Monira Ahsan

Nutritional status of drug addicts undergoing detoxification: prevalence of malnutrition and influence of illicit drugs and lifestyle

The aim of the present study was to investigate the nutritional status of drug addicts, the prevalence of malnutrition among them and the influence of their drug habit and lifestyle factors on their nutritional indices. The study was conducted among 253 male drug addicts, who sought detoxification at the Central Drug Addiction Treatment Hospital, Dhaka, during the period of June 1998-July 1999. One hundred age-, height- and socioeconomic-matched non-addicted healthy men were recruited by convenience as cohort controls. Results showed that the drug addicts had significantly (P<0.001) lowered BMI, haemoglobin, and serum total protein and albumin levels. Clinical signs of nutrient deficiency were diagnosed in about 74 % of drug addicts. The BMI, biochemical values and nutrient deficiency signs indicated that more than 60 % of drug addicts were suffering from multiple malnutrition. One-way ANOVA demonstrated a significant (P<0.05) negative correlation between drug habit, sexually transmitted diseases and selected nutritional indices, and a positive correlation between education, income and the nutritional indices. A series of multiple regression analyses revealed that education, income and age showed significantly predicted BMI and biochemical indices, and the group (non-drug addicts or drug addicts) had a significant negative effect on these parameters in favour of controls.

Serum antioxidant micromineral (Cu, Zn, Fe) status of drug dependent subjects: Influence of illicit drugs and lifestyle

BackgroundUse of illicit drugs induces multiple nutrient deficiencies. Drug habit, sexual practice and socioeconomic factors influence the nutrient profile of drug dependent subjects. The literature on this issue is still insufficient. This study has tested the hypothesis that illicit drug use and lifestyle impair mineral status. To test this hypothesis, 253 men multiple drug users of age 18–45 years were recruited to investigate their serum copper, zinc and iron levels. Influence of illicit drugs and their lifestyle on the mineral levels was also examined. The study subjects were drug dependent who had shared needles and had sexual activity with multiple partners. Serum concentrations of the minerals were estimated by atomic absorption flame spectrometry.ResultsResults showed a significant increase in serum copper and zinc concentrations, and decrease in iron level in drug dependent subjects. The increase of copper level was found to be much higher than that of zinc. Period of drug abuse had made a significant positive influence on the copper and iron levels, but it was apparently reversed for zinc concentration. Multiple sexual partnerships had significant influence on zinc status. There also were significant relationships observed between body mass index (BMI) as well as certain socioeconomic factors, and mineral status of drug dependent subjects and non-drug dependent controls. A series of multiple linear regression analysis predicted mineral values for education, age and BMI. The group (drug dependent subject = 1, non-drug dependent control = 2) had a significant influence on these parameters. However, after controlling these factors, it was shown that illicit drug use significantly contributed to influence the serum mineral levels.ConclusionIllicit drug use impairs serum mineral value causing an increase in copper and zinc and a decrease in iron. Lifestyle and nutritional status of drug dependent subjects influence serum mineral concentrations.

Prevalence of HIV infection in the drug addicts of Bangladesh: drug habit, sexual practice and lifestyle

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HIV infection in drug addicts and to address their drug habit, sexual life style and socioeconomic factors. This study was conducted among 505 male drug addicts comprising 250 intravenous drug users (IDUs) and 255 non-IDUs. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to screen HIV antibody in the sera of drug addicts. Seropositivity was confirmed by line immunoassay method. Results showed 3.76% (n =19) HIV-seroprevalence, of which 2.77% (n =14) were IDUs and the rest (0.99%, n =5) were non-IDUs. Amongst the IDUs (n =250) the seroprevalence rate was 5.6% (n =14) and in the non-IDUs (n =255), it was 1.96% (n =5). The seropositive addicts used multiple drugs for long periods of time, the majority of them (63.2%, n =12) started addiction with cannabis but ended up with heroin. Unprotected sex (did not use condom), multiple sexual partnerships and sexually transmitted diseases were common among the seropositives. Prevalence of these behavioural and biological risk factors in drug addicts was responsible for their being HIV infected. Most of the HIV-positive addicts were literate young adults (84.2%), employed (73.7%) and married (63.2%). None of them were homosexual. This study reveals that HIV-seroprevalence in the drug addicts of Bangladesh is still at the embryonic stage, it has not yet reached the threshold level.

Carotenoids and β-carotene in orange fleshed sweet potato: A possible solution to vitamin A deficiency

The present study, in line with a plant-food-based approach to address vitamin A deficiency, reports the analysis of total carotenoids, and trans- and cis-β-carotenes, in different varieties of raw and boiled orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP). Carotenoids were isolated using acetone-petroleum ether extraction followed by spectrophotometric determination. trans- and cis-β-Carotenes were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC method using a mobile phase containing acetonitrile:methanol:2-propanol in the ratio of 85:15:33 with 0.01% ammonium acetate. Intra-varietal difference in carotenoids as well as trans- and cis-β-carotenes were noted in both the raw and boiled potatoes. Carotenoid content was found to be higher in the raw potatoes compared to the boiled samples from the same variety. Amongst the OFSP varieties, Kamalasundari (BARI SP-2) was found to contain the most carotenoids in both the raw and boiled samples. β-Carotene was significantly higher in the Kamalsundari and BARI SP-5 varieties. trans-β-Carotene was found to be the major carotenoid in all of the raw potatoes, but boiling was associated with an increase in cis-β-carotene and a decrease in the trans isomer. Kamalsundari and BARI SP-5 orange-fleshed sweet potatoes have the potential to be used as food-based supplements to reduce vitamin A deficiency.

Garlic Extract and Allicin: Broad Spectrum Antibacterial Agents Effective Against Multiple Drug Resistant Strains of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 and Shigella flexneri, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae

The effects of an aqueous extract of garlic and its active constituent allicin were tested against 40 drug resistant isolates of the strains of Shigella dysenteriae type 1 and Shigella flexneri, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae. The aqueous extract and allicin were shown to have potentially significant activity against all of the bacteria tested, while of the five standard antibiotics, only gentamicin was active. Both allicin and the aqueous extract had a broad spectrum as antibacterial agents. Allicin appeared to have the strongest activity compared with that of the extract and the standard antibiotics.

Serum immunoglobulins and white blood cells status of drug addicts: influence of illicit drugs and sex habit.

The aim of this study was to investigate the serum immunoglobulins and white blood cells status of drug addicts and to assess the extent of influence of drug habit and sexual practice on the immune components. The study was conducted among 253 male drug addicts and 100 non‐addict controls of aged 18  ‐  45 years. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to analyse the serum immunoglobulin concentrations. White blood cells profile was estimated by counting 200 cells . Results showed a significant increase (p < 0.03) of serum IgG, IgA and IgM in the drug addicts (6.93 ? 1.53g/l, 2.90 ? 1.13g/l and 1.72 ? 0.73g/l, respectively) compared to those in the cohort controls (6.52 ? 1.05g/l, 2.61 ? 0.83g/l and 1.52 ? 0.59g/l, respectively). A significant (p  = 0.00) decrease of peripheral lymphocytes (51.8 ? 15.2 vs. 71.9 ? 11.5) was noted in the drug addicts. Monocytes (8.3 ? 4.9), neutrophils (128.2 ? 18.9) and eosinophils (11.4 ? 5.8) were found to be increased in the drug addicts against those in the controls (5.2 ? 2.5, 113.2 ? 13.0 and 9.6 ? 5.8, respectively). Multiple drug abuse for longer period had resulted in a significant (p  < 0.05) decrease of serum immunoglobulins and lymphocytes. The longer period of addiction had also made a significant (p  < 0.05) decrease of eosinophils (p  = 0.05) and an increase of monocytes and neutrophils. Sex with multiple sexual partners had shown a significant (p  < 0.01) decrease of serum immunoglobulins and eosinophils.

Biological activities of the secondary metabolites isolated from Zieria smithii and Zanthoxylum elephantiasis on microorganisms and brine shrimps

Eight secondary metabolites, two isolated from Zieria smithii and six from Zanthoxylum elephantiasis were investigated for their biological (antimicrobial and cytotoxic) activities against 15 pathogenic microorganisms and on brine shrimps. Canthine‐6‐one obtained from Z. elephantiasis was shown to have significant antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities. 6‐Methoxydihydrochelerythrine also from the Z. elephantiasis showed satisfactory antibacterial properties but no effect on brine shrimps. Dipetalolactone, methyl eugenol and 3,4‐dimethoxycinnamaldehyde were found to have antibacterial activities against a single pathogenic strain.

Novel angular pyranocoumarins from Boronia lanceolata

Abstract The aerial parts of Boronia lanceolata have yielded eight coumarins. Four of these were characterized by NMR analysis as a novel series of angular pyranocoumarins 8-methyl-8-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)-2 H -benzo-[1,2-b:5,6-b′] -dipyran-2-one (5-deoxyprotobruceo-I regioisomer), 8-methyl-8-(4-hydroperoxy-4-methylpent-2-enyl)-2 H -benzo- [1,2-b:5,6-b′]-dipyran-2-one (5-deoxyprotobruceol-II hydroperoxide regioisomer) and the two stereoisomers of 8- methyl-8-(3ξ-hydroperoxy-4-methylpent-4-enyl)-2 H -benzo-[1,2-b:5,6-b′]-dipyran-2-one (5-deoxyprotobruceol-III- hydroperoxide regioisomer). The remainder were identified as 7-hydroxy-8-geranylcoumarin, xanthyletin, de- methylsuberosin and 7-hydroxy-6-(2-( R )-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-coumarin, which also appears to be novel.

Nutrient composition of strawberry genotypes cultivated in a horticulture farm

This article decribes the nutrient composition of four strawberry genotypes cultivated at the Sher-e-Bangla Agriculture University horticulture farm in Dhaka (Bangladesh). AOAC and standard validated methods were employed to analyse the nutrient composition. Protein, fat and ash contents were found to be vary significantly (LSD<0.05), while the variation in moisture (LSD<1.33), dietary fibre (LSD<0.15) and total sugar (LSD<0.09) were found to be insignificant among the genotypes. Vitamin C content ranged from 26.46 mg to 37.77 mg per 100g edible strawberries (LSD<0.060). Amount of carotenoids were found to be very low being in a range of 0.99-3.30 μg per 100g edible fruit. Analysis of mineral revealed that strawberry genotypes contained a wide array of minerals including Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe; most of which varied significantly (LSD<0.05) among the genotypes. Strawberries could be a potential dietary supplement for vitamin C along with minerals, particularly for the children who do not like local fruits, but love to eat the colourful strawberries.

Secondary metabolites from the stem of Ravenia spectabilis Lindl

Background: Ravenia spectabilis is a medium tall shrub found widespread in South America. It also found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc. Few alkaloid and steroid compounds were reported from the plant previously. Materials and Methods: Methanol extract from the stems of Ravenia spectabilis were partitioned into n-hexane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and aqueous soluble fractions, respectively. The crude methanol extract, carbon tetrachloride fraction and chloroform fraction were fractionated by column chromatography of Silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 for isolation and purification of compounds. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by extensive NMR spectral analysis, including 2D NMR, mass spectroscopy etc. Results: Ten compounds, γ-fagarine (1), ravenoline (2), N-methyl atanine (3),2,3,3,5-tetramethyl-2,3,4,5- tetrahydrofurano [3,2-c] quinolin-4-one (4), arborinine (5), 3-geranyl indole (6), atanine (7), steroids sitosta-4-en- 3-one (8), stigmasterol (9) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy cinnamic acid (10) were isolated from the stems of Ravenia spectabilis. Conclusion: Compounds N-methyl atanine (3), 2,3,3,5-tetramethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrofurano [3,2-c] quinolin-4-one (4), 3-geranyl indole (6), sitosta-4-en-3-one (8) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy cinnamic acid (10) were isolated from this plant for the first time. 3-geranyl indole (6) was also isolated second time from natural sources.