Browsing by Author "Rathnasooriya, W.D."

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Determination of in vitro sun protection factor of extract of neem leaves and neem oil.
(International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, 2017 Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Amarathunga, A.A.M.D.D.N.; Kankanamge, S.U.; Sanjeewani, N.A.; Pathirana, R.N.; Rathnasooriya, W.D.
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is one of the most versatile medicinally and cosmetically valuable plants having a wide spectrum of biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antipyretic, hypoglycemic, gastro-protective and diuretic. Neem plants are abundant in the dry zone of Sri Lanka and are exposed to relatively high levels of UV-B (Ultra Violet) radiation. Therefore, neem plants may contain phytochemicals with sunscreen potential. In vitro sun protection factor (SPF) of neem has not been yet investigated in Sri Lanka. The aim of this study was to determine in vitro SPF of methanol extract of neem leaves and neem oil. Fresh neem leaves were collected from a taxonomically identified, matured plant in Horana area, Kaluthara district, Western Province of Sri Lanka (GPS 6°46'34.4"N 80°00'41.5"E). Thoroughly cleaned, air dried and small pieces were macerated for 4 days in distilled methanol. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness and subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis after re-dissolving the crude in methanol. The concentration series of 2.0 mg mL-1, 1.0 mg mL-1, 0.5 m gmL-1, 0.25 mg mL-1, and 0.05 mg mL-1 were prepared for the crude solid product using distilled methanol. Neem oil was purchased from the market and 0.1 % v/v solution was prepared. A commercial sunscreen cream (Dermatone® - Labeled SPF 35) was dissolved in methanol to obtain a solution of 2.0 mg mL-1. Absorbance of UV radiation by each concentration of leaf extract, oil and Dermatone® were determined in triplicate, using a UV-visible spectrophotometer from 290 to 320 nm, at 5 nm intervals taking methanol as the blank. The mean absorbance data were taken. The SPF values for each concentration of neem and Dermatone® were then calculated using the Mansur equation. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate dose-dependencies. Phytochemical screening of methanol extract of neem leaves showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, terpenes and polyphenols. The mean SPF of neem leaves with respect to the concentrations 2.0 mg mL-1, 1.0 mg mL-1, 0.5 mgmL-1, 0.25 mg mL-1, and 0.05 mg mL-1 were 40.1, 37.5, 20.9, 11.1 and 3.1 respectively. The mean SPF of neem oil and Dermatone® were 6.3 and 34.4 respectively. The in vitro SPF of neem leaves was dose dependent (r2 = 0.815, p < 0.05). Since extracts of neem leaves and oil were found to be having good sunscreen activity, these cost effective and easily available botanicals could be incorporated into herbal sunscreen formulations.
Effect of oral administration of hot water infusion of black tea (Camellia sinensis L) on serum toxic heavy metal concentrations in rats
(Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka, 2011) Abeywickrama, K.R.W.; Amarakoon, A.M.T.; Rathnasooriya, W.D.
Effects of different Zinc levels in the sperm culture medium on sperm recovery and quality of sperms in the swims up procedure for sperm processing
(University of Colombo, 2006) Dissanayake, D.M.A.B.; Wijesinghe, P.S.; Rathnasooriya, W.D.; Wimalasena, S.; Palihawadana, T.S.
A controlled in vitro study was carried out to observe the effect of different Zinc (Zn) levels on sperm recovery rate, chromosome integrity, cell membrane integrity and motility in the swim up procedure. Semen samples were obtained from males who underwent seminal fluid analysis at the Infertility Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ragama. Twenty normozoospermicm samples were randomly selected for the study and each sample was processed with supplemented Earl's Balanced Salt Solution (EBSS) containing different concentrations of Zn [0.5ml of supplemented EBSS with 25μ1 of solution containing 0.6μmol (group 1) and 1.2 μmol (group 2) of Zn respectively]. One aliquot processed with 25 μl of physiological saline with added EBSS served as the control. Pre and post wash sperm counts and motility were recorded immediately after processing. Post wash sperms from the three groups were observed for chromosome integrity, cell membrane integrity, and motility. Motility changes after four hours of incubation were also observed. The mean sperm concentration showed an increase in group 1 compared to the control sample l21.87 ± 21.61 (SD) millions/ml compared to 18.34 ± 19.73 millions/ml, P<0.05] whereas a reduction was observed in group 2 [16.25 ± 17.73 (SD) millions/ml compared to 18.34 ± 19.73 millions/ml, P>0.05]. The mean differences in sperm concentration compared to the control showed statistically significant differences in both groups where an increase was observed in group 1 [3.52 ± 4.96 (SD) millions/ml] and a reduction in group 2 (- 2.08 ±6.59 millions/ml). The mean differences in sperm recovery rate showed significant differences in group 1 [8.97 ± 14.04 (SD) millions/ml] and group 2 (-4.85 ± 17.92 millions/ml) compared to the control. It was an increase in group 1 and a reduction in the sperm recovery rate in group 2. A significant reduction in mean sperm motility was observed in group 2 [67.33% ± 18.52 (SD) vs. 91.00% ± 9.60, P<0.05] after four hours of incubation. Though a reduction was observed in group 1 it was not statistically significant (83.33% ± 8.72 vs. 93.60% ± 5.01, P>0.05). The motility reduction was significantly greater in group 2 compared to group 1 (26.01% ± 20.24 vs. 10.97% ± -8.35, P<0.05). Chromosome integrity and cell membrane integrity of sperms were not affected by different Zn levels. In conclusion, low levels of Zn in the sperm processing medium (EBSS) have a beneficial effect on sperm recovery in the swim up procedure.
Toxic effects of high dose of Desmodium trilflorum D.C (Heen Udupiyaliya) w.s.r. to body weight, liver and kidney functions in rats
(Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute, University of Kelaniya, 2014) Sakunthala, H.S.; Rathnasooriya, W.D.; Hettiarachchi, M.; Wattevidanage, J.