Turbidity imparts a great problem in water treatment. Moringa oleifera, Cicer arietinum, and Dolichos lablab were used as locally available natural coagulants in this study to reduce turbidity of synthetic water. The tests were carried out, using artificial turbid water with conventional jar test apparatus. Optimum mixing intensity and duration were determined. After dosing water-soluble extracts of Moringa oleifera, Cicer arietinum, and Dolichos lablab reduced turbidity to 5.9, 3.9, and 11.1 nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU), respectively, from 100 NTU and 5, 3.3, and 9.5, NTU, respectively, after dosing and filtration. Natural coagulants worked better with high, turbid, water compare to medium, or low, turbid, water. Highest turbidity reduction efficiency (95.89%) was found with Cicer arietinum. About 89 to 96% total coliform reduction were also found with natural coagulant treatment of turbid water. Using locally available natural coagulants, suitable, easier, and environment friendly options for water treatment were observed.

No abstract

Objectives Traditionally, mushrooms have been used to reduce hyperglycaemia. However, the mechanism underlying this effect has not yet been explored. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is known to reduce hyperglycaemia through an insulin-independent pathway. This study aimed to observe the effect of oyster mushroom powder (OMP) on phosphorylation of AMPK (p-AMPK) and expression of GLUT4 mRNA in diabetic model rats. Methods Long-Evans rats were used to develop type 2 diabetic model rats through intraperitoneal induction of streptozotocin (STZ). OMP was supplemented at 5% with the usual feed of rats for 8 consecutive weeks. Then, the rats were sacrificed. RNA was extracted by the TRIzol reagent, and proteins were extracted from different tissues with RIPA lysis buffer. Expression of GLUT4 mRNA was measured through cDNA-PCR techniques, and p-AMPK was detected using western blotting. The band intensities of the PCR products and proteins were measured using Image J software. Results Supplementation of OMP for 8 weeks resulted in a reduction of the serum glucose level in STZ-induced, type 2 diabetic model rats. The levels of p-AMPK, as a ratio relative to β-actin, increased in the muscle and adipose tissues of mushroom-treated type 2 diabetic model rats, compared to those in control diabetic model rats. Expression of GLUT4, as a ratio relative to GAPDH, increased significantly in both the muscle and adipose tissues of mushroom-treated diabetic rats. Conclusion Oyster mushroom may decrease hyperglycaemia through increased p-AMPK and also expression of GLUT4 in the muscle and adipose tissues.

:Because of importance of Hospital acquired infections (HAIs)

Grape seeds (GSs) have been claimed for antidiabetic effects since long. Due to its rich phytochemical potential, current study was aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of GSs powder (GSP) (OPC 95%) on neonatal streptozotocin (nSTZ) induced T2DM rats. STZ (90 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally in 48 h old rat pups. After 3 months, 24 T2DM rats were selected by OGTT for 28-days experiment and divided into four groups ( n=6): group I: Normal water control [NWC], group II: Diabetic water control [DWC] (10 mL ddH 2 O/kg bw), group III: Gliclazide treated [GT] (20 mg/kg bw) and group IV: GSP treated group (1.25 g/kg/ bw). Blood were collected by tail cut and cardiac puncture method during the begging and end of the experiment respectively and thereafter serum was separated. Liver was also collected and all samples stored at -20°C freezer until the measurement of fasting serum glucose (FSG), lipid profile, insulin level and liver glycogen content by following standard methods. Statistical analysis was performed considering one-way ANOVA and paired t-test. Oral consumption of GSP significantly (P<0.009) reduced FSG and increased serum insulin (p<0.001) compared with base line value. GT group also ameliorated FSG significantly (p<0.001) compared to DWC group. Moreover, liver glycogen content was also improved by 16% compared with DWC group. Additionally, TG, TC and LDL were significantly reduced (p<0.002, p<0.01, p<0.05 respectively), HDL was increased by 4% through consecutive GSP treatment. Current results suggest that GSP possesses a significant hypoglycemic effect in T2DM rats.