Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Due to Wheat, Cabbage, and Spinach Consumption at Cold-Arid High Altitude Region.

Soil and water from the trans-Himalayan high-altitude region contain high concentrations of various heavy metals. Vegetables and cereals such as cabbage, spinach, and wheat are most prone to heavy metal accumulation from soil and water which can be toxic for human consumption. It has yet to be studied how consumption of vegetables and cereal with excess heavy metal content can affect human health in high altitude areas. To this end, the objectives of this study are (a) quantify the concentrations of Aluminum (Al), Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Boron (B), Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Selenium (Se), Copper (Cu), and Zinc (Zn) in three crops (wheat, cabbage, and spinach), and (b) evaluate the health risk of excess dietary heavy metal consumption in the local adult population using non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic parameters. A total of 60 samples were analyzed for minerals and potentially toxic elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results found that spinach has a high mineral content than wheat and cabbage. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of each metal in each crop was less than the limit of permissible value. The hazard index (HI) of three plant species, and target hazard quotient (THQ) were less than the threshold level (< 1). The carcinogenic risk (CR) value in all the crops was less than the unacceptable risk level (1 × 10-4). These findings suggest that consumption of wheat, spinach, and cabbage does not have any significant effect on human health due to presence of elevated heavy metals at this high altitude region. .

Effect of shading and high temperature amplitude in greenhouse on growth, photosynthesis, yield and phenolic contents of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.).

Low temperature is the major environmental factor that limits the optimal field production of tomato in the high altitude mountain regions. Studies were conducted to determine the feasibility of growing tomato, a temperature sensitive crop, in a naturally ventilated passive solar greenhouse with high temperature amplitude (24.7 ± 3.0 °C). The study also aimed to determine the application of shade net combined with low-cost greenhouse technology. Despite the temperature fluctuation from 6.6 ± 2.1 °C at night to 39.1 ± 4.7 °C day temperature, flowering and fruiting were observed under the greenhouse conditions. The marketable yield inside the greenhouse was 1.8-times higher compared to open-field. Shading significantly affected the photosynthesis and results in increased sub-stomatal CO2 concentration. Shading resulted in delayed flowering and 48% reduction in marketable yield. Total phenolic contents (TPC) of tomato grown under open-field and greenhouse conditions were similar. However, greenhouse conditions resulted in a 35% decrease in total flavonoid contents (TFC) of tomato fruit. Shading reduced the TPC and TFC by 29 and 16%, respectively under greenhouse conditions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-021-01032-z.

Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Through Cow Milk Consumption in Trans-Himalayan High-Altitude Region.

Consumption of heavy metals contaminated dairy milk may affect human health. No such studies have been carried out at the high-altitude region to assess the human health risk after consuming dairy milk. To this end, this study reveals the evaluation of selected heavy metals in dairy milk in the summer and winter seasons, followed by the assessment of heavy metals health risk. Analysis of Jersey crossbred cattle's milk showed that only the zinc level was significantly higher in the summer season. All the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic parameters were below the permissible limits. However, the carcinogenic risk (CR) level of arsenic and cadmium showed near the threshold level. Based on these findings, it might be concluded that all the studied metals do not have any significant role in health risk. In the near future, CR could be a health concern due to cow milk consumption at a high-altitude region.

Correction: One pot green preparation of Seabuckthorn silver nanoparticles (SBT@AgNPs) featuring high stability and longevity, antibacterial, antioxidant potential: a nano disinfectant future perspective.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C7RA10262C.].

Antioxidant capacities, phenolic contents, and GC/MS analysis of Rhodiola imbricata Edgew. root extracts from Trans-Himalaya.

Our aim was to assess the antioxidant capacities and phenolic constituents of methanol and aqueous extracts of Rhodiola imbricata Edgew. root from Trans-Himalayan cold desert of Ladakh. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging capacity of the root extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner (up to 0.1 mg/mL) and root extract concentrations required for 50% inhibition of radical scavenging effect (IC50 ) were recorded as 0.013 and 0.014 mg/mL (for DPPH) and 0.016 and 0.017 mg/mL (for ABTS) for methanol and aqueous extracts, respectively. The total antioxidant power of the extract was determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Total polyphenol and phenolic acid content of methanol and aqueous extracts were 112.24, 59.06, 39.02, and 16.95 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract, respectively. Total flavonoid and flavonol contents were estimated to be 30.2, 17.67, 20.68, and 7.38 mg quercetin equivalent/g of extract, respectively. In all antioxidant capacity assays, the methanol extract exhibited significantly higher antioxidant capacity than that of aqueous extract due to the presence of significantly higher amount of vital phytoconstitiuents, viz. polyphenol, phenolic acid, and flavonol. GC/MS analysis showed that phytosterols, alkyl halide, phenols, and fatty acid esters were major phytochemical clusters. On the other hand, monoterpenes, fatty acids, tocopherols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and ethers were found to be present in comparatively less amount in the methanol extract. Hence, our study signifies that this high-altitude medicinal herb could be used as the natural source of antioxidants and supports its use in traditional system of medicine to ameliorate oxidative stress and high-altitude maladies.

Antioxidant capacities and total polyphenol contents of hydro-ethanolic extract of phytococktail from trans-Himalaya.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential of hydro-ethanolic extract of a novel phytococktail comprising of sea buckthorn, apricot, and Rhodiola (SAR) from trans-Himalaya. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity of the extract increased in a dose-dependent manner (upto 0.1 mg/mL), and was found to be about 38% of that of ascorbic acid at 0.1 mg/mL. The hydro-ethanolic extract of SAR also scavenged the ABTS(.+) radical generated by ABTS/potassium persulfate (PPS) system and was found to be about 62% of that of ascorbic acid at 0.1 mg/ mL. The total antioxidant power of the extract was determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Total phenolic content was found to be 1.28016 × 10(-3) mol gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract. Total flavonoid and flavonol contents were estimated to be 2.5970 × 10(-4) mol and 4.87 × 10(-4) mol quercetin equivalent/g extract, respectively. The hydro-ethanolic extract of this phytococktail indicated presence of essential phytoconstituents of polyphenols, flavonoids, flavonols, and ascorbic acid, which contributed significantly to its antioxidant capacity. The combination of the 3 plants may well support their use in traditional medicine to combat oxidative stress and high-altitude sickness.

Traditional medicinal plants of cold desert Ladakh-used against kidney and urinary disorders.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Traditional medicine of clod desert Ladakh has large potential to treat various ailments among tribal communities inhabited in the remotest region of Indian subcontinent. This study was conducted to document the new ethno-medico-botanical information and traditional use of medicinal plants against kidney and urinary disorders, and thus to conserve the rapidly disappearing traditional knowledge system of Amchis of Ladakh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The information was collected from 105 villages of Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh region by involving 47 Amchis (the herbalists), village heads and old aged persons including women population through on spot interview and repeated queries among other interviewees over a period of 3 years from 2004-2006. RESULTS: The use of 68 medicinal plants belonging to 29 families and 58 genera of clod desert was documented against the treatment of kidney and urinary disorders in the tribal communities of Ladakh region in India. These species were used in combination of some exotic species such as Bergenia ligulata, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Crocus sativus, Elettaria cardamomum, Emblica officinalis, Ficus religiosa, Mangifera indica, Punica granatum, Santalum album, Spondiax axillaris, Terminalia belerica, Terminalia chebula, Zingiber officinale and some medicinal stones, minerals and salts etc. Problem in urine discharge, burning sensation and painful urination, inflammation and bleeding in the kidney, irritable condition of bladder, haemorrhage of kidney and removal of blocked urine and kidney stone were the frequently reported disorders in the study area. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of traditional system of medicine, role of Amchis in preparation of remedies according to age, sex and severity of ailment, method of preparation, doses and its administrations among tribal communities of Ladakh provides certain new information. Though the system is extensively used among the tribal communities in the remotest regions but still it has a great scope of proper phytochemical and pharmacological validation of the medicinal plants used in different remedies for conservation and development of traditional system of medicine according to modernization.

Traditional medicinal plants of cold desert Ladakh--used in treatment of cold, cough and fever.

This research paper presents the findings of an investigation on traditional remedies of cold, cough and fever among Boto (the Buddhists) tribal community of Leh-Ladakh region of India. Ladakh is one of the least populated regions of our country where major population lives in far-flung villages and higher elevations. Health care of tribal population is mainly dependent on traditional system of medicine which is popularly known as Amchi system of medicine. The Amchi system is principally based on Tibetan system of medicine. Fifty-six valuable species belonging to 21 families were identified with relevant information and documented in this paper with regard to their botanical name, family, collection number, local name, parts used and utilization by 'Amchis' (herbal practitioners) in treatment of cold, cough and fever.

Protective effect of ethanolic and water extracts of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) against the toxic effects of mustard gas.

Ethanolic extract of H. rhamnoides L. leaf (HL-EOH), water and ethanolic extract of H. rhamnoides fruit (HF-W and HF-EOH), and H. rhamnoides flavone from fruit (HR-flavone) were evaluated against percutaneously administered sulphur mustard (SM), a chemical warfare agent. The animals administered with SM (9.7, 19.3 and 38.7 mg/kg) died at various days depending upon the dose and there was a significant reduction in the body weight. The H. rhamnoides extracts (1 g/kg; 3 doses; po) significantly protected the lethality, with a protective index of 2.4, 1.7, 1.7 and 2.2 for HL-EOH, HF-W, HF-EOH and HR-flavone respectively. Reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutalthione (GSSG) levels were reduced, and malondialdehyde (MDA) was elevated after percutaneous administration of SM. Oral administration of HL-EOH and HR-flavone significantly protected the body weight loss. Recovery in the levels of GSH, GSSG and MDA were also observed following oral administration of HL-EOH and HR-flavone. All the extracts were non-toxic and the LD50 was more than 5 g/kg. The present study shows that percutaneous administration of SM induces oxidative stress and ethanolic extract of leaf of H. rhamnoides and H. rhamnoides flavone from fruit can significantly protect it.

Cytogenetic toxicity of leaf extract of Putranjiva roxburghii, a medicinal plant.

Young weaning Swiss albino mice were orally administered leaf extract of Putranjiva roxburghii at 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 g/kg body weight/day for seven consecutive days. The results showed that the leaf extract significantly induced mitosis-disruptive chromosomal changes in bone marrow cells. No change in the incidence of structural abnormalities was, however, noticed among the metaphase chromosomes. It is proposed that the extract might have interfered with the spindle and other proteins causing polyploidy, aneuploidy, c-mitosis, etc.

Differential genotoxicity of the crude leaf extract of a medicinal plant, Casearia tomentosa.

The genotoxic potentiality of the crude leaf extract of Casearia tomentosa, a medicinal preparation, has been evaluated in Swiss albino mice. The extract significantly induced the division-disruptive chromosomal changes in bone marrow cells as well as in primary spermatocytes; the latter also exhibited marked increase in synaptic disruptions. A significant decrease in sperm count was noted. The incidence of structural damages in chromosomes, however, remained within the range of control level frequency. This herbal preparation, therefore, appears to be primarily spindle-poisoning in its action, but not clastogenic. The probable mechanism of this differential genotoxicity is discussed.

Endoscopic techniques for retrieval of proximally migrated biliary stents: the Amsterdam experience.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrieval of proximally migrated biliary plastic stents may be technically challenging and sometimes unsuccessful. Despite the widespread use of such stents, there are few reports on the technique for retrieval of migrated stents. METHODS: We reviewed the records of patients who were found to have proximally migrated biliary stents during the last 3 years at a tertiary referral center. Our study analyzed the various techniques used for endoscopic retrieval and evaluated the factors influencing the choice of a particular technique. RESULTS: Endoscopic retrieval of a proximally migrated stent was attempted in 41 patients and was successful in 37 (90%). The retrieval techniques included Dormia basket, balloon, balloon and basket, basket and ball tip catheter, forceps, and Soehendra stent retriever. The Dormia basket technique was successful in the majority of cases. CONCLUSION: Proximally migrated biliary stents can be successfully removed endoscopically in most cases. The choice of a retrieval technique is dependent on several factors including biliary ductal dilatation, depth of stent migration, distal stent impaction and biliary stricture distal to the migrated stent. The placement of an additional stent alongside an irretrievable stent is a satisfactory alternative to retrieval.

Prolonged murine genotoxic effects of crude extracted from neem.

Oral administration of a crude ethanol extract of the leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica A juss) to adult Swiss albino mice for 7 days at 5 mg, 10 mg or 20 mg/10 g bw/day significantly increased the incidence of structural and mitosis disruptive changes in metaphase chromosomes of bone marrow cells on days 8, 15 and 35th of observation. It is proposed that one or other of the many constituents of the extract, along with genera free radicals, interfered with DNA to yield chromosome strand breakage or produced spindle disturbances, inducing belated genotoxic effects.

The role of extracellular matrix in injury to gastric mucosa by indomethacin.

The extracellular matrix components fibronectin, collagen IV, and laminin provide structural support for the gastric mucosal cells and influence cell migration, attachment, differentiation, and proliferation. Because little is known about the effect of indomethacin on the extracellular matrix, we studied the expression and distribution of extracellular matrix components in the gastric mucosa before and sequentially during indomethacin injury. A total of 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with placebo or indomethacin 100 mg intraperitoneally. One, 4, and 18 h later, stomachs were excised and gastric specimens were immunostained with specific antibodies against fibronectin (FN), collagen IV (CIV), laminin (LM), fibronectin receptor (FNR), and vimentin (VM). Gross necrosis, quantitative histology, and expression of FN, CIV, LM, FNR, and VM were analyzed using a videoimage analysis system. In the mucosa treated with indomethacin, the expression of VM and LM was decreased by 54% (p < 0.01) and 52% (p < 0.01), respectively, within 1 h vs. control mucosa. The former reflected damage to endothelial cells. Expression of FN, FNR, and CIV was decreased by 50, 25, and 50%, respectively, at 1 h after indomethacin, reflecting significant damage to the extracellular matrix. However, at 1 h, no gross necrosis and no histologic damage were seen in the gastric mucosa. We conclude that expression of extracellular matrix components in the gastric mucosa is significantly reduced during indomethacin injury and that damage to extracellular matrix and microvascular endothelium precedes injury of glandular epithelial cells.

Insulin-like growth factor I in human gastrointestinal exocrine secretions.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is the mediator of growth hormone dependent growth. The peptide has been identified by radioimmunoassay in a number of human exocrine secretions of the gastrointestinal tract including (nM): saliva 0.9, gastric juice 3.5, jejunal chyme 24.6, pancreatic juice 3.6, and bile 0.9. The identification of IGF-I in pancreatic juice was confirmed by HPLC. The intravenous injection of 1 unit/kg secretin increased pancreatic juice IGF-I content from a basal level of roughly 4 nM to nearly 20 nM. Conversely, the IGF-I content of bile was unaffected by secretin. Radioligand blot analysis of samples of gastric juice, jejunal chyme and pancreatic juice demonstrated that these fluids contained no IGF binding proteins. Thus, unlike IGF-I in serum, IGF-I secreted into the gastrointestinal lumen is not bound to insulin-like growth factor I binding proteins. Since the growth factor is not protein bound, its concentration in the gut lumen may be high enough to exert biological activity.

Induction of mitotic- and meiotic-chromosome anomalies in mice and onion by distillery effluents.

A 2% dilution of distillery effluent not only inhibited mitosis but also induced a 10-fold increase in the frequency of chromosome abnormalities in onion root-tip cells. Polyploidy and disturbances in cytokinesis were also observed. A 1% dilution of the effluent, when administered orally at 0.5 ml per day per mouse, induced a 12-fold increase in chromosome abnormalities among bone marrow cells. The latter included both gross and individual types of damage. In the primary spermatocytes, the effluent induced a 14-fold increase in abnormalities among which X-Y univalents, polyploidy and translocation were most common.

Randomness of chromosome breaks in bone marrow cells of fertilizer-fed mice, Mus musculus.

Three commonly used fertilizers, urea, single superphosphate and muriate of potash, induced chromosome and chromatid breaks in the metaphase chromosomes of bone marrow cells of fertilizer-fed Swiss albino mice, Mus musculus. The breaks caused by urea and phosphate were non-randomly distributed, since they were more frequent in the longer chromosomes than in the smaller ones, and more common in the distal region than in the juxtacentromeric and median regions. The breaks induced by muriate of potash were randomly distributed in both the length and region of the chromosomes.