Threat Status of Medicinal Plants Used by the Tribal People in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve,Southern Western Ghats,India

Biodiversity and environmental conservation is important for today’s critically degraded environment, so strategies must be developed using protected area networks such as biosphere reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is such a valuable repository of floral and faunal biodiversity in the southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India, both in terms of species richness and endemism. A survey was carried out from September 2004 to June 2006 to assess the conservation status of medicinal plants which are used by the tribal people inhabiting the periphery of the reserve. More than 350 species of ethnomedicinal plants were recorded in the study with the association of tribal practitioners. Out of them, the ethnomedicinal plants Aglaia lawii, Arenga wightii, Chloroxylon swietenia, Eugenia singampattiana, Kingiodendron pinnatum, Orophea thomsonii, Polyalthia rufescens, Pterocarpus marsupium and Santalum album are ‘Red Listed’ plants. The majority of the plants of the reserve are rapidly getting threatened, because of the natural calamities and anthropogenic activities inside the forest areas. Thus, the reserve has high conservation value and its biodiversity is vulnerable to different factors so its conservation should receive great attention by involving the local communities and forest representatives.     

Hypoglycemic and β-cells regenerative effects of Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. bark extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to examine the antidiabetic potential of Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. (Rutaceae) bark in a diabetic rat model. Dose dependent effects of methanol extract of Aegle marmelos bark (AM) (200 and 400 mg/kg) on blood glucose, plasma insulin, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total protein, hepatic glycogen, marker enzymes of hepatic function and carbohydrate metabolism were evaluated in (streptozotocin) STZ-induced diabetic rats by oral administration for 30 days. Structural integrity of pancreatic islets was assessed by routine histology while, their functional status was assessed by immunolocalization for insulin. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) study established that AM contained antihyperglycemic constituents, aegelin (1.27% w/w) and lupeol (0.29% w/w). AM at 200 and 400 mg/kg showed significant reduction in blood glucose level by 19.14% and 47.32%, respectively in diabetic rats. AM treatment significantly increased insulin level, and produced similar effects on other biochemical parameters. Histological studies showed the regenerative effect of AM on the β-cells of diabetic rats. Immunohistochemical observations in the extract treated diabetic rats showed increased insulin-immunoreactive β-cells. These findings suggest that A. marmelos bark extract has the therapeutic potential in STZ-induced hyperglycemia; hence it can be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.     

Common pathogenic mechanisms and pathways in the development of COPD and lung cancer

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer and COPD commonly coexist in smokers, and the presence of COPD increases the risk of developing lung cancer. In addition to smoking cessation and preventing smoking initiation, understanding the shared mechanisms of these smoking-related lung diseases is critical, in order to develop new methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer and COPD. AREAS COVERED: This review discusses the common mechanisms for susceptibility to lung cancer and COPD, which in addition to cigarette smoke, may involve inflammation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, abnormal repair, oxidative stress, and cell proliferation. Furthermore, we discuss the underlying genomic and epigenomic changes (single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), copy number variation, promoter hypermethylation and microRNAs) that are likely to alter biological pathways, leading to susceptibility to lung cancer and COPD (e.g., altered nicotine receptor biology). EXPERT OPINION: Strategies to study genomics, epigenomics and gene-environment interaction will yield greater insight into the shared pathogenesis of lung cancer and COPD, leading to new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.     

Solanum torvum Swartz. fruit containing phenolic compounds shows antidiabetic and antioxidant effects in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

In this study, quantification of phenolic compounds and the investigation of antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of the fruit of Solanum torvum Swartz. are described. S. torvum fruit methanol extract (STMe) was administered orally at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day to streptozotocin induced diabetic rats for 30 days. The levels of glucose, insulin, total protein, hemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, liver glycogen and marker enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, hepatic function and antioxidants were analyzed. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that STMe contained high levels of phenolic compounds, mainly rutin (1.36% w/w), caffeic acid (12.03% w/w), gallic acid (4.78% w/w) and catechin (0.46% w/w). STMe at 200 and 400 mg/kg reduced blood glucose level by 17.04% and 42.10%, respectively in diabetic rats. The levels and/or activities of other biochemical parameters were restored significantly compared to diabetic control rats due to treatment with fruit extract. Histology of liver and pancreas in STMe treated groups substantiated the cytoprotective action of the drug. Immunohistochemical observation of islets in extract treated diabetic rats showed apparent β-cells regeneration. These findings suggest that S. torvum fruit containing phenolic compounds has great potential as a natural source of antidiabetic and antioxidant drug.     

A preclinical study on the protective effect of melatonin against methotrexate-induced small intestinal damage: effect mediated by attenuation of nitrosative stress, protein tyrosine nitration, and PARP activation

Purpose

One of the major toxic side effects of methotrexate (MTX) is enterocolitis. To date, there is no efficient standard treatment for this side effect. Nitrosative stress is reported to play a critical role in MTX-induced mucositis. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether pretreatment with melatonin, an inhibitor of nitro-oxidative stress, prevents MTX-induced mucositis in rats.

Methods

Rats were pretreated with melatonin (20 and 40 mg/kg body weight) i.p. daily 1 h before MTX (7 mg/kg body weight) administration for three consecutive days. After the final dose of MTX, the rats were killed and the small intestines were used for analysis.

Results

The small intestines of MTX-treated rats showed moderate to severe injury. The villi were distorted, blunted, and atrophied and focally absent in various segments of the small intestines. Crypt abscesses were also found, suggesting an inflammatory response. Pretreatment with melatonin had a dose-dependent protective effect on MTX-induced mucositis. Morphology was saved to a moderate extent with 20 mg melatonin pretreatment, and near-normal morphology was achieved with 40 mg melatonin pretreatment. Damage to the villi and crypt abscess was reduced. The villi/crypt ratio was almost restored. Melatonin pretreatment protected the small intestines from MTX-induced damage by attenuating nitrosative stress, protein tyrosine nitration and PARP expression.

Conclusion

Because of its versatility in protecting against nitro-oxidative stress and reducing inflammation, we suggest that melatonin could be beneficial in ameliorating MTX-induced enteritis in humans.     

Sexuality and learning disabilities

BACKGROUND: Sexuality and sexual health are issues that have been neglected in nursing practice and in the literature. This literature review discusses how the sexuality and sexual health of clients with learning disabilities are perceived and addressed in contemporary society. CONCLUSION: Sexuality and challenging behaviours, such as self-harm, can be linked and by denying or ignoring the sexual needs of clients there might be a case for professional negligence. The attitudes of staff and carers are important in understanding the sexual needs of clients and the shortfall in the education and training of nurses.     

Purification of antibacterial agents from Tragia involucrata--a popular tribal medicine for wound healing

Tragia involucrata has been widely used in traditional systems of medicine for a variety of diseases. In the present study, in vitro antibacterial properties of nine different compounds including vinyl hexylether, shellsol, 2,4-dimethyl hexane, 2-methylnonane and 2,6-dimethyl heptane were isolated from the leaf of Tragia involucrata studied against Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus aureus using the disc-diffusion method at 50 microg/ml concentrations. The compound vinyl hexylether showed a broad spectrum of activity. The highest activity was found in shellsol (50 microg/ml) against Proteusvulgaris and Staphylococcus aureus. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined for the effective compounds (MICs 2.5-40 microg/ml), shellsol and vinyl hexylether showed inhibitory action at the lowest dilution (10 microg/ml) than 2-methylnanone. Shellsol inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus very effectively than the other compounds. These compounds showed bactericidal effects against all the tested bacteria (MBC, 12.25 microg/ml). However, the compound shellsol showed effective killing of wound causing bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). So, the study was focused on the constituent to evaluate wound healing in rat model. Rats that received 50 microg/kg, b.w. of shellsol showed complete healing after 24 days. Histological examination revealed an increase in the fibroblast, neovascularization, granulation and thickness of scar tissue after the treatment of shellsol as compared to control. The topical application of shellsol did not cause any toxic response on rat skin. Thus, the antibacterial properties of the constituents give some scientific basis to its usage in traditional medicine.