Graphene Quantum Dots as Hole Extraction and Transfer Layer Empowering Solar Water Splitting of Catalyst-Coupled Zinc Ferrite Nanorods.

Despite the narrow band gap energy, the performance of zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) as a photoharvester for solar-driven water splitting is significantly hindered due to its sluggish charge transfer and severe charge recombination. This work reports the fabrication of a hybrid nanostructured hydrogenated ZnFe2O4 (ZFO) photoanode with enhanced photoelectrochemical water-oxidation activity through coupling N-doped graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as a hole transfer layer and Co-Pi as a catalyst. The GQDs not only reduce the surface-mediated nonradiative electron-hole pair recombination but also induce a built-in interfacial electric field leading to a favorable band alignment at the ZFO/GQDs interface, helping rapid photogenerated hole separation and serving as a conducting hole transfer highway, improve the hole transportation into the Co-Pi catalyst for enhanced water oxidation reaction kinetics. The optimized ZFO/GQD/Co-Pi hybrid photoanode delivers a 23-fold photocurrent enhancement at 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and a significant 360 mV reduction in the onset potential, reaching 0.65 VRHE compared with the ZFO photoanode under 1 sun illumination in a neutral electrolytic environment. This investigation underscores the mechanism of synergistic interplay between the hole transport layer and cocatalyst in boosting the solar-illuminated water-splitting activity of the ZFO photoanode.

Natural infestation of an anchor worm, Lernaea sp. in cage culture of Asian Seabass, Lates calcarifer juveniles and its control using an anti-parasitic drug, emamectin benzoate.

Parasitic infestations and their control programmes are one among the challenges to be considered the most significant in aquaculture. A parasitic infestation was studied elaborately in Asian Seabass, Lates calcarifer juveniles with clinical signs, post-mortem findings, morphological and molecular identifications. In addition, those fish were also treated with emamectin benzoate (EMB) @ 50 µg kg-1 of fish body weight (BW) d-1 for 10 consecutive days under the controlled wet lab facility by feeding through the medicated feed at 4% BW. Results showed that the parasitic prevalence, parasitic intensity (PI) and mortality were 45.5%, 8.17 ± 0.15 per fish and 40% over a period of one week in that existing cage culture. The parasite was identified as a crustacean bloodsucker, anchor worm Lernaea sp. and EMB was found to be 100% effective with significant reduction in PI over a period of 10 days with improved survival rate of 90% against the untreated group. Infested but treated group revealed substantial haematological improvement in parameters such as RBC, WBC, Hb, PCV, large lymphocytes, small lymphocytes and total lymphocytes (P < 0.01). Similarly, comparative histopathology of vital organs also revealed no discernible lesions between the healthy and treated fish juvenile as compared to that of infested untreated group. Hence, EMB can be used to control the Lernaea sp. infestation in Asian Seabass.

Prospective impact of Corona virus disease (COVID-19) related lockdown on shrimp aquaculture sector in India - a sectoral assessment.

The lockdown on account of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) adversely impacted the food production sector including aquaculture, globally. Unfortunately, it coincided with the major shrimp farming season in India which contributes 60% of the national annual shrimp production hence the impact was substantial. An on-line survey was carried out among the stakeholders of the shrimp farming sector to evaluate the prospective impact of COVID-19 related lockdown across the shrimp supply chain. The study estimated an economic loss of 1.50 billion USD to the shrimp aquaculture sector during the current year. It is expected that shrimp production and its export performance may be declining by 40% in the current season. The Garret ranking and Rank Based Quotient analyses projected severe constraints in shrimp seed production and supply, disruptions in the supply chain, logistics, farming, processing, marketing and loss of employment and income for the workers due to the pandemic. To mitigate the impact, the Government of India declared fisheries and aquaculture as an essential activity, facilitated the movement of inputs and services. Further, a major Fisheries Development Scheme(PMMSY) with a financial outlay of 267 million USD has been announced to usher in a blue revolution by strengthening the value chain, doubling the fisher/farmer income, employment generation, economic and social security for fishers/fish farmers adhering to the sustainability principles. Short and medium-term technical and policy measures are suggested to tide over the impact of COVID-19 related lockdown and related restrictions.

Broodstock development and captive maturation of hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) in a brackishwater pond-based system.

Successful captive broodstock development of clupeid fish, hilsa, is one of the major challenges for the artificial propagation of this economically valued fish. The present study provides novel insights into the pond-reared captive broodstock development of hilsa using artificial feed. In the present study, wild collected hilsa fry (weight 1.35 ± 0.13 g, length 53.84 ± 0.95 mm) were reared in grow-out ponds for 6 months followed by maintaining them as broodstock in other ponds using formulated feed in both cases. After 6 months of pond rearing, the average body weight and length of fish were 66.76 ± 4.53 g and 184.75 ± 3.65 mm, respectively. In broodstock ponds, hilsa subadults fed with formulated feed (crude protein 41.06%) ensured significant advancement in ovarian maturity with gonado somatic index of 9.09%, enhanced secondary yolk stage oocytes of 91.66% and enlargement of oocyte diameters up to 570 µm. The broodstock reached somatic growth such as average body weight and average body length of 383.80 ± 27.38 g and 339.33 ± 9.68 mm, respectively, with a condition factor of 1.06 ± 0.15. Gut content analysis revealed the better acceptability of the artificial feed. Lipid profiling of muscle and ovary during gonadal maturation revealed mobilization of fat from muscle to ovary and selective retention of some fatty acids (i.e., C14:0, C18:0, C20:5, C22:6 and C20:4) in the ovary, which might help in gonadal maturation. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Successful rearing of wild-caught hilsa juvenile in captive condition using formulated feed showed its potential as aquaculture species in low saline conditions. Advance stage of maturation in low saline captive conditions showed the possibility for induced breeding of hilsa, a high priced anadromous fish. Mobilization of fat from muscle to ovary and selective retention of some fatty acids in the ovary showed the scope of dietary manipulation for broodstock development of hilsa.

Management of experimental hypochlorhydria with iron deficiency by the composite extract of Fumaria vaillantii L. and Benincasa hispida T. in rat.

The aim of the present study was to search the effective ratio of whole plant of Fumaria vaillantii Loisel (Fumaria vaillantii L.) and fruit of Benincasa hispida Thunb. (Benincasa hispida T.) in composite form, namely "FVBH" for the management of hypochlorhydria along with iron deficiency in male albino rats. Hypochlorhydria refers to suppression of hydrochloric acid secretion by the stomach. Hypochlorhydria was induced by ranitidine in this study. We used four composite extracts of the mentioned plant and fruit with different ratios (1:1, 1:2, 2:1, and 3:2) for searching the most effective composite extract for the correction of hypochlorhydria. Gastric acidity is an important factor for iron absorption. Thus, hypochlorhydria causes iron deficiency in rat and it was prevented significantly by the extract treatment at the ratio of 1:1 of the said plant and fruit. The correction of iron deficiency by the composite extract was compared with iron supplementation to hypochlorhydric rat. It was found that preadministration followed by coadministration of FVBH-1 (1:1) able to prevent the ranitidine-induced hypochlorhydria and iron deficiency. The composite extract, FVBH-1 (1:1) significantly (P<0.05) increased the pepsin concentration, chloride level in gastric juice, iron levels in serum and liver along with blood hemoglobin level than other ratios used here. Hence, it can be concluded that FVBH-1 (1:1) is an effective herbal formulation for the management of hypochlorhydria and related iron deficiency.

Screening of serine protease inhibitors with antimicrobial activity using iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with dextran conjugated trypsin and in silico analyses of bacterial serine protease inhibition.

Plants produce a variety of proteins and peptides which are involved in their defense against pathogens. Serine protease inhibitors are a well-established class of inhibitors correlated with plant defense. Increased levels of protease inhibitors delay cell damage and expand the cell's life-span. Recently, the rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant microbial pathogens has prompted immense interest in purifying novel antimicrobial proteins or peptides from plant sources. Usually, the purification of protease inhibitors is accomplished by salt-extraction, ultrafiltration and affinity chromatography. Here, we developed a novel approach based on iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated to dextran functionalized with trypsin beads that accelerate the quick screening and purification of antimicrobial peptides with serine protease inhibitor activity. The method described here also works for screening other inhibitors using particular protein kinases, and it is therefore a novel tool for use as the leading method in the development of novel antimicrobial agents with protease inhibitory activity. Finally, and no less important, molecular modelling and dynamics studies of a homologous inhibitor studied here with Escherichia coli trypsin and chymotrypsin are provided in order to shed some light on inhibitor-enzyme interactions.

Overweight and obesity among early adolescent school girls in urban area of west bengal, India: prevalence assessment using different reference standards.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are epidemic and a 'public health crisis' among adolescents worldwide. The rising trends in adolescent obesity in girl are poorly documented in India. The aim of this study was to compare and assess the extent of overweight and obesity in early adolescent school girls using three references [World Health Organization (WHO) 2007; the Center for Diseases Control (CDC) 2000 and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) 2000]. METHODS: A cross sectional study was designed in 1375 early adolescent girl (10-14 years), in five Government affiliated schools of Kharagpur Municipality of West Bengal, India. RESULTS: Results of this study are eloquent of the fact that the roots of obesity lies in early stage of adolescence. Incidence of overweight, including obesity of participants was 10.62%, 7.64% and 7.49% depending on the references used (WHO, CDC and IOTF) respectively. Both incidence and remission rates were higher among younger girls. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the harmful ramifications of overweight and obesity, it is encourage to healthy eating patterns and increase physical activity among early adolescent girls.

Ameliorating effect of mother tincture of Syzygium jambolanum on carbohydrate and lipid metabolic disorders in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat: Homeopathic remedy.

BACKGROUND: Syzygium jambolanum (S jambolanum) is widely used in homeopathy for treating patients with diabetes mellitus. In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the remedial effect of homeopathic drug S jambolanum on carbohydrate and lipid metabolic disorders on streptozotocin induced diabetic rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes induction in Wistar strain rat was performed as per standard method using streptozotocin at the dose of 4 mg/100 gm body weight. Activities of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in hepatic tissue, and glycogen content in hepatic and muscular tissues were assessed biochemically following the standard protocols. Serum lipid profile level and activities of GOT and GPT in serum were measured as per standard method using specific kits. RESULTS: The homeopathic drug, mother tincture of S jambolanum significantly decreased fasting blood glucose levels and improved carbohydrate metabolic key enzyme activities in hepatic tissue i.e., hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphatase in diabetic rats. Alongside, serum lipid profile biomarkers i.e., triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLc) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) levels were significantly ameliorated in homeopathic drug supplemented diabetic animals in compared with the untreated diabetic animal. Side by side, the S jambolanum has the capacity to attenuate diabetes induced hepatic injury in model animal, which has been assessed here by the recovery of GOT and GPT activities in serum of drug treated diabetic animal. CONCLUSION: The result of the present study indicated that the homeopathic drug S jambolanum (mother tincture) has a protective effect on diabetic induced carbohydrate and lipid metabolic disorders in STZ-induced diabetic animal.

Antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of n-hexane fraction from the hydro-methanolic extract of sepals of Salmalia malabarica in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Bio-efficacy of n-hexane fraction of sepal of Salmalia malabarica was evaluated covering the biochemical sensors for the management of hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic effects. Evaluation of n-hexane fraction of Salmalia malabarica (SMH) from hydro-methanolic (2:3) extract at the dose of 0.1 gm/kg body weight twice a day were investigated in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats were divided into five groups. The effect of the fraction on fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum insulin, hemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLc), phospholipids, free fatty acids, urea, uric acid, creatinine, albumin and transaminases were investigated in STZ-induced diabetic rat. A significant reduction of FBG level was observed after SMH treatment in STZ-induced diabetic rat. Treatment of diabetic rats with n-hexane fraction of this plant restored the levels of the above biochemical sensors significantly (p<0.001) in respect to the control. Histological studies of pancreas showed a qualitative diminution in the area of the islet's of Langerhans in diabetic group which was recovered by said fraction. Phytochemical screening of the fraction revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids and steroids.

Effect of different solvent extracts of Benincasa hispida T. on experimental hypochlorhydria in rat.

Hypochlorhydria is a common problem in any age of people like other gastric disorders. It has so many etiologies such as sympathetic dominance, antiseretory drug use, excess sugar and refined foods, etc. In the present study, our objective was to search out the effective solvent extract of fruit of Benincasa hispida T. for the management of hypochlorhydria in model male albino rats. Hypochlorhydria was induced in rat as per standard method by oral administration of ranitidine. Different solvent extracts (Hydro-methanol, ethyl acetate, and aqueous) of ripe fruit of B. hispida were prepared following the standard protocol. Various parameters in this concern like free acidity, total acidity, pH, pepsin concentration, chloride and vitamin C levels in gastric juice were measured by standard biochemical and titrimetric methods. It was found that pre-administration followed by co-administration of aqueous extract of B. hispida (ABH) resulted significant correction of ranitidine-induced hypochlorhydria in rat. This aqueous extract-treated group showed increased levels of vitamin C, pepsin, and chloride concentration in gastric juice as well as the antioxidant status significantly (P<0.05) in respect to other extract-treated groups. From the results, it can be concluded that the ABH has most effective anti-hypochlorhydric and antioxidative efficacy than other solvent extracts of said plant fruit.

Antihyperglycemic and antioxidative effects of the hydro-methanolic extract of the seeds of Caesalpinia bonduc on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male albino rats.

BACKGROUND: No satisfactory effective treatment is available yet to cure diabetes mellitus. Though, synthetic drugs are used but there are several drawbacks. The attributed antihyperglycemic effects of many traditional plants are due to their ability for the management of diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hydromethanolic extract was administered orally at a dose of 250 mg/kg of body weight per day for 21 days. Its effects on the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, activities of key carbohydrate metabolic enzymes like hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and antioxidant enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase along with the effect on the lipid peroxidation level in hepatic tissues were measured. Glycogen levels were also assessed in hepatic and skeletal muscles and some toxicity parameters, such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, and alkaline phosphates activities were measured. RESULTS: Treatment of the hydromethanolic extract of the seeds of Caesalpinia bonduc resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) recovery in the activities of carbohydrate metabolic enzymes along with correction in FBG and glycogen levels as compared with the untreated diabetic group. The extract also resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) recovery in the activities of toxicity assessment enzyme parameters. Activities of antioxidant enzymes like catalase and superoxide dismutase along with the lipid peroxidation levels were also recovered significantly (P < 0.05) after the treatment of the extract. The corrective effects produced by the extract were compared with the standard antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide that the extract shows possible antihyperglycemic and antioxidative activities.

A change from second- to first-order transition in (La(1-x)Eu(x))0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2).

A detailed investigation of the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition in (La(1-x)Eu(x))(0.67)Ca(0.33)MnO(3) having small Eu(3+)-content (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) has been carried out through resistivity and magnetization measurements. X-ray diffraction patterns of the compounds reveal a single phase (La(1-x)Eu(x))(0.67)Ca(0.33)MnO(3) (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) of an orthorhombic crystal structure after annealing the precursor at 800 °C for 2 h in air. With increasing Eu(3+)-content, the second-order transition (at x = 0 and 0.1) changes to first-order at x = 0.2. The experimental results demonstrate thermomagnetic irreversibility of the transition for x = 0.2 composition. This arises between the supercooling and superheating regimes where both the ferromagnetic and paramagnetic phases coexist.

Inhibitory effect of hydro-methanolic extract of seed of Holarrhena antidysenterica on alpha-glucosidase activity and postprandial blood glucose level in normoglycemic rat.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The present experiment was conducted to search out the effect of hydro-methanolic extract of seed of Holarrhena antidysenterica on intestinal α-glucosidase activity in dose dependent manner and on the management of postprandial hyperglycemia in starch loaded rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Activity of intestinal α-glucosidase was measured by in vitro method. Fasting blood glucose level was determined by single touch glucometer. Total phenol and flavonoids of seed extract of Holarrhena antidysenterica were estimated using gallic acid and quercetin standard curves, respectively. RESULTS: The degree of elevation in blood glucose level after starch administration was significantly (p<0.05) less by the extract in respect to the control. The said extract also inhibited α-glucosidase activity having an IC(50) of 0.52mg/ml. Phytochemical study revealed that the extract is rich in phenolic compounds (60.23mg of gallic acid equivalent/g of extract) and flavonoids (360.23mg of quercetin equivalent/g of the extract). CONCLUSION: The extract exerts its antihyperglycemic effect by retarding the carbohydrate absorption from intestine through the inhibition in α-glucosidase activity and therefore resists postprandial hyperglycemia.

Antidiabetic Potentiality of the Aqueous-Methanolic Extract of Seed of Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq. in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Albino Rat: A Correlative and Evidence-Based Approach with Antioxidative and Antihyperlipidemic Activities.

Antidiabetic, antioxidative, and antihyperlipidemic activities of aqueous-methanolic (2 : 3) extract of Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq. (family Meliaceae) seed studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Feeding with seed extract (25 mg 0.25 mL distilled water(-1)100 gm b.w.(-1)rat(-1) day(-1)) for 21 days to diabetic rat lowered the blood glucose level as well as the glycogen level in liver. Moreover, activities of antioxidant enzymes like catalase, peroxidase, and levels of the products of free radicals like conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in liver, kidney, and skeletal muscles were corrected towards the control after this extract treatment in this model. Furthermore, the seed extract corrected the levels of serum urea, uric acid, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoproteins towards the control level in this experimental diabetic model. The results indicated the potentiality of the extract of S. mahagoni seed for the correction of diabetes and its related complications like oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia. The extract may be a good candidate for developing a safety, tolerable, and promising neutraceutical treatment for the management of diabetes.

Effect of Arsenic on Nodulation and Nitrogen Fixation of Blackgram (Vigna mungo).

Rhizobium-legume symbiotic interaction is an efficient model system for soil remediation and reclamation. We earlier isolated an arsenic (As) (2.8 mM arsenate) tolerant and symbiotically effective Rhizobium strain, VMA301 from Vigna mungo and in this study we further characterized its efficacy for arsenic removal from the soil and its nitrogen fixation capacity. Although nodule formation is delayed in plants with As-treated composite when the inoculum was prepared without arsenic in culture medium, whereas it attains the significant number of nodules compare to plant grown in As-free soil when the inoculum was prepared with arsenic supplemented medium. Arsenic accumulation was higher in roots than root nodules. Nitrogenase activity is reduced to almost 2 fold in plants with As-treated soil but not abolished. These results suggest that this strain, VMA301, has been able to establish an effective symbiotic interaction in V. mungo in As-contaminated soil and can perform dual role of arsenic bioremediation as well as soil nitrogen improvement.

Antibacterial effect of lanthanum calcium manganate (La0.67Ca0.33MnO3) nanoparticles against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853.

Nanotechnology based water purification system and treatment of human diseases are of higher priority in the immediate future for economic and undetermined health purpose. Nanoparticles offer the possibility of an efficient removal of pollutants and microbes in water treatment. Here we have used colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) materials, lanthanum calcium manganate (LCMO) and Eu3+ doped lanthanum calcium manganate (LECMO) nanoparticles, to determine the antibacterial efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa-ATCC 27853, a soil and water born pathogenic bacteria. The average size of the synthesized nanoparticles was varied from 50 nm to 200 nm and X-ray diffraction pattern showed the formation of a single phase LCMO or LECMO of an orthorhombic crystal structure after annealing the precursor at 1000 degrees C for 2 h in air. The data revealed that LCMO nanoparticle have higher antibacterial activity compared to LECMO nanoparticle. Thus, LCMO nanoparticles can offer future applications as antimicrobial drug and in water purification technology.

Effect of Diashis, a polyherbal formulation, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino rats.

This study focuses on the effect of 'Diashis', a polyherbal formulation composed of eight medicinal plants for the management of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. As oxidative stress is one of the consequences of diabetes, the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes and metabolic enzymes were evaluated. Treatment with 'Diashis' in STZ-induced diabetic rats resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) recovery in the activities of hepatic hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphatase along with correction in the levels of fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and liver and skeletal muscle glycogen. The oxidative stress status in the liver was corrected by 'Diashis' which was highlighted by the recovery in the activities of catalase, peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase along with the correction in the quantity of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and conjugated diene. 'Diashis' was not found to have any metabolic toxicity. The antidiabetic effects of 'Diashis' were compared with those of the antidiabetic drug, 'Glibenclamide'.

Electron-phonon coupling assisted emission in single magnetic La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 domains of thin nanoplates.

A chemical method with small polymer templates is explored to obtain single magnetic domain La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 particles of thin nanoplates (25-35 nm thickness). The sample is light-emitting (480-800 nm) in multiple bands with two prominent bandgroups in the 570 nm green and 762 nm red emissions. The green emission consists of four bands 555.1, 565.7, 573.4, and 584.7 nm in the O2- -2p--> Mn3+ / Mn4+ -3d interband electronic transitions. Two excited-electronic levels G, (565.7 nm) and G2 (555.1 nm), which are exchange coupled via a phonon level v2* (678 cm(-1)), exhibit the four bands in the transitions to the ground state G0 and a phonon level v1 (575 cm(-1)). The bands v1 and v2 are well-resolved in the IR spectrum. A similar phonon assisted Mn3+ --> Mn4+ charge transfer transition results in the red emission. Both the green and red bandgroups appear in a common excitation over 350-450 nm from a xenon source. Evidently, as proposed with a model energy level diagram, the electron-phonon coupling governs a multiple light-emission in this example of the single domain particles. Otherwise, such specific ceramics of half-metallic ferromagnets hardly allows a light-emission at room temperature.

Comparative study on the spermicidal activity of organic solvent fractions from hydroethanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Stephania hernandifolia in human and rat sperm.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine the most effective fraction of the hydroethanolic (water:ethanol, 1:1) extracts of Stephania hernandifolia leaves and Achyranthes aspera roots (in a composite manner at a ratio of 1:3, respectively) that will provide maximum spermicidal activity in human and rat spermatozoa out of five different ratios (1:1, 1:3, 1:7, 3:1 and 7:1) that have been studied in pilot experiments. STUDY DESIGN: n-Hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of the hydroethanolic (1:1) extracts of S. hernandifolia and A. aspera were mixed at 1:3. Different concentrations were tested for sperm immobilization, sperm viability, acrosome status, 5'-nucleotidase activity and nuclear chromatin decondensation using human and rat spermatozoa for the selection of the most effective concentration. RESULTS: Out of three fractions of the hydroethanolic (1:1) extracts of the said plants, the n-hexane fraction was most effective, and the chloroform fraction exhibited minimum activity for this purpose. At a concentration of 0.1 g/mL hexane fraction, all sperm of the human sample were immobilized immediately (within 20 s). In case of the rat sample, all epididymal spermatozoa were immobilized immediately (within 20 s) by treatment with hexane fraction at a concentration of 0.004 g/mL. All human sperm were found to be nonviable within 20 min. The activity of acrosome enzymes was reduced, and significant release of 5'-nucleotidase (a plasma membrane marker) into the surrounding medium was noted after treatment with 0.1 g/mL hexane fraction, indicating that the hexane fraction affected the cytoarchitecture of the sperm plasma membrane. The maximum number of human sperm failed to decondense when treated with 0.1 g/mL hexane fraction, and sperm motility was also irreversible. The hexane fraction was tested in rats as vaginal contraceptive and showed 100% efficacy, indicating its potential for development as vaginal contraceptive. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that, among the different fractions, the hexane fraction of the hydroethanolic extracts of the two plants produced the most effective spermicidal activity and can be considered as vaginal contraceptive.

Correction of protein metabolic disorders by composite extract of Musa paradisiaca and Coccinia indica in streptozotocin-induced diabetic albino rat: an approach through the pancreas.

OBJECTIVE: The study focused on the ability of the extracts of Musa paradisiaca and Coccinia indica on protein metabolic disorders in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. METHODS: Wistar strain rats were divided into 6 groups as control, control + composite extract treated, STZ-induced diabetes, diabetic + composite extract treated, composite extract-pretreated diabetes, and composite extract-pretreated diabetes + composite extract treated. Protein metabolic status was assessed by serum levels of urea, uric acid, albumin, and creatinine along with urine urea and albumin levels. Diabetic therapeutic ability was assessed by blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and serum insulin levels. Histology of the pancreas, liver, and kidney was evaluated. RESULTS: Indices of protein metabolic disorders were deviated from control in STZ-induced diabetes, which were protected significantly after the treatment of composite extract of M. paradisiaca and C. indica. This protection was more prominent when the extract-pretreated animals were subjected to diabetes induction by STZ. CONCLUSION: The composite extract has a protective therapeutic effect against diabetes through beta-cell regeneration capacity.