Chhanda Mallick

Correction of protein metabolic disorders by composite extract of Musa paradisiaca and Coccinia indica in streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino rat: an approach through the pancreas.

Objective: The study focused on the ability of the extracts of Musa paradisiaca and Coccinia indica on protein metabolic disorders in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Methods: Wistar strain rats were divided into 6 groups as control, control + composite extract treated, STZ-induced diabetes, diabetic + composite extract treated, composite extract-pretreated diabetes, and composite extract-pretreated diabetes + composite extract treated. Protein metabolic status was assessed by serum levels of urea, uric acid, albumin, and creatinine along with urine urea and albumin levels. Diabetic therapeutic ability was assessed by blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and serum insulin levels. Histology of the pancreas, liver, and kidney was evaluated. Results: Indices of protein metabolic disorders were deviated from control in STZ-induced diabetes, which were protected significantly after the treatment of composite extract of M. paradisiaca and C. indica. This protection was more prominent when the extract-pretreated animals were subjected to diabetes induction by STZ. Conclusion: The composite extract has a protective therapeutic effect against diabetes through &bgr;-cell regeneration capacity.Abbreviations: STZ - streptozotocin, FBG - fasting blood glucose, BW - body weight, ANOVA - analysis of variance

Prevalence of undernutrition among Kora-Mudi children aged 2-13 years in Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India

BackgroundNutritional status of tribal children in West Bengal has not been investigated adequately. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting in Kora-Mudi children of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, India.MethodsA cross sectional study was undertaken in two villages of the Paschim Medinipur District. Of 119 children aged 2–13 years, 59 boys and 60 girls were studied. Height and weight measurements were made by standard techniques. Children were considered as underweight, stunting and wasting if their weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height Z-scores <−2.0 SD of the National Center for Health Statistics reference standards.ResultsThe overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was 52.9%, 49.6% and 22.7%, respectively. About 16.0%, 24.4% and 1.7% of children were found to be severely underweight, stunted and wasted. The prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was higher in preschool children than in school going children. The chance of underweight, stunting and wasting was 1.80, 1.10 and 1.58 times greater in preschool children than in school going children. Moreover, the prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was higher in boys than in girls. The boys had 1.45, 1.66 and 2.02 times greater risk to be underweight, stunted and wasted. According to the WHO classification of severity in malnutrition, the overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was as high as ≥30%, ≥40 and ≥15%.ConclusionsThe nutritional status of Kora-Mudi children in West Bengal is critical. Appropriate measures should be taken by the respective authorities to improve childhood health and nutritional status.

Protective Effects of MTEC, a Formulated Herbal Drug on Glycemic Indices and Testicular Dysfunctions in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat

ABSTRACT Testicular dysfunctions in streptozotocin-treated diabetic rat were noted by an evaluation of sex organ relative weights, serum insulin and testosterone levels, sperm count and viability, androgenic enzyme activity, antioxidant enzymes, conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels in testis and germ cells counts at stage VII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic state has been proved here by recording the levels of fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, hepatic glycogen along with the activities of hepatic hexokinase. Co-treatment of hydro-methanolic (40:60) extract of root of Musa paradisiaca, seed of Tamarindus indica, seed of Eugenia jambolana or leaf of Coccinia indica in separate manner to streptozotocin-treated diabetic rat resulted in a significant correction in the levels of all of the above-mentioned parameters towards the control values. Degree of recovery in diabetes-induced glycemic disorders and testicular dysfunctions was more prominent when co-treatment was performed with a herbal-formulated drug (MTEC) that consists of hydro-methanolic extracts of M. paradisiaca, T. indica, E. jambolana and C. indica to diabetic rat (P < 0.05). This herbal-formulated drug has no general toxic effect. The results support the validity of this herbal drug for the management of diabetes as well as diabetes-induced testicular disorders.