Dengue fever (DF), one of the most important emerging arboviral diseases, is transmitted through the bite of container breeding mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. A household entomological survey was conducted in Dhaka from August through October 2000 to inspect water-holding containers in indoor, outdoor, and rooftop locations for Aedes larvae. The objective of this study was to determine mosquito productivity of each container type and to identify some risk factors of households infested with Aedes larvae. Of 9,222 households inspected, 1,306 (14.2%) were positive for Aedes larvae. Of 38,777 wet containers examined, 2,272 (5.8%) were infested with Aedes larvae. Containers used to hold water, such as earthen jars, tanks, and drums were the most common containers for larval breeding. Tires in outdoor and rooftop locations of the households were also important for larval breeding. Although present in abundance, buckets were of less importance. Factors such as independent household, presence of a water storage system in the house, and fully/partly shaded outdoors were found to be significantly associated with household infestation of Aedes larvae. Identification and subsequent elimination of the most productive containers in a given area may potentially reduce mosquito density to below a level at which dengue transmission may be halted.

Dengue fever (DF), one of the mostimportant emerging arboviral diseases, is transmitted through the bite ofcontainer breeding mosquitoes Aedesaegypti and Aedes albopictus. Ahousehold entomological survey was conducted in Dhaka from August throughOctober 2000 to inspect water-holding containers in indoor, outdoor, androoftop for Aedes larvae. Theobjective of this study was to determine mosquito productivity of eachcontainer type and to identify some risk factors of the households to beinfested with Aedes larvae. Of 9222 households inspected, 1306(14.2%) were positive for Aedes larvae. Of 38 777wet containers examined, 2272 (5.8%)were infested with Aedes larvae. Containers used for reserving water,such as earthen jars, tanks, and drums were the most essential containers forlarval breeding. Tires in outdoor and rooftop of the households were alsoimportant for larval breeding. Although present in abundant, less importancewas indicated for buckets. Independent household, having water storage systemin the house, and having fully/partly shaded outdoor premise were foundsignificantly associated with household infestation of Aedes larvae. Identification and subsequent elimination of the most productive containers ina given area may potentially reduce mosquito density below a level at whichdengue transmission may be halted.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of methanol extract of Citrus macroptera Montr. fruit in α-amylase inhibitory activity (in vitro) and hypoglycemic activity in normal and glucose induced hyperglycemic rats (in vivo). Methods: Fruits of Citrus macroptera without rind was extracted with pure methanol following cold extraction and tested for presence of phytochemical constituents, α-amylase inhibitory activity, and hypoglycemic effect in normal rats and glucose induced hyperglycemic rats. Results: Presence of saponin, steroid and terpenoid were identified in the extract. The results showed that fruit extract had moderate α-amylase inhibitory activity [IC

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effects of methanol extract of Citrus macroptera Montr.fruit in α-amylase inhibitory activity (in vitro) and hypoglycemic activity in normal and glucose induced hyperglycemic rats (in vivo).

METHODSFruits of Citrus macroptera without rind was extracted with pure methanol following cold extraction and tested for presence of phytochemical constituents, α-amylase inhibitory activity, and hypoglycemic effect in normal rats and glucose induced hyperglycemic rats.

RESULTSPresence of saponin, steroid and terpenoid were identified in the extract. The results showed that fruit extract had moderate α-amylase inhibitory activity [IC50 value=(3.638±0.190) mg/mL] as compared to acarbose. Moreover at 500 mg/kg and 1 000 mg/kg doses fruit extract significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively) reduced fasting blood glucose level in normal rats as compared to glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). In oral glucose tolerance test, 500 mg/kg dose significantly reduced blood glucose level (P<0.05) at 2 h but 1 000 mg/kg dose significantly reduced blood glucose level at 2 h and 3 h (P<0.05 and P<0.01 respectively) whereas glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced glucose level at every hour after administration. Overall time effect is also considered extremely significant with F value=23.83 and P value=0.0001 in oral glucose tolerance test.

CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest that the plant may be a potential source for the development of new oral hypoglycemic agent.