Nature’s silicon marvel, the diatoms have lately astounded the scientific community with its intricate designs and lasting durability. Diatoms are a major group of phytoplanktons involved in the biogeochemical cycling of silica and are virtually inherent in every environment ranging from water to ice to soil. The usage of diatoms has proved prudently cost effective and its handling neither requires costly materials nor sophisticated instruments. Diatoms can easily be acquired from the environment, their culture requires ambient condition and does not involve any costly media or expensive instruments, besides, and they can be transported in small quantities and proliferated to a desirable confluence from that scratch, thus are excellent cost effective industrial raw material. Naturally occurring diatom frustules are a source of nanomaterials. Their silica bio-shells have raised curiosity among nanotechnologists who hope that diatoms will facilitate tailoring minuscule structures which are beyond the capabilities of material scientists. Additionally, there is a colossal diversity in the dimensions of diatoms as the frustule shape differs from species to species; this provides a scope for the choice of a particular species of diatom to be tailored to an exacting requisite, thus paving the way to create desired three dimensional nanocomposites. The present article explores the use of diatoms in various arenas of science, may it be in nanotechnology, biotechnology, environmental science, biophysics or biochemistry and summarizes facets of diatom biology under one umbrella. Special emphasis has been given to biosilicification, biomineralization and use of diatoms as nanomaterial’s, drug delivery vehicles, optical and immune-biosensors, filters, immunodiagnostics, aquaculture feeds, lab-on-a-chip, metabolites, and biofuels.

The study investigates the effects of aqueous extract of Bougainvillea spectabilis leaves on blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid profile, oxidative stress, and on DNA damage, if any, as well as on liver and kidney functions in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Wistar rats. Daily administration of the aqueous extract of B spectabilis leaves for 28 days resulted in significant reduction in hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia as evident from restoration of relevant biochemical markers following extract administration. The extract also exhibited significant antioxidant activity as evidenced from the enzymatic and nonenzymatic responses and DNA damage markers. The extract restored kidney and liver functions to normal and proved to be nontoxic. A marked improvement in the histological changes of tissues was also observed. The present study documented antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidative potentials of the aqueous extract of B spectabilis leaves without any toxicity in streptozotocin-treated Wistar rats.

Aim: This study evaluated the prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Gwalior-Chambal region of India. Methods: A cross-sectional house-to-house survey was conducted on a population of 7608 subjects, aged between 20 and 79 years for fasting blood glucose level in finger-prick blood. Participants were stratified based on blood glucose levels, gender, age, family history, etc. to assess their impact. Result: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes in the Gwalior-Chambal region was found to be 11.4% and 5.7%, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was significantly higher in the urban population (12.7%) while that of prediabetes was higher in the rural population (7.9%). Male subjects recorded a higher prevalence of prediabetes (8.2%, OR 1.54 in rural; 5.1%, OR 1.26 in urban) as well as diabetes (rural 9.2%, OR 3.15; urban 16.5%, OR 1.57). Both prediabetes and diabetes were recorded as being higher in those subjects leading a sedentary lifestyle and in the aged population. The prevalence of hyperglycemia was much higher in those with a family history of type 2 diabetes (30.6% in rural, 21.5% in urban). Almost half of the diabetics in the rural population were diagnosed for the first time. The multivariate regression analysis identified male gender, increasing age of 30 years and above, and positive family history as significant risk factors for diabetes whereas age of 40 to 79 and less physical activity were significant risk factors for prediabetes. Conclusion: Family history of diabetes, and sedentary lifestyle appeared as key factors promoting prediabetes and diabetes in the Gwalior-Chambal region. A lack of awareness appeared as one of the major causes of the high prevalence in the rural region.

Hepatotoxicity associated with isoniazid and rifampicin is one of the major impediments in antituberculosis therapy. The present study explored the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacies of Spirulina maxima in isoniazid and rifampicin induced hepatic damage in a rat model. Hepatic damage induced in Wistar rats by isoniazid and rifampicin resulted in significant alterations in biomarkers of liver function, namely, bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and oxidative stress markers such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Co-administration of Spirulina maxima along with antituberculosis drugs protected liver from hepatotoxicity due to isoniazid and rifampicin. Administration of Spirulina maxima consecutively for 2 weeks to hepatodamaged animals resulted in restoration of hepatic function as evident from normalization of serum markers of liver function. Thus, the present study revealed remarkable prophylactic and therapeutic potential of Spirulina maxima. Co-administration of Spirulina maxima and antituberculosis drugs is advantageous as it provides extra nutritional benefit.