Determining the optimal fluoride concentration in drinking water for fluoride endemic regions in South India.

Fluoride ion in drinking water is known for both beneficial and detrimental effects on health. The prevalence of fluorosis is mainly due to the intake of large quantities of fluoride through drinking water owing to more than 90% bioavailability. The objective of this study is to predict optimal fluoride level in drinking water for fluoride endemic regions by comprising the levels of fluoride and other water quality parameters in drinking water, prevalence of fluorosis, fluoride intake through water, food and beverages such as tea and coffee and also considering the progressive accumulation of fluoride in animal bones, by comparing with non fluoride endemic areas comprise of the same geological features with the aid of regression analysis. Result of this study shows that increase of fluoride level above 1.33 mg/l in drinking water increases the community fluorosis index (CFI) value more than 0.6, an optimum index value above which fluorosis is considered to be a public health problem. Regression plot between water fluoride and bone fluoride levels indicates that, every increase of 0.5mg/l unit of water fluoride level increases the bone fluoride level of 52 mg/kg unit within 2 to 3 years. Furthermore, the consumption of drinking water containing more than 0.65 mg/l of fluoride can raise the total fluoride intake per day more than 4 mg, which is the optimum fluoride dose level recommended for adults by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. From the result, the people in fluoride endemic areas in South India are advised to consume drinking water with fluoride level within the limit of 0.5 to 0.65 mg/l to avoid further fluorosis risk.

Mapping of fluoride endemic areas and assessment of fluoride exposure.

The prevalence of fluorosis is mainly due to the consumption of more fluoride through drinking water. It is necessary to find out the fluoride endemic areas to adopt remedial measures to the people on the risk of fluorosis. The objectives of this study are to estimate the fluoride exposure through drinking water from people of different age group and to elucidate the fluoride endemic areas through mapping. Assessment of fluoride exposure was achieved through the estimation fluoride level in drinking water using fluoride ion selective electrode method. Google earth and isopleth technique were used for mapping of fluoride endemic areas. From the study it was observed that Nilakottai block of Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu is highly fluoride endemic. About 88% of the villages in this block have fluoride level more than the prescribed permissible limit in drinking water. Exposure of fluoride among different age groups was calculated in this block, which comprises 32 villages. The maximum estimated exposure doses were 0.19 mg/kg/day for infants, 0.17 mg/kg/day for children and 0.10 mg/kg/day for adults. When compared with adequate intake of minimal safe level exposure dose of 0.01 mg/kg/day for infants and 0.05 mg/kg/day for other age groups, a health risk due to fluorosis to the people in Nilakottai block has become evident. From the results, the people in Nilakottai block are advised to consume drinking water with fluoride level less than 1 mg/l. It has been recommended to the government authorities to take serious steps to supply drinking water with low fluoride concern for the fluorosis affected villages.

BRONCHODILATOR EFFECT OF ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF Euphorbia hirta linn.

The bronchodilator effect of alcoholic extract of Euphorbia hirta Linn was evaluated at different doses (50,100 and 200mg/kg,p.o), using histamine aerosol test model. A dose dependent bronchodilator effect was observed in E. hirta pretreated animals. The extract of E. hirta at a dose of 200mg/kg was found to be more effective in histamine induced broncho constriction and a significant (p<0.001) effect was observed.

In vitro snake venom detoxifying action of some marine algae of Gulf of Mannar, south-east coast of India.

The extract of the brown seaweed Padina boergesenii and the red seaweed Hypnea valentiae was found to detoxify (in vitro) the venom of Naja nigricollis. There was a remarkable reduction in the mortality of albino mice after intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of reconstituted venom with the extract compared to those challenged with the venom only. The survival of the animals exposed to the venom incubated with the different concentrations of the extract was used as the in vitro detoxification parameter.

Evaluation of mosquitocidal activity of Annona squamosa leaves against filarial vector mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus Say.

Methanolic extract of leaves of A. squamosa was tested for mosquitocidal effect against C. quinquefasciatus. A liquid mosquito insecticide formulation was prepared with the extract (1, 3 and 5 %w/w) using deodorized kerosene as solvent and investigated for its knock-down and 24 hr mortality. The extract formulation produced dose dependent activity, exhibited significantly shorter knock down KD50 and KD90 values and produced significant mortality. The results suggest the potential mosquitocidal effect of A. squamosa on C. quinquefasciatus.

Antibacterial activity of root extract of trianthema decandra.

Methanolic extract of Trianthema decandra was investigated for its antibacterial activity against staphylococcus aureus (NCIM 2079), Escherichia coli (NCIM 2065), Bacillus subtilis (NCIM 2063), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NICIM 2036) and Proteus vulgaris (NICIM 2027) at 100 µg/disc using disc diffusion method. The extract showed significant antibacterial activity and were comparable to Chloramphenicol (30/ µg/disc). Our findings confirm the traditional therapeutic claims for this herb.

Effect of root extract of Aegle marmelos on dermal wound healing in rats.

The wound healing effect of methanolic extract of the root of aegle marmelos was evaluated in the form of an ointment with two different concentrations (5% and 10% w/w in simple ointment base) in excision wound model and incision wound model in rats. In both the concentrations, the extract ointment produced a significant response in both the wound types tested, as evidenced by its wound contracting ability, wound closure time and increase in the tensile strength. The results were also comparable to those of a standard drug nitrofurazone.

Effect of sivanaar amirtham and ayakkantha chendooram in experimental inflammation and mast cell protection.

The Siddha Drugs Sivannar Amirthan (SA), Ayakkantha chendooram (AC) and their combinations were screened for their anti-inflammatory effect against carrageenin induced paw edema and for its protective effect on mast cellos against degranulation, A significant anti-inflammatory and mast cell protective effects were observed.