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U n i v e r s i t y of P e r a d e n i y a

The Institutional Repository of the University of Peradeniya is the University's digital gateway to scholarly knowledge and research excellence. Established as the next phase of the Digital Library initiative launched by the University Library in 2011, it preserves, showcases, and provides open access to the intellectual output of the University community.

Through a rich collection of research articles, conference proceedings, theses, dissertations, and other scholarly works, the repository enhances the visibility, accessibility, and long-term preservation of knowledge, extending the global reach and impact of the University of Peradeniya’s academic and research contributions.

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Recent Submissions

Current status of quality assurance in relation to ionizing radiation in diagnostic imaging Departments in Sri Lankan hospitals
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Rajamuni, R.D.C.I.; Weerakoon, B.S.
Ionizing radiation is used to diagnose diseases in modern medicine. Improper handling of ionizing radiation may contribute to a large amount of unnecessary radiation doses to patients and staff. Quality assurance in radiography helps to provide a successful service with proper radiation protection and good image quality. Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council is the main professional body responsible for quality assurance in radiography. Radiographers are responsible for performing needed quality assurance procedures according to the recommendations. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge and current state of quality assurance within selected radiology departments. A qualitative study was done with a distribution of a questionnaire among the participants. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and sample t-test. Twenty-five radiographers from three government hospitals participated in the study. Both demographic data and knowledge on quality assurance were assessed. The overall knowledge on quality assurance activities was insufficient (p> 0.05). The mean score of correct answers was 5.06 out of 11 questions. There was no correlation between quality assurance knowledge and work experience (p>0.05). Participants did not obtain a proper training on quality assurance. The study identified a lack of quality assurance programs within the selected hospitals. Although the atomic Energy Regulatory Council has established quality assurance programs, manuals and exposure charts are not used in diagnostic imaging departments. The absence of quality assurance activities and functional supervisory structures for diagnostic imaging services in Sri Lanka could have adverse effects on quality service delivery. This survey should be done island-wide to determine the urgent need for robust actions to implement realistic quality assurance programs in diagnostic radiology.
Effects of Mimosa pudica on glycation induced protein cross-linking and cell viability
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Jayasinghe, J.A.V.R.; Karunarathilake, K.J.K.; Rajapakse, R.P.V.J.; Perera, H.K.I.
Protein glycation is closely associated with hyperglycaemia and is a primary cause for many of the chronic diabetic complications. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) produced as a result of glycation, cause cross-linking in long-lived proteins such as collagen. Objectives of this study were to evaluate heat stability and effects of methanol extracts of Mimosa pudica whole plant (MP) on glycation-induced protein cross-linking and on viability of normal cells. Lysozyme was incubated with 500 mM fructose in the presence of heated or non-heated extracts (12.5 to 100 μg/mL) for 3 weeks at 37oC. Aminoguanidine was used as the positive control. Reaction mixture without extracts was used as the negative control. Aliquots collected at 7 and 21 days of incubation were assessed for the extent of protein cross-linking using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cytotoxic effects of extracts (12.5 to 500 μg/mL) were assessed on L929 mouse fibroblasts using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. A dose-dependent inhibition was observed by the appearance of high molecular protein bands when tested at day 7 and 21 with MP. Almost complete inhibition of high molecular band formation was revealed with 50 μg/mL at 7 days and with 100 μg/mL at 21 days. Experiment was performed at a stronger glycating environment than what is expected in uncontrolled diabetes (500 mM fructose instead of ∼10 mM glucose). Extent of the high molecular weight products formed in the presence of both heated and non-heated extracts were similar, demonstrating the heat stability of constituents. This is important as decoctions are often prepared with medicinal plants in traditional remedies. Cytotoxic effects were not detected up to 62.5 μg/mL. In conclusion, MP showed a dose-dependent inhibition on glycation-induced protein cross-linking under strong glycating conditions. Inhibitory effects were heat stable. Cell viability was not affected at lower concentrations of MP.
Is aqueous bark extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum effective in alleviating doxorubicin-induced inflammation and apoptosis in myocardial tissues?
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Sandamali, J.A.N.; Hewawasam, R.P.; Jayatilaka, K.A.P.W.; Mudduwa, L.K.B.
Although doxorubicin is a highly effective anti-cancer drug, its‘ chemotherapeutic efficacy is precluded by oxidative-stress, inflammation and intrinsic apoptotic pathways induced by doxorubicin. It is widely reported that medicinal plants with high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities have significant effects on the myocardial tissues to protect against damage. Therefore, objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum aqueous bark extract to alleviate doxorubicin induced cardiac damage in Wistar rats. Treatment groups of rats used in the study were as follows. Group 1: control; group 2: plant extract control (2.0 g/kg lyophilized plant extract, 14 days); group 3: Doxorubicin control (received dH2O 14 days, doxorubicin (18 mg/kg) on 11ᵗʰ day); group 4 was administered with lyophilized plant extract (2.0 g/kg) 14 days, doxorubicin (18 mg/kg) on 11ᵗʰ day; group 5: positive control (dH2O 14 days, dexrazoxane (180 mg/kg) 0.5 h before doxorubicin (18 mg/kg). All animals were sacrificed on day 15, serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured and inflammatory (TNF-α) and apoptotic markers [caspase-3, Bcl2 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay] were analyzed in myocardial tissues using an immunohistochemical staining and area of expression was quantified. Results indicated that MPO activity (285.32±1.64) and expression of TNF-α are significantly higher (p<0.001) in doxorubicin control compared to the normal control. Pre-treatment with plant extract showed a significant reduction (p<0.001) of above inflammatory markers compared to the doxorubicin control group. Expression of caspase-3 and TUNEL positive nuclei were significantly increased (p<0.05) while Bcl-2 expression was weaker in doxorubicin control. Pre-treatment with aqueous bark extract has the potential to significantly reduce caspase-3 activity and TUNEL positive nuclei while Bcl-2 expression is significantly increased (p<0.05). Therefore, Cinnamomum zeylanicum aqueous bark extract has the potential to alleviate doxorubicin induced inflammation and apoptosis in Wistar rats.
Improvement of glucose tolerance in nondiabetic rats compared to diabetes-induced rats by feeding virgin coconut oil or soya oil
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Perera, M.C.N.; Fernando, P.H.P.; Alles, C.N.R.A.; Yalegama, C.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by either absolute insulin deficiency or impaired insulin action and characterized by hyperglycaemia that causes many derangements in the normal physiology. Its high prevalence worldwide and in Sri Lanka calls for novel measures to alleviate this condition. Earlier studies have shown an implication of coconut oil, in regulating blood sugar levels with varying results. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of virgin coconut oil (VCO) or soya oil (SO) on glucose tolerance in diabetic (D) and non-diabetic (ND) rats. Sprague Dawley male rats (n=48) of 6-8 weeks of age weighing 150-200 g were divided to six groups. Three groups were ND, and the other three groups were in the D state, induced using alloxan. The three groups in each category received, either water, VCO or SO as the test material, orally at 7.5 ml/1000 g for each rat. Water and food were given ad libitum to all the groups. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed on all animals, on Day 45 and 90 of being on test diets and the results were analyzed by one way ANOVA. In the diabetic groups, the three test treatments did not show significant difference in the results of OGTT. However, in the case of ND animals there was a statistically significant difference in the glucose tolerance, between the animals fed with water and the animals fed with VCO, and with the animals fed with SO, with a very high significance level (p < 0.001). These results clearly show that VCO and SO were capable of improving the glucose tolerance when insulin was available, but not in its absence as seen with the alloxan treated diabetic animals.
Modified whitfield ointment with oral griseofulvin as a treatment for difficult-to-treat dermatophytosis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-11-11) Fonseka, S.; Bandara, G.D.D.J.; Wijerathne, A.G.C.N.; Kumarasiri, P.V.R.
Difficult-to-treat dermatophytosis is an emerging public health concern in Sri Lanka because the number of patients who do not respond to standard antifungal treatment is increasing. Safe and cost-effective treatment is needed for these patients. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of modified Whitfield ointment (MWO) applied twice daily with oral griseofulvin 500 mg daily for 8 weeks in patients with difficult-to-treat dermatophytosis. A randomized, double-blind, within-patient- placebo-controlled trial study was conducted on patients with clinically diagnosed difficult-to-treat dermatophytosis without contraindications for trial medications. Lesions in each patient (including lesions in the flexural areas) were randomized to receive either MWO (5% benzoic acid and 5% salicylic acid) or emulsifying ointment (EO) as a placebo. Oral griseofulvin 500 mg daily was given to all patients. The outcome measures were assessed every two weeks up to a maximum of 8 weeks. The calculated sample size was 65. An interim analysis was done after 30 patients had completed the study. At two weeks, there was a statistically significant improvement in the scores of clinical assessment of disease severity and the patient‘s perception in the MWO arm. There was a 7.59% reduction in the surface area of lesions in the MWO arm and a 5.83% increase in the surface area of lesions in the EO arm at two weeks and the difference was not statistically significant. There were no adverse events and application of the MWO to flexural areas did not cause any discomfort. A combination of MWO with griseofulvin is an effective, safe, and affordable option for treating difficult-to-treat dermatophytosis in Sri Lanka.