Subhangkar Nandy

The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Passiflora nepalensis Smith. (Passifloraceae) ripe fruits in various systems. The free radical scavenging potential was studied by using different antioxidants models of screening using vitamin C (5mM) as standard. About 200, 400, 600 & 800 μg/ml methanolic extract inhibited the FeSO4 induced lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent manner and showed IC50 value 510 ± 2.59μg/ml. The methanolic fraction at 800 μg/ml exhibited significant antioxidant activity in ferrous sulphate induced lipid peroxidation and Superoxide scavenging models with simultaneous improvement in hepatic glutathione (10.22 ± 0.2333µg GSH/mg of wet tissue) and catalase levels (136.27 ± 0.4867µM of H2O2 consumed /min/mg tissue) compared to standard group. The results suggest that the methanolic extract of Passiflora nepalensis Smith. Fruits play an important role in the modulation of oxidative stress. Key Words: Passiflora nepalensis Smith. Antioxidant activity, Lipid peroxidation, Ripe Fruit Extract.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance of various degrees that is first detected during pregnancy.  Insulin deficiency in turn leads to chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. As with diabetes mellitus in pregnancy in general, babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are typically at increased risk of problems such as being large for gestational age (which may lead to delivery complications), low blood sugar, and jaundice. There are 2 subtypes of gestational diabetes. One is Type A1 gestational diabetes where abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) but normal blood glucose levels during fasting and 2 hours after meals; diet modification is sufficient to control glucose levels) and other is Type A2 gestational diabetes where abnormal OGTT compounded by abnormal glucose levels during fasting and/or after meals; additional therapy with insulin or other medications is required. The goal of treatment is to reduce the risks of GDM for mother and child. A repeat OGTT should be carried out 2–4 months after delivery, to confirm the diabetes has disappeared. Afterwards, regular screening for type 2 diabetes is advised. If a diabetic diet or G.I. Diet, exercise, and oral medication are inadequate to control glucose levels, insulin therapy may become necessary. Glyburide and Metformin, a second generation sulfonylurea, has been shown to be an effective alternative to insulin therapy. In one study, 4% of women needed supplemental insulin to reach blood sugar targets. Key words: Gestational diabetes mellitus, etiology, Management, oral hypoglycemic agents.

Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) is a perennial shrub, brought to India some 80 years ago from South America, which has become exotic and spread to different regions of the country. All the parts of this plant are traditionally used for several ailments such as antiseptic, antitumoural and antimicrobial. The current investigation was undertaken to explore the protective effect of methanol extract of Lantana camara L. (MELC) against acetaminophen and Cisplatin induced acute renal toxicity in rats. In each model of nephrotoxicities, thirty adult male Wistar rats were evenly divided into 5 groups. Groups I and II served as untreated and model controls, respectively while groups III–V were the treatment groups which were pretreated with 200, 400 mg/kg/day of MELC and group V was pretreated with Vit-E 1 hr before each dose of the nephrotoxicants (acetaminophen and Cisplatin) for 14 days (acetaminophen induced model) and 5days (Cisplatin induced model). On the 15th day (in acetaminophen) and 6th day (in Cisplatin), blood samples for serum urea, total protein and creatinine while the rat kidneys for histology were obtained under inhaled diethyl ether anesthesia. In the acetaminophen nephrotoxic rats, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.01,p < 0.001) attenuated elevations in the serum creatinine, total protein and blood urea nitrogen levels in dose related fashion, as well as, attenuation of acetaminophen induced tubulonephrosis. Similar effects were also recorded in the Cisplatin model of acute renal injury. In the near future, MELC could constitute a lead to discovery of a novel drug for the treatment of drug-induced nephrotoxicity.