Assessment of the mechanistic role of an Indian traditionally used ayurvedic herb Bacopa monnieri (L.)Wettst. for ameliorating oxidative stress in neuronal cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

This study has important ethnopharmacological implications since it systematically investigated the therapeutic potential of Bacopa monnieri(L.) Wettst. (Brahmi) in treating neurological disorders characterized by oxidative stress-a growing issue in the aging population. Bacopa monnieri, which is strongly rooted in Ayurveda, has long been recognized for its neuroprotective and cognitive advantages. The study goes beyond conventional wisdom by delving into the molecular complexities of Bacopa monnieri, particularly its active ingredient, Bacoside-A, in countering oxidative stress. The study adds to the ethnopharmacological foundation for using this herbal remedy in the context of neurodegenerative disorders by unravelling the scientific underpinnings of Bacopa monnieri's effectiveness, particularly at the molecular level, against brain damage and related conditions influenced by oxidative stress. This dual approach, which bridges traditional wisdom and modern investigation, highlights Bacopa monnieri's potential as a helpful natural remedy for oxidative stress-related neurological diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study is to investigate the detailed molecular mechanism of action (in vitro, in silico and in vivo) of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. methanolic extract and its active compound, Bacoside-A, against oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ROS generation activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, calcium deposition and apoptosis were studied through DCFDA, Rhodamine-123, FURA-2 AM and AO/EtBr staining respectively. In silico study to check the effect of Bacoside-A on the Nrf-2 and Keap1 axis was performed through molecular docking study and validated experimentally through immunofluorescence co-localization study. In vivo antioxidant activity of Bacopa monnieri extract was assessed by screening the oxidative stress markers and stress-inducing hormone levels as well as through histopathological analysis of tissues.

RESULTS

The key outcome of this study is that the methanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri (BME) and its active component, Bacoside-A, protect against oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases. At 100 and 20 μg/ml, BME and Bacoside-A respectively quenched ROS, preserved mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased calcium deposition, and inhibited HT-22 mouse hippocampus cell death. BME and Bacoside-A regulated the Keap1 and Nrf-2 axis and their downstream antioxidant enzyme-specific genes to modify cellular antioxidant machinery. In vivo experiments utilizing rats subjected to restrained stress indicated that pre-treatment with BME (50 mg/kg) downregulated oxidative stress markers and stress-inducing hormones, and histological staining demonstrated that BME protected the neuronal cells of the Cornu Ammonis (CA1) area in the hippocampus.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the study suggests that Bacopa monnieri(L.) Wettst. has significant potential as a natural remedy for neurodegenerative disorders, and its active compounds could be developed as new drugs for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases.

Nutraceutical regulation of miRNAs involved in neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancers

The human brain is a well-connected, intricate network of neurons and supporting glial cells. Neurodegenerative diseases arise as a consequence of extensive loss of neuronal cells leading to disruption of their natural structure and function. On the contrary, rapid proliferation and growth of glial as well as neuronal cells account for the occurrence of malignancy in brain. In both cases, the molecular microenvironment holds pivotal importance in the progression of the disease. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are one of the major components of the molecular microenvironment. miRNAs are small, noncoding RNAs that control gene expression post-transcriptionally. As compared to other tissues, the brain expresses a substantially high number of miRNAs. In the early stage of neurodegeneration, miRNA expression upregulates, while in oncogenesis, miRNA expression is gradually lost. Neurodegeneration and brain cancer is presumed to be under the influence of identical pathways of cell proliferation, differentiation and cell death which are tightly regulated by miRNAs. It has been confirmed experimentally that miRNA expression can be regulated by nutraceuticals - macronutrients, micronutrients or natural products derived from food; thereby making dietary supplements immensely significant for targeting miRNAs having altered expression patterns during neurodegeneration or oncogenesis. In this review, we will discuss in detail, about the common miRNAs involved in brain cancers and neurodegenerative diseases along with the comprehensive list of miRNAs involved separately in both pathological conditions. We will also discuss the role of nutraceuticals in the regulation of those miRNAs which are involved in both of these pathological conditions.

A study of the reactivity of S(VI)–F containing warheads with nucleophilic amino-acid side chains under physiological conditions

Profiling the reactivity and stability of S^VI–F warheads towards nucleophilic amino acids for the development of biochemical probe compounds.

Serological diagnosis of dengue in laboratory practice in Kolkata

PURPOSE

To find out the most suitable serological investigative procedures to diagnose dengue cases effectively in the laboratory practice identifying primary and secondary cases as well as period of suffering.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dengue suspected cases sent to the laboratory in 2012 in central Kolkata by the local physicians were categorised into seven panels according to the investigations asked for such as (1) only dengue-specific NS1 antigen (2) only IgM antibodies, (3) NS1+IgM+IgG antibodies, (4) only IgM and IgG, (5) NS1+IgM, (6) NS1+IgG and (7) only IgG.

RESULTS

Out of 1892 suspected cases, dengue was diagnosed in 725 (38.3%). Through panels I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII, it was possible to diagnose dengue in (I) 35.98% (435/1209), (II) 37.5% (24/60), (III) 49% (173/354), (IV) 30.8% (68/221), (V) 60.5% (23/38), (VI) 40% (2/5) and (VII) 0 of cases respectively. Detail information such as confirmed diagnosis, duration of the disease (whether early or prolonged) and classification of primary and secondary dengue in such early or prolonged stages would only be possible in panel III, which information would be helpful for effective monitoring and treatment of dengue patients. In all other panels, merely fragmentary information would be obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

Serodiagnostic tests dengue-specific NS1 antigen and IgM and IgG antibodies when conducted simultaneously would be able to diagnose confirmed dengue cases categorising primary and secondary dengue along with the duration of the disease, whether early or prolonged.

Antibacterial and antiviral evaluation of sulfonoquinovosyldiacylglyceride: a glycolipid isolated from Azadirachta indica leaves

Assessment of antibacterial as well as antiherpes virus activity of sulfonoquinovosyldiacylglyceride (SQDG), a glycolipid, isolated from the leaves of Azadirachta indica has been described. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and herpes simplex virus. SQDG showed significant inhibitory activity against Salmonella typhi and two isolates of Shigella dysenteriae with MIC values 32 μg ml(-1) , while three isolates of Salm. typhi, Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae were inhibited at 64 μg ml(-1) and have shown zone diameter ranging from 6.2 to 12.3 mm. The growth kinetics study of SQDG on Salm. typhi and Sh. dysenteriae revealed that the growths were completely inhibited at their MIC values within 24 h of exposure. Interestingly, SQDG inhibits herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 with the EC50 of 9.1 and 8.5 μg ml(-1) , compared with acyclovir (2.2 and 2.8 μg ml(-1) against HSV-1 and HSV-2). The selectivity index (SI) was found to be 12.4 against HSV-1 and 13.41 with HSV-2. Furthermore, the expression of proinflammatory cytokines of HSV-infected and SQDG-treated macrophages using ELISA kit revealed that SQDG significantly downregulated the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12 and IL-6.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The water-soluble metabolite sulfonoquinovosyldiacylglyceride (SQDG) isolated from Azadirachta indica (Neem) possess significant antibacterial as well as anti-HSV activity. The efficacies as well as the solubility factor of SQDG substantiate a greater attention for its use as phytotherapeutic drug for controlling microbial infections as most consumers have better acceptance of phytomedicines than synthetic drugs.

Death due to chikungunya

After its first appearance in Kolkata (Calcutta) during 1963–1965, chikungunya occurred in epidemic form in India in 17 states and union territories. There were 13,90,322 cases suspected to be suffering from chikungunya in 2006, 59,535 in 2007 and 11,222 in 2008; in 2006, 2007 and 2008 there were 15,961, 7,837 and 262 samples, respectively, sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, and the National Institute of Communicable Disease, Delhi, for serological diagnosis. Of these, 2001, 1826 and 44, respectively, were confirmed as chikungunya. There were no deaths (data from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Government of India).

Chikungunya in west bengal, India

Fever of unknown origin broke out in several districts of West Bengal, from August 2007 to December 2007. The cases were suffering from high fever, severe joint pain lasting for several weeks after clinical cure and appearance of skin rashes. Patients' sera were collected at least five days after fever and were analyzed to detect specific IgM antibodies. A total of 800 patients were investigated and 321 (40.13%) were found to be reactive for Chikungunya antibodies. Of the patients, 66% were male. Predominant signs and symptoms observed in the sero-positive cases were fever (100%), arthralgia (96%) and diffuse erythematous skin rash (94%). Of the patients, 3% had haemorrhagic manifestations. Re-emerging Chikungunya virus spread in epidemic form in several districts of West Bengal after a gap of four decades.

Estimating parasite density in patients suffering from falciparum malaria in an endemic area in Kolkata

Parasite density of one hundred patients suffering from falciparum malaria in an endemic area in Kolkata was determined using three different methods. In the first of these, parasite density per microlitre of blood in a patient was determined using parasite count adjusted by average WBC count (i.e. 8000/microliter) observed in microscopic fields of the thick film. In the remaining two methods, only raw (i.e. unadjusted) parasite counts in microscopic fields of the same slide were used. A statistical analysis was carried out in detail to compare these methods based on raw and adjusted parasite counts and also to find out a suitable method which can be used in practice. Estimating the density of parasites is of primary importance in determining the severity of infection. Furthermore, parasite density can help in identifying short-treatment and long-treatment failure vis-a-vis detection of development of resistance in P. falciparum against the drug used. This article reports some findings that indicate the existence of a potentially dangerous situation in the study area.

Emerging Plasmodium falciparum in an endemic area in Calcutta

Calcutta is now intensely malarious. Malarial infections are detected in every month. In an endemic area in central Calcutta a year-long study from August 1996 to July 1997 reveals that 31.47% of all cases are due to Plasmodium falciparum infection. A competition is going on between P vivax and P falciparum to gain upperhand. An equilibrium is there in the month of January (1997), when P vivax and P falciparum cases constitute 51.13% and 49.43% respectively. The highest and lowest percentage of P falciparum infection is in December 1996 (67.98%) and in May 1997 (0.89%) which is just reverse in the case of P vivax in December 1996 (33.60%) and in May 1997 (99.10%). Three imported cases of P malariae have been detected but the patients cannot be traced. Six cases of mixed infections have been found.

A simple medium without blood modified for successful isolation & cultivation of LD bodies

A simple growth medium for primary isolation and subsequent cultivation of Leishmania donovani promastigotes without using whole blood is described. This medium is modified from Aljeboori's biphasic medium (used originally only for cultivation), containing only beef extract, peptone, sodium chloride, bactoagar and foetal calf serum (FCS). We have modified the medium by adding glucose and ascertaining the pH in the solid phase and by drastically reducing (91%) FCS in the liquid phase. The medium helps in isolation of L. donovani promastigotes from kala-azar patients, in addition to luxurious growth of parasites. The medium is simple, reliable, reproducible and convenient, with minimal interference in using the parasitic cells for immunological, molecular and isoenzyme studies.

A retrospective study on scorpion sting in a pediatric age group in a hospital in Calcutta

During 1985-1989, in Calcutta Medical College Hospitals, of 152 children of 1-6 year age group admitted with the history of scorpion sting 18 (11.8%) died. Maximum numbers of stings were inflicted in the fingers. Important clinical features recorded were circulatory failure, breathlessness, profuse sweating, vomiting, local oedema and convulsion. Incidences of scorpion stings were much more frequent in the summer and rainy seasons than in the winter season.

Epidemiology of snake bite in the district of Burdwan, West Bengal

An epidemiological field survey on snake bite was conducted on 26 randomly selected villages with a population of 18,892 in the district of Burdwan, West Bengal to assess the magnitude of the problem in a decade (1980-1989). Total number of snake bite, number of presumably poisonous snake bite and deaths due to snake bite poisoning were 307, 48 and 31 respectively. The death rate among snake bite victims was 10.09%. Males (54.72%) were bitten more than females (45.23%) and highest incidence of snake bite was found in the age group of 21-30 years and during the months of July and August. Majority of the snake bites (53%) were encountered in the lower extremities. Among the snake bite patients 201 (65.47% went to the traditional healers (ozhas) and 68 (22.14%) persons received hospital treatment, while 12 (3.09%) people neither went to the ozhas nor to hospital and 26 (8.46%) persons went to hospital after consulting the ozhas. If the present data are extrapolated for the total population of the district, average number of snake bite and death per year would be 7,857 (0.16%) and 793 (0.016%) respectively. Deaths due to snake bite per 100,000 population varied from 5.28 to 31.75 (average 16.4) over 10 years.

Longitudinal study on distribution of Phlebotomus argentipes sandflies at different heights in cattleshed

Distribution of Ph. argentipes at three levels (level I, 0-0.91 m; level II, 0.91-1.82 m; and level III 1.82-2.74 m) above the ground in 6 cattlesheds was studied during July 1989 to June 1990. Of the 8044 Ph. argentipes caught, 3151 (39.2%), 3936 (48.9%) and 957 (11.9%) were from levels I, II, and III respectively. Both male and fed, half-fed, gravid and unfed female sandflies were found at all the three levels and in all the three seasons viz., rainy, winter and summer, of the year. The maximum height of occurrence of sandflies was 2.51 m (8.3 ft) above the ground level.