Anti-obesity and anticancer activity of Solanum xanthocarpum leaf extract: An in vitro study

Background: Solanum xanthocarpum grows in parts of India as a wild herb. The active principles of this plant are Solasodine, Carpesterol, ?-Sitosterol, and Diosgenin. Pharmacological effects such as hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective and hypotensive activity of S. xanthocarpum have been reported. Solasodine, an active component of this plant is reported to have antioxidant activity. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the anticancer and anti-obesity property of S. xanthocarpum. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in Department of Pharmacology, Government Kilpauk Medical College, with laboratory support from Life Teck Research Center, Chennai. Both dry and fresh leaves of S. xanthocarpum were taken and evaluated for anticancer property using MCF cell line and anti-obesity activity using Pancreatic Lipase inhibition activity. Results: There was significant decrease in cell viability with increase in concentration of both dry and fresh leaves which shows anticancer activity. With increase in concentrations of leaf extracts, the inhibition of pancreatic lipase was found but in comparison to Orlistat the standard treatment, the effect was very less. Conclusion: Based on above results, it is concluded that S. xanthocarpum has good anticancer and minimal anti-obesity activity. Further investigations are required to identify the actual phytoactive component.

Experience of a faculty development workshop in mentoring at an Indian medical college.

Background. Our medical college is running a mentoring programme for undergraduate medical students since 2009. The academic leadership of the college identified the need to change the focus of the programme from mere problemsolving to professional and personal development of mentees. Methods. A core group of mentors designed and implemented a workshop on mentoring for 28 students. The workshop included reflections on the participants’ previous experiences about mentoring, discussion on perceptions of mentees about the existing mentoring programme, self-analysis of mentoring skills, overview of the Surrendering, Accepting, Gifting and Extending (SAGE) model and demonstration of effective mentoring skills using role plays and a film. We collected written anonymous feedback from participants at the end of the workshop to elicit their responses regarding various aspects of the programme, change in their views about mentoring and suggestions for future workshops. Results. A majority of the participants (17, 60.7%) said that role plays and reflection on role plays were the most valuable part of workshop as they provided clarity on the concepts about mentoring. The most frequently identified take-home messages were: building trust with the mentee (7, 25%), balance in life and approach towards the mentee (6, 21.4%), and understanding that mentoring is a process geared towards personal and professional development of the mentee (6, 21.4%). Conclusion. The participants’ reaction to the workshop was positive. The responses of participants suggested that the workshop was successful in changing their views regarding the purpose of the mentoring programme. Natl Med J India 2016;29:286–9