A Validated High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography Technique for Routine Analysis of Curcumin in Four Different Species of Curcuma Viz. C. amada, C. caesia, C. longa and C. zedoaria

In this study, we investigated a new, simple, sensitive, selective and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprint and quantitative estimation method for the routine analysis of curcumin in Curcuma species viz. Curcuma amada, Curcuma caesia, Curcuma longa and Curcuma zedoaria. Linear ascending development was carried out in a twin-trough glass chamber saturated with toluene:acetic acid (4:1; v/v with 20 minutes of saturation). The plate was dried and analyzed by CAMAG TLC scanner III at white light and 366 nm. The system was found to give compact spots for curcumin (Rf 0.42). The relationship between the concentration of standard solutions and the peak response is linear within the concentration range of 10-70 ng/spot for curcumin. In result, curcumin was not detected in any of C. caesia extracts. The percentage of curcumin was found between 0.042 and 4.908 (%w/w) in different Curcuma species obtained by two different extraction methods viz. Soxhlet and sonication, respectively. Further, extraction via Soxhlet method is most suitable method to get higher curcumin content from rhizomes. The proposed HPTLC method may be use for routine quality testing and quantification of curcumin in Curcuma samples.

Chemical Profiling and Therapeutic Evaluation of Standardized Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Terminalia chebula Fruits Collected from Different Locations in Manipur against Colorectal Cancer

Terminalia chebula Retz. (Fam. Combretaceae), locally called Manahei, is a well-known medicinal plant that grows wildly in Manipur, a Northeastern state of India. It is used as a mild laxative, an anti-inflammatory agent, and a remedy for piles, colds, and ulcers by ethnic communities of the state. The hydroalcoholic extract obtained from four fruit samples of T. chebula collected from different locations in Manipur were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) for their chemical constituents and evaluated for their anticancer activity against the colon cancer cell HCT 116. GC-MS analysis results indicated significant variation in the composition and percentage of major compounds present in the extracts. 1,2,3-Benzenetriol was the most abundant chemical constituent present in all four extracts of T. chebula, ranging from 20.95 to 43.56%. 2-Cyclopenten-1-one, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and catechol were commonly present in all extracts. Two marker compounds, gallic acid and ellagic acid, were also quantified usingHPTLC in all four extracts of T. chebula. The highest content of gallic acid (22.44 ± 0.056 µg/mg of dried extract) was observed in TCH, and that of ellagic acidwas found in TYH (11.265 ± 0.089 µg/mg of dried extract). The IC50 value of TYH for the DPPH and ABTS assays (12.16 ± 0.42 and 7.80 ± 0.23 µg/mL) was found to be even lower than that of Trolox (18 ± 0.44 and 10.15 ± 0.24 µg/mL), indicating its strong antioxidant properties among the four extracts of T. chebula. The MTT assay determined the effect of T. chebula extracts on the viability of HCT 116 cells. TYH showed the highest activity with anIC50 value of 52.42 ± 0.87 µg/mL, while the lowest activity was observed in TCH (172.05 ± 2.0 µg/mL). The LDH assay confirmed the cytotoxic effect of TYH in HCT 116 cells. TYH was also found to induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in HCT 116 cells after 48 h of treatment. Our study provides insight into the diversity of T. chebula in Manipur and its potential activity against colon cancer.

Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) King & H. Rob. Standardized leaf extract as an antidiabetic agent for type 2 diabetes: An in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Type 2 diabetes has become one of the major health concerns of the 21st century, marked by hyperglycemia or glycosuria, and is associated with the development of several secondary health complications. Due to the fact that chemically synthesized drugs lead to several inevitable side effects, new antidiabetic medications from plants have gained substantial attention. Thus, the current study aims to evaluate the antidiabetic capacity of the Ageratina adenophora hydroalcoholic (AAHY) extract in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced diabetic Wistar albino rats. The rats were segregated randomly into five groups with six rats each. Group I was normal control, and the other four groups were STZ-NA-induced. Group II was designated diabetic control, and group III, IV, and V received metformin (150 mg/kg b.w.) and AAHY extract (200 and 400 mg/kg b.w.) for 28 days. Fasting blood glucose, serum biochemicals, liver and kidney antioxidant parameters, and pancreatic histopathology were observed after the experimental design. The study concludes that the AAHY extract has a significant blood glucose lowering capacity on normoglycemic (87.01 ± 0.54 to 57.21 ± 0.31), diabetic (324 ± 2.94 to 93 ± 2.04), and oral glucose-loaded (117.75 ± 3.35 to 92.75 ± 2.09) Wistar albino rats. The in vitro studies show that the AAHY extract has α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities which can restore the altered blood glucose level, glycated hemoglobin, body weight, and serum enzymes such as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum alkaline phosphatase, total protein, urea, and creatinine levels close to the normal range in the treated STZ-NA-induced diabetic rats. The evaluation of these serum biochemicals is crucial for monitoring the diabetic condition. The AAHY extract has significantly enhanced tissue antioxidant parameters, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and lipid peroxidation, close to normal levels. The presence of high-quantity chlorogenic (6.47% w/w) and caffeic (3.28% w/w) acids as some of the major phytoconstituents may contribute to the improvement of insulin resistance and oxidative stress. The study provides scientific support for the utilization of A. adenophora to treat type 2 diabetes in the STZ-NA-induced diabetic rat model. Although the preventive role of the AAHY extract in treating Wistar albino rat models against type 2 diabetes mellitus is undeniable, further elaborative research is required for efficacy and safety assessment in human beings.

Revisiting liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) as anti-inflammatory, antivirals and immunomodulators: Potential pharmacological applications with mechanistic insight

BACKGROUND

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (G. glabra) commonly known as liquorice is one of the highly exploited and utilized medicinal plant of the world. Since ancient times liquorice is considered as an auspicious and valuable traditional medicine across the world for treatment of various ailments.

METHOD

Several electronic online scientific databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Scifinder, Google Scholar, online books and reports were assessed for collecting information. All the collected information was classified into different sections to meet the objective of the paper.

RESULTS

The electronic database search yielded 3908 articles from different countries. Out of them one ninety-eight articles published between 1956 and 2021 were included, corresponding to all detailed review on G. glabra and research on anti-inflammatories, antivirals and immunomodulatory through pre-clinical and clinical models. From all selective area of studies on G. glabra and its bioactive components it was established (including molecular mechanisms) as a suitable remedy as per the current requirement of pandemic situation arise through respiratory tract infection.

CONCLUSION

Different relevant studies have been thoroughly reviewed to gain an insight on utility of liquorice and its bioactive constituents for anti-inflammatories, antivirals and immunomodulatory effects with special emphasized for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection with possible mechanism of action at molecular level. Proposed directions for future research are also outlined to encourage researchers to find out various mechanistic targets and useful value added products of liquorice in future investigations.

Revolutionizing polymer-based nanoparticle-linked vaccines for targeting respiratory viruses: A perspective

Viral respiratory tract infections have significantly impacted global health as well as socio-economic growth. Respiratory viruses such as the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the recent SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) typically infect the upper respiratory tract by entry through the respiratory mucosa before reaching the lower respiratory tract, resulting in respiratory disease. Generally, vaccination is the primary method in preventing virus pathogenicity and it has been shown to remarkably reduce the burden of various infectious diseases. Nevertheless, the efficacy of conventional vaccines may be hindered by certain limitations, prompting the need to develop novel vaccine delivery vehicles to immunize against various strains of respiratory viruses and to mitigate the risk of a pandemic. In this review, we provide an insight into how polymer-based nanoparticles can be integrated with the development of vaccines to effectively enhance immune responses for combating viral respiratory tract infections.

Therapeutic Potential of Phytoconstituents in Management of Alzheimer's Disease

Since primitive times, herbs have been extensively used in conventional remedies for boosting cognitive impairment and age-associated memory loss. It is mentioned that medicinal plants have a variety of dynamic components, and they have become a prominent choice for synthetic medications for the care of cognitive and associated disorders. Herbal remedies have played a major role in the progression of medicine, and many advanced drugs have already been developed. Many studies have endorsed practicing herbal remedies with phytoconstituents, for healing Alzheimer's disease (AD). All the information in this article was collated from selected research papers from online scientific databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The aim of this article is to convey the potential of herbal remedies for the prospect management of Alzheimer's and related diseases. Herbal remedies may be useful in the discovery and advancement of drugs, thus extending new leads for neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. Nanocarriers play a significant role in delivering herbal medicaments to a specific target. Therefore, many drugs have been described for the management of age-linked complaints such as dementia, AD, and the like. Several phytochemicals are capable of managing AD, but their therapeutic claims are restricted due to their lower solubility and metabolism. These limitations of natural therapeutics can be overcome by using a targeted nanocarrier system. This article will provide the primitive remedies as well as the development of herbal remedies for AD management.

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) cogniaux fruit extract in rodents

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety of standardized 70% ethanolic extract of Benincasa hispida fruit pulp (HABH) in rodents. Chemical characterization of HABH has been done by GC-MS and dimethylsulfoxonium formyl methylide, l-(+)-ascorbic acid and 2,6-dihexadecanoate were identified as major compounds in the extract. Acute oral toxicity study of HABH was done according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline, by 'up and down' method, using the limit test at 2000 mg/kg, body weight in mice and were observed up to 14 days. In sub-chronic oral toxicity study, HABH was administered to Wistar rats at doses of 1000, 200 and 40 mg/kg b. w. per day for 90 days. In acute toxicity study, there was no mortality and no behavioural signs of toxicity at the limit test dose level (2000 mg/kg b. w.). In sub-chronic oral toxicity study, there was no significant difference observed in the consumption of food and water, body weight and relative organ weights. Haematological, serum biochemical and urine analysis revealed the non-adverse effects of prolonged oral consumption of HABH. The histopathologic examination did not show any differences in vital organs. Based on our findings, HABH, at dosage levels up to 1000 mg/kg b. w., is non-toxic and safe for long term oral consumption.

Microinvasion: A Clinical Dilemma

Microinvasive oral squamous cell carcinoma (MIOSCC) is an early stage malignant tumour,showing invasion of the epithelial cells confined to the superficial lamina propria. This is matter of debate in respect to the clinical presentation, metastasis, therapeutic intervention and prognosis. A 32-year female reported to the department with chief complaint of wound and burning sensation in her left back region of lower gums. Clinical diagnosis of erosive oral lichen planus was made and topical steroid was started. The lesion clinically healed with the use of topical medicine. After stopping the medication the lesion recurred, following which, excisional biopsy was done. On histopathological evaluation diagnosis of microinvasive oral squamous cell carcinoma was made. Recurrence of similar symptom in the same site was seen 10 weeks later, which now showed features of moderate dysplasia. Clinical features of microinvasive oral squamous cell carcinoma resembles premalignant lesion, leading to difficulty in diagnosis, treatment and prognostic assessment. Thus, adequate representation of this entity is necessary.

Effect of graded levels of soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) shell powder on reproductive performance in broiler breeders

Objective

This study investigated the effects of soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) shell powder (SSP) on serum hormone level, egg quality, semen characteristics and reproductive performance of broiler breeders fed with a maize-soybean meal based diet.

Methods

Ninety six female and twenty four male CARIBRO-VISHAL broiler breeders, 38-week old, were individually caged and randomly allocated to four treatment groups (24 female breeders/treatment and 6 male breeders/treatment): an un-supplemented control (T1) and three groups with 0.0176% SSP (group T2), 0.026% SSP (group T3) and 0.0528% SSP (group T4), to have supplementary saponin at 0, 50, 75, and 150 ppm, respectively, for 42 days.

Results

The results indicated that serum (p<0.001) and seminal plasma (p<0.05) testosterone level, semen volume (p<0.001), mass motility (p<0.001), and live spermatozoa count (p<0.001) was increased in groups T3 and T4 compared to T2 and control groups. Compared with control group, total sperm count was increased (p<0.001) and dead spermatozoa count was decreased (p<0.001) in SSP supplemented groups. Supplementation of SSP did not affected the quality of egg lay. Compared with control group, fertility (p<0.01) and hatchability (total eggs set and fertile eggs set) (p<0.001) were significantly improved in SSP supplemented groups with the highest improvement in T3 treatment group. Embryonic death was decreased (p< 0.001) in SSP supplemented groups compared to control; lowest embryonic death was recorded in T3 treatment group.

Conclusion

Thus, it was concluded that dietary supplementation of 0.026% SSP (saponin equivalent 75 ppm) improved the reproductive performance of broiler breeders.

Factors Affecting the Success Rate of External Dacryocystorhinostomy at B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal

IntroductionAny disturbance to the normal ouVlow of tears through the nasolacrimal passage causes overflow known as epiphora. The clinical symptoms of epiphora range from mild dribble to the continuous ouVlow of tears. Watering of eyes caused by the nasolacrimal drainage  obstruction  is  managed  by surgery. One of the many surgeries to treat this is external dacryocystorhinostomy.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the success rate of external dacryocystorhinostomy as well as factors affecting it.MethodologyThis is a retrospective cross-sectional study, conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan with the approval of Institutional Review Committee, BPKIHS. The medical records of patients who underwent external Dacryocystorhinostomy surgery from April 2011 to April 2016 at BPKIHS were retrospectively reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for windows, version 11.5 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Binary logistic regression models were used to investigate the association of the surgical outcome with various predicting variables.ResultsThe success rate of the external dacryocystorhinostomy was 78.09%. Factors studied were: age, with a range of 2-81 years; duration of symptoms with a range of 1-84 months; and gender of the patients. The intra-operative factors studied were use of silastic tube, types of flap, and osteotomy size. Among these factors, the duration of symptoms and osteotomy size had significant association with the outcome of the surgery p<0.05.ConclusionOur study yielded high success rate in patients with shorter duration of watering of eyes and larger osteotomy size during surgery. Hence, a larger osteotomy size and early intervention is recommended for better surgical outcome. Birat Journal of Health Sciences Vol.2/No.1/Issue 2/ Jan - April 2017, Page: 196-200

Bulk synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by AC arc discharge method

This work proposes the production of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by AC arc discharging of spectroscopically pure graphite electrodes of different shapes, that is, movable cylindrical and stationary rectangular electrode by manual metal arc welding setup. Continuous arc was generated by maintaining the gap of about 3 mm between the electrodes which in turn formed the plasma zone. Vaporization of carbon cations followed by sudden quenching paved the way for formation of carbon nantotubes. Nanotubes produced were deposited on the stationary graphite electrode in the form of soot. Further extraction of the nanoparticles from the soot was performed by conducting series of purification processes which will be discussed in upcoming chapters. Morphology and purity of the extracted nanotubes were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Following the characterization process, it was observed that the so-produced nanotubes were of different shapes, that is, carbon cone nanotubes, nanocapsules, nanoparticles and branching type and randomly oriented. The length of the nanotubes varied from 231 to 561 nm, whereas diameter was found to be in the range of 14–55 nm.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory potential of standardized Mucuna pruriens seed extract

CONTEXT

Mucuna pruriens Linn. (Fabaceae) is a tropical legume, traditionally used for controlling blood pressure. Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is one of the successful strategies for controlling hypertension.

OBJECTIVE

The present study evaluated the ACE inhibition potential of the standardized extract of M. pruriens seeds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Standardization of the extract and its fractions were carried out by RP-HPLC method [methanol and 1% v/v acetic acid in water (5:95 v/v)] using levodopa as a marker. The ACE inhibition activity of the extract and fractions was evaluated at different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 µg/mL) using the HPLC-DAD and the UV spectrophotometric method. The liberation of hippuric acid (HA) from hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine (HHL) was estimated in the spectrophotometric method and RP-HPLC assay at 228 nm.

RESULTS

Methanol extract and aqueous fraction showed a maximum activity with IC50 values of 38.44 ± 0.90 and 57.07 ± 2.90 µg/mL (RP-HPLC), and 52.68 ± 2.02 and 67.65 ± 2.40 µg/mL (spectrophotometry), respectively.

DISCUSSION

The study revealed that the aqueous extract contains the highest amount of levodopa. Eventually the methanol extract showed highest ACE inhibition activity except levodopa alone. It was further observed that the inhibition was altered with respect to the change in the content of levodopa in the extract. Thus, it can be assumed that levodopa may be responsible for the ACE inhibition activity of M. pruriens seeds.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that M. pruriens seed is a potential ACE inhibitor can be explored further as an effective antihypertensive agent.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibition Activity of Fennel and Coriander Oils from India

Foeniculum vulgare Mill and Coriandrum sativum L. are very popular spices in Indian kitchens. The present study was an attempt to evaluate the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and antioxidant activity of the standardized oils of F. vulgare and C. sativum by an UV method using hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine (HHL) as substrate. Standardization of the oils and identification of the chemical-markers (linalool and anethole) present in them was performed through HPLC and GC-MS. Coriander oil showed the higher ACE inhibition with an IC50 value of 34.8 ± 2.3 μg/mL, than fennel oil with an IC50 value of 40.7 ± 3.5 μg/mL. Both oils showed strong DPPH radical scavenging activity. This finding suggests that coriander and fennel oils can be potential leads for the management of hypertension as an ACE inhibitor.

Acute renal failure in Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital

Total 45 patients (male 27 and female 18) of acute renal failure (ARF) admitted in Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital over a period of 12 months (1st of Baisakh 2064 BS to 31st of Chaitra 2064 BS) were enrolled in the study. Sixty four percent of study population were of age group 21-60 years. Acute Gastroenteritis 33, sepsis 5, hemorrhage 2, others 5 were the different causes of ARF. Serum creatinine of the study population before and after treatment was 4.35 +/- 2.72 and 1.38 +/- 0.72 mg/dl respectively. Similarly serum urea before and after treatment was 101.78 +/- 57.56 and 42.60 +/- 30.46 mg/dl respectively. Thirty three patients were managed by non dialytic modality of therapy and 12 patients needed hemodialysis. Blood urea of those patients who underwent nondialytic therapy was significantly less than of those who underwent hemodialysis (80.65 +/- 38.21 vs. 151.08 +/- 66.22; p = 0.004). Serum creatinine was also significantly lower in nondialytic therapy group (3.15 +/- 1.15 vs. 7.64 +/- 3.10; p = 0.000) ARF patients with very high urea, creatinine and disturbed electrolytes required dialysis. Average session of hemodialysis was 3.4. Thirty five patients were cured, 6 left against medical advice, 3 were discharged on request, and one patient of sepsis expired during the course of treatment. Acute gastroenteritis was the leading cause of ARF and outcome was excellent even without dialysis in most of the cases provided the treatment was started early and appropriately.

Profound hypothermic circulatory arrest in management of aortic aneurysms

A total of 15 patients having aneurysms of aorta were operated from June 1997 to December 1998 using deep hypothermic circulatory arrest as a modality of brain protection. There were 12 males and 3 females. The age ranged from 19 years to 74 years and the mean age was 44.9 years. Nine patients had aneurysms of ascending aorta (group I), one had aneurysm of ascending aorta and arch of aorta (group II), four had aneurysm of the distal aortic arch (group III) and one patient had thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (group IV). In group I, six patients underwent Bentall procedure, two underwent Wheat procedure and one patient had repair of pseudoaneurysm of ascending aorta. The only patient in group II had his ascending aorta and arch replaced, with reimplantation of left common carotid and innominate artery. In group III, three patients had interposition Gelseal graft and one had repair of the tear in distal aortic arch. The lone patient in group IV had interposition Gelseal graft of thoracoabdominal aorta. The hypothermic circulatory arrest was used in all of them for brain and/or spinal cord protection. Retrograde cerebral perfusion was used in two patients. There were two (13%) operative deaths. One patient died of cerebrovascular accident on eighth post-operative day and second died of inadequate surgical repair. There was one instance of left hemiparesis secondary to an infarct in right frontoparietal region. To conclude, hypothermic circulatory arrest could provide an adequate brain protection for aortic aneurysm surgery. Retrograde cerebral perfusion could be an adjuvant when the anticipated time of hypothermic circulatory arrest is likely to exceed 45 minutes.

Sequential pathological studies in Japanese quails infected experimentally with Aspergillus fumigatus

Intratracheal inoculation of young quail chicks with Aspergillus fumigatus spores resulted in the development of characteristic gross and microscopic lesions. The lesions were restricted to respiratory tract and there was no dissemination of infection to other tissues of the body. Gross changes in lungs and air sacs were observed within 24 hours and continued up to 20 days while in trachea these were noticed from the 3rd to the 9th day post-infection. The lesions, in general, included congestion and focal haemorrhages in the first 2 days followed by the development of varying-sized greyish-white nodules in the lungs, air sacs and trachea. Microscopic changes consisted of congestion, haemorrhages and a diffuse cellular infiltration in the first 2 days followed by granulomatous reaction with well developed granulomas in lungs, air sacs and trachea. Spores and developing hyphae of Aspergillus could be demonstrated in sections from 24 hours to 20 days of infection. Reisolation of the fungus was consistently achieved from the lungs, air sacs and trachea up to 14 days.

Experimental aspergillosis in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Clinical signs and haematological changes

Intratracheal inoculation of 2-week-old quail chicks with Aspergillus fumigatus resulted in the development of clinical signs within 24 h of infection. These were characterized by anorexia, depression, accelerated respiration and gasping followed by death. The acute course of the disease lasted for 7-10 days followed by recovery in the surviving chicks. The overall mortality during a 6-week observation period was 20%. Although the mean body weight of A. fumigatus infected quail chicks continued to be slightly lower throughout the experiment but the difference, in comparison to controls, was not significant except at 42 days post-infection. There was no appreciable difference in the mean values of Hb, TEC, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC between the infected and control chicks at any stage of infection but TLC revealed a leucocytosis from 2-7 days which was the result of increase in the relative percentage of heterophils and decrease in lymphocytes.

Oxypeucedanin, a Major Furocoumarin in Parsley, Petroselinum crispum

Fresh parsley leaves and roots were analyzed by HPLC and photobiological assay for photoactive furocoumarins. Oxypeucedanin ( 7), not previously reported from parsley, was found to be the major component (70-100 ppm wet weight). Although only moderately photoactive, its high concentration in parsley may be partially responsible for contact photodermatitis. Other photoactive compounds, namely 5-MOP ( 2), 8-MOP ( 3), psoralen ( 1), isopimpinellin ( 4) and imperatorin ( 5) were also present and quantified.