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Showing papers by "Annamalai University published in 1999"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The study shows that MSFEt has hypoglycaemic action and prevents decrease in body weight and is mainly used in Indian folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

157 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The study shows that disrupted free radical metabolism in diabetic animals may be normalized by fenugreek seed supplementation in the diet.
Abstract: The effect of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum) on blood lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in alloxan diabetic rats was studied. Increased lipid peroxidation and alterations in circulating antioxidants were observed in the diabetic state. The levels of glutathione, ascorbic acid and beta-carotene in blood were significantly lowered and alpha-tocopherol content was increased. Supplementation of fenugreek seeds in the diet lowered lipid peroxidation. The contents of glutathione and beta-carotene were increased and the alpha-tocopherol content was lowered. The level of ascorbic acid was unaltered. The level of antioxidants were higher in normal rats which were fed with the fenugreek supplemented diet compared with control animals which were fed commercial rat chow. The study shows that disrupted free radical metabolism in diabetic animals may be normalized by fenugreek seed supplementation in the diet.

146 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the spatial and temporal geochemical variations of various parameters in the water and sediment of a relatively small mangrove situated on the southeast coast of India were examined in detail for the first time.
Abstract: Spatial and temporal geochemical variations of various parameters in the water and sediment of a relatively small mangrove situated on the southeast coast of India were examined in detail for the first time. The water quality generally reflects the impact of seawater and the Vellar estuary (mixing effect) aided by evaporation and in situ biological productivity. The depletion and fluctuation of dissolved silica are controlled by biological processes. Nitrate and phosphate are contributed by fertilizer input from adjoining agriculture fields. Total suspended matter (TSM) shows an erratic range and trend due to deforestation and resuspension processes. Sand and silt constitute 70–90% of the sediments. Statistical analysis of the sediments shows the prevalence of a moderately high-energy environment with very effective winnowing activity. Organic matter content is higher in the mangrove sediments in comparison to adjacent estuaries. Water and sediment show fluctuations in their chemical concentration, but no specific trends could be identified. Heavy metals are also enriched in the mangrove sediments, indicating their unique chemical behavior and the existence of trapping mechanisms. Factor analysis and correlation analysis of water and sediments show the complexity of the system and the multitude of contributing sources. The core sediment chemistry suggests the depletion of metal input due to the damming of the detrital inputs. The Pichavaram mangrove seems to be relatively unpolluted, since the anthropogenic signal observed is small and acts as a sink for heavy metals contributed from a multitude of sources without an adverse effect.

143 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Oral administration of curcumin to rats caused a significant reversal in lipid peroxidation, brain lipids and produced enhancement of glutathione, a non‐enzymic antioxidant in ethanol intoxicated rats, revealing that the antioxidative and hypolipidaemic action ofCurcumin is responsible for its protective role against ethanol induced brain injury.
Abstract: In the present study, curcumin from Curcuma longa was screened for neuroprotective activity using ethanol as a model of brain injury. Oral administration of curcumin to rats caused a significant reversal in lipid peroxidation, brain lipids and produced enhancement of glutathione, a non-enzymic antioxidant in ethanol intoxicated rats, revealing that the antioxidative and hypolipidaemic action of curcumin is­responsible for its protective role against ethanol induced brain injury. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

138 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Oral administration of an aqueous T. cordifolia root extract for 6 weeks resulted in a decrease in the levels of plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, ceruloplasmin and alpha-tocopherol in alloxan diabetic rats and Insulin restored all the parameters to near normal levels.

137 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an attempt has been made to develop mathematical models for optimizing electric discharge machining (EDM) characteristics such as the metal removal rate (MRR), the tool wear rate (TWR), and the surface roughness (CLA value).

131 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A polysaccharide extracted from the leaf of Rhizophora apiculata was assessed in cell culture systems, for its activity against human and simian immunodeficiency viruses, and its properties may be advantageous should RAP be considered for further development.

105 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Taurine supplementation could be beneficial in circumventing metabolic alterations in insulin resistance and preventing the blood pressure elevation and attenuated the hyperinsulinemia in fructose-fed rats.
Abstract: Fructose feeding induces moderate increases in blood pressure levels in normal rats, which is associated with hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and impaired glucose tolerance. Increased vascular resistance, sodium retention, and sympathetic overactivity have been proposed to contribute to the blood pressure elevation in this model. Taurine, a sulphur-containing amino acid, has been reported to have antihypertensive and sympatholytic actions. In the present study, the effects of taurine on blood pressure, plasma levels of glucose and insulin, glucose tolerance, and renal function were studied in fructose-fed rats. Fructose-fed rats had higher blood pressure and elevated plasma levels of insulin and glucose. The plasma glucose levels were higher in fructose-fed rats than in controls at 15, 30, and 60 min after the oral glucose load. Treatment with 2% taurine in drinking water prevented the blood pressure elevation and attenuated the hyperinsulinemia in fructose-fed rats. The exaggerated glucose levels in response to the oral glucose load was also prevented by taurine administration. Thus, taurine supplementation could be beneficial in circumventing metabolic alterations in insulin resistance.

99 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The data suggest that neem may exert its chemopreventive effects in the oral mucosa by modulation of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and detoxification systems.

96 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, total microbial population and their activity (CO2 evolution), macronutrients (N, P, K) and enzymes (dehydrogenase and phosphatase activities) in the uningested pressmud, fresh casts and 15-and 30-d-old pressmud vermicasts of two composting worms, Lampito mauritii and Eudrilus eugeniae, have been determined.

80 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, bed sediment samples collected from the Hoogly, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery estuaries on the east coast of India were analyzed for rare earth elements (REEs), mainly lanthanides (LaLu), Y, a number of metals (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Ag, Cd and Pb), using Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry.
Abstract: Bed sediment samples collected from the Hoogly, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery estuaries on the east coast of India were analyzed for rare earth elements (REEs), mainly lanthanides (La‐Lu), Y, a number of metals (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Ag, Cd and Pb), using Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry. Continental weathering plays an important role in the distribution of REEs and metals. However, metals showed wide variation in concentration among estuaries, mainly due to varying salinity, which controls complex estuarine processes, and partly to anthropogenic inputs. Factor analysis of elemental data identified two major groups of elements: (i) LREEs, HREEs, Cd, Pb and Ag, revealing an association with detritals brought in by the rivers; and (ii) V, Cr , Co, Ni and Zn, indicating complex estuarine processes and human input. LREEs are more enriched than HREEs (LREE/HREE ratio varied between 12 and 40) reflecting silicate weathering of crustal materials, and a resultant increase in LREEs in detritals. We conclude that the estuarine system constitutes 70% of LREEs and 30% of HREE flux to the Bay of Bengal.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that garlic may exert its chemopreventive effects by modulating lipid peroxidation and enhancing the levels of GSH, GPx, and GST.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results suggest that RMP inhibited early steps of the virus life cycle especially virus adsorption to the cell and the formation of syncytium upon cocultivation of MOLt-4/HIV-1IIIB cells and MOLT-4 cells.
Abstract: A polysaccharide was extracted with 1% sodium carbonate from the bark of Rhizophora mucronata and its antiviral activities against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were assessed by an in vitro cell culture system. The anti-HIV activity of the alkaline extract was mainly recovered in the 25-75% ethanol-precipitated fraction. Rhizophora mucronata polysaccharide (RMP) protected MT-4 cells from the HIV-induced cytopathogenicity and blocked the expression of HIV antigens. RMP completely inhibited the viral binding to the cell and the formation of syncytium upon cocultivation of MOLT-4/HIV-1IIIB cells and MOLT-4 cells. These results suggest that RMP inhibited early steps of the virus life cycle especially virus adsorption to the cell.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, it was shown that the product of two positive semidefinite (psd) matrices is EP if and only if the product is a normal product.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this study the concentration of DDT and HCH were evaluated in air from a tropical coastal environmental (at Parangipettai--southeast coast of India) and the ban on DDT in agriculture is reflected from the low residue levels recorded.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 1999-Alcohol
TL;DR: The alterations in the characteristics of these biochemical circadian rhythms could be principally due to the alterations on the hepatic cellular architecture; other plausible underlying reasons are also discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper examined the extent of lipid peroxidation and the status of reduced glutathione and the GSH-dependent enzymes-glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathion-S-transferase (GST)-in oral tumour tissues from 33 adult oral cancer patients and an equal number of age and sex-matched normal subjects.
Abstract: We examined the extent of lipid peroxidation and the status of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the GSH-dependent enzymes-glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-in oral tumour tissues from 33 adult oral cancer patients and an equal number of age- and sex-matched normal subjects. Diminished lipid peroxidation in the oral tumour tissue was accompanied by a significant decrease in phospholipids and an increase in the cholesterol/phospholipid (C/P) ratio. The concentration of glutathione and the activities of GPx and GST were elevated in oral tumour tissues. These findings suggest that GSH- and GSH-dependent enzymes play a crucial role in tobacco-related tumourigenesis and may be considered as markers of carcinogen exposure.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The residue levels of HCH isomers, and DDT, and its metabolites were quantified in surface sediments from the River kaveri and Coleroon in Tamil Nadu state, South India suggest that p,p'-DDE is a major breakdown product of DDT in the sediment compartment.
Abstract: Chlorinated compounds have preferential attraction for organic phases found in sediments. Usage of chlorinated pesticides in agriculture and vector control is more in developing countries. The residue levels of HCH isomers, and DDT, and its metabolites were quantified in surface sediments from the River kaveri and Coleroon in Tamil Nadu state, South India. The concentration of HCH ranged from 4.35 to 158.4 ng g‐1 (dry wt.). Among the isomers of HCH, α‐HCH is predominant followed by β and γ‐HCH. The levels of DDT varied from 0.69 to 4.85 ng g‐1 (dry wt.). Among the DDT compounds, p,p'‐DDE quantified more (>40%) in all the sites. This suggests that p,p'‐DDE is a major breakdown (dehydrochlorination) product of DDT in the sediment compartment. Higher concentration of HCH residues reveals its large usage in agriculture. The flux of pesticide rseidues from land to river including downward flux to sediment is less.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the crystal structure of 2 is reported and the Zn-S distances in 2 are longer than those in Zn(dtc)2 complexes and S2p binding energies show a significant reduction in value compared to the parent dithiocarbmate [Zn(pipdtc)-2](3), indicating the weakening of Zn−S bond on adduct formation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that dietary ω-3 PUFA offers maximum protection in experimentally induced MI in comparison to ω -6 PUFA and SFA enriched diets, which was found to have the least protective effect.
Abstract: Dietary fatty acids have cholesterol lowering, antiatherogenic, and antiarrhythmic properties that decrease the risk of myocardial infarction (MI). This study was designed to study the effects of various oils rich in either polyunsaturated (ω-3 or ω-6) fatty acids (PUFA) or saturated fatty acids (SFA) on the severity of experimentally induced MI. Male albino Sprague-Dawley rats (100–150 g; n = 20) were fed diets enriched with fish oil (ω-3 PUFA), peanut oil (ω-6 PUFA), or coconut oil (SFA) for 60 days. Experimental MI was induced with isoproterenol. Mortality rates; serum enzymes aspartate amino transferase; alanine amino transferase; creatine phosphokinase (CPK); lipid profiles in serum, myocardium, and aorta; peroxide levels in heart and aorta; activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase; and levels of glutathione were measured. The results demonstrated that mortality rate, CPK levels, myocardial lipid peroxides, and glutathione levels were decreased in the ω-3 PUFA treated group. Maximum increase in parameters indicative of myocardial damage was seen in the coconut oil group. These findings suggest that dietary ω-3 PUFA offers maximum protection in experimentally induced MI in comparison to ω-6 PUFA and SFA enriched diets. SFA was found to have the least protective effect.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Juvenile penaeid prawn distribution, composition and density were assessed, along with environmental factors at three hour intervals during 24-h in four different seasons in a Rhizophora mangal at Pichavaram, southeast India.
Abstract: Juvenile penaeid prawn distribution, composition and density were assessed, along with environmental factors at three hour intervals during 24-h in four different seasons in a Rhizophora mangal at Pichavaram, southeast India Eight species of penaeid prawns were recorded Metapenaeus monoceros and M brevicornis were dominant during all seasons Total prawn catch exhibited diel variation and their length showed seasonal variation Of the environmental factors, salinity significantly correlated with 1 short-term diel variation in prawn density (r = 0345), and 2 long-term seasonal variation in prawn size (r = −033 to −065) Management practices for conserving and enhancing the prawn resources in the mangrove creeks are suggested

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Dietary intake of ginger was found to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis markedly by virtue of its hypolipidemic and antiatherogenic effects.
Abstract: Erect of administering ginger (Zingiber officinale R.), one of the commonly consumed spices, on high-fat-fed rats was studied for a period of 10 weeks. Ginger was given at two different doses, 35mg and 70mg/kg body weight, made into a coarse solution with distilled water and administered orally by intragastric intubation daily. There was a significant decrease in the levels of cholesterol, phospholipids, and free fatty acids in the tissues (liver, intestine, kidney and aorta) and serum of the ginger-treated rats. Levels of serum triglyceride were also significantly reduced in the ginger-treated groups. Supplementation of the control and high-fat-fed rats with ginger increased the concentration of HDL and decreased the concentration of LDL and VLDL in the serum as compared with the levels in the rats not receiving the supplement. Thus, dietary intake of ginger was found to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis markedly by virtue of its hypolipidemic and antiatherogenic effects.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Coconut kernel fiber can protect cells from loss of oxidative capacity with the administration of the procarcinogen DMH, and levels of lipid peroxides in both the preneoplastic and neoplastic stages are higher than in the control group.
Abstract: The influence of dietary fiber from coconut kernel isolated by the neutral detergent fiber method on the antioxidant status in rats treated with the colon specific carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) was studied in rats fed a high-fat diet for 15 weeks. The DMH-treated fiber group showed higher levels of lipid peroxides than the control group treated with DMH at the preneoplastic and neoplastic stages. Free fatty acid levels were found to decrease significantly in the DMH-treated control group, whereas it was near normal in the fiber groups. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity also were found to be increased in the liver, intestine, proximal colon, and distal colon. Glutathione levels in all the tissues studied showed significant decreases in the fiber group. The results suggest that coconut kernel fiber can protect cells from loss of oxidative capacity with the administration of the procarcinogen DMH.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The reproductive performance of male freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium malcolmsonii) is affected by the nutritional status of the animals.



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In vivo leaf fluorescence was found to be diminished with UV-B radiation and at the 10%UV-B, variable fluorescencewas promoted significantly by 10%, and the content of UV-absorbing compounds was progressively enhanced with doses of UVB radiation along with higher absorption at 276 and 330 nm.
Abstract: Influences of UV-B radiation on Rhizophora apiculata were studied in terms of chlorophylls, their presence in protein complexes of the chloroplast, PS I and PS II photochemical activities, in vitro absorption spectrum of the chloroplast, in vivo leaf fluorescence and UV absorbing compounds The seedlings were exposed to the various levels of UV-B radiations, equivalent to 0 (control), 10, 20, 30 and 40% stratospheric ozone depletion of the study area The low doses of UV-B (10 and 20%) increased the reaction centre chlorophyll (10 and 8%) and activities of PS-I (98 and 39%) and PS-II (77 and 38%) respectively; whereas, 30 and 40% UV-B treatments decreased the reaction centre chlorophylls by 11 and 33% and PS II activity by 0 and 20%; while PS I activity did not show any inhibitory effect Chloroplasts isolated from control and 10% UV-B treated plants exhibited the same level of absorption at 676 nm In vivo leaf fluorescence was found to be diminished with UV-B radiation and at the 10% UV-B, variable fluorescence was promoted significantly by 10% The content of UV-absorbing compounds was progressively enhanced with doses of UV-B radiation along with higher absorption at 276 and 330 nm


Journal Article
TL;DR: The interaction between Rhizoctonia and Trichoderma harzianum was investigated in vitro and under field conditions in Tamil Nadu, India and a slight increase in Vigna mungo seed yield was recorded.
Abstract: The interaction between Rhizoctonia and Trichoderma harzianum was investigated in vitro and under field conditions in Tamil Nadu, India. The individual growth of Rhizoctonia and T. harzianum was significantly affected in dual culture. In field testsa slight increase in Vigna mungo seed yield was recorded.