Clastogenic activity of pure chlorophyll and anticlastogenic effects of equivalent amounts of crude extract of Indian spinach leaf and chlorophyllin following dietary supplementation to mice

Dietary consumption of green vegetables has been associated with protection against mutagenic and clastogenic activity of genotoxicants. Chlorophyll, being present in all green plants, had earlier been suggested to be the principal factor involved. Mice were administered (i) crude aqueous extract of leaf of Indian spinach, Beta vulgaris L. var. benghalensis Hort., and equivalent amounts of (ii) chlorophyll extracted from the leaf; (iii) purified chlorophyll, (iv) chlorophyllin, a sodium-copper derivative of chlorophyll; daily for 7 days. On day 7, one set of mice from each treatment was administered potassium dichromate—a known metallic clastogen. The mice were sacrificed after 24 hours. Chromosome preparations were made from bone marrow following the usual colchicine-air dry-Giemsa schedule. The cytogenetic endpoints scored were chromosomal aberrations and damaged cells. Crude leaf extract and chlorophyllin were nonclastogenic and reduced the clastogenic effects of potassium dichromate to the control distilled water level. Chlorophyll alone, whether extracted from the leaf or obtained in commercially purified form, was clastogenic and could reduce the effects of the chromium salt only to its own level. The protective action of the crude leaf extract may be attributed to the total effect of the interaction between the different components within the leaf extract, in which the clastogenicity of chlorophyll had been neutralized. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Enzyme Inhibition by Allicin,the Molluscicidal Agent of Allium sativum L. (Garlic)

Allicin, a molluscicidal component of garlic inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase, lactic dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase in in vivo and in vitro exposure against Lymnaea acuminata . It was observed that succinic dehydrogenase activity in the nervous tissue of Lymnaea acuminata was increased in in vivo treatment whereas with in vitro exposure, allicin caused no significant change in succinic dehydrogenase activity. The inhibition kinetics of these enzymes indicates that allicin caused an uncompetitive inhibition of AChE and a competitive inhibition of LDH and alkaline phosphatase.     

Antifeedant Activity of Ursolic Acid Isolated from Duboisia Myoporoides

Ursolic acid isolated from the leaves and stems of Duboisia myoporoides (Solanaceae) was bioassayed by leaf disc method for feeding deterrence using Spilosoma obliqua and Spodoptera litura as test insects. This compound was proved to be a potent antifeedant under laboratory conditions. Azadirachtin was used as standard. Ursolic acid produced 90.12% and 91.96% inhibition at 5000 ppm concentration, respectively, against S. obliqua and S. litura .     

Presence of Increased Mast Cells in Infants and Children with Volume and Variety Limited Intake

Background: Reports indicate patients with feeding difficulties demonstrate signs of inflammation on biopsies, notably eosinophilia, but it is unknown whether mast cell density contributes to variety or volume limitation symptoms. The aim of our study was to evaluate eosinophil and mast cell density of EGD biopsies in pediatric patients with symptoms of decreased volume or variety of ingested foods. Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective chart review of EMRs for all new feeding clinic patients between 0 and 17 years of age. Patients were categorized by symptoms at the initial visit as well as eosinophil and mast cell densities in those with EGD biopsies. Ten patients were identified as controls. Results: We identified 30 patients each with volume and variety limitation. Antral mast cell density was increased in 32.1% of variety-limited patients, 37.5% of volume limited patients, and in no controls; Duodenal mast cell density was increased in 32.1% of variety-limited patients, 40.6% of volume-limited patients, and in no controls. Conclusions: In both variety- and volume-limited patients, antral and duodenal mast cell densities were increased. These associations warrant further investigation of the mechanism between mast cells and development of feeding difficulties, allowing more targeted pediatric therapies.     

Effect of flaxseed supplementation on metabolic state,endocrine profiles,body composition and reproductive performance of sows

Objective: To assess the effect of flaxseed supplementation on metabolic profile, endocrine concentrations, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), body composition ...     

Circulating Vimentin Over-Expression in Patients with Oral Sub Mucosal Fibrosis and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common (90%) types of oral carcinomas in the world. It is the 2nd most common and 3rd deadliest cancer in India. The lack of early detection marker is one of the major causes of worst prognosis. The vimentin belongs to intermediate filament family proteins which plays significant role in maintaining cellular integrity. Over-expression of vimentin has been widely reported in many epithelial cancers however the information regarding its prevalence in the oral cancers still needs further scientific intervention. The expression level of circulating vimentin protein in serum samples (n = 30) of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), OSCC patients and healthy controls were measured by performing ELISA. The serum level of vimentin was significantly higher in OSMF (p < 0.01) and OSCC (p < 0.003) patients as compared to healthy subjects. The circulating vimentin levels showed a gradual increase with increasing disease status (normal < OSMF < OSCC). Circulatory levels of vimentin may ba useful indicator of disease progression and as a suitable target for therapeutic intervention of oral submucous fibrosis and oral carcinoma.