Limonoids from the leaves of Soymida febrifuga and their insect antifeedant activities.

Three new phragmalin-type limonoids (1-3) were isolated from the leaves of Soymida febrifuga together with thirteen known limonoids. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic data. All these isolates were evaluated for their anti-feedant activities in tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) and castor semilooper (Achaea janata) using a no-choice laboratory bioassay. Among the tested, compounds 9 and 15 demonstrated the potent anti-feedant index (76.46 µg/cm(2), 66.61 µg/cm(2) against A. janata, and 61.69 µg/cm(2), 51.93 µg/cm(2)against S. litura).

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism is not associated with male infertility in a South Indian population.

Previous studies have revealed that genetic factors may be involved in regulating the mechanism of infertility, e.g., MTHFR gene polymorphism in the development of male infertility. The aim of this study is to examine whether an association exists between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and male infertility. The study was carried out by means of a PCR-RFLP assay in 206 infertile men and 230 ethnically matched controls. The statistical analysis using two-sided Fisher's exact test and Pearson chi-squared test showed CT genotype is associated nonsignificantly with male infertility (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.71-1.97). Because of the lack of TT homozygotes in the controls, a combined odds ratio of CT and TT homozygotes against the control has been calculated (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 0.83-2.22), and the same was insignificant. The overall results of the study indicate that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is not associated with male infertility.

Interferon gamma (IFNγ) +874A/T gene polymorphism in South Indian ischemic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke is a complex vascular and metabolic process resulting in neuronal death and progression with time. Cytokines play a role in immune response and also maintains the normal homeostatic environment of the central nervous system. IFN-γ is one of the key effector cytokines produced by NK and T cells that enhances microbicidal activity of macrophages and neutrophils. PURPOSE: As the association of IFNγ +874A/T gene polymorphism with stroke has not been investigated in Indian population, we wanted to evaluate the association of this polymorphism with ischemic stroke in a South Indian population. METHODS: We genotyped 171 ischemic stroke patients and 153 age-matched control subjects. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed a significant association of TT homozygote with ischemic stroke (OR=1.9, 95% CI=1.05-3.43, p=0.03), while AA (OR= 0.84, 95% CI=0.54-1.31, p=0.46) and AT(OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.51-1.26, p=0.34) genotypes were not significantly associated. A and T allele frequencies in stroke were 58.78% and 41.22% as against 65.36% and 34.64% in control group, respectively, thus, suggesting no statistically significant differences in the A (OR=0.75, 95% CI=0.54-1.03, p=0.08) and T (OR=1.32, 95% CI=0.96- 1.82, p=0.08) allele frequencies between the two groups. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the IFN-γ +874 TT genotype is associated with the increased risk of ischemic stroke.

Role of glutathione S-transferase Mu-1 (GSTM1) polymorphism in oligospermic infertile males.

The aim of this study was to examine whether an association exists between glutathione S-transferase Mu-1 (GSTM1) gene polymorphism and idiopathic male infertility. Forty-two men with infertility and 43 fertile men were recruited for this study. GSTM1 gene was analysed using PCR technique. The frequency of GSTM1 null (-) genotype was observed to be 45.2% in infertile men as against 20.09% in fertile men. Subjects with the GSTM1 null genotype had lower sperm concentrations and motility when compared with the subjects with GSTM1-positive genotype in both the groups. This study shows that the frequency of GSTM1 null (-) genotype is significantly high in infertile males when compared with the frequency in fertile males (OR = 0.32, P = 0.017, 95% CI = 0.124-0.831).

A new benzil derivative from Derris scandens: Structure-insecticidal activity study.

Bioactivity-directed investigation of root extract of Derris scandens has led to the isolation and characterization of a new benzil derivative (11), along with ten known compounds (1-10). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic (IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR) data analysis and by comparison with the literature data. The insect antifeedant activity and growth inhibitory studies of these compounds were investigated against castor semilooper pest, Achaea janata using a no-choice laboratory bioassay. Several of the isolates displayed potent feeding deterrence and were also toxic or caused developmental abnormalities following topical administration. The new compound, derrisdione A was moderately active with an antifeedant index of 58.6+/-1.7% at 10microg/cm(3) against A. janata.

Kairomones extracted from rice yellow stem borer and their influence on egg parasitization by Trichogramma japonicum ashmead.

Host location and acceptance by egg parasitoids can be mediated by close-range host stimuli. In this study, we tested the response of Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead to cuticular extracts of adult and larval rice yellow stem borer (YSB), Scripophaga incertulas Walker. We also studied the wasps' response to extracts from YSB larval frass. Laboratory bioassays revealed that hexane extracts of the adult host body stimulate ovipositor probing of T. japonicum. Extracts of larval frass also stimulated parasitization. In contrast, host larval cuticular extracts had no effect on parasitization rates. Fractionation of the crude extracts of adult YSB cuticular extracts was performed using silica gel chromatography, followed by bioassays of the individual fractions to test their effects on wasp behavior. Analyses of the most active fractions by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that the extract contained saturated long chain alkanes and alkenes, with carbon numbers ranging from C20 to C32. Hydrocarbons were applied onto host eggs to test their effects on parasitization rates. Treatments of eggs with docosane, tetracosane, pentacosane, and eicosane enhanced host egg parasitization, while pentadecane, hexadecane, and nonadecane deterred oviposition.

Efficacy and tolerability of trandolapril in mild to moderate hypertension--a double blind comparative clinical trial with enalapril in Indian population.

Several large scale clinical trials have demonstrated that angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors offer cardiovascular and renal protection independent of their effects on systolic BP. Trandolapril is a new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor approved for the treatment of hypertension. The potential advantages of this drug are long duration of action and better tolerability. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of trandolapril with that of enalapril in mild to moderate hypertension in Indian population. In this double blind, multicentric, parallel comparative clinical study, 120 patients with mild to moderate hypertension were randomly assigned to receive trandolapril 2 mg or enalapril 5 mg once daily for 8 weeks. The attainment of sitting diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg at the end of 8th week was considered as primary outcome measure and attainment of diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg or reduction of at least 10 mmHg diastolic blood pressure compared to baseline at any visit was considered as secondary outcome measures. 98.4% patients treated with trandolapril and 92.6% patients treated with enalapril fulfilled the primary outcome measure. 54, 72 and 62% patients on trandolapril and 52, 61 & 64% patients on enalapril fulfilled secondary outcome measure at the end of 2nd, 4th and 8th week respectively. Also trandolapril was better tolerated than enalapril with no significant abnormality in lab parameters.

Amino acid disorders in mental retardation: a two-decade study from Andhra Pradesh.

A screening program was carried out for amino acid disorders in children with mental handicaps from the state of Andhra Pradesh (India) during the last two decades. Forty-one (0.9%) cases were detected with amino acid disorders among 4500 children surveyed. We reported amino acid disorders of rare occurrence such as dicarboxylic aminoaciduria, hydroxykynureninuria, persistent hypertyrosinemia, hydroxyprolinemia, hypervalinemia, etc. A new metabolic defect threoninemia was also detected. We have observed a preponderance of males with amino acid disorders. Parental consanguinity was present in 54% of cases with amino acid disorders.

Hyper prolinuria and hyper-hydroxy prolinuria in children with mental retardation.

Three thousand cases with mental retardation referred from different hospitals were screened for aminoacid disorders. Among them one case of hyperprolinuria and another case of hyperprolinuria with hyper hydroxyprolinuria were detected. These are the first cases to be reported from the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Subjective and polysomnographic evaluation of a herbal preparation in insomnia.

In the present study a polyherbal preparatian was evaluated for clinical efficacy and safety in insomnia by subjective and Polysomnographic method. Thirtynine patients were included. After placebo run-in period, 2 tablets of the test formulation were given daily at bed time for 21 days. Sleep parameters - onset, duration, number of awakenings, quality and daytime hangover were recorded on a diary card. Before and after treatment with the test drug, computerised polysomnography was performed to record sleep parameters - total sleep time, sleep latency, efficiency and wake period. During the course of treatment with active drug, incidence of side effect was noted. The present herbal preparation produced significant improvement in sleep parameters. In most of the patients total sleep was significantly increased. Mean total sleep time was increased from 344 ±11.4 min to 403 ±11.2 min (p<0.001). There [was significant reduction in mean sleep latency from 40 ± 4.3 min to 29 ± 3.2 min (p<0.001) and similarly, mean number of nocturnal awakening decreased from 1.6 ± 0.12 to 1.03 ± 0.08 (p<0.001). The subjective improvement was correlated with Polysomnographie parameters. Total sleep time increased from 204 ± 31 min to 262 ± 38.6 min. Wake period during sleep reduced from 275 ± 23 min to 191 ± 38 min and the persistence sleep latency from 85 ± 23 to 24 ± 5.7 min. The sleep efficiency improved from 42 ± 5.7%, to 57 ± 6.6% with herbal formulation. The sleep period from stage I-IV increased from 43 ±2.8% to 54 ±4.1%. There was improvement in sleep quality score from 1.5 ± 0.04 to 1.8 ± 0.04. Test drug did not produce any feeling of hangover or day time sleeplessness, 11 patients complained mild epigastric distress after test drug. It can be concluded that the herbal formulation has good hypnotic activity and can be used in insominia.