Browsing by Author "Gunawardena, M."

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    Antioxidant Effect of Coconut Milk on Oxidative Damage in Commensal Lactobacilli in the Gastrointestinal Tract
    (International Postgraduate Research Conference 2019, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Karunasiri, A.N.; Gunawardena, M.; Seneviratne, K.; Jayathilaka, N.
    Coconut milk (CM) is the aqueous extract of coconut endosperm which is rich in polyphenols. Coconut milk is commonly used in culinary applications in South Asia. In this study, protective effect of phenolic antioxidants (PA) extracted from CM was tested in lactobacilli which are the prominent probiotic forms in the human gut. These commensals help to maintain the immune and metabolic homeostasis. The intestinal environment can be altered by many factors that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in oxidative stress. Enteric bacteria have been reported to mediate redox homeostasis through the regulation of ROS production. However, oxidative damage to the gut microbiota has been suggested to contribute to several diseases including intestinal and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, the activity of phenolic antioxidants extracted from CM on oxidative damage in Lactobacillus acedophillus, L. plantarum, L. lactis, L. casei and L. fermentum under aerobic conditions were evaluated based on the amount of products of macromolecular damage. The total polyphenol content of aqueous extract of CM was 8.21±0.13 mg/L as determined by the Folin Ciocalteu method. Bacterial cultures at optical density of 0.5 at 620 nm were incubated at 37°C under aerobic conditions to induce the oxidative damage. The cells were cultured overnight with a concentration series of PA (0, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9 mg/mL) to assess the protective effect on oxidative damage. The concentration of PA was kept below the concentration that affect cell viability as determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride assay at 620 nm. Lipid peroxide levels (μg/mL) and protein carbonyl levels (nmol/mL) were detected with thiobarbituric acid and 2,4-DNPH respectively. Growth under aerobic conditions affected the cell viability and induced significant (P<0.05) damage to proteins and lipids in the lactobacilli under investigation. Treatment with increasing concentrations of PA from CM showed a corresponding increase in the cell viability and a corresponding decrease in the amount of lipid peroxides and protein carbonyls under aerobic conditions. Therefore, PA from CM protect gut microbiota from oxidative damages in lipid and proteins without affecting their viability.
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    Traditional beliefs and practices during the puerperium
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2012) Athauda, L.K.; Basnayake, R.; Gunawardena, M.; lyshwarya, M.V.; Deduwela, R.S.; Mendis, U.R.R.; Lakmuthu, W.S.D.; Siriwardhana, A.A.R.Y.; Nadeesha, M.G.; Ranga, M.P.; Disnani, H.K.T.; Fernando, S.
    INTRODUCTION: Descriptive qualitative study was carried out to identify knowledge, attitudes and practices of women based on traditional beliefs during puerperium. Aims: To describe beliefs and practices by women during the puerperium, on hygiene, sexual practices & contraception, physical activity and food taboos. METHODS: Qualitative descriptive study was conducted among Sinhalese, Buddhist women to identify beliefs and practices during puerperium following a normal vaginal delivery. Females admitted at CSTH during the months of September - December 2009 were selected. Three focus group discussions were conducted among women aged 25- 35 years, 45 - 55 years, over 65 years using a focus group study guide. RESULTS: Women abstained from bathing up to 1 month post delivery, to avoid clotting of breast milk. Substitute for bathing is fermentation of back, abdomen & breast with leaves. Water for bath is heated with sunlight for disinfection. Breast feeding is postponed until mother's hair dries completely after a bath. Clothes are disinfected by fumigation with herbs. Cloth straps worn around waist strengthen the abdominal muscles. Episiotomy care involves sitting in a warm salt-water tub, avoiding use of soap and fumigating the site with herbal fumes. Sexual abstinence is practiced for one to three months post partum. Strenuous activity and squatting is avoided in the peuperium. Major food taboos include coconut milk, oil, green leaves, saltwater fish, and pineapple and ana-malu banana. CONCLUSIONS: Families y pressurize younger females to conform with these practices. Older women consider these beliefs and practices as traditional. The basis of these beliefs and practices need further exploration.