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Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multifactorial disease of significant public health concern globally. This study aimed to assess the in-vitro effect of hydro-methanol (3:2) Bauhinia acuminata stem bark extract on diabetes and diabetes-linked oxidative stress to develop an herbal-based product against diabetic complications. Qualitative analysis, TLC, and LC-MS were performed to determine the phytomolecule(s) in the extract. Diabetes was induced in rats by a single intramuscular injection of streptozotocin. The liver, kidney, small intestine, heart, and skeletal muscle were dissected from the control and diabetic groups on the 29th day of streptozotocin injection and placed immediately into the in-vitro media and dosed with the extract except for the control and untreated diabetic groups. Carbohydrate metabolic enzymes, anti-oxidative markers, and general toxicity sensors were evaluated. Dosing of extract at 10, 20, and 40 mg/10 mL of invitro media reduced the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase significantly (p<0.05), but hexokinase activity in liver, skeletal, and cardiac muscle were unchanged compared with the untreated diabetic group. Inhibition in enteric alpha-glucosidase activity was noted. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level were recovered significantly (p<0.05) in the hepatic and renal tissues after extract treatment compared to the untreated diabetic group. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase activities were reduced in the tissues of treated groups compared to the untreated diabetic group. This study showed that at 1mg/ml, the extract exhibited significant effects on the metabolic function of diabetic rat tissues with an increase in endogenous antioxidant levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effectiveness of the 'Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)-Based Awareness Intervention' regarding breastfeeding and child-feeding promotion among tribal communities is rare in India. Breastfeeding and child-feeding behavior are determined by knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intention of mothers. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of TPB-based awareness campaigns in improving breastfeeding and child-feeding among tribal mothers of Jangalmahal region in West Bengal. Total of 445 tribal mothers were included, of which 220 participants were from control group and 225 from experimental group. Two awareness camps were organized at six months intervals for experimental group only. The baseline data show no statistically significant difference in knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention and practice score between control and experimental groups. Age, antenatal visit, knowledge, attitude, subjective norms and intention were found as the predictors for breastfeeding and child-feeding practices. After the first intervention program, at midline, a significant difference (p<0.05) has been observed between control and experimental groups in all components of TPB-based model, except for attitude (p = 0.730). After the second intervention program, at endline, a significant difference has been noted in case of all components of TPB model. The main effect of time, interaction effect of time and group with-in-subject effect showed a good impact of intervention in changing knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intention. Good impact has also been observed for the components of TPB-model while considering between-subject-effect interventions. An increase in number of interventions will help to improve breastfeeding and child-feeding behavior in tribal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of Vitamin E on sodium arsenate-induced ovarian steroidogenic function and gonadotrophin plasma levels in mature Wistar-strain albino rats is discussed. The results are intended to evaluate the physiological aspects of the arsenic levels in drinking water in parts of West Bengal in India.