Volume 19, Issue 3, 2019 July-September
| Volume 19, No 3 | Pages: |
| 2019 July-September | Articles: 4 |
Documentation of tree species within Mizoram Science Centre, Berawtlang, Aizawl, India, with notes on their ethnomedicinal values
Lalrinkimi , R.K. Lallianthanga
This study provides a first report of the various tree species prevailing in the tropical semi-evergreen forest within Mizoram Science Centre, Berawtlang, Aizawl in relation to their diversity; and also mentions traditional ethnomedicinal and economic uses of the species. A total number of 776 individual trees were assessed within the study site belonging to 74 different species representing 61 genera and 34 families. Among these, 55 tree species have been reported by previous workers to possess indigenous medicinal values. The most abundant tree species at the study site was found to be Callicarpa arborea (hnahkiah) of Verbenaceae comprising 14.30% of the total trees assessed, followed by Anogeissus acuminata (zairum) of Combretaceae with 12.62%, and Schima wallichii (khiang) of Theaceae with 10.56%. A concise list of the species recorded along with their ethnomedicinal and economic uses have been presented here. The prospect of in situ conservation of tree species is briefly highlighted.
Investigation of conventional diagnostic X-ray tube housing leakage radiation using ion chamber survey meter in Mizoram, India
J. Lalrinmawia, K. S. Pau, R. C. Tiwari
Leakage radiation that transmitted the protected X-ray tube housing was measured and compared with national and international safety standard. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no tube housing leakage measurement has been done so far in the present study area. The authors considered all the conventional diagnostic X-ray units in Mizoram, India. Ion chamber survey meter was used to measure leakage radiation and it was placed at 5 different positions (left, right, front, back, top) of the X-ray tube. Measurements were done at 1 m focus-to-detector distance by projecting X-ray tube vertically downward with collimator diaphragms closed completely. SPSS statistics for windows, version 17.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used to derived mean, standard error of the mean etc. The tube housing leakage exposure rates ranged between 0.03 mRh-1 and 500 mR h-1; among the 5 positions, rate measured in the front direction has the highest mean at 41.61±8.63 mR h-1; whereas the top has the lowest 4.57±1.16 mRh-1. Tube housing radiation level ranged from 0.01 to 58 mR in one hour. Leakage radiation was minimum at the top position of the tube and maximum in the front direction. All the equipment were in compliance with national and international standard norms, the highest leakage radiation level was 50.43% of the safety limit.
Geological investigation and monitoring of Ramhlun Sports Complex landslide, Aizawl, India
Ramhlun Sports Complex is situated at the eastern limb of Aizawl anticline, Mizoram. Landslide took place in August 2012 which badly affected 16 houses. Due to presence of tension cracks, 38 houses are vacated within a safe time, but dismantled and 10 buildings are collapsed in August 2013. This affected 195 persons of 41 families. A geological investigation was performed; representative soil samples are analyzed as Atterberg’s limits, CBR (California bearing ratio), OMC (optimum moisture content) and MDD (maximum dry density), respectively. Instrumentations and monitoring of the movement using crackmeter and tape extensometer also done for two years. The CBR and MDD values are too low as compared to the safety standards, while moisture content is too high. This may show that the movement and erosion rate may be high. The movement was relatively high when rainfall increases. It was observed that, the area is not suitable and unsafe for settlement; constructions of road/ pavement are not recommended.
In vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the chloroform extract of Combretum punctatum var squamosum
K. Thanzami , B.B. Kakoti, C. Lalremruati
The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the chloroform extract of Combretum punctatum var squamosum by in vitro models. Antioxidant activity was determined by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, reducing power and lipid peroxidation assays. The phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract were also assessed. The extract at different concentrations showed significant percent inhibition of DPPH and lipid peroxidation and high reducing power when compared with the standard. The extract also showed a significantly high content of phenolics and flavonoids. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied by inhibition of albumin denaturation and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization methods. The extract at different concentrations showed significant percent inhibition of albumin denaturation and percent inhibition of haemolysis when compared with the standard. Thus, the result indicates that the chloroform extract exhibited significant potential on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.
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