Showing papers in "Indian Journal of Medical Research in 1977"

Antifertility activity of plumbagin.

Abstract: The antifertility effects of plumbagin (2-methyl-5 hydroxy1-4 napthoquinone) are reevaluated and the chemical structure is illustrated. Plumbagin is a crystalline substance extracted from Plumbago zeylanica and other plants belonging to the Plumbaginacea family. These plants grow in south India as perennial herbs. Plumbagin had been reported to be an irritant to the smooth muscle of the uterus. Plumbagin was suspended in .5% of gum acacia in water or in propylene glycol and given orally through a stomach tube in a volume of 1 ml/100 gm of body weight. Controls received only the .5% gum acacia. Plumbagin given for 15 days before cohabitation and 15 days during cohabitation inhibited mating in 62.5% of rats. The treated females did not mate for 10-12 days after withdrawal of the drug. The estrous cycles and diestrous phase of rats were significantly (pe.005) prolonged in treated animals. With doses of .5-2 mg/100 gm of body weight abortions were caused increasing with frequency as the dose was increased. Acute toxic symptoms were not observed with doses of .25-2 mg/100 gm of body weight but with 4 and 8 mg a 50% mortality rate was found. Even though plumbagin is an effective antifertility agent its margin of safety was low in rats mice and rabbits. In rats the LD50 effect was seen with 4-6.5 mg/100 mg of body weight when given orally. Antifertility effects were found with doses of 1 mg/100 gm of body weight.

Impact of water supply on the incidence of diarrhoea and shigellosis among children in rural communities in Madurai

Abstract: -. Gastrointestinal diseases constitute a major public health problem in India, particularly among infants and pre-school children. The State Governments have been investing large funds under the National Water Supply and Sanitation Scheme for the provision of protected water supply in rural and urban areas. Wells dug, driven, or drilled, as also water from reservoirs treated or untreated, with or without arrangement for overhead tank, piped or otherwise, constitute the usual source. Piped water supply is distributed through street faucets or house connections. The quantity is restricted to meet mainly the drinking water needs of the community. Studies conducted in several countries1"4 have indicated that the effectiveness of the protected water supply in controlling water-borne diseases in a community depends on (a) purity and wholesomeness, (b) quantity supplied, (c) whether the water is supplied within or outside the dwellings, and (d) whether the supply is continuous or not. The present investigation was undertaken to find out how far the public water supplies have controlled water-borne diseases in rural areas using the incidence of diarrhoea (shigellosis) as an index in children under 5 years of age.

Aetiopathogenesis of endemic ascites in Surguja district of Madhya Pradesh

Abstract: An outbreak of a disease characterised by rapidly developing ascites and resulting in high mortality was investigated in a few villages of Surguja district of Madhya Pradesh. Histopathological studies revealed that the main findings were centrilobular hepatic necrosis and occlusion of the lobular and sublobular veins. Epidemiological studies suggested its endemic character and its strong association with a food toxin. The staple millet—Panicum miliare, was found to be contaminated with seeds of Crotalaria species. Chemical analysis of the contaminating weed seeds showed the presence of hepatotoxic alkaloids of the monocrotaline type. On the basis of available evidence, it appears that the ingestion of the contaminating weed of Crotalaria species is causally related to the outbreak of the disease. Some suitable methods of control at the agricultural and household levels have been suggeste.