International Journal of Health care and Biological Sciences

EVALUATION OF GROWTH, PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND FATTY ACID PROFILE OF STRIPED MURREL (CHANNA STRIATA) FED ON BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAE

2026-04-05T12:53:30+0530

Sustainable feed alternatives are essential for reducing reliance on conventional aquaculture diets. This study evaluated the effects of substituting conventional feed with live Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens) on growth performance, feed utilization, and fatty acid composition of Striped Murrel (Channa striata). A 130 day feeding trial compared three diets: Control (100% conventional feed), T1 (50% BSFL partial replacement), and T2 (100% BSFL complete replacement). The Control group achieved the highest weight gain (204.81 g), while T1 (163.26 g) and T2 (144.53 g) showed reduced growth. Moisture adjusted Dry FCR values for BSFL-fed fish (2.90–3.00) were comparable to Control (2.54), demonstrating efficient feed utilization. Survival (78–84%) and whole body proximate composition did not differ significantly among treatments (p>0.05), indicating tolerance to BSFL inclusion.Fatty acid profiles were significantly modulated: T2 exhibited elevated methyl laurate (9.45%), reflecting BSFL lipids, whereas T1 enhanced polyunsaturated fatty acid deposition, including linoleic (18.49%), linolenic (1.06%), and docosahexaenoic acid (7.34%). Overall, partial BSFL replacement provided an optimal balance between growth performance and essential fatty acid retention, supporting its potential as a sustainable feed strategy in C. striataaquaculture.

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE REGARDING IMPROVEMENT OF SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT OF COGNITIVE SCIENCE IN CHILDREN AMONG MOTHERS RESIDING IN HUBLI WITH INTERVENTION OF STRUCTURED TEACHING PROGRAMME

2026-04-05T12:53:23+0530

Background: Cognitive development in early childhood (0–6 years) lays the irreversible neurological foundation for a child's lifelong learning potential, social competence, and mental health. Mothers, as primary caregivers, are the most potent environmental determinants of children's cognitive growth. Yet studies consistently reveal significant knowledge and practice deficits among mothers regarding age-appropriate cognitive stimulation, language enrichment, play-based learning, and supportive parenting. Structured health education targeting maternal knowledge and practice is the most feasible community-level strategy to bridge this critical gap in Hubli-Dharwad, Karnataka.

Objectives: a. To assess the pre-test level of knowledge and practice of mothers regarding cognitive skill development in children. b. To evaluate the effectiveness of STP on knowledge and practice of mothers. c. To find out the association between pre-test knowledge and practice scores with selected socio-demographic variables.

Method: Pre-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design. N = 60 mothers of children aged 0–6 years from selected areas of Hubli, non-probability purposive sampling. Structured knowledge questionnaire (60 items, 6 domains) + Observational practice checklist (40 items, 5 domains). Reliability: split-half r = 0.84 (knowledge), r = 0.79 (practice). Post-test: 30 days post-STP.

Result: Pre-test: 42% of mothers had inadequate knowledge, 36% satisfactory, 22% adequate. Post-STP: adequate knowledge rose to 84%, inadequate fell to 2%. Mean knowledge score improved from 15.2 ± 3.4 to 41.8 ± 4.6 out of 60 (t = 28.6, df = 59, p < 0.001, +175.0%). Practice scores improved from 18.4 ± 4.2 to 34.6 ± 4.8 out of 80 (t = 21.4, p < 0.001, +87.8%). Significant association between knowledge/practice scores and 10 of 12 socio-demographic variables (p < 0.05).

Interpretation & Conclusion: The structured teaching programme was highly effective in improving both knowledge and practice of mothers regarding cognitive skill development in children. Early maternal education targeting cognitive stimulation strategies can significantly enhance child cognitive outcomes in urban Karnataka.

DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF MORINGA SUSPENSION BY USING XANTHANGUM AND VEEGUM AND COMPARING WITH MARKETED PRODUCT

2026-04-05T12:53:16+0530

Moringa oleifera is a highly valued medicinal plant known for its extensive nutritional and pharmacological benefits. It contains various bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, vitamins, and minerals that exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties. Despite its therapeutic potential, the direct use of Moringa powder may present challenges such as poor palatability, variable dosing, and reduced bioavailability of certain phytoconstituents. To overcome these limitations, the present study was undertaken to develop and evaluate an oral Moringa suspension with improved stability, uniformity, and patient compliance. The suspension was formulated using suitable suspending agents such as xanthan gum and veegum to ensure proper dispersion of the Moringa extract. Additional excipients including preservatives, sweeteners, and flavoring agents were incorporated to enhance stability and acceptability. The formulated suspension was evaluated for various physicochemical parameters including organoleptic properties, pH, viscosity, sedimentation volume, redispersibility, particle size distribution, and in vitro stability studies. The results indicated that the prepared suspension exhibited satisfactory physical stability, good sedimentation characteristics with easy redispersibility, acceptable viscosity, and uniform drug content. Stability studies confirmed that the formulation remained stable under recommended storage conditions without significant changes in physical appearance or pH. The developed Moringa suspension demonstrated desirable pharmaceutical characteristics and improved patient compliance, making it a promising herbal oral dosage form for therapeutic use. This formulation approach may enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of Moringa-based herbal preparations in clinical practice.

INTRAVAGINAL DRUG DELIVERY AS AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPEUTIC STRATEGY IN POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

2026-04-01T07:46:12+0530

A significant number of women of reproductive age struggle with PCOS, a complicated endocrine illness that frequently results in hormonal imbalance, irregular menstruation, and infertility. Systemic drug delivery is a common component of conventional treatment procedures, which may lead to systemic adverse effects and less than ideal therapeutic results. The purpose of this project is to create and assess an intravaginal drug delivery device as a targeted, sustained-release treatment method for PCOS symptoms. Metformin and clomiphene citrate, two medications frequently used to treat PCOS, were put into a mucoadhesive intravaginal gel that was created utilizing biocompatible polymers. PH compatibility, viscosity, drug release profile, mucoadhesive strength, and in vitro cytotoxicity were assessed for the formulation.The results showed excellent mucoadhesive qualities, appropriate pH and viscosity for vaginal administration, and sustained drug release over a 24-hour period. With the promise for improved therapeutic efficacy and decreased systemic exposure, the intravaginal method offered targeted medication delivery. With the goal of enhancing patient compliance and therapeutic results, this administration method presents a viable substitute for oral medication for PCOS.

A REVIEW ON SYNTHETIC PATHWAYS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF CINNOLINE DERIVATIVES

2026-03-03T12:12:23+0530

Cinnoline is an emerging benzo-fused diazine scaffold with great versatility in heterocyclic and medicinal chemistry owing to its aromatic ring deficiency of electrons, hydrogen-bonding capability, and bio-isosteric relationship with quinoline and pyridine. In the last decade, significant progress has been made in the synthesis, functionalization, and pharmacological study of cinnoline derivatives. The goal of this review is to highlight some of the classical and modern synthetic strategies, including diazotization-cyclization, Fischer-Hepp rearrangement, metal-catalyzes annulation, cycle condensation of hydrazines, and multicomponent and green methodologies, such as microwave, ultrasound, ionic liquids, and photocatalysis. These approaches increase the structural diversity with significant improvements in atom economy and sustainability. Parallel biological investigations have highlighted to wide pharmacological potential of cinnoline derivatives. In addition to antimicrobial and antitubercular properties, various anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroactive activities have been reported. The main contribution to potency and selectivity came from substitution patterns at the 3- and 4-positions, with beneficial roles being played by N-oxide formation and hydrophobic, or sulfonamide functions. Moreover, an emerging hybrid architecture involving cinnoline and other privileged heterocycles has opened new avenues for multitarget drug discovery. Moving forward, cinnoline chemistry is also developing in the fields of green chemistry, advanced imaging probes, and nanoscale-mediated delivery systems. Based on its synthetic applicability and broad biological relevance, cinnoline can be considered a crucial platform for the development of novel biological therapeutics.