Search

At present, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have gained attention in human pathophysiology, and many studies have yet been conducted to explain the mechanism of these chemical compounds on endocrine and reproductive dysfunctions. In human the maximum studies focus towards the exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and their disorders on different endocrine axises though sufficient information are not available on reproductive systems in human. A huge number of EDCs resulting the interference of the normal functions of hypothalamic-pituitary–gonadal axis. There are several types of EDCs like pesticides, heavy metals, food additives and contaminants which are responsible to create negative impact on metabolism and alteration of the homeostasis of tissue and promoting different disorders such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, infertility etc. Genomic and nongenomic mechanisms which have been proposed to clarify these complications together with occupational or environmental exposure together, the lack of in depth studies, and the occurrence of different confusing factors have prohibited to establish the causal relationship between the reproductive cum endocrine disorders and exposure to specific EDCs so far. The aim of the manuscript is to review the scientific literature exists so far on the different hazardous effects of EDCs on reproductive health focusing the up to date mode of actions of major EDCs in this concerns.

Men with diabetes have negative effects on reproduction that causes sexual dysfunction. Medicinal plants are non-toxic and much safer than synthetic drugs because regular use of synthetic drugs shows long-term side effects. Curcuma amada (Roxb) is a medicinal plant used in Ayurveda and Unani medicinal systems in India. The goal of this study is to rummage the potential efficiency of the most potent solvent fraction of effective extract of hydro-methanol 60:40 of C. amada rhizome on male gonadal hypofunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Diabetes-induced testicular hypofunction was evaluated by glycemic, spermiological, biochemical, genomic, flow cytometric, and histology of testicular tissue. The n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl-acetate, and n-butanol solvent fractions of the said extract were administrated for 4 weeks at 10 mg dose/100 g body weight/day. Among all the used fractions, the ethyl-acetate solvent fraction-treated group showed maximum recovery in serum insulin (177.42%), sperm count (92.84%), sperm motility (97.15%), and serum testosterone (164.33%). The diabetic rats treated with ethyl-acetate solvent fraction also exhibited the maximum resettlement in flow cytometric analysis of sperm viability (55.84%) and sperm mitochondrial integrity (149.79%), gene expression patterns of key markers for androgenesis (Δ5, 3β-HSD 87.50%, and 17β-HSD 74.66%) and apoptosis (Bax 44.63%, Bcl-2 54.03%, and Caspase-3 35.77%) along with testicular histology. The ethyl-acetate fraction contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and polyphenols where all of these components are not present in other fractions, may be the most effective cause for the recovery of diabetes-linked oxidative stress-mediated testicular hypofunctions. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Nowadays worldwide, the use of synthetic drugs are reduced due to their toxic effect. At present, synthetic drugs are replaced by several herbal drugs, the natural source of medicine which has many therapeutic values. C. amada has strong antioxidant activity due to the presence of bio-active compound(s) that can able to manage streptozotocin-induced diabetes linked to oxidative damage of male gonadal organs. Therefore, these bio-active compound(s)-containing said medicinal plant may use as a good source of antioxidative food in the food industry as nutraceuticals and in pharmaceutical industries for the development of the herbal drug to manage diabetes-linked male gonadal hypofunctions. At present, WHO also gives emphasis for developing one drug-multi-disease therapy. From such a viewpoint, this active fraction-containing phytomolecules may have corrective efficacy against diabetes as well as oxidative stress-linked testicular complications.

Objective: The study has been conducted to search out the threshold duration of treatment of ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of leaves of Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight for the management of diabetes-induced testicular impairment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat in a duration dependent fashion. Methods: In this respect, the glycemic, androgenic, oxidative stress sensors, gene expression of testicular androgenic key enzymes along with apoptotic markers were evaluated in a duration dependent way (14, 28 and 56 d). Results: A significant correction was noted in the levels of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C), testicular thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated diene (CD), sperm viability, sperm mitochondrial status, serum testosterone, and genomic expression of testicular Δ5, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), 17β-HSD, Bax, Bcl-2 after treatment for different duration with the said fraction in diabetic groups in compare to respective vehicle-treated diabetic group without any toxicity induction in general. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) study of the fraction showed two spots with retention factors (Rf) of 0.78 and 0.51. Conclusion: The results showed that 28 d treatment was threshold duration of treatment for the correction of diabetes-induced testicular impairment.

The experiment focused the most effective dose out of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/100 g body weight/day for 4 weeks of n-butanol fraction from the pretested promising hydro-methanol extract of Musa balbisiana flower to manage the streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rat and to minimize the bioburden of the body by excluding the inactive components from the said extract. Fraction treatment exhibited an outstanding recovery in fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, serum insulin levels, carbohydrate metabolic, antioxidant enzymes activities, expression of their marker genes, and apoptotic gene in diabetic rat. Flow-cytometric study of pancreatic β-cell population was significantly recovered in fraction-treated groups which was also supported by histological study. The moderate dose, that is, 5 mg dose showed maximum efficacy in respect to other doses. The high dose, that is, 10 mg dose is not significantly effective than 5 mg dose may be due to the desensitization of the target organ's orphan receptor(s). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The work includes the role of M. balbisiana on diabetes management. Result focused that M. balbisiana flower can able to rectify the diabetic condition and recovered the β cell population. M. balbisiana flower is a very common vegetable to people, use mostly in their daily meal. The experiment showed positive results to cure diabetes in the long-term. Moreover, this study is potential for drug development using nutraceutical(s) isolation. The pharmaceutical companies may develop an antidiabetic drug from the concerned plant part after successful clinical trial.

All over the world, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing. The main goal of this experiment was to identify the most effective fraction of aqueous-methanol extract of Curcuma amada rhizome for its antidiabetic and antioxidative properties. The fractions (n-hexane or chloroform or ethyl-acetate or n-butanol) of aqueous-methanol extract were administered to the streptozotocin-induced diabetic groups at a dose of 10 mg/100 g body weight/day for 4 weeks. The antidiabetic and antioxidative efficacies of the fractions on glycemic, enzymatic, genomic, and histological sensors and pancreatic β-cells population and general toxicity were assessed. After the fraction treatment, out of the fraction used, the significant recovery in most sensors was noted at the ethyl-acetate fraction in glycemic, enzymatic, genomic, β cells population, diameter of the pancreatic islet and toxicity level. In conclusion, it may be stated that the ethyl-acetate fraction of C. amada was the most effective solvent in this study. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The ethyl-acetate fraction of aqueous-methanol extract of Curcuma amada has antidiabetic property, it gives a clue to the herbal medicine manufacturing company to produce phytotherapeutic drugs to cure the complication related to diabetes.

Fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) has male contraceptive folk medicine reputation but its molecular aspect regarding hypotesticular activity is still in dark. The study focused the hypotesticular efficacy of the most potent fraction out of n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of hydro-methanolic (3:2) extract of Terminalia chebula in connection with male herbal contraceptive development. Treatment with above fractions of Terminalia chebula showed a significant diminution in the activities of androgenic key enzymes (Δ5, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD) and inhibition in serum testosterone level in compare to the control. Significant up regulation of testicular Bax gene and down regulation of Bcl-2 gene indicated the hypotesticular activity of these fractions. Flow-cytometric study focused a significant diminution in sperm viability and sperm mitochondrial status after the treatment with different fractions. Out of these, ethyl acetate fraction showed most promising hypotesticular effect without impairing any toxicity in general which highlighted that the fraction may contains antitesticular agent(s) in threshold levels compare to other fractions as it decreases spermiological, testicular genomic sensors and elevates sperm apoptotic sensors that may lead to male contraception.

Background One major barrier to achieve goal of tuberculosis (TB) control program globally, is the stigma attached to the disease. Perceived stigma can delay sputum test in time. Delay will lead to spread of infection in the community. There is no scientific information available in India exactly looking into the association between delay in sputum examination and stigma. Aim We conducted a study in rural West Bengal among persons with cough for 2 weeks or more to assess their level of stigma, its influence on delay for sputum test and identify factors those shape the level of stigma. Methods A community based cross sectional survey was conducted from February to June 2015 in West Bengal, India. We interviewed 135 persons of 15–60 years. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. Chi-square and logistic regression analysis were done using SPSS 23.0 statistical software. Results Among the ‘lower stigma’ group (score 4–24), ‘delay’ (14–25 days) is found among 46.2% respondents and ‘much delay’ (26–120 days) among 53.8%. Among the ‘higher stigma’ (score 25–36) group, ‘delay’ is found among 20.5% respondents and ‘much delay’ among 79.5%. Persons with lower stigma are 0.17 times likely to delay than persons with higher stigma [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.17 (0.044–0.668), p = 0.011)]. Important influencers of stigma are caste [AOR: 5.90 (1.66–20.90), p = 0.006], number of family members [AOR: 3.46 (1.08–11.06), p = 0.009] and residence in urban or rural [AOR: 3.97 (1.03–15.27), p = 0.045]. Conclusion Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program in India should de-stigmatize the community giving priorities to lower castes, big families and rural areas.

Context: Abnormal angiogenesis and evasion of apoptosis are hallmarks of cancer. Accordingly, anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic therapies are effective strategies for cancer treatment. Medicinal plants, namely, Eugenia jambolana Lam. (Myrtaceae), Musa paradisiaca L. (Musaceae), and Coccinia indica Wight & Arn. (Cucurbitaceae), have not been greatly investigated for their anticancer potential. Objective: We investigated the anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic efficacy of ethyl acetate (EA) and n-butanol (NB) extracts of E. jambolana (seeds), EA extracts of M. paradisiaca (roots) and C. indica (leaves) with respect to mammary neoplasia. Materials and methods: Effect of extracts (2–200 μg/mL) on cytotoxicity and MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and in vitro angiogenesis were evaluated by MTT, 3[H]thymidine uptake and EC tube formation assays, respectively. In vivo tumour proliferation, VEGF secretion and angiogenesis were assessed using the Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT) model followed by rat corneal micro-pocket and chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays. Apoptosis induction was assessed by morphological and cell cycle analysis. Results: EA extracts of E. jambolana and M. paradisiaca exhibited the highest cytotoxicity (IC50 25 and 60 μg/mL), inhibited cell proliferation (up to 81%), and tube formation (83% and 76%). In vivo treatment reduced body weight (50%); cell number (16.5- and 14.7-fold), secreted VEGF (∼90%), neoangiogenesis in rat cornea (2.5- and 1.5-fold) and CAM (3- and 1.6-fold) besides EAT cells accumulation in sub-G1 phase (20% and 18.38%), respectively. Discussion and conclusion: Considering the potent anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic properties, lead molecules from EA extracts of E. jambolana and M. paradisiaca can be developed into anticancer drugs.

Benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] is the toxic environmental Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH), that exerts male reproductive dysfunctions. In this study the molecular mechanism of B(a)P induced Leydig cell steroidogenic dysfunctions and its protective mechanism of action with a natural Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) antagonist and anti-oxidant, Resveratrol (Res) has been investigated. B(a)P exposure induced ROS mediated steroidogenic imbalance via activation of p38MAPK and repression of testosterone level as well as other steroidogenic enzymes like CYPIIA1, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD expressions. B(a)P exposure decreased StAR protein expression along with increased DAX-1, a transcriptional repressor of StAR gene. Along with that B(a)P decreased the expression of SF-1 that acts as a transcriptional inducer of StAR gene expression. The study has established Resveratrol as a potential agent combating the deleterious effect of B(a)P on Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Resveratrol treatment resulted significant protection against B(a)P by scavenging ROS and modulating the transcriptional regulation of anti-oxidant enzymes. Furthermore, Resveratrol also prevented stress kinase like p38 MAPK activation and increased StAR protein expression through the reduction of DAX-1 expression. Moreover, the testosterone production was efficiently restored with Resveratrol treatment. ChIP assay also revealed that resveratrol improved SF-1expression which further increased the StAR gene expression. Resveratrol acted efficiently against B(a)P, through its anti-oxidative properties as well as inhibits p38MAPK and increased steroidogenesis and StAR expression through the modulation of SF-1 gene expression.

Incidents of male infertility are mushrooming worldwide. Oxidative stress plays a prime role for its onset. Considering this background, the study was designed to focus the direct role of lycopene on cyproterone acetate (CPA) induced testicular hypofunction in rat. Four groups have been considered including the vehicle-treated control, lycopene-treated control, CPA-treated and CPA+ lycopene-treated groups. Androgenic, antioxidant and toxicity profiles were assessed. Results focused a nonsignificant (p > .05) difference in recovery of testicular Δ5 , 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), 17β-HSD after direct exposure of lycopene compared to the CPA-treated group. On other side, lycopene exposure to the testicular tissue of CPA-treated rat (CPA+ lycopene-treated) exhibited a significant (p

The aim of the investigation was to search out the possible corrective effect of hydro-methanolic extract:: 3:2 of Musa balbisiana flower on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male rat. In this concern, glycemic profile, oxidative stress profile, lipid profile, and toxicity profile were studied where a genomic approach has been taken to explain the mechanism of action of the said extract for such recovery. Such enzyme kinetics domain and genomic domain of concerned profile were not covered till now to explore the mechanism of diabetes management by this plant part. As hexokinase is one of the important enzymes of glycolysis and glycogenesis, and GLUT-4 an important transporter of glucose in skeletal muscle, liver and adipose tissue these genes have been selected here. For focusing the status of apoptosis in hepatic tissue, an important organ for carbohydrate metabolism, Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression were included, which are the novelty of this study. The hydro-methanolic extract was administered orally at the dose of 10 mg/100 g body weight for 28 days to diabetic rats. Abovementioned extract exhibited a significant recovery in parameters like fasting blood glucose; serum insulin; glycated hemoglobin; antioxidative enzymes in hepatic and renal tissue; and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in hepatic and skeleto-muscular tissue along with proappoptotic gene Bax and antiappoptotic gene Bcl-2, glycemic genes like Hex-I, and GLUT-4 in hepatic tissue of STZ-induced diabetic rat. This investigation demonstrated the potentiality of hydro-methanolic extract (3:2) of M. balbisiana flower for correction of diabetes and diabetes-induced oxidative stress.

Background: Gallstone disease (GSD) is a common health problem throughout the world and majority of this burden occurs in developing countries. Most of the gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is associated with GSD but there is till deficit of information on this association. Beside this, there is no study on the spectrum of histopathological pattern of cholecystectomy specimens from GSD patients in rural areas of West Bengal of India. Methods: The study was carried out on GSD patients who were undergone for cholecystectomy at B.S. Medical College & Hospital of West Bengal over a period of three years from January 2013 to December 2015. Histopathological reports of cholecystectomy specimens were analyzed. Results: In the present study, total 786 GSD patients were included where 635 were female and 151 were male. Histopathological findings depicted that chronic cholecystitis was the most prevalent (79.8%) followed by acute-on-chronic cholecystitis (6.1%), cholesterolosis (2.9%) and xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (1.7%) among the patients. Beside these, hyperplasia, metaplasia, dysplasia and GBC were observed in 2.0%, 4.7%, 2.2% and 0.6% of the patients respectively. The mean ages for patients with chronic cholecystitis, hyperplasia, metaplasia, dysplasia and carcinoma were 34.5, 37.2, 42.9, 43.9 and 53 years respectively. Study also showed that male GSD patients were more prone to pre-malignancy and malignancy (significant at 95% confidence limit). Conclusions: The study revealed that different types of histopathological features were present in the gallbladder of GSD patients where pre-malignant (hyperplasia, metaplasia and dysplasia) and malignant types were remarkable percentages though chronic cholecystitis was the commonest histopathological feature. Study also demonstrated that males with GSD were more prone to pre-malignancy and malignancy. Gradient ages may suggest that GBC was developed from cholecystitis to carcinoma via hyperplasia, metaplasia and dysplasia.

Diabetes affects the reproductive system. This study was conducted to find out the potent dose of the hydro-methanol 60:40 extract of Curcuma amada rhizomes for the management of diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction in albino rats. The extract was administered at the doses of 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/100 g body weight/day for 28 days. Oxidative stresses, reproductive parameters, histological, and gene expressions of the testicular tissue were assessed. Out of the doses used, the 20-mg dose showed maximum recovery as the minimum dose (e.g., sperm motility 112.03%, testicular cholesterol 34.86%, Bax gene expression 49.77%), whereas 40- and 80-mg doses did not vary statistically with each other (e.g., sperm motility 95.37% and 89.19%, testicular cholesterol 30.42% and 28.41%, Bax gene expression 47.33% and 46.18%, respectively) as well as with the 20-mg dose. It may be concluded that the 20-mg dose is the threshold dose for this purpose. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The hydro-methanol 60:40 extract of rhizomes of Curcuma amada has a strong antioxidant property that can manage diabetes-induced oxidative injuries in testes which may raise a hope to the pharmaceutical industries to develop a herbal drug for diabetes-linked testicular hypofunction management.

Background Stigma is a major barrier to the successful completion of the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS). People put on DOTS have to face repeated exposure to stigma as per the requirement of the treatment. Thus stigma can shape the extent of access and adherence to treatment. But there is very little information available in Indian context explaining the extent of association between the stigma perceived among the patients and adherence to their DOTS therapy. Aim To explore the level of stigma perceived by the persons with TB and its influence on the adherence to DOTS treatment. Methods A cross sectional epidemiological study was conducted among 145 DOTS defaulters from three randomly selected districts in West Bengal. Respondents were approached at their households. Information was collected using a pretested questionnaire. Adherence to DOTS was grouped as early default (continued DOTS from 0 to 30 days) and late default (continued DOTS > 30). Stigma score was assessed using 11 item questions. Stigma score was grouped as low level (0–23) and high level (24–44). Analysis was done using Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression models to identify factors to influence adherence to DOTS. SPSS 23.0 version statistical software was used for analysis. Results Mean stigma score for the state was 23.0. Total 51 (40.69%) persons were within the low stigma group and 94 persons (59.31%) were within high stigma score group. District wise mean score was 19.8, 22.8 and 24.5 respectively for Birbhum, Jalpaiguri and North 24 Parganas. In North 24 Parganas, the high stigma score group accounted for 85.5% compared to 35.9% in Birbhum. Among the low stigma group, late default was 52.1% compared to 66.7% in high stigma group (p = 0.054). People with lower stigma level were 8.59 times more likely to have late default than the people with higher stigma level (p = 0.001). Conclusion Perceived stigma among the patients was identified as an important predictor for the adherence to DOTS therapy. Stigma reduction strategy should be designed to improve adherence to DOTS therapy. Present study recommends in-depth qualitative research to get more insight on the extent and shape of stigma and the way it influences the adherence. Apart from the stigma of the patients, influence of community stigma is a gray area for further research.

Objective To explore the anti-fertility efficacy of aqueous-ethanolic (1:1) extract of fruits of Terminalia chebula ( T. chebula ). Methods Aqueous-ethanolic (1:1) extract of fruit of T. chebula was administered orally at a dose of 60 mg/0.5 mL distilled water/day for 28 days. Different parameters were studied including body weight, relative weight of reproductive organ, sperm motility, sperm count, testicular cholesterol, plasma testosterone, testicular androgenic key enzymes such as Δ 5 , 3β-HSD and 17-β-HSD, bio-markers of oxidative stress, toxicity study and histological analysis of the tissues. Results The treated group showed a significant diminution in spermatogenic profile. On the other hand testicular cholesterol showed a significant elevation in T. chebula treated group and plasma testosterone was decreased significantly in comparison to control. The above said androgenic key enzymes were exerted a significant diminution in extract treated group. Anti-oxidative enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase showed a significant reduction and a significant elevation in conjugated diene and Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance was noted in treated group. GOT and GPT study of liver and kidney showed a non-significant change which confirmed the non-toxic nature of T. chebula . Histological study of testis of treated group exhibited significant reduction in seminiferous tubular diameter. Conclusion The results of present experiment suggested that the aqueous-ethanolic (1:1) extract of fruit of T. chebula exerted a significant anti-spermatogenic effect in male rat.

This study was designed to focus the genetic regulation of diabetes-induced testicular hypofunction and its amelioration by ethyl acetate fraction of seed of Eugenia jambolana. In this regard, we have assessed relevant biosensors such as biochemical, spermiological, histological and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, germ cell apoptosis and androgenic key enzymes along with in situ end labelling and DNA fragmentation study. After 60 days administration of said fraction, significant recovery in the glycated haemoglobin, serum testosterone, sperm viability, hypo-osmotic swelling and nuclear chromatin decondensation were noted in fraction-treated diabetic group in comparison with diabetic control. Besides this, a significant recovery in the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-9, caspase-3, catalase, peroxidase, ∆(5) , 3β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase genes was noted towards the control in ethyl acetate fraction-treated group. Testicular histology focused a significant recovery in the number of different generation of germ cells at stage VII of spermatogenesis in fraction-treated group. In situ end labelling and DNA fragmentation study of testicular tissues also showed a significant recovery in fraction-treated group towards the control. These findings indicate that the ethyl acetate fraction showed outstanding antiapoptotic activity by neutralising oxidative stress as well as by the improvement in glycaemic sensors.

Background Curcuma amada is the most popular traditional medicine in India for the treatment of diabetes. The present study aimed to focus the antidiabetic and antioxidative activity of C. amada through the analysis of biochemical and genomic levels in a dose-dependent manner in streptozotocin-induced male adult rat. Method Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were administered orally with hydro-methanolic extract of C. amada at the dose of 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/100 g body weight of rats for 28 days. The antidiabetic and antioxidative efficacy of the extract on glycemic, enzymatic, genomic and histological sensors along with toxicity study was investigated. Results The result showed a significant antidiabetic and antioxidative effect of the extract at dose-dependent manner. The significant recovery of fasting blood glucose level, serum insulin, activity of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes and antioxidative enzymes in extract-treated diabetic group as compared to untreated diabetic group were noted. After the extract treatment, the size of pancreatic islet and cell population densities were significantly increased. Activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase in liver were significantly recovered along with the correction of Bax and Bcl-2 gene expression in hepatic tissue after the extract treatment in diabetic rats in respect to untreated diabetic group. Out of all the doses, the significant effects were noted at the dose of 20 mg/100 g body weight which has been considered as threshold dose in the concern. Conclusion It may be concluded that the significant and corrective effect in most of the sensors was noted at the minimum dose of 20 mg/100 g body weight of hydro-methanolic extract of C. amada without producing any toxicity.

Context: Terminalia chebula Retz (Combretaceae) and Musa balbisiana Colla (Musaceae) have a traditional reputation as a male contraceptive. Objective: To determine the hypo-testicular activity of aqueous extracts of Terminalia chebula (fruit) and Musa balbisiana (seed) separately, and in composite manner at the ratio of 1:1 named as ‘Contracept-TM’ compared to cyproterone acetate (CPA), for developing a polyherbal contraceptive. Materials and methods: The separate extract of above said plants or ‘Contracept-TM’ at the dose of 40 mg/100 g body weight of rat/day or CPA at 2 mg/100 g body weight of rat/day was administered for 28 days. Spermiological, androgenic and oxidative stress sensors, LD50 and ED50/100 g body weight values were measured. Results: Treatment of individual, ‘Contracept-TM’ or CPA resulted significant decrease in the count of spermatogonia A (36.36–49.09%), pre-leptotene spermatocyte (19.11–55.30%), mid-pachytene spermatocyte (28.65–47.28%) and step 7 spermatid (29.65–51.59%). Activities of testicular Δ5, 3β (21.25–48.02%),17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (29.75–55.08%), catalase (19.06–43.29%) and peroxidase (30.76–62.82%), levels of testosterone (28.15–63.44%), testicular cholesterol (19.61–49.33%), conjugated diene (29.69–84.99%) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (41.25–86.73%) were elevated compare to the control. The ED50 and LD50 values were 40 mg and 5.8 g (T. chebula), 48 mg and 6.3 g (M. bulbisiana), 40 mg and 6.0 g (‘Contracept-TM’), respectively. Discussion and conclusion: The said spermiological and androgenic sensors’ levels were decreased significantly by ‘Contracept-TM’ than its constitutional individual plant extract and it may be comparable to standard anti-testicular drug like CPA. So, it may be concluded that above polyherbal formulation is potent for inducing hypo-testicular activity.

Objective: To investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidative potentiality of ethyl-acetate fraction of methanolic extract of Camellia sinensis (Green tea) leaves in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat. Methods: Streptozotocin induced diabetic state was confirmed by increased level of fasting blood glucose, decreased level of serum insulin along with inhibition in carbohydrate metabolomics. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring antioxidative enzyme activities of hepatic and skeleto-muscular tissue. Hepatic Hexokinase-I, pro-apoptotic Bax and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene expression patterns were noted by qRT-PCR technique. Results: After treatment with ethyl-acetate fraction of methanolic extract of Camellia sinensis (Green tea) leaves at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight/day to diabetic rats for 28 days, a significant (p < 0.05) recovery was noted in fasting blood glucose level, serum insulin level along with activities of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in hepatic tissue in respect to the vehicle treated diabetic group. This fraction also resulted a significant (p < 0.05) recovery in the activities of antioxidative enzymes in hepatic and skeleto - mascular tissue. In streptozotocin induced diabetic rat the low level of expression of Hexokinase-I, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and high level of expression of pro-apoptotic Bax gene were observed in hepatic tissue in respect to vehicle treated control. There were recovered significantly after the treatment with the said fraction. Conclusion: From the results, it may be concluded that ethyl-acetate fraction of methanolic extract of leaves of C. sinensis has a promising anti-diabetic and antioxidative activities for the management of streptozotocin induced diabetic state.

Present study focused the antidiabetic activity of n-hexane fraction of hydro-methanolic (2:3) extract of Swietenia mahagoni seed in steptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rat. Significant increased in the levels of fasting blood glucose, glyclated hemoglobin and diminution in hepatic hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and elevation in glucose-6-phosphatase activities in diabetic animals. Said biosensors were significantly recovered towards the control after treatment of n-hexane fraction than other fractions. Renotoxic (serum urea, uric acid and creatinine) and hematoxic (red blood cell count, platelet index and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) biosensors were significantly recovered towards control after n-hexane fraction treatment to diabetic group. Results suggest that n-hexane fraction has more potent non-toxic antidiabetic efficacy.

The study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls and adult women, and the importance of different variables on anemia in some rural belts of North Bengal. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and hemoglobin levels of the subjects were measured. It was found that 60.76 % female have normal BMI, 4.49% female were obese and 34.74% showing thinness. The percentages of mild, moderate and severe anemia were respectively 39.49%, 35.00% and 6.73%e. Variables like education, family income, BMI, personal hygiene, worm infection, dietary habit, malaria, iron and folic acid (IFA), symptoms like headache, fatigue, and dyspnoea were significantly related with anemia. The study also revealed that females of tea garden areas of the two districts were suffering more from anemia. Initiatives must be taken by the health centers to improve personal hygiene, knowledge of diet, IFA consumption and to prevent