Purpose: To evaluate, using ethnomedical data approach, five Indian plants used in traditional medicine for cancer and other diseases for their safety and cytotoxic activity on human lymphocytes. Methods: The antiproliferative effect of the 50, 100 and 200 µg/ml aqueous extracts of five plants (leaves of Phyllanthus niruri, Coleus aromaticus, Azadirachta indica and Camellia sinensis, and dried fruit rind of Garcinia indica) were evaluated in vitro using trypan blue dye exclusion and clonogenic assay methods on two cell lines-Balb/c 3T3 mouse fibroblasts and human peripheral lymphocytes. Results: Among the five plants used traditionally to treat cancer and other infections, two of them (A. indica and C. aromaticus) exhibited cytotoxic effects on lymphocytes. Two other plants (G. indica and P. niruri) exhibited pronounced cytotoxic effects. Another plant (Camellia sinensis) exhibited cytostimulatory effect (> 50 % cell proliferation). For the plants that are traditionally used in anticancer therapy, there was a correlation between the reported use of these plants and their cytotoxic activity on lymphocytes. Conclusion: The plant extracts of the leaves of P. niruri, C, aromaticus and A. indica, and the dried fruit rind of G. indica are cytotoxic to lymphocytes and this lends some credence to their traditional use for cancer treatment. However, green tea (C. sinensis) is cytostimulatory and safe for consumption.
Background: Perinatal depression (PND) is one of the most common psychiatric illnesses in women, with a prevalence around 22% in India. Leveraging mobile-based technologies could help in the prevention and treatment of perinatal depression even in remote places. Understanding the experiences and barriers of using such technology interventions by perinatal mothers could help in the better design and in delivery of these interventions. We aimed to study the experiences of the perinatal women using a mobile phone-based intervention, Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS), for the prevention and management of perinatal depression in a rural district of Bihar, India. Materials and methods: A total of 12 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and one focus group discussion (FGD) with eight participants were conducted with perinatal mothers using the mobile-based IVRS to explore the experiences and perspectives of women receiving mobile phone-based interventions for the treatment of PND. Thematic analysis was done to identify major themes. Results: Five major themes emerged from the study around accessibility, usability, community participation, cost and preference to either intervention. Women found the mobile-based intervention useful as it made them feel lighter. They considered mental health as a health issue and wanted help to address their problems. They became familiar with terms like anxiety, depression, helplessness and burden and bean using them in their conversations. The patients used therapeutic strategies such as breathing, coping and relaxation. They even agreed to take up sessions for their peer group. Conclusion: Women in rural Bihar seemed satisfied with the technology-based intervention. It has made mental health issues more visible and acceptable even in the rural hinterlands of Bihar.
Highlights
Estimated prevalence of perinatal depression in rural Bihar, India was 23.9%.
Perinatal depression is associated with mother’s physical illness and previous abortions.
Poor financial status and ill-treatment by in-laws predicted perinatal depression.
Aim: The objective was formulated to screen the extracts of medicinal plants for tapping the antimicrobial activity against Collectotrichum capsici. Further, the work was planned to characterize and identify the nature of antimicrobial compounds and their functional groups. Methodology: Extracts of eleven medicinal plants were tested against the mycelial growth and spore germination of C. capsici under in-vitro conditions. Based on these results, the potential plant extracts of A. vasica and A. paniculata found effective against C. capsici were assayed for the presence of antimicrobial metabolites through TLC, GC-MS and FTIR analysis. Results: Among the medicinal plants screened, the crude extracts from Adathoda vasica and Andrographis paniculata inhibited mycelial growth and spore germination of C. capsici by 53.33% and 38.14%, respectively, under in-vitro conditions. GC-MS analysis of ethyl acetate extracts of A. vasica indicated antimicrobial compound, 1H-Pyrrolo[2,1-b]quinazolin-9-one,3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro- and A. paniculata showed the presence of two compounds, docosahexaenoic acid and oleic acid. Similarly, FTIR analysis revealed esters, alcohols, and halide groups, which are known antimicrobials. Interpretation: The medicinal plants, A. paniculata and A. vasica possessed antimicrobial metabolites, which was responsible for inhibiting the mycelial growth and spore germination of C. capsici.
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