The aim of the study was to assess morbidity and mortality among low birth weight newborns in the Markala Health District. Patients and Methods : This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study conducted in the Markala Health District. Inclusion Criteria: Newborns with a birth weight of less than 2,500 g who were born and/or received care at a healthcare facility in the Markala Health District during the data collection period were included. Exclusion Criteria: Newborns with a birth weight of less than 2,500 g who came from another health district were excluded. Results: The average weight of low birth weight newborns was 1,964.58 grammes, with a mode of 2,000. The standard deviation was 402.972. The sex ratio favoured females, at 1.07. Factors associated with morbidity and mortality included, amongst others: Infection (60 per cent), respiratory distress (30 per cent) and hypothermia (10 per cent). It should also be noted that 90 per cent of deaths among low birth weight (LBW) infants occurred in pregnancies with a CPN rate of less than three (03). One third (70 per cent) of these LBW infants were delivered vaginally. The mortality rate was 8.8 per cent. Conclusion: This study identified the factors associated with morbidity and mortality in low birth weight newborns, with the main determinants identified including infections, respiratory distress, low birth weight, low rates of antenatal care, and obstetric history (e.g. hypertension).

Background: One of the most significant plants in the Indian medical systems of Unani, Ayurveda, and Sidha is Achyranthes aspera (Amaranthaceae). It is found in many tropical nations, especially India, where this therapeutic herb is a common weed. Many medicinal plants serve as antibiotic substitutes and are regarded as novel resources for the production of medicines in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Aim: This study aimed to assess the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of several A. aspera leaf and stem extracts. Methodology: In present investigation the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the stem and leaf extracts of Achyranthes aspera had been studied by the DPPH radical-scavenging assay and the disc-diffusion method, respectively. Result: The percentage inhibition of aqueous leaf and stem extract demonstrated a significant effect when compared to the standard, according to the investigation's findings. The findings show that leaf aqueous extracts have the highest antioxidant activity, followed by stem aqueous extracts, while ethanolic extracts have the lowest. The results of the antimicrobial investigation show that ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves and stem of Achyranthens aspera Linn have antibacterial activity against particular microorganisms. It has been discovered that ASL aqueous extract is more active than ethanolic extracts. Conclusion: While the antimicrobial study demonstrated strong inhibitory effects against particular pathogenic bacteria, the antioxidant activity evaluated by the DPPH test demonstrated significant free radical scavenging capabilities of the selected extracts. the presence of flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and alkaloids, which are known to be effective at scavenging radicals and preventing microbial growth.

The objective of present study was study of preliminary pharmacological screening of Citrullus colocynthis fruits extracts for ulcerative colitis using Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in experimental animal. Different extracts i.e. petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and aqueous extracts of Citrullus colocynthis Linn. fruits were screened for protective effect in Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis through assessment of disease activity index (DAI), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and antioxidants assay in colonic tissues. Results of study were showed that Citrullus colocynthis Linn. give positive test of steroids in petroleum ether and alkaloids in chloroform extract. The ethyl acetate and ethanol extract contains flavonoids, tannins, glycosides and amino acids. Aqueous extract was found presence of carbohydrates, saponins and amino acids. The disease activity index and colon weight were observed significantly decreased after treatment with ethanol extract of Citrullus colocynthis (EECC). Other extracts of Citrullus colocynthis fruits e.g. CECC, EACC and AECC at the dose of 200 mg/kg were does not showed significant Disease activity Index as well as % protection. Treatment with EECC significantly reduced MPO to 12.54 ± 0.12 and MDA to 44.20 ± 1.64 (P<0.05), bringing the values close to normal and comparable to sulfasalazine (MPO: 15.34 ± 0.54; MDA: 45.02 ± 1.73). EECC produced significant improvement in all measured parameters, demonstrating strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities comparable to the standard drug sulfasalazine. This pharmacological screening of different extracts of Citrullus colocynthis fruits suggests that ethanol extract mitigates colonic damage through antioxidant replenishment, reduction of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and mitigating oxidative stress. Among the tested doses, 200 mg/kg of different extracts, the ethanol extract of Citrullus colocynthis Linn. fruits produced the most pronounced effects and demonstrated efficacy comparable to the standard drug sulfasalazine.