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Arsenic (As) poisoning has caused an environmental catastrophe in Bangladesh as millions of people are exposed to As-contaminated drinking water. Chronic As-exposure causes depression, memory impairment, and liver injury in experimental animals. This study was carried out to assess the protective effect of mulberry leaves juice (Mul) against As-induced neurobehavioral and hepatic dysfunctions in Swiss albino mice. As-exposed mice spent significantly reduced time in open arms and increased time spent in closed arms in the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, whereas they took significantly longer time to find the hidden platform in the Morris water maze (MWM) test and spent significantly less time in the desired quadrant when compared to the control mice. A significant reduction in serum BChE activity, an indicator of As-induced neurotoxicity-associated behavioral changes, was noted in As-exposed mice compared to control mice. Supplementation of Mul to As-exposed mice significantly increased serum BChE activity, increased the time spent in open arms and reduced time latency to find the hidden platform, and stayed more time in the target quadrant in EPM and MWM tests, respectively, compared to As-exposed-only mice. Also, a significantly reduced activity of BChE, AChE, SOD, and GSH in brain, and elevated ALP, AST, and ALT activities in serum were noted in As-exposed mice when compared to control mice. Mul supplementation significantly restored the activity of these enzymes and also recovered As-induced alterations in hepatic tissue in As-exposed mice. In conclusion, this study suggested that mulberry leaves juice attenuates As-induced neurobehavioral and hepatic dysfunction in mice.

Objective: To evaluate the ameliorating effects of Raphanus sativus leaves (RSL) against sodium arsenite (Sa)-induced adverse effects through mice experiments. Methods: Swiss albino mice were divided into four equal groups: control, Sa, RSL, RSL + Sa. Sa (10 mg/kg body weight/day), and powder form of RSL (50 mg/kg body weight/day) were provided as food supplement orallty. Blood indices were measured using commercially available kits through colorimetric methods. Results: It was observed that lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase activities were significantly (P

Widespread contamination of arsenic (As) has become a global public health concern. Exposure to As causes respiratory complications. Asthma, a major respiratory complication, is increasing worldwide. However, the effect of chronic As exposure on the risk of asthma remains to be clarified. This study aims to examine the associations between As exposure (water, hair and nail As) and the risk of asthma among 842 individuals exposed to a wide range of As concentrations through drinking water in Bangladesh. Subjects' As exposure levels were measured with ICP-MS. Lung function was examined by a handheld spirometer. Characteristic features of asthma were evaluated by bronchodilator-mediated reversibility in airway obstruction and asthma-like symptoms through a structured questionnaire. Total serum immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels were measured by immunoassay. As exposure metrics showed inverse associations with lung function measures (FEV1, FEV6, and FEV1/FEV6 ratio) and positive associations with the risks of airway obstruction (AO), reversible airway obstruction (RAO), and asthma-like symptoms. The majority of AO patients (70 of 97) were RAO with one or more characteristic symptoms of asthma. Intriguingly, subjects' As exposure levels showed positive associations with total sIgE levels. Total sIgE in RAO patients was significantly (p 0.001) higher than that in the control group. Thus the results revealed that chronic As exposure was associated with the risk of the characteristic features of asthma. Additionally the association between As exposure and subjects' total sIgE levels and an elevated level of total sIgE in RAO group suggested that As exposure-related asthma might be allergic in nature.

Groundwater contaminated with arsenic (As) is the biggest threat to public health in Bangladesh. The children of As-exposure parents are also exposing to As through drinking water. The effects of As on the children's health of As-exposure parents are poorly understood. An animal study was taken to evaluate the effects of As on behavioral and biochemical changes in F

Groundwater contaminated with arsenic (As) is the biggest threat to public health in Bangladesh. The children of As-exposure parents are also exposing to As through drinking water. The effects of As on the children's health of As-exposure parents are poorly understood. An animal study was taken to evaluate the effects of As on behavioral and biochemical changes in F1 mice. Swiss albino mice were separated into three groups: a) control, b) As-treated F0 and c) As-treated F1. Elevated plus maze and Morris water maze tests were used for evaluating anxiety, spatial memory and learning, respectively. We found that the effect of As on anxiety like behavior, spatial memory and learning impairment in As-treated F1 mice was significantly higher than that of As-treated F0 mice and control group. Additionally, we also evaluated the effects of As on biochemical parameters by measuring ALT, AST, ALP, BChE, SOD activities and the level of creatinine in As-induced mice, where we found that all of the blood parameters were significantly changed in F1 generation. A significant portion of As accumulated in the brain, liver and kidney of F1 mice than F0 mice. Histological analysis revealed a significant change in tissue damage related to hepatic and renal dysfunctions that might be associated with As-induced biochemical alterations. In conclusion, arsenic plays an important role for the development of As-associated neurological disorders, hepatic toxicities, and renal dysfunctions in both F0 and F1 generations. Notably F1 mice were much more vulnerable to As-exposure than F0 mice.

Adjusted associations of arsenic exposure metrics and LINE-1 methylation levels with BP through multivariate regression analyses. (DOC 67Â kb)

Objective To evaluate the toxic effect of hydrose used in the molasses preparation in Bangladesh. Methods Molasses were collected from open markets in different parts of Bangladesh. The presence of hydrose in selected molasses was detected using commercial kit. To evaluate the toxic effect of hydrose, Swiss albino male mice were divided into four groups. Group I was used as control, while Groups II, III and IV received hydrose mixing food (5, 10 and 25 g/kg food), respectively, and these supplementations were continued to the end of the study (16 weeks). Blood was collected from thoracic arteries of the mice under ether anesthesia and then organs were taken. To determine the effect of hydrose on host, blood indices related to liver, heart and kidney dysfunctions were measured. Results Creatinine and urea levels were significantly (P

Background: Arsenic poisoning is a public health problem worldwide. A few studies have reported the effects of arsenic exposure on adult cognitive function, but with limitations in the subject selection and exposure markers. Moreover, information regarding the association between arsenic exposure and biomarker of cognitive impairment is scarce. Objectives: We examined the associations between arsenic exposure and adult cognitive impairment using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a potential biomarker of cognitive health status. Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study that recruited 693 adult (18–60 years old) subjects from the areas of low- and high‑arsenic exposure in rural Bangladesh. The subjects' arsenic exposure levels (drinking water, hair, and nail arsenic concentrations) were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. The Bangla version of the MMSE was used as a cognitive assessment tool. Serum BDNF (sBDNF) levels were assessed by immunoassay. Results: In this study, we found that average MMSE score and sBDNF level of the subjects in arsenic-endemic areas were significantly (p

Elevated exposure to arsenic has been suggested to be associated with atherosclerosis leading to cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, biochemical events underlying the arsenic-induced atherosclerosis have not yet been fully documented. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of circulating molecules involved in atherosclerosis with arsenic exposure in the individuals exposed to arsenic in Bangladesh. A total of 324 study subjects, 218 from arsenic-endemic areas and 106 from nonendemic areas in Bangladesh, were recruited. Drinking water, hair, nail, and blood samples were collected from the study subjects for analysis. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were lower in arsenic-endemic subjects than those of nonendemic subjects. Oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL), C-reactive protein (CRP), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels were significantly higher in arsenic-endemic subjects than those in nonendemic subjects. All these circulating molecules showed significant correlations with arsenic exposure (water, hair, and nail arsenic concentrations), and all these relations were significant before and after adjusting for relevant covariates. Among the circulating molecules tested in this study, HDL, Ox-LDL, and CRP showed dose-response relationships with arsenic exposure. Ox-LDL/HDL ratios were increased with the increasing concentrations of arsenic in the water, hair, and nails. Furthermore, non-HDL cholesterol and TC/HDL ratios were significantly correlated with arsenic exposure before and after adjusting for relevant covariates. Thus, all the observed associations may be the major features of arsenic exposure-related atherosclerosis leading to CVD.

To investigate antimicrobial effects of ethanolic extract of Zingiber zerumbet (Z. zerumbet) (L.) Smith and its chloroform and petroleum ether soluble fractions against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.The fresh rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet were extracted in cold with ethanol (4.0 L) after concentration. The crude ethanol extract was fractionated by petroleum ether and chloroform to form a suspension of ethanol extract (15.0 g), petroleum ether fraction (6.6 g) and chloroform soluble fraction (5.0 g). The crude ethanol extract and its petroleum ether and chloroform fractions were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activity against thirteen pathogenic bacteria and three fungi by the disc diffusion method. Commercially available kanamycin (30 µg/disc) was used as standard disc and blank discs impregnated with the respective solvents were used as negative control.At a concentration of 400 µg/disc, all the samples showed mild to moderate antibacterial and antifungal activity and produced the zone of inhibition ranging from 6 mm to 10 mm. Among the tested samples, the crude ethanol extract showed the highest activity against Vibrio parahemolyticus (V. parahemolyticus). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the crude ethanol extract and its fractions were within the value of 128-256 µg/mL against two Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria and all the samples showed the lowest MIC value against V. parahemolyticus (128 µg/mL).It can be concluded that, potent antibacterial and antifungal phytochemicals are present in ethanol extract of Z. zerumbet (L).

In this study, methanol extract from the root bark of Calotropis gigantea L. and its petroleum ether (40°C- 60°C), chloroform and ethyl acetate soluble fractions were tested for their cytotoxic activity against brine shrimp nauplii ( Artemia salina , Leach) and for antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus , Aspergillus niger , Penicillium sp and Trichoderma harzianum . Thin layer chromatography (TLC) screening showed that methanol extract and its different fractions contained different type compounds such as steroid, terpene, glycoside, heterocyclic and flavonoid. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay, it was found that chloroform fraction was highly cytotoxic (LD 50 14.72 μg/ml) among the tested samples. Though methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction have no activity against all the tested fungi but petroleum ether and chloroform fractions showed potent activity against Aspergillus niger , Penicillium sp, Trichoderma harzianum and Aspergillus niger , Trichoderma harzianum , respectively, in antifungal activity test. Key words: Calotropis gigantea ; Methanol extract; Antifungal activity; Cytotoxicty. DOI: 10.3329/sjps.v2i2.2187 Stamford Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol.2(2) 2009: 38-41

An actinomycete strain was isolated from northern part of Bangladesh and identified as a new Streptomyces species on the basis of its morphological, biochemical, cultural characteristics and 16S rRNA data. Attempts were made to optimize the culture conditions for the production of antimicrobial metabolites by this strain. Antimicrobial metabolites production was started after 7 days of incubation of culture broth and reached its maximum levels after 10 days and thereafter gradually decreased. The maximum production of antimicrobial metabolites was obtained when the culture medium pH was adjusted to 8. The optimum temperature for antimicrobial metabolites production was 39℃, indicated the new strain as mesophilic organism. Basel medium supplemented with glucose and yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, was proved to be the best for the production of bioactive metabolites. Maximum production of bioactive metabolites was when NaCl concentration was 1% and among different minerals tested, K2HPO4 and NaCl showed positive influence on antibiotic production by the strain.

The crude ethanol extracts (stem and fruits), their fractions and two triterpenes, β-Amyrin and 12-Oleanene 3β, 21β-diol, isolated as a mixture from the chloroform soluble fraction of an ethanolic extract of Duranta repens stem, were evaluated for antibacterial, antifungal activities by the disc diffusion method and cytotoxicity by brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The structures of the two compounds were confirmed by IR, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR and LC-MS spectral data. The chloroform soluble fraction of stem and ethanol extract of fruits possess potent antishigellosis activity and also exhibited moderate activity against some pathogenic bacteria and fungi but the isolated compound 1 (mixture of β-Amyrin and 12-Oleanene 3β, 21β-diol) showed mild to moderate inhibitory activity to microbial growth. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extracts (stem and fruits), their fractions and compound 1 were found to be in the range of 32~128 µg/ml. The chloroform soluble fractions of stem and ethanol extract of fruit showed significant cytotoxicity with LC50 value of 0.94 µg/ml and 0.49 µg/ml, respectively against brine shrimp larvae.

Objective To investigate the cytotoxicity of the crude ethanol extract of the rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet ( Z. zerumbet ) (L) Smith. and Curcuma zedoaria ( C. zedoaria ) Rosc. against Artemia salina Leach Methods Fresh rhizomes of Z. zerumbet (L) Smith. and C. zedoaria Rosc. were extracted separately in cold with ethanol (2.5 L) and after concentration a brownish syrupy suspension of ethanol extracts of Z. zerumbet (L) Smith. and C. zedoaria Rosc. was obtained. The cytotoxic effect of the crude ethanol extracts of both plants was determined by brine shrimp lethality bioassay Results Crude ethanol extracts of the rhizome of Z. zerumbet (L) Smith. showed the highest cytotoxicity (LC 50 was 1.24 μg/mL) against brine shrimp nauplii as compared with C. zedoaria Rosc. (LC 50 was 33.593 μg/mL) after 24 h of exposure. Conclusions It can be concluded that the rhizome of Z. zerumbet (L) Smith. and C. zedoaria Rosc. can be used as a source of cytotoxic agent.

To investigate mosquitocidal effects of ethanolic extract of flowers of Tagetes erecta (T. erecta) and its chloroform and petroleum ether soluble fractions against the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus).The fresh flowers of T. erecta were extracted in cold with ethanol (5.0 L) and after concentration, the ethanol extract was fractionated with chloroform and petroleum ether to afford a brownish syrupy suspension of ethanol extract (50.0 g), petroleum ether soluble fraction (18.6 g) and chloroform soluble fraction (23.8 g). The larvicidal effect of ethanol extract and their solvent fractions were determined by the standard procedure of WHO against different instars of Cx. quinquefasciatus.Among the tested samples the chloroform soluble fractions showed the highest toxicity and consequently, the lowest LC50 values (14.14 µg/mL, 17.06 µg/mL, 36.88 µg/mL and 75.48 µg/mL) for all the instars larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus. The larvae showed comparative tolerance in the course of increasing age and time.It can be concluded that the flowers of T. erecta are very effective natural larvicide and could be useful against Cx. quinquefasciatus.

Two triterpenes, beta-amyrin and 12-oleanene 3beta, 21beta-diol, were isolated as a mixture from the chloroform soluble fraction of an ethanol extract of Duranta repens Linn (Verbenaceae) stem. The structures of the two compounds were confirmed by analysis of their IR, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR and LC-MS spectral data. The mixture of beta-amyrin and 12-oleanene 3beta, 21beta-diol (compound 1) was highly effective against the larvae of the mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae), as a mosquitocide.

Significant differences were found in sugar content and carbohydrate splitting enzyme activities in tubers of ten indigenous potato varieties at harvesting and after keeping at cold storage. The activities of invertase, amylase, β-galactosidase and cellulase in all varieties were found to be increased by 2-12, 1.2-4, 1.9-4.5, and 1.1-3.7 folds, respectively from harvesting to cold stored potatoes. The amount of starch and sucrose were found to be decreased by 1.15-2.8 and 1.02-1.4 folds, respectively from harvesting to cold stored in all varieties. Total soluble sugar and reducing sugar contents in potatoes were increased by 1.02-1.4 and 4-11 folds, respectively from harvesting to cold stored in all varieties of potatoes. The amount of reducing sugar increased in cold stored potatoes due to the increased activities of carbohydrate splitting enzymes. Key words: Potatoes, Indigenous, Carbohydrate splitting enzymes, Sugars. DOI:10.3329/jbs.v16i0.3748 J. bio-sci. 16: 95-99, 2008

Objective: To evaluate the protective role of leaves of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) Lam. against arsenic-induced toxicity in mice. Methods: Swiss albino male mice were divided into four groups. The first group was used as non-treated control group while, the second, third, and fourth groups were treated with M. oleifera leaves (50 mg/kg body weight per day), sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg body weight per day) and sodium arsenite plus M. oleifera leaves, respectively. Serum indices related to cardiac, liver and renal functions were analyzed to evaluate the protective effect of Moringa leaves on arsenic-induced effects in mice. Results: It revealed that food supplementation of M. oleifera leaves abrogated the arsenic-induced elevation of triglyceride, glucose, urea and the activities of alkaline phospatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in serum. M. oleifera leaves also prevented the arsenic-induced perturbation of serum butyryl cholinesterase activity, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conclusions: The results indicate that the leaves of M. oleifera may be useful in reducing the effects of arsenic-induced toxicity.

Background Chronic exposure to arsenic is associated with cancer and hypertension. Growing evidence suggests that altered methylation in long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1) is involved in many types of disorders, including cardiovascular disease. Here we evaluated the association between arsenic exposure and LINE-1 methylation levels, especially in relation to blood pressure (BP). Methods A total of 236 subjects (175 from arsenic-endemic areas and 61 from a non-endemic area) in rural Bangladesh were recruited. The subjects’ arsenic exposure levels (i.e., drinking water, hair and nail arsenic concentrations) were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The subjects’ LINE-1 methylation levels were determined by pyrosequencing. Results The average LINE-1 methylation levels of the subjects living in the arsenic-endemic areas were significantly (p