Protective Effect of Nigella sativa Seed Extract and its Bioactive Compound Thymoquinone on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

BACKGROUND

The lack of a substantial breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes, a global issue, has led to an ongoing quest for herbs that contain bioactive elements with hypoglycemic properties.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potential protective effect of Nigella sativa seeds ethanol extract and its active ingredient, thymoquinone, on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

To induce diabetes, the male Wistar rats were administered an intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dosage of 90mg/kg body weight in 0.9 percent normal saline after being fasted for 16 hours and made diabetic Group 1; 7 rats non-diabetic control (saline-treated), Group 2; 7 untreated diabetic rats, Group 3; 7 diabetic rats treated orally with N. sativa extract at a dose of 100mg/kg body weight, Group 4; 7 diabetic rats treated orally with thymoquinone at a dose of 10mg/kg body weight and Group 5; 7 diabetic rats treated orally with Metformin at a dose of 5mg/kg body weight. After the treatment of 28 days, all groups were examined for body weight and biochemical alterations.

RESULTS

The results showed a significant decrease in blood glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid, total protein, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein, while high-density lipoprotein was increased. Hepatic enzymes, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphate were also normalized and significantly increased body weight.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary findings demonstrate that the ethanol extract of N. sativa seeds and its active ingredient, thymoquinone have a protective effect against streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The present study opens new vistas for the use of N. sativa and its bioactive compound, thymoquinone, regarding its clinical application as a new nontoxic antidiabetic agent for managing diabetes mellitus.

PCR: An Effective, Faster and Relevant Method for the Detection of Clinical Isolates of Candida albicans

Background:

Candida albicans is associated with infectious diseases with colonization, in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Antibiotic treatment can develop candidiasis.

Objective:

Evaluation of ITS 4 and ITS5 primer expression on clinical isolates of C. albicans.

Methods:

Fifty clinical isolates of C. albicans were collected from different sites viz. Catheter Tip (CT), High Vaginal Swab (HVS) and Urine (U).

Results:

Using the universal fungal primers ITS4 and ITS5, PCR produced a single monomorphic amplification at 520 bp indicating that the strains are of same genetic identity.

Conclusion:

This is an effective, faster and relevant method for the detection and characterization of clinically isolated strains of C. albicans.

Natural Tyrosinase Inhibitors: Role of Herbals in the Treatment of Hyperpigmentary Disorders

Cutaneous pigmentation plays critical role in determining the color of skin along with photo protection of skin from dreadful effects of ultraviolet radiations. Conversely, abnormal accumulation of melanin is responsible for hyper pigmentary disorders such as melasma, senile lentigines and freckles. Because of the visible nature of dermatologic diseases, they have a considerable psychosomatic effect on affected patients. Tyrosinase inhibitors are molecules that interrelate in some way with the enzyme to prevent it from working in the normal manner. Past many decades witnessed the quest for the development of natural tyrosinase inhibitors due to imperative role played by tyrosinase in the process of melanogenesis and fungi or fruit enzymatic browning. Mechanism of pigmentation is characterized by the intact process of the synthesis of specialized black pigment within melanosomes. Melanin is synthesized by a cascade of enzymatic and chemical reactions. For this reason, melanin production is mainly controlled by the expression and activation of tyrosinase. In the current article, we discussed tyrosinase inhibitors from the natural sources, which can be an essential constituent of cosmetics products and depigmenting agents for the treatment of hyperpigmentory disorders.

Anticandidal synergistic activity of Ocimum sanctum and fluconazole of azole resistance strains of clinical isolates

Candida albicans is the most prevalent fungal pathogen in humans. It is the causative agent and most associated with serious fungal infection, accounting for more than 90% of cases. It is a most common cause of deep mycoses and vulvovaginal candidiasis. In the present study we found that methanolic extract of O. sanctum in combination of fluconazole shows higher zone of inhibition and lesser MIC values as compared to methanolic extract of leaves of O. sanctum or fluconazole when used alone. Synergistic antimicrobial activity was found when methanolic extract of leaves of O. sanctum was used in combination with fluconazole against C. albicans azole resistance strains isolated from catheter tip (CT) and high vaginal swab (HVS) (FIC≤0.5). Partial synergistic activity was observed against urine (U). Methanolic extract of stem of O. sanctum in combination with fluconazole gave indifferent antifungal results (FIC=1.0-4.0). Benzene extract of the leaf and stem of O. sanctum in combination with fluconazole showed indifferent antifungal results (FIC=1.0-4.0). Aqueous extract of leaves of O. sanctum in combination with fluconazole showed partial synergistic antimicrobial activity against catheter tip (CT) and high vaginal swab (HVS) and urine (U) (FIC=0.5-1.0). In the present study we evaluate the synergism of C. albicans against azole resistant clinical isolates. This study indicates clear evidence supporting the traditional use of O. sanctum in treating Candida infectious diseases.