Garcinol: A novel and potent inhibitor of hyaluronidase enzyme

Extracellular matrix (ECM) contains hyaluronic acid (HA) as its integral part that is involved in numerous functional activities within the body. Degradation of HA by hyaluronidase enzyme involved in many pathophysiological conditions such as asthma, arthritis, COPD and in venom spreading during envenomation. Inhibitor of hyaluronidase enzyme has a wide range of application along with the hyaluronan-hyaluronidase system. In this present study, we have evaluated the inhibitory effect of garcinol against hyaluronidase from Hippasa partita spider venom (HPHyal), bovine testicular hyaluronidase (BTH) and human serum hyaluronidase. Garcinia indica fruit rind has been used to isolate the active component garcinol. Garcinol has been used in treatment of diverse ailments. Garcinol has exhibited anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, HAT inhibition and miRNA deregulator in development and progression of cancers. Experimental data have shown that garcinol completely inhibited all the three tested hyaluronidase enzymes. The inhibition was found to be non-competitive pattern with reversible type. In the docking study, garcinol with hyaluronidase enzyme has been stabilized by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Thus, garcinol could be a potent novel inhibitor of hyaluronidase enzyme which can be further used for pharmacotherapeutic applications.

Multiparametric MRI and T2/FLAIR mismatch complements the World Health Organization 2021 classification for the diagnosis of IDH-mutant 1p/19q non-co-deleted/ATRX-mutant astrocytoma

AIM

To investigate whether T2-weighted imaging-fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T2/FLAIR) mismatch, T2∗ dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) correlated with the histological diagnosis and grading of IDH (isocitrate dehydrogenase)-mutant, 1p/19q non-co-deleted/ATRX (alpha-thalassemia mental retardation X-linked)-mutant astrocytoma.

MATERIALS

Imaging of 101 IDH-mutant diffuse glioma cases of histological grades 2-3 (2019-2021) were analysed retrospectively by two neuroradiologists blinded to the molecular diagnosis. T2/FLAIR mismatch sign is used for radio-phenotyping, and pre-biopsy multiparametric MRI images were assessed for grading purposes. Cut-off values pre-determined for radiologically high-grade lesions were relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) ≥2, choline/creatine ratio (Cho/Cr) ≥1.5 (30 ms echo time [TE]), Cho/Cr ≥1.8 (135 ms TE).

RESULTS

Sixteen of the 101 cases showed T2/FLAIR mismatch, all of which were histogenetically confirmed IDH-mutant 1p/19q non-co-deleted/ATRX mutant astrocytomas; 50% were grade 3 (8/16) and 50% grade 2 (8/16). None showed contrast enhancement. Nine of the 16 had adequate multiparametric MRI for analysis. Any positive value by combining rCBV ≥2 with Cho/Cr ≥1.5 (30 ms TE) or Cho/Cr ≥1.8 (135 ms TE) predicted grade 3 histology with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of 100%.

CONCLUSION

The T2/FLAIR mismatch sign detected diffuse astrocytomas with 100% specificity. When combined with high Cho/Cr and raised rCBV, this predicted histological grading with high accuracy. The future direction for imaging should explore a similar integrated layered approach of 2021 classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumours combining radio-phenotyping and grading from structural and multiparametric imaging.

Study of Suicidal Behavior Among Admitted First-Episode Schizophrenia Patients From South India

Objective: The range of suicidal behavior in first-episode schizophrenia in the early phases of the disease is both understudied and unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate suicidal behavior in first-episode schizophrenia inpatients after admission.

Methods: The current study was conducted with 102 patients with first-episode schizophrenia aged 15 to 45 years who were admitted to a 300-bed psychiatry hospital in Southern India over a period of 18 months between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017. Patients completed a semistructured questionnaire, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale for assessment of sociodemographic profile, psychopathology, and suicide risk. Patients were then divided into 2 groups: suicidal and nonsuicidal.

Results: Recent suicidal ideation and behavior were present in 37.25% and 22.54% of the first-episode schizophrenia patients, respectively. Recent suicidal ideation was 15.8 times more likely in first-episode schizophrenia patients with lifetime suicidal ideation, and recent suicide attempts were 8.6 times more likely in patients with lifetime suicide attempts.

Conclusions: The study results show that suicidal behavior in the early phases of first-episode schizophrenia is more prevalent during admission. Lifetime suicidal ideation and behavior predicts the risk of recent suicidal ideation and behavior, respectively.

Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2023;25(3):22m03364.

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Thrombin- and plasmin-like and platelet-aggregation-inducing activities of Plumeria alba L. latex: Action of cysteine protease

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In folk medicine, parts of Plumeria alba L. are used for the treatment of many diseases, with its latex being used for curing skin diseases and promoting wound healing.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to study the role of P. alba L. latex in hemostasis and platelet aggregation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The latex of P. alba L. was processed to remove waxes and enrich protein content, and the final extract was named Plumeria alba L. natant latex (PaNL). PaNL was analyzed for protease activity against casein. The type of protease in PaNL was identified by using protease inhibitors such as E-64, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and pepstatin A. Human fibrinogen, fibrin, and collagen types I and IV were subjected to hydrolysis with different concentrations of PaNL. The thrombin-like activity of PaNL was determined by analyzing its fibrinogen-clotting and procoagulant activities. The role of PaNL in platelet aggregation was also investigated. Its hemorrhagic and edema-inducing activities were evaluated in a mouse model. Phytochemical compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy.

RESULTS

The findings of casein/gelatin zymography confirmed that PaNL possesses protease activity. The results of the protease inhibition study indicated the presence of a cysteine-type protease(s) in PaNL. PaNL hydrolyzed the subunits of fibrinogen, fibrin, and collagen types I and IV. Its fibrin-degradation activity indicated that PaNL possesses plasmin-like activity. PaNL induced clotting of citrated human plasma within 3 min of incubation in the absence of CaCl_2, indicating the presence of thrombin-like activity, which was further confirmed by the results of the fibrinogen-clotting assay. PaNL induced platelet aggregation in the absence of agonists. There was no hemolytic activity. Mice injected with PaNL did not show edema/ hemorrhagic activity.

CONCLUSION

PaNL possesses procoagulant, fibrino(geno)lytic, thrombin- and plasmin-like activities and induces platelet aggregation, which could explain its usage for wound treatment in folk medicine.

Synthesis, mol-ecular structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of (4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)[2-(methyl-sulfan-yl)thio-phen-3-yl]methanone

The title compound, C13H12O2S2, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P . The mol-ecular structure is substanti-ally twisted, with a dihedral angle of 43.70 (2)° between the 2-(methyl-sulfan-yl)thio-phene and 4-meth-oxy-phenyl rings. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked through C-H⋯O inter-actions and form a bifurcated layer stacking along the b-axis direction and enclosing R 2 2(10) ring motifs. The phenyl rings are involved in π-π inter-actions with a centroid-centroid separation of 3.760 (2) Å. The Hirshfeld surfaces were studied and the contributions of the various inter-molecular inter-actions were qu-anti-fied.

Teaching neuroImages: Griscelli syndrome and CNS lymphohistiocytosis

A 3-year-old boy developed viral illness followed by fever, altered sensorium, focal seizures, and neuroregression. Examination showed silvery-gray hair (figure 1A), bilateral papilledema, spastic quadriparesis, brisk muscle-stretch reflexes, extensor plantars, hepatosplenomegaly, and normally pigmented skin, iris, and retina. Hair microscopy confirmed Griscelli syndrome (GS) (figure 1, B-D). MRI brain was suggestive (figure 2, A-D). CSF showed 20 degenerated leukocytes. He died of an intercurrent illness 2 months later.

Recyclable Bi2WO6-nanoparticle mediated one-pot multicomponent reactions in aqueous medium at room temperature

Room temperature multicomponent reactions (MCRs) are reported using Bi₂O₃, BiVO₄, and Bi₂WO₆ (nanoparticle) as heterogeneous catalysts. Among these, Bi₂WO₆ (5 mol%) nanoparticles showed excellent reactivity for the synthesis of functionalized dihydropyridine, polyhydroquinoline, 4H-chromene and 2-amino-4H-benzo[b]pyran derivatives in aqueous medium.

The polyphenol 3, 4, 5 - tri-hydroxy benzoic acid inhibits indian daboia russelli venom and its hemorrhagic complex induced local toxicity

Despite a long history on treatment and management of snakebite, as of now, no satisfactory cure exists to treat local toxicity, including anti-venom therapy. Several natural compounds from plants and their synthetic analogs have shown to be protective. In this study 3, 4, 5-tri-hydroxy benzoic acid, the gallic acid (GA) was tested against the local toxicity of Daboia russelli (DR) venom and its purified hemorrhagic complex (HC). GA inhibited in vitro proteolytic activity of both DR venom and HC but, it did not inhibit phospholipase activity of DR venom. GA inhibited hemorrhage, edema forming, dermo- and myonecrotic activities of both HC and DR venom in in vivo experiments. GA was particularly effective against hemorrhagic activity but, GA inhibition had a greater effect on HC when compared to DR venom. The inhibition was likely due to GA induced structural changes in HC as revealed by alterations in fluorescence emission and CD spectral properties. However, the inhibition was not due to chelating property of GA as suggested by UV-visible spectral studies. Inhibition of collagen type IV, laminin and fibronectin degradation essentially provided the biochemical basis for GA which inhibited local effects of HC as well as DR venom. Thus, the study appears highly promising to explore GA and its generics against ruthless local effects and perhaps systemic hemorrhage of DR and other snake bites as well. Further, these agents will possibly find an immense value in the regulation of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) in processes such as wound healing, inflammation and in the treatment of cancer.

Neutralization of local and systemic toxicity of Daboia russelii venom by Morus alba plant leaf extract

Antivenom therapy is the current best therapy available for the treatment of fatal snake envenomation. However, the antivenom offers less or no protection against local effects such as extensive edema, hemorrhage, dermo-, myonecrosis and inflammation at the envenomed region. Viperidae snakes are highly known for their violent local effects and such effects have been commonly treated with plant extracts without any scientific validation in rural India. In this investigation Morus alba plant leaf extract has been studied against the Indian Vipera/Daboia russelii venom induced local and systemic effects. The extract completely abolished the in vitro proteolytic and hyaluronolytic activities of the venom. Edema, hemorrhage and myonecrotic activities were also neutralized efficiently. In addition, the extract partially inhibited the pro-coagulant activity and completely abolished the degradation of Aalpha chain of human fibrinogen. Thus, the extract processes potent antisnake venom property, especially against the local and systemic effects of Daboia russelii venom.

Local tissue destruction and procoagulation properties of Echis carinatus venom: inhibition by Vitis vinifera seed methanol extract

Plant extracts are extensively used against snakebites in Indian folk medicine. In this study, one such traditionally used plant, Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae) seed methanol extract has been studied for its ability to neutralize Indian Echis carinatus (saw-scaled viper) venom. The extract effectively inhibited toxic effects, such as oedema, haemorrhage, myonecrosis and coagulation of citrated human plasma. Further, the extract inhibited the caseinolytic, hyaluronolytic and fibrinogenolytic activities of the venom. The extract caused dose dependent inhibition of the toxic activities studied, suggesting venom inhibition. Thus, the anti-snake venom property of the extract appears to be highly promising for further investigation in order to achieve better neutralization of Indian E. carinatus venom poisoning.

‘Partitagin’ a hemorrhagic metalloprotease from Hippasa partita spider venom: Role in tissue necrosis

The poisonous bite by Hippasa partita, a funnel web spider from the Indian subcontinent has been demonstrated to give rise to severe dermo- and myonecrosis. In this work a hemorrhagic metalloprotease, Partitagin was purified from H. partita venom by successive chromatography on Sephadex G-100, DEAE Sephadex A-50 and Biosep DEAE columns. SDS-PAGE, reversed phase HPLC on a C(4) column, N-terminal amino acid sequencing and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry confirmed the homogeneity. Partitagin was assayed using fat free casein as substrate. EDTA, 1,10-phenanthroline and cyanide, inactivated it irreversibly while, EGTA, PMSF, leupeptin, pepstatin and aprotinin did not inhibit. The presence of Zn(+2) was confirmed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Partitagin caused hemorrhage when tested in a mouse model. Light microscopy of skin tissue sections at the site of injection revealed extensive damage of extracellular matrix (ECM) in which the basement membrane surrounding blood vessels and capillaries showing signs of extensive destruction and also loss of vessel wall integrity. Similar intense damage was also noticed in the ECM of muscle tissue sections but with no damage caused to myocytes. Partitagin showed specificity of action on the components of ECM and degraded collagen type-IV and fibronectin but not collagen type-I. Partitagin was devoid of edema, myotoxicity and lethality. This is the first report on the isolation and characterization of a toxin from spider venom in the Indian subcontinent.

Antimicrobial properties of a non-toxic glycoprotein (WSG) from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)

A monomeric glycoprotein with a molecular mass of 28 kDa in SDS-PAGE was isolated from the Withania somnifera root tubers. The protein designated WSG (Withania somnifera glycoprotein) demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against the phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria tested. Antifungal effect has been demonstrated in that WSG exerts a fungistastic effect by inhibiting spore germination and hyphal growth in the tested fungi. WSG showed potent antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium oxysporum, F. verticilloides and antibacterial activity against Clvibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. WSG is an acidic, non-toxic (trypsin-chymotrypsin) protease inhibitor. These results encourage further studies of WSG as a potential therapeutic agent for its antifungal activity.

Venom from spiders of the genus Hippasa: biochemical and pharmacological studies

The venoms from female spiders of the genus Hippasa namely H. partita, H. agelenoides and H. lycosina are compared for biochemical and pharmacological properties. SDS-PAGE pattern revealed varied protein composition. Marked variability is seen with casein hydrolyzing enzymes in SDS-PAGE zymogram. H. partita venom was the only venom that hydrolyzed gelatin while the other two venoms did not. The venoms shared similar hyaluronidase activity, showing a single activity band in SDS-PAGE zymogram. The PLA2 activity varied as H. partita>H. agelenoides>H. lycosina venoms. Marked differences were noted in the ability to induce edema, cytotoxicity, myotoxicity and neurotoxicity, while hemorrhage was associated exclusively with H. partita venom.

The anti-snake venom properties ofTamarindus indica(leguminosae) seed extract

In Indian traditional medicine, various plants have been used widely as a remedy for treating snake bites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tamarindus indica seed extract on the pharmacological as well as the enzymatic effects induced by V. russelli venom. Tamarind seed extract inhibited the PLA(2), protease, hyaluronidase, l-amino acid oxidase and 5'-nucleotidase enzyme activities of venom in a dose-dependent manner. These are the major hydrolytic enzymes responsible for the early effects of envenomation, such as local tissue damage, inflammation and hypotension. Furthermore, the extract neutralized the degradation of the Bbeta chain of human fibrinogen and indirect hemolysis caused by venom. It was also observed that the extract exerted a moderate effect on the clotting time, prolonging it only to a small extent. Edema, hemorrhage and myotoxic effects including lethality, induced by venom were neutralized significantly when different doses of the extract were preincubated with venom before the assays. On the other hand, animals that received extract 10 min after the injection of venom were protected from venom induced toxicity. Since it inhibits hydrolytic enzymes and pharmacological effects, it may be used as an alternative treatment to serum therapy and, in addition, as a rich source of potential inhibitors of PLA(2), metalloproteinases, serine proteases, hyaluronidases and 5 cent-nucleotidases, the enzymes involved in several physiopathological human and animal diseases.

Isolation and characterization of hyaluronidase a "spreading factor" from Indian cobra (Naja naja) venom

Hyaluronidase, ubiquitous enzyme in snake venoms, known originally as "spreading factor", has not been well studied. The present study describes the purification and characterization of hyaluronidase from Indian cobra (Naja naja) venom and provides systematic evaluation of the spreading property of the enzyme. Hyaluronidase (NNH1) has been purified through gel permeation and ion exchange chromatography. The molecular mass was found to be 70.406 kDa by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and with the (p)i pI of 9.2. The amino acid sequence of the N-terminus was found to be NEQSTHGAYV. The enzyme shows absolute specificity for hyaluronan and belongs to the group of neutral active enzymes. Tetrasaccharides are the final product of hyaluronan digestion. The enzyme cleaves beta 1,4-glycosidic linkage and belongs to a group of endo-beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidases. Hyaluronidase indirectly potentiates the myotoxicity of VRV-PL-VIII, a phospholipolytic myotoxin, and also the hemorrhagic potency of a hemorrhagic complex-I. Localization of hyaluronan in human skin section and selective degradation by venom hyaluronidase (NNH1) corroborate the plausible in vivo degradation of hyaluronan in the extracellular matrix (ECM) resulting in easy dissemination of VRV-PL-VIII myotoxin and hemorrhagic complex-I.

Hyaluronidase and protease activities from Indian snake venoms: neutralization by Mimosa pudica root extract

The aqueous root extract of Mimosa pudica dose dependently inhibited the hyaluronidase and protease activities of Indian snakes (Naja naja, Vipera russelii and Echis carinatus) venom.