plant species in which one hundred ten plant species belonging to ninety five genera representing fifty one families were reported which were being used for the treatment of headache. The present work was undertaken for the treatment of headache. The investigation was performed by collection of medicinal plants in consultation with local healers, rural dwellers, as well as medicine venders. Questionnaire method was adopted for the documentation of ethno medicinal information. Various medicinal plant parts viz. leaves, flowers, bark, latex, seeds, rhizome, root, as well as whole plant part were being used as ethnomedicine. Mostly medicines were used externally while somewhere also being used internally. For each plant species details of scientific name, author name, family name and vernacular name as well as method and mode of medicine administration are described in the text. In conclusion the North-Tarai region of U. P. disposes great diversity of medicinal plants as well as large phytotherapeutic knowledge which are to be scientifically investigated and needed to be conserved.

Diversity of Ethno –Medicinal Plants for Diabetes from Bahraich (U.P.) India.

In this study the medicinal plants used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus is inventoried based on the ethno pharmacological survey in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. Bahraich is well blessed with phytodiversity which is a rich source of medicinal plants as well as ethnic communities. The remote locality, poverty, illiteracy and lack of touch with modern civilization make them confined to hold on traditional faith hence they are wholly dependent on indigenous plants for the treatment of diabetes as well as other ailments. For the purpose traditional herbal healers as well as experienced elder persons were interviewed. The result indicated that the rural people use phytotherapy because it is cheaper, more efficient and without any side effect than modern medicine. In this ethno-medicinal enquiry sixty five species of medicinal plants belonging to sixty five genera representing thirty two families are cited which were used for the treatment of diabetes in the area. Many parameters have been evaluated such as knowledge of the method of medicine preparation, plant part used for medicinal purpose, doses and mode of administration. Many different plants have been used individually or in formulations with other plants. A list of medicinal plants with anti-diabetic properties which were mostly used in the treatment of diabetes are Allium sativum, Aegle marmelos, Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, Emblica officinalis, Gymnema sylvestre, Mangifera indica, Momordica charantia, Syzygium cumunii, Trigonella foenum-geaecum, Terminelia bellerica, Terminelia chebula and Zingiber officinale etc. In conclusion Bahraich district disposes a large phytotherapeutic knowledge which are to be scientifically investigated.

Anthropometric Measurements in Different Ethnic groups of Nepalese New Borns.

Introduction: There is a wide variation in normal birth weight, length and head circumference of newborns. The standards formulated by Western workers may not be very reliable to this part of world because of wide variations in normal range of length, weight and head circumference in different ethnic groups. This study aims to determine the anthropometric values – birth weight, length and head circumference in Term and Preterm newborns of different ethnic groups in this region of the country and to see if this can be used as a standard for taking the anthropometric measurements. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 600 newborns born in Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara from July 2009–June 2010. A detailed anthropometric measurement (weight, length, and head circumference) of all newborns was taken on 3rd day of life. Results: Six major Ethnic groups were noted Brahmin, Gurung, Dalit, Chettri, Magar and Newar. There were 54 % males and 46% females among which 18.16% were preterms, 20.66% small for gestation age, 81.50% term and 0.33% posterm. The mean weight, length and head circumference of term babies were 2.817±0.61 gms, 47.68±2.48 cm, 33.56±2.02 cm and for preterm babies it was 2.215± 0.41 gms, 46.36±2.39 cm, 32.23±2.03 cm respectively. There were 25% low birth weight (n=151, highest number in Brahmins-27%), 74.16% normal weight (n=445) and 0.66% over weight (n=4, all were gurungs) babies. In Term newborns weight, length and head circumference was noted to be highest in Gurungs (3.3004gms, 49.35cm, 34.72cm) and was statistically significant (p<0.000). Weight and length of Brahmins was lowest (2.578 gms, 45.49cm) and head circumference was lowest in Dalits (30.88cm, statistically significant<0.000). In case of preterms highest weight and length was seen in Magars (2.387gms, 47.90cm) but head circumference was highest in Gurungs (34.18cm) whereas weight was lowest in chettri (2.1609gms), length in Brahmin (44.61cm) and OFC in Dalits (29.92cm). These parameters were directly proportion with gestation age and was statistically significant (p<0.000). Conclusion: The present study highlights the mean weight, length and head circumference of term and preterm newborns in different ethnic groups and gestation age. These parameters were directly proportion to gestation age but were variable in different Ethnic groups. Therefore a study in larger population could give us a different standard for anthropometric measurements in Nepalese newborns.