Untitled

Abstract

Glinus oppositifolius (Linn) is a branched herb containing linear to obovate, opposite leaves with greenish flowers, and it belongs to the molluginaceae family. This bitter leafy vegetable is known as gima shak in West Bengal, Assam & Bangladesh. This leaf contains various bioactive components which provide protection against diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, joint pain, inflammation, diarrhea, skin disorder, etc. Previous nutritional analysis in our laboratory found that the iron content of these gima leaves is high. A randomized study was conducted among poor adult subjects who are socio-economically backward and have no chronic diseases. 18-65yrs aged people were randomly selected from slum areas of Kolkata. Among them, Fifty-Five samples consumed 50 gm boiled gima paste as supplementation for 45 days. Data on their dietary habits, anthropometry, medication habits, and haematological parameters were analyzed. Supplementation of gima revealed that there is70%&64% increase in haemoglobin among men and women respectively, whereas females of 40-60 years showed more positive changes than men. After supplementation of gima, the iron storage i.e. ferritin level, showed a 76% and 66.6% increase in adult females and males, respectively. Supplementation of gima shak showed a positive effect on both haemoglobin and serum ferritin among the adults. INTRODUCTION:Glinus oppositifolius (Linn) belongs to the family Molluginaceae is a branched herb growing all over India 1 and the leaves of this plant are consumed as leafy vegetables by local people 2 . It contains linear to obovate, opposite leaves, and greenish flowers. It is also known as Mollugo oppositifolius (Linn) 1 . This Glinus oppositifolius shak is used by healers for treatment of their joint pain, inflammation, diarrhea, Intestinal parasites, fever boils and skin disorders 3 .