Metaphase arrest and delay in cell cycle kinetics of root apical meristems and mouse bone marrow cells treated with leaf aqueous extract of Clerodendrum viscosum Vent.

OBJECTIVES: To study cell cycle delay and metaphase arresting activity of leaf aqueous extract of Clerodendrum viscosum Vent. (LAECV) in root apical meristems and mouse bone marrow cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell cycle delay and metaphase arresting activities of LAECV were analysed, in root apical meristems of onion and wheat, and in mouse bone marrow cells, by scoring mitotic index, metaphase frequency and transition of cells from metaphase to anaphase. Colchicine was used as the standard metaphase arresting drug. Phytochemicals present in LAECV were detected and their phytotoxic activity was evaluated by analysing green-gram (Vigna radiata) seedling's root growth retardation and branch root swelling phenomenon. RESULTS: LAECV treatment resulted in dose-dependent root growth retardation of green-gram seedling root length (P < 0.01) and half maximal growth inhibitory concentration (IC(50) ) of LAECV was 0.87 mg/ml at 144 h. In onion and wheat root meristem cells the mitotic index decreased, metaphase frequency increased and transition from metaphase to anaphase reduced. Experimentation with mouse bone marrow cells indicated that LAECV induced metaphase arrest (164.3% increase in arrested metaphases per 300 mg/kg body weight, over 2.5 h). Phytochemicals like carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, terpenoids, triterpenoids, tannins and trace amounts of alkaloids were detected in LAECV. CONCLUSION: It may be said that LAECV contains mitostatic and metaphase arresting components that are able to induce significant metaphase arrest in root apical meristems and also in mouse bone marrow cells.

High prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its correlates in two tribal populations of India and the impact of urbanization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. The prevalence of this syndrome is high among Asians, including Indians, and is rising, particularly with the adoption of a modernized life style. Whether traditional societies in India have a low prevalence and the extent to which a transition to a modern life style contributes to the increase in prevalence are unknown. To examine the role of environmental and genetic factors in metabolic syndrome we conducted a study in two sub-Himalayan tribal populations with shared ancestry (Toto and Bhutia). The Toto live exclusively in a rural area, whereas a section of the Bhutia has adopted a modern life style. METHODS: Fasting (12 h) blood samples of Toto (n=258); rural Bhutia (n=75) and urban Bhutia (n=230) were collected, with written informed consent. Lipid profile, blood pressures, body fat and other anthropometric parameters were assessed. Criteria suggested by National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (2001) were used for assessment of metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high (about 30-50%) among the Bhutia, with no significant rural-urban difference. Among the Toto, though the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was low (about 4-9%), their lipid levels were alarmingly adverse (about 37-67% had low HDLcholesterol or high triglyceride levels). There was an additional adverse impact of adoption of urban life-styles (perhaps primarily mediated through dietary changes) on cardiovascular risk factors. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that metabolic syndrome and its correlates could be a major health problem even in traditional societies, indicating that this syndrome was not necessarily a result of modernization. Further, our study indicates that genetic factors that adversely affect the levels of such variables have long antiquities in Indian ethnic groups.

Genetic relationships among some tribal groups inhabiting the north-eastern, eastern and sub-Himalayan regions of India.

The origins and genomic affinities of various tribal populations of India are of considerable contemporary interest. In this study, we have investigated relationships among five tribal groups inhabiting the north-eastern, eastern and sub-Himalayan regions of India. DNA samples have been analysed in respect of 25 polymorphic loci, based on which genetic affinities have been estimated. The interesting findings of this study are (i) the Tibeto-Burman speaking, morphologically Mongoloid, tribal groups of India are not genetically very homogeneous, and (ii) the Tharu, a group inhabiting the sub-Himalayan region, may indeed have undergone considerable admixture as has been postulated by some anthropologists.