Antioxidant and Antiinflammatory Effects of Vitex Negundo on Freund’s Complete Adjuvant Induced Arthritis
Authors: Harsha Lad, Deepti Dixit, Ankita Joshi, Deepak Bhatnagar
Abstract
Objective: Vitex negundo, commonly known as “nirgundi” is widely used in traditional as well as in folk medicines to cure many ailments such as fever, rheumatism, gum and skin diseases and liver disorders, etc. The present study evaluated the antioxidant potency of hydroethanolic extract of Vitex negundo leaves (VNE) in Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritis.
Current Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes, Their Side Effects and Possible Complementary Treatments
Authors: Arshpreet Kalsi, Shivangi Singh, Nancy Taneja, Samiksha Kukal, Shalini Mani
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder in the endocrine system and characterized by a varied and complex pathophysiology. World-wide there is a dramatic increase in the number of patients for type 2 diabetes, and hence it is becoming a serious threat to the health of mankind. Commercially a large number of drugs belonging to different classes such as biguanides, sulfonylureas, meglitinides and thiazolidinediones are available to control and treat the type 2 diabetic patients. However, none of these drugs are known to completely cure the diabetic phenotype. On the other hand, a long term usage of these drugs exhibits several side effects and complications to different organs of the body which ultimately lead to cardiovascular problems, liver disease, kidney disease and weight gain too. Like many other drugs, these anti-diabetic drugs are also known to interfere and interact with other non anti-diabetic drugs, if the patient is taking them for a long time. To combat the side effects of these drugs, complementary treatments may be found as a preventive measure and more promising in the management of disease phenotypes in these patients. As per reports available from a large number of studies, these complementary therapies may include physical exercise, dietary supplements and Nutraceuticals.
Study on Durability Strength of Concrete Using Broken Granite as Partial Replacement of Coarse Aggregate
Authors: B. Arun Kumar, Prof. R. Devi
Abstract
According to global cement magazine, each ton of cement produced releases about the same quantity of Co2. During the production of cement energy is consumed and consequently Co2 is emitted to the atmosphere. There is a need to understand the nature of energy utilization in embodied energy in buildings and maintenance, since developing countries like India have limited energy resources vis-a-vis the large population. Leaving the waste materials to the environment directly can cause environmental problem. Hence the reuse of waste material has been emphasized. Waste can be used to produce new products. Green concrete concept of thinking environment into concrete considering every aspect from raw materials manufacture over mixture design ,construction, and service life. Green concrete is very often also cheap to produce ,because for example ,waste products are used as a partial substitute for cement ,charges for the disposal of waste are avoided energy consumption in production is lower ,and durability is greater. The advancement of concrete technology can reduce the consumption of natural resources and energy sources and lessen the burden of pollutants on the environment . To overcome the above, first of all selecting the right material from natural resources and energy sources and lessen the burden of pollutants on the environment in our surrounding area to be thoroughly studied and collected. For this study, we have taken the large amount of “Broken Granite” generated in natural stone processing plants which have an important impact on the environment and humans around our nearby districts . This study is to investigate the strength of concrete using the “Broken Granite” as partial replacement of Coarse Aggregate. The specimens are casted with Broken Granite as partial replacement of Coarse Aggregate varying from 0% to 25%.The specimens are subjected to cube test , cylinder test, flexural test, pull out test and durability test . The strength and characteristics shall have been studied with the conventional concrete .
Drug - Resistant Tuberculosis: Recent Approach in Polymer Based Nanomedicine
Authors: Jessy Shaji, Mahmood Shaikh
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) had been a leading chronic bacterial infection since decades. Current therapeutic management of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is inadequate due to the lengthy course of treatment, drug-related side effects and ill-planned therapy, and these factors can lead to therapeutic failure and the emergence of drug-resistant TB. The Multi-drug-resistant (MDR) TB needs a lengthy course of treatment with second- line antitubercular drugs (ATDs) having higher side effects and cost. The misuse of second-line ATDs may result in extremely drug-resistant (XDR) strain which is very difficult to treat and require high doses of drugs resulting in more toxicity and side effects. This review highlights the need for novel drug delivery for the treatment of drug-susceptible and resistant TB. The characteristics of the nanoparticulate system in ATDs delivery and its approach in the MDR and XDR TB are discussed. The lung is the site of infection in pulmonary TB and the targeted drug delivery to the site of infection helps in achieving increased efficacy with less dose further reducing the side effects and toxicity. The symbiotic association of nanotechnology and pulmonary drug delivery give rise to an efficient inhalable polymer based nanoparticulate system containing ATDs for the better management of drug-susceptible and resistant TB. Various ATDs loaded polymer based nanocarrier systems like Alginate, PLGA, Chitosan and Gelatin nanocarriers are discussed in detail. Thus, this review highlights the current research in pulmonary drug delivery of polymer based ATDs nanomedicine and their importance in control of drug-resistant TB.