Antidiarrhoeal and spasmolytic activities of the methanolic crude extract of Alstonia scholaris L. are mediated through calcium channel blockade

This study was aimed to provide a pharmacological basis to the medicinal use of Alstonia scholaris as an antidiarrhoeal and antispasmodic by using in vivo and in vitro techniques. In the in vivo study the crude extract of Alstonia scholaris (As.Cr), which tested positive for the presence of alkaloids, provided 31–84% protection against castor oil‐induced diarrhoea in mice at 100–1000 mg/kg doses, similar to loperamide. In isolated rabbit jejunum preparation, the As.Cr caused inhibition of spontaneous and high K⁺ (80 mm )‐induced contractions, with respective EC₅₀ values of 1.04 (0.73–1.48) and 1.02 mg/mL (0.56–1.84; 95% CI), thus showing spasmolytic activity mediated possibly through calcium channel blockade (CCB). The CCB activity was further confirmed when pretreatment of the tissue with the As.Cr (0.3–1 mg/mL) caused a rightward shift in the Ca⁺⁺ concentration‐response curves similar to verapamil, a standard calcium channel blocker. Loperamide also inhibited spontaneous and high K⁺ precontractions as well as shifted the Ca⁺⁺ CRCs to the right. These results indicate that the crude extract of Alstonia scholaris possesses antidiarrhoeal and spasmolytic effects, mediated possibly through the presence of CCB‐like constituent(s) and this study provides a mechanistic base for its medicinal use in diarrhoea and colic. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of selected commercially available cruciferous vegetables

Antioxidant activity, free radical scavenging activity and phenolic content of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata rubra), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa pekinensis var cylindrica), green cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata), mustard cabbage (Brassica juncea var rugosa) and Chinese white cabbage (Brassica rapa var chinensis), grown in Malaysia, were evaluated. Red cabbage had the highest antioxidant activity and phenolic content compared to the other cruciferous vegetables studied (p < 0.05). The contributions of all cruciferous vegetables to the antioxidant activity was >79%. The radical scavenging activity was in the order of Chinese white cabbage > red cabbage > mustard cabbage > Chinese cabbage > green cabbage. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the means of scavenging activity observed between cabbage, Chinese cabbage and Chinese mustard. Phenolic content was significantly different (p < 0.05) among all the cruciferous vegetables studied, and was in the order of red cabbage > Chinese white cabbage > green cabbage > Chinese cabbage >mustard cabbage. The study indicated that red cabbage possessed the highest antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds concentration among all the cruciferous vegetables studied.     

Catalytic filtration: efficient C-C cross-coupling using Pd(II)-salen complex-embedded cellulose filter paper as a portable catalyst

A new approach has been developed for environmentally friendly C-C cross-coupling reactions using bi-functional Pd(ii)-salen complex-embedded cellulose filter paper (FP@Si-Pd^II-Salen-[IM]OH). A Pd(ii)-salen complex bearing imidazolium [OH]⁻moieties was covalently embedded into a plain filter paper, then used as an efficient portable catalyst for the Heck, Suzuki, and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions under environmentally friendly conditions via the filtration method. The catalytic filter paper properties were studied by EDX, XPS, TGA, ATR, XRD, and FESEM analyses. The reactions were catalyzed during reactants'' filtration over the catalytic filter paper. The modified filter paper was set up over a funnel and the reactants were passed through the catalytic filter paper several times. The effect of reaction parameters including loading of Pd(ii)-salen complex, temperature, solvent, and contact time were carefully studied and also the optimal model of conditions was presented by the design expert software. High to excellent yields were obtained for all C–C coupling types with 5 to 8 filtration times. Under optimal conditions, all coupling reactions showed high selectivity and efficiency. Another advantage of the modified filter paper was its stability and reusability for several times with preservation of catalytic activity and swellability.

A new platform has been developed for environmentally friendly C–C cross-coupling reactions via filtration of reactants through a portable Pd^(II)-salen complex-embedded filter paper.     

Immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells on leukocytes with emphasis on neutrophils

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a population of multipotent cells with the ability of expansion and plastic-adherence in vitro. MSCs can differentiate into chondrocytes, osteocytes and adipocytes; they lack co-stimulatory molecules and have small amount of MHC-I that makes no immunogenicity. These characteristics are empowering MSCs’ huge in vivo applications. In addition, MSCs possess the ability of regulating the immune responses in many diseases. Many studies have shown that MSCs have immunosuppressive as well as immunoenhancing properties such as inhibition of T-lymphocytes proliferation and cytokines production which lead to the balance of Th1 and Th2. Some other immunomodulatory features of MSCs are increasing suppressive capacity of T_reg, reducing activity of B-lymphocytes and immunoglobulins secretion, inhibition of dendritic cells maturation and antigen presenting capacity, and inhibition of NK-cells activity. MSCs also exert inhibitory effects on neutrophil apoptosis and reduce reactive oxygen species production. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the MSCs? effects on immune cells, especially neutrophils.     

IgA deposition in the skin of patients with alcoholic liver disease

In patients with alcoholic liver disease, IgA deposits are often found in the liver, kidneys and skin. The present study was undertaken to determine the specificity, sensitivity and characteristics of IgA deposition in the skin of a group of alcoholic patients with or without overt liver disease, and compare these with findings in non-alcoholic cirrhotics. Twenty-six out of 28 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis had IgA deposition in the skin. In contrast, only 6 out of 11 patients who were alcoholic without any clinical liver disease and 3 out of 13 patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver had IgA deposition. In the control group, only 1 out of 52 patients with various dermatoses (excluding IgA dermatoses) had this IgA deposition. Unlike other IgA dermatoses, such as Henoch-Schoenlein pnrpura or dermatitis herpetiformis, IgA deposition in alcoholic liver disease is characterized by its presence in the basement membrane of the eccrine secretory coils. This particular pattern of IgA deposition can be helpful in the diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease or alcoholism since the specificity is 100% with a sensitivity of 75%.     

Efficacy of methylprednisolone administration in a case of continuous abnormal muscle activity syndrome

We report a 20-year-old woman with continuous abnormal muscle activity syndrome in which pharmacological blockade of different sites of the motor unit demonstrates a peripheral nerve origin for the abnormal muscle activity. The case showed no markers of autoimmune disease. A rapid recovery after high dose i.v. methylprednisolone was observed supporting the hypothesis of an autoimmune pathogenesis.     

Early child health in Lahore, Pakistan: XII. Milestones

Psychomotor development was assessed in 1476 infants from four different levels of urbanization in and around Lahore, Pakistan. Development was assessed monthly at birth to 24 months of age by using a set of 10 milestones selected from the Denver Developmental Screening Test and the Developmental Screening Inventory. The psychomotor development of children in the upper middle (Um) class was consistent with reference population groups in Europe and North America, hence this group was used as control. There was significant delay in the psychomotor development of infants belonging to the poorer areas compared to the Um class. There was no sex difference in the development of the milestones in any study area, except for girls in the Um class who were earlier for about one month than boys in talking. Infants in the poorer areas were, on average about 3 months, delayed in their walking and fine motor activity (building a tower of 3 cubes) in comparison with the Um class. Observed disturbance in psychomotor development at an early age may affect the abilities and achievements in later life.     

Microencapsulation using poly(DL-lactic acid). II: Effect of polymer molecular weight on the microcapsule properties

Poly(DL-lactic acid) (DL-DPA) of three different molecular weights, 20,500; 13,300 and 5200, was used to prepare microcapsules containing differing contents of phenobarbitone (PB), as a reference core. A water/oil (W/O) emulsion evaporation method was used. The effect of polymer molecular weight on the particle size, 'encapsulation efficiency', morphology, density, thermal behaviour and swelling property has been reported. A general trend towards lowering the mean microcapsule size, both by volume and population, was observed with respect to lower polymer molecular weight. The gross morphology of the microsapsule surface, encapsulation efficiency and density were unaffected by variations in polymer molecular weight. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis of the microcapsules showed a lowering of glass transition temperature after microencapsulation. The melting endotherm for phenobarbitone also indicated the presence of crystalline drug in the microcapsule matrix. These microcapsules were found to swell in the aqueous environment and the mean size increased linearly with time. However, the rate of swelling was higher with low molecular weight polymer and also depended on core loading.