Sujan Banik

Elevated serum MDA and depleted non-enzymatic antioxidants, macro-minerals and trace elements are associated with bipolar disorder

Genetic and neurobiological factors are considered to be the major causes of mood and mental disorders. However, over the past few years, increased levels of serum malondialdehyde and altered levels of various non-enzymatic antioxidants and essential minerals involved in abnormal functional activity have been identified as major contributing factors to the pathogenesis of several neurological disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of the serum lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidants (vitamin A, E and C), macro-minerals (calcium, potassium and sodium) and trace elements (zinc, iron and selenium) in patients with bipolar disorder and to explore their role in disease progression. This is a prospective case-control study that evaluated 55 patients with bipolar disorder and 55 healthy volunteers matched by age and sex. Serum MDA levels were determined by UV spectrophotometry as a marker of lipid peroxidation. RP-HPLC was employed to investigate the serum vitamin A and E concentrations, whereas UV spectrophotometry was used to quantify levels of vitamin C. Serum macro-minerals and trace elements were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Statistical analysis was performed with independent sample t-tests and Pearsons correlation test. We found significantly higher concentrations of MDA (p<0.05) and significantly lower concentrations of antioxidants (vitamin A, E and C) (p<0.05) in the patient group compared with control group. Regarding trace elements and macro-minerals, lower concentrations of zinc, calcium, iron, selenium, sodium and potassium were found in the patient group compared with control subjects (p<0.05). Our study suggests that high serum MDA concentrations and low serum concentrations of antioxidants, macro-minerals and trace elements are strongly associated with bipolar disorder.

Anthelmintic activity of silver-extract nanoparticles synthesized from the combination of silver nanoparticles and M. charantia fruit extract

BackgroundPresent study has been conducted to know the anthelmintic activity of polyaniline coated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from Momordica charantia fruit extract.MethodsBy reduction of AgNO3 in presence of NaBH4, silver nanoparticles were prepared. After mixing silver nanoparticles and extracts, coating was given on nanoparticles using polyaniline. Prepared nanoparticles were characterized by Visual, UV, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM techniques, and TEM analysis.ResultsThe FTIR results implied that AgNPs were successfully synthesized and capped with bio-compounds present in the extract. The result showed that death times of worm were 35.12 ± 0.5 and 59.3 ± 0.3 minutes for M. charantia extract and Ag-nanoparticles individually. But when these two combined together, paralysis and death time fall drastically which were only 6.16 ± 0.6 and 9.1 ± 0.4 minutes respectively. Albendazole tablet was used as standard, which made worms death in 3.66 ± 0.1 minutes.ConclusionAg-Extract NPs showed strong anthelmintic activity against worm. This study has paved the way for further research to design new anthelmintic drug from the combination of M. charantia and AgNPs.

The Prevalence of Childhood Overweight and Obesity in the Children of Noakhali City in Bangladesh

The prevalence of childhood obesity worldwide has increased significantly during the past two to three decades in developed countries. Obesity is now becoming widely common in developing countries as well, especially in urban areas (Wang & Lobstein, 2006). Childhood obesity is a burning topic worldwide because of its strong association with a variety of serious health problems, emerging in childhood and adulthood obesity. Their leads to various problems include psychosocial problems such as social discrimination and reduced selfAbstract

Prevalence of dyslipidemia among the diabetic patients in southern Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study

AIM Diabetic dyslipidemia is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease which has a vast mortality rate throughout the world. Early detection and treatment of dyslipidemia can avoid risk for cardiovascular disorder in diabetic patients. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of and pattern of dyslipidemia in diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross sectional study was performed in several specialized diabetic hospital of Noakhali, a southern district of Bangladesh. All known cases of diabetes mellitus were evaluated for their lipid profile. A total number of 1008 patients were included in the study having 683 (67.8%) female and 325 (32.2%) male subjects. RESULTS The prevalence of dyslipidemia among the male subjects was 73% while among female subjects 71%. Among diabetic males the percentage of high serum Cholesterol, high serum TG (Triglyceride), low HDL (High density cholesterol) and high LDL (Low density cholesterol) was 35.69%, 44.31%, 50.15% and 72.92% respectively, whereas the female had the percentage at 35.29%, 40.85%, 49.49% and 70.57% respectively. CONCLUSION Majority portion of the study subjects were dyslipidemic. The most prevalent pattern among both male and female was high level of LDL and low level of HDL. The prevalence of dyslipidemia in Bangladesh is significantly high, which indicates the urgency of lifestyle intervention strategies to prevent and manage this important health problem and risk factor.

Swelling and mucoadhesive behavior with drug release characteristics of gastoretentive drug delivery system based on a combination of natural gum and semi-synthetic polymers

Using ramipril as a model active pharmaceutical ingredient, the focus of the present study was to fabricate low-cost controlled release tablets using combinations of biopolymer and semi-synthetic polymers. Cellulose derivatives are more viscous where biopolymers form gels more easily. Xanthan gum can’t shape a solid gel, result in fragmentation of gel around the tablets so that depend upon high concentration. Therefore, a combination was used to formulate tablet by direct compression. This combination of polymer provides low cost product with higher potentiality. Ingredients as per formulations were mixed in small polybag through hand blending. Then tablets were compressed one by one tablet in a hydraulic press. Prepared tablets were evaluated for hardness, weight variation, content uniformity, friability, surface pH and in-vitro dissolution studies. ANOVA was used to analyze the differences between release data. Swelling index, mucoadhesive strength and in-vitro residence time was studied to show gastroretention of the tablets. Formulated products exhibit sufficient quality and strength to formulate as a mucoadhesive tablet. Significant differences were found in drug release among different formulations (p ˂0.05) in all cases. Among all of formulations, F11, F12 and F13 containing different ratio of xanthan gum and guar gum showed promising mucoadhesive strength and in-vitro residence time.

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Bangladesh: a Systematic Review of the Literature

Purpose of ReviewThe increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity is a leading public health concern in high-, middle-, and low-income countries. Our study aimed to present published data on the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Bangladeshi children, adolescents, and adults. In this systemic literature review, electronic search engines of PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the Bangladesh Journals Online were used to find relevant articles published between 2007 and 2017 based on predefined inclusion/exclusion principles. This study included 14 studies on the topic which were available in full text and met the inclusion criteria.Recent FindingsThe outcomes from the included study indicated an increasing trend in overweight and obesity among Bangladeshi children, adolescents, and adults over time. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is much higher in girls than in boys among children and adolescents, and also prevalence rates are higher in females than in males in the adults. Prevalence rates of overweight and obesity are also higher in urban peoples compared to rural peoples living in Bangladesh.SummaryGlobally, overweight/obesity is considered the risk of the increasing various chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. So we need to ennoble our healthy lifestyle to efficiently address the increasing comorbidities of overweight and obesity.

Elevated Serum Lipid Peroxidation and Reduced Vitamin C and Trace Element Concentrations Are Correlated With Epilepsy

Background. Epilepsy is one of the chronic and heterogeneous epidemic neurological disorders leading to substantial mortality. The aim of the present study was to investigate the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin C, and trace elements namely zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) in epileptic patients of Bangladesh and to establish if there are any pathophysiological correlations. Methods. This was a case-control study with 40 generalized epileptic patients and 40 healthy subjects as controls. Epilepsy was determined by the presence of seizure events with an abnormal electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging report of brain. Results. Anthropometric parameters highlighted that age is a major risk factor of epilepsy and men are more prone to epilepsy than women. Blood serum analysis demonstrated significantly (P < .001) higher values of MDA and lower level of vitamin C in the patient group (4.41 ± 0.76 μmol/mL and 18.31 ± 0.84 μmol/L, respectively) compared with control (1.81 ± 0.70 μmol/mL and 29.72 ± 1.06 μmol/L, respectively). Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between the serum level of MDA and vitamin C for both patient (r = −0.023, P = .887) and control group (r = −0.142, P = .383). This study also revealed that the trace elements (Zn, Cu) were significantly (P < .05) lower in epileptics (68.32 ± 4.59 and 50.81 ± 2.54 μg/dL, respectively) where the level of Mn in patients (187.71 ± 9.04 μg/dL) was almost similar to that of the control group (P > .05). The univariate analysis demonstrated that zinc <70 μg/dL (odds ratio = 3.56, P < .05) and copper <50 μg/dL were associated (odds ratio = 14.73, P < .001) with an increased risk of epilepsy. Establishment of interelement relationship strongly supported that there was a disturbance in the element homeostasis of epileptic patients. Conclusions. The study results strengthen the role of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and trace elements in the pathogenesis and warrant larger studies to investigate the association of these biochemical parameters with epilepsy.

Evaluation of antinociceptive, antihyperglycemic, and membrane stabilizing activities of Garcinia lancifolia Roxb

This study was undertaken to examine the antinociceptive, antihyperglycemic, and membrane stabilizing activity with phytochemical screening of methanolic extract of Garcinia lanceifolia whole plant. The extracts were subjected to in-vivo antinociceptive, antihyperglycemic activity in laboratory animals and in-vitro membrane stabilizing activity. In peripheral antinociceptive activity, G. lanceifolia (400 and 200 mg/kg) exhibited significant (P < 0.001) inhibition of writhing with 59.15% and 49.30% respectively comparable to standard Diclofenac (54.92% inhibition). In central antinociceptive activity, the extract (400 and 200 mg/kg) exhibited significant analgesic activity having 78.31% (P < 0.05) and 89.95% (P < 0.01) elongation of reaction time respectively in 90 min after administration of sample comparable to the standard Morphine (708.99% elongation). In hypoglycemic activity, the extract (400 and 200 mg/kg) exhibit statistically significant (P < 0.001) antihyperglycemic activity compared to standard drug Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) at different time interval. In membrane stabilizing activity assay, clearly evident that the methanolic extracts of G. lanceifolia were highly effective to prevent the lyses of erythrocytes induced by heat. The outcomes of the present study revealed that this plant possess noteworthy pharmacological activities that may be basis for further research to disclose feasible mode of action of the plant part.

Susceptibility of microorganism to selected medicinal plants in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze in-vitro antimicrobial activities of some ethno-pharmacologically significant medicinal plants (methanol extract) against the pathogenic microorganisms ( Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. , Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans ). Methods The disc diffusion method was applied for antibacterial test and the poisoned food technique was applied for antifungal test. Results The methanol extract of Terminalia chebula (bark), Phyllanthus acidus (fruits), Sarcochlamys pulcherrima (leaves) and Abelmoschus esculentus (fruits) had significant in vitro antibacterial activity angainst the entire test samples in comparison to standard drug ciprofloxacin. Most of the plant extracts showed low activity against Gram negative bacteria while potential activity against Gram positive bacteria. The antifungal activities of methanol extracts of these plants and standard drug griseofulvin were determined against two pathogenic fungi, and Polygonum lapathifolium (leaves) and Cinnamomum tamala (leaves) showed maximum activity, while Erioglossum rubiginosum (leaves) showed no antifungal activity. Conclusions Further chemical and pharmacological investigations are required to identify and isolate chemical constituents responsible for these potential bioactivities and thus to determine their full spectrum of efficacy.

In Vitro Evaluation of Oral Extended Release Drug Delivery System for Metoprolol Succinate Using Kollidon SR

The objective of this study was to develop a sustained release matrix tablet Metoprolol Succinate by cost saving and production efficient process. Among various tablet manufacturing process, direct compression is the simplest and cost saving process. Different trials were formulated and evaluated using different concentrations of directly compressible grade Kollidon SR as release retardant. The formulated tablets were evaluated for physical and dissolution study using buffer medium. The most outstanding aspect of this study is to monitor the influence of different percentage of Kollidon SR on release rate from the matrix tablet. In this study, influence of different ratio of polymer concentration on drug release was evaluated. The release pattern of different batches were evaluated for Zero order, Higuchi, First order, Krosmeyer-Peppas and Hixson-Crowell kinetics and showed that all the batches followed best the Higuchi kinetics. The drug release kinetics was found to be governed by the amount of the polymer in the matrix system. The higher polymeric content in the matrix decrease the release rate of the drug. The nature of the drug release from the matrix tablets was dependent on drug diffusion and polymer relaxation and therefore followed non-Fickian or anomales release. The studies indicated that the drug release can be modulated by varying the concentration of the polymer. Among the four formulations, formulation 1 is the best formulation as it controls the release best and best linearity for zero order plots.