Citrus macroptera Montr. (C. macroptera) is locally known as Satkara. The fruit of this plant is used as appetite stimulant and in the treatment of fever. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the toxic effects of the fruit extract using some biochemical and hematological parameters in rat model. The effects of methanol extract of Citrus macroptera Montr. fruit administered at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight were investigated on hematological and biochemical parameters in Sprague-Dawley female rats. Moreover, histopathological study was performed to observe the presence of pathological lesions in primary body organs. The extract presented no significant effect on body weight, percent water content, relative organ weight and hematological parameters in rat. Significant decrease from control group was observed in the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein; thus leading to significant decrease of cardiac risk ratio, castelli's risk index-2, atherogenic coefficient and atherogenic index of plasma at all doses. 500 mg/kg dose significantly decreased alkaline phosphatase (P<0.05), 1000 mg/kg dose significantly increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.05) and 250 mg/kg dose significantly decreased the level of glycated hemoglobin (P<0.05) from the control group. There were no significant alterations observed with other serum biochemical parameters. Histopathological study confirmed the absence of inflammatory and necrotic features in the primary body organs. Study results indicate that methanolic fruit extract is unlikely to have significant toxicity. Moreover, these findings justified the cardio-protective, moderate hepato-protective and glucose controlling activities of the fruit extract.

Aims: Metformin Hydrochloride, a biguanide, is an orally active antihyperglycemic agent, used in the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). It has relatively short plasma half life, low absolute bioavailability. Extended release formulation of Metformin Hydrochloride by direct compression method has significant challenges due to its poor inherent compressibility and high dose. The aim of this study was to develop extended release tablets of Metformin Hydrochloride by direct compression method and In vitro evaluation.

Zizyphus rugosa Lam (Z. rugosa Lam) (Family: Rhamnaceae), has been regarded as a food and medicinal plant. It is locally known as ''Bon Boroi'' or as ''Jongli Boroi'' in Bangladesh. Its stem, roots and fruits are used medicinally for the treatment of carbuncle, syphilis, menorrhea, and ulcer tongue. It is also used for dysentery in Laos, Burma, Thailand, China (Hainan, Yunnan), Sri-Lanka and Vietnam. The present study was designed to investigate antioxidant properties (through in vitro method) as well as brine shrimp lethality and phytochemical group evaluation of stem part of Z. rugosa Lam extracted with different solvents i.e. from non polar to polar (petroleum ether [ ethyl acetate [ ethanol [ methanol [ water). Phytochemical investigation showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoid, glycosides and carbohydrates which provides evidence on good to moderate antioxidant and good lethality properties of the subjected plant. Ethyl acetate extract of stem was found to contain the highest amount of phenols (97.188 ± 12.816 mg/g gallic acid equivalent) and flavonoids (15.009 ± 0.385 mg/g quercetin equivalent). In 2,2-diphenyl,1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, among all the extracts ethanolic stem extract showed the highest scavenging property (IC 50 83.550 lg/ml) whereas standard drug ascorbic acid showed (IC 50 18.348 lg/ml). But in nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assay maximum scavenging of NO was found with water extract of stem (IC 50 5.975 lg/ml) comparatively similar to standard ascorbic acid (IC 50 5.934 lg/ml). Methanolic stem extract was found to contain the greater reducing power in reducing power capacity assessment (correlation coefficient r = 0.99 and P \ 0.001). In brine shrimp lethality bioassay (BSLB) among all extracts, ZSM part showed good activity (LC 50 40.43 lg/ml) whereas standard anticancer drug vincristine sulphate showed high toxicity (LC 50 2.48 lg/ml). The overall findings provide scientific basis for the use of Z. rugosa Lam stem extracts in traditional medicine in the treatment of aforementioned diseases. Hence, the stem may serve as a new potential source of medication.

We live in an age of development where the need for accountability in using aid resources led to big data generation. This paper revisits such data in a food security program in Bangladesh. The program initiated a longitudinal study that measures effects on the adoption of agricultural productivity, women empowerment, and health and nutrition practices of participants. The results of this study have been impressive and in line with the program logic. However, the program deduced a need to move beyond numbers to understand individual experiences. The paper builds the case for using ‘human face', a qualitative approach to gain a comprehensive understanding of data. The program purposively selected eight respondents from the sample of the longitudinal study, interviewed them using a semi-structured checklist, and, later analyzed the data using a case study approach. The results revealed that not every increasing pattern had positive implications, nor did limited progress meant a negative impact on subjects. The program utilized this insight for reviewing program implementation strategy.