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Morphometric analysis is a key to understand the hydrological process and hence is a prerequisite for the assessment of hydrological characteristics of surface water basin. Morphometric analysis to determine the drainage characteristics of Palar sub-watershed, a part of Shanmukha watershed in the Amaravati sub-catchment is done using Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Global Digital Elevation Model (ASTER GDEM) data, and is supplemented with topographical maps in geographical information systems platform. This study uses ASTER GDEM data to extract morphometric features of a mountain stream at micro-watershed level. The sub-watershed is divided into six micro-watersheds. The sub-watershed includes a sixth-order stream. Lower stream orders, in particular first-order streams, dominate the sub-watershed. Development of stream segments is controlled by slope and local relief. Drainage pattern of the sub-watershed and micro-watersheds is dendritic in general. The mean bifurcation ratio of the sub-watershed is 3.69 but its variation between the various stream orders suggests structural control in the development of stream network. The shape factors reveal the elongation of the sub-watershed and micro-watersheds.The relief ratio reveals the high discharge capability of the sub-watershed and meagre groundwater potential. This study is a useful tool for planning strategies in control of soil erosion and soil conservation.

Natural hazards like landslides, earthquakes, and floods are a major deterrent to the development of mountain regions of the world. Recently, there has been a rise in the number of landslides in Western Ghats, India. Several factors cause landslides and they depend on the local geo-environmental set-up of the region. This study attempts to map the spatial distribution of landslide hazard and analyze the risk for a typical hill town, Kodaikkanal in the Western Ghats, India, facing rapid urbanization and infra-structure growth, using a weighted linear combination model in a geographic information system platform. Landslides in the region are triggered by rainfall and it is fairly uniform throughout the area. Hence, the susceptibility map is used as the hazard map. Validation of the weighted linear combination model using landslide hazard index shows that landslide density increases with the hazard class. The risk assessment matrix (RAM) is used to evaluate risk based on the land use and landslide hazard category. The land use map is reclassified by assigning damage potential for each land use feature. The risk map is classified into low, moderate, and high risk categories. Suitable control measures are suggested for various risk categories. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Isoproterenol is a synthetic catecholamine found to cause toxicity leading to severe stress in the myocardium of experimental animals. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the cardioprotective effect of Cymbopogon citratus, which is used as a culinary item and commonly known as lemon grass (LG), in isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity. Male Wistar albino rats were segregated into five different groups as follows. Groups I and II rats were treated with vehicle. Groups III and IV rats were treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt. of LG. Group V with 100 mg/kg b.wt. of vitamin E. Myocardial necrosis was induced in Groups II, III, IV and V on 58th and 59th day using isoproterenol at a dose of 85 mg/kg twice at 24-hour interval. Animals were sacrificed on the 60 th day. LG pretreatment exhibited cardioprotective activity as evidenced by decreased activity of cardiac markers in serum and increased the same in heart homogenate (p < 0.05). LG administration decreased the toxic events of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in both serum and heart tissue, by increasing the level of enzymatic antioxidants and non-enzymatic antioxidants significantly in both heart homogenate and serum sample (p < 0.05). The histopathological observations also revealed that the cardioprotective effect of LG extract was observed at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.wt. The results of the present study reveal that LG is cardioprotective and antilipid peroxidative by increasing various antioxidants at a dose of 200 mg/kg b.wt., which is comparable with that of vitamin E. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article explores the pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approach in controlling and preventing age related cognitive decline. It mentions that risk factors for age related cognitive decline include advancing age, female gender, and a history of heart conditions. It presents a study on aged people with cognitive impairment treated with hydro-alcoholic extract of Bacopa monnieri. It notes that the results indicate improvement of memory and attention span among people with cognitive problems.

Oxidative damage remains as an important factor for the growth and spread of diseases. Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn.) ( NN) flowers are used in traditional medicine as cardiotonic. In the present study, the antioxidant activity of 70% ethanolic extract of NN was investigated and the activity was compared with Vitamin C, total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin content. The results reveal that the IC50 of the extract is lower than that of Vitamin C. It can be concluded that, NN is a rich source of phytoconstituents and a potent antioxidant than Vitamin C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicteres isora, a tall shrub common in central and western India is an effective antidote to snake bite and is also used for various intestinal disorders. The potential efficacy for hepatocellular regeneration of the ethanolic extract of Helicteres isora L. at doses of 150 and 250 mg/kg was investigated in CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats for 21 days. Significant hepatoprotective effects were obtained against toxin induced liver damage as evident from assessed biochemical markers such as acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), total protein, and oxidative stress parameters as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), calalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in liver, kidney and plasma. The results revealed that at the dose of 250 mg/kg. Helicteres isora L. had a hepatocurative potential after CCl4 intoxication in rats and provided a scientific rationale for the traditional use of this plant in the management of liver diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standardization of induction of oxidative stress with Fenton mixture (FM) in isolated perfused rat kidney and the antioxidant effect of Terminalia arjuna bark in the isolated oxidatively stressed rat kidney has been evaluated. Six groups each containing eight isolated perfused rat kidneys were used for the present study and the oxidative stress was induced by perfusing the isolated kidneys with FM. The antioxidant effect of Terminalia arjuna at the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg was evaluated in oxidative stress induced isolated kidneys. A significant (P<0.05) increase in lipid peroxidation, gluatamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase were observed in oxidative stress induced isolated kidney. On perfusion with extract, the oxidative stress was decreased with increasing in antioxidants while the marker enzymes were found to maintain the normal level. It was concluded from the present study that hydroalcholic extract of Terminalia arjuna bark at the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg showed significant antioxidant potential in isolated perfused rat kidneys.