Evaluation of subacute toxicity and herb-drug interaction potential of an herbal Arishta formulation.

Background Arishta technology is an age-old heritage and uses herbal decoctions to prepare self-generated alcoholic medicines. In Ayurveda, Arishta preparations are widely used as a remedy for metabolic disorders. However, their safety and influence on herb metabolism pathways were not yet explored.

Incidence of anemia and effect of nutritional supplementation on women in rural and tribal populations of eastern and northeastern India.

Screening of women of child bearing age among the tribal and rural population of different north eastern and eastern states of India was performed. More than 50% of women in some areas were found to have anemia. As part of the study nutritional supplementation was given to a proportion of the anemic population, comparing the effects of Spirulina, a compound containing vitamins and micronutrients and an iron-folic acid-B12 supplement.

Association of genotoxic effects of arsenic with haematological malignancy in West Bengal.

Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid that has been associated with increased incidence of human cancers in certain highly exposed populations. This present work aimed to study whether arsenic plays any role in the increased incidence of blood cancer among residents of West Bengal, India, which is one of the worst arsenic-affected areas of the world. Our study group included both blood cancer patients and age-, sex-matched healthy controls.

Clastogenic effects of inorganic arsenic salts on human chromosomes in vitro.

Arsenic is well documented as a paradoxical human carcinogen. In West Bengal, several million people were found to be arsenic affected who were exposed to this metalloid principally through drinking water. The arsenic-contaminated drinking water contains both trivalent as well as pentavalent arsenic.

Anemia and hemoglobinopathies in tribal population of Eastern and North-eastern India.

It is estimated that out of approximately 31.4 million people living in North-eastern India, about 8.1 million are tribal people of the hills and plains.