Antimicrobial activity of comfort related properties of silk treated with herbal extracts in making of reusable masks

The study was aimed at divulging an eco-friendly antimicrobial finish on 100 % silk woven fabric. The leaves' extract of Azadirachata indica, Butea monosperma and Litche chinensis were used as the development of eco-friendly antimicrobial finish. The antimicrobial property and comfort related property were checked before and after applying antimicrobial finish. In comfort related property absorbency & air permeability were checked. The ASTEM E2149 Shake Flask method was used to check antimicrobial finish and AATCC method was used for checking fabric property. One way ANOVA statistical test was applied for analysis of results. The FTIR and SEM results showed the presences of finish on fabrics. In comfort related property, absorbency and air permeability was increased. The results showed that antimicrobial finish made 100% reduction against microorganism up to 25 washes which can be used in making reusable masks fight against COVID- 19.

Screening of flavonoids rich fractions of three Indian medicinal plants used for the management of liver diseases

ABSTRACTThe decoctions of the Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub., Fabaceae, Bauhinia variegata L., Fabaceae, and Ocimum gratissimum L., Lamiaceae, are traditionally used for the treatment of various types of hepatic disorder. Phytochemical studies have shown that total flavonoids from these plants were the major constituents of the picked out part of each plant. The present study was planned to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of flavonoid rich fractions of the B. monosperma, B. variegata and O. gratissimum against paracetamol induced liver damage. Flavonoid rich fractions were isolated by solvent fractionation from each plant. Each fraction was subjected to various qualitative chemical tests to findout the metabolites. Flavonoid fractions of each plant were subjected for pharmacological screening. The rats were monitored for change in liver morphology, biochemical parameters like serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin for the groups receiving the flavonoid-rich fractions. All flavonoid rich fractions showed significant hepatoprotective activity. The histological studies supported the biochemical parameters. From the results of biochemical analysis and histopathological studies, it can be accomplished that in the ethyl acetate fraction of O. gratissimum showed highest hepatoprotective activity as compared to other fractions. The present study was the first evidence of flavonoid-rich fractions of each plant have a remarkable hepatoprotective effect. All fractions contain a potent hepatoprotective agent suggested to be a flavone, which may find clinical application in amelioration of paracetamol-induced liver damage.

Histological changes in ovaries of mice exposed to butea monosperma: preliminary study / Cambios histológicos en ovarios de ratón expuestos a butea monosperma: estudio preliminar

In Ayurvedic practice Butea monosperma (Palash) is in clinical use for hundreds of years as a contraceptive. Seeds of Butea monosperma are also used as an anthelmitic (Ansani et al., 1979) and antimicrobial (Avirutnant & Pongpan, 1983). Butea monosperma (Fabaceae family) locally known as Palash (Dhak) if given for 3 consecutive days acts as an antifertility agent for which it has been is traditionally used since time immemorial. The objective of the present study was to search the effect of Butea monosperma seeds on the ovary of mice. Observations in the present study were massive degeneration of ova in almost all the follicles, irrespective of the stage of their development. The ova from treated animals showed different stages of necrotic process. Moreover, the arrangement of follicular cells was also disturbed. The Palash seeds in the form of powder when administered orally with distilled water, according to the body weight i.e.2g/Kg, of female mice, for three consecutive days showed notable changes in ovaries. The animals were sacrificed on day next to the last day of treatment and ovaries were extirpated. Ovaries studied histologically after Haematoxylin & Eosin staining showed most of the follicle in immature state with undefined nucleus and nucleoli in the ovum. Others showed degenerative changes in the ovum. Follicles had lost their normal shape and arrangement and organization of granulosa cells. It was conspicuous to find that almost all follicles including graafian follicles of treated ovaries were undergoing degenerative changes simultaneously. The rate of apoptosis in the granulosa cells when studied was found increased in treated cases as compared with control. The study suggests that the disintegration of ova in the ovaries is a specific effect of Butea monosperma seed administration.

En la práctica Ayurvédica Butea monosperma (Palash) se encuentra en uso clínico durante cientos de años como método anticonceptivo. Semillas de Butea monosperma también se utilizan como un antihemético y antimicrobiano. Butea monosperma (familia Fabaceae) conocida localmente como Palash (Dhak) si se administra durante 3 días consecutivos actúa como un agente anticonceptivo que se utiliza tradicionalmente desde tiempos inmemoriales. El objetivo del presente estudio fue buscar el efecto de las semillas de Butea monosperma en ovarios de ratones. Se obsevó degeneración masiva de los óvulos en casi todos los folículos, independientemente de la fase de su desarrollo. Los óvulos de los animales tratados mostraron las diferentes etapas del proceso necrótico. Por otra parte, la disposición de las células foliculares se mostró alterada. El polvo de semillas de Palash, cuando se administra a los ratones, por vía oral en agua destilada, i.e. 2g/Kg peso corporal, durante tres días produce cambios en los ovarios. Los animales se sacrificaron al día siguiente terminado el tratamiento y fueron extirpados los ovarios. Los ovarios se estudiaron histológicamente con HE mostrándose la mayoría de los folículos en estado inmaduro, con núcleo definido y nucléolos en el óvulo. Otros mostraron cambios degenerativos en los óvulos. Los folículos habían perdido su forma normal y la disposición y organización de células de la granulosa. Se encontró que casi todos los folículos incluyendo los folículos mostraban cambios degenerativos de manera simultánea. En los casos tratados, la tasa de apoptosis en las células de la granulosa estaba aumentada, en comparación con el grupo control. El estudio sugiere que la desintegración de los óvulos en los ovarios es un efecto específico de la administración de las semillas de Butea monosperma.