Md. Amirul Islam

Analysis of Heavy Metals and Other Elements in Textile Waste Using Neutron Activation Analysis and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

The work focused on the elemental and physicochemical analysis in the textile waste (Effluent and Sludge) where two effluent samples and one sludge sample were collected from Grameen Knit Dyeing Industry (GKDI). Every effluent sample is divided into liquid sample (L1 and L2) and residual sample (R1 and R2). Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) method used for the elemental analysis. The study revealed that, in the sludge (S) the Sb concentration was found 50.2 mg/L which exceeded the standard. Here Co concentration exceeded the standard. Here the highest Cr and Cd value was found in the (S) which exceeded the standard level. The total alkalinity, hardness and free CO2 level of discharged water was harmful for the environment. From this study it is revealed that the sludge contain high content of heavy metal and other harmful elements. Soda ash method can be applied to reduce the ‘Cr’ concentration. Keywordselement, grameen knit dyeing, neutron, sludge, waste.

ANTIDIARRHEAL AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES OF ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS BARK

Alstonia scholaris (Apoc ynaceae) is an evergreen and tropical tree native to the Indian subcontinent and South - east Asia . It is a well known medicinal plant and commonly known as ‘ Chhatim ’ in Bangladesh . Traditionally the bark is used to treat anemia , menstrual disorders, colic, diarrhea , dysentery and acute arthritis. In the present study, the ethanolic extract of bark was investigated for phytochemical properties as well as anti diarrh eal and cytotoxic activities. In antidiarrheal activity test (castor oil induced diarrhea), the extra ct was taken as a dose of 250mg /kg body w eigh t orally in Swiss albino mice and t he standard drug l operamide, at a dose of 50mg/kg. The cytotoxic test was performed on brine shrimp ( Artemia salina ) . T he ethanolic extract contains alkaloid, reducing sug ar, saponin and t annin . It significantly increased mean latent period (1.09 hr) and decreased the frequency of defecation , which w ere comparable to the standard drug ( P <0.0 1) . In case of c ytotoxic test , the LC 50 & LC 90 were found as 22. 25 & 95.28 µg/ml , res pectively . The findings suggest that Alstonia scholaris possesses antidiarrh eal and cytotoxic activities.

Anticonvulsant effect of anacardic acid in murine models: Putative role of GABAergic and antioxidant mechanisms

Epilepsy is a neurological disease affecting people of all ages worldwide. Side effects of antiepileptic drugs and their association with oxidative stress stimulate the search for new drugs, which would be more affordable with fewer adverse effects. Accordingly, the aim of the present work is to evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of anacardic acid (AA), a natural compound extracted from cashew liquid (Anacardium occidentalis), in murine models, as well as its antioxidant actions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. AA (>90% purity) was tested, in vivo, in male Swiss mice (25-30 g) with four convulsive models, (1) pentylenetetrazole, (2) pilocarpine, (3) electroshock, and (4) kainic acid, at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, body weight (B.W.) Additionally, the effective dose, toxic dose, and protective index studies were also performed. Results revealed that AA exhibits anticonvulsive effects in models 1, 3, and 4, with a mean effective dose (ED50) of 39.64 (model 1) >100 mg/kg, B.W. (model 2), and 38.36 (model 3); furthermore, AA displays a protection index of 1.49 (model 1), <0.6 (model 2, and 1.54 (model 3). In addition, AA showed antioxidant activities in S. cerevisiae mutated for superoxide dismutases (SOD). In conclusion, these results show that AA exhibits significant anticonvulsant and antioxidant activities and may be used as a promising natural product for the treatment of epilepsy.