Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis by Brahma Rasayana (BR)

The current therapy for prostate cancer includes radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy and hormonal ablation. Chemotherapy also provides beneficial results for some patients with advanced prostate cancer but with several harmful side effects. Hence there is a need to identify and develop alternate therapies, which can reduce the disease progression with minimal or few side effects. Earlier studies from our laboratory have shown that a Polyherbal mixture, Brahma Rasayna (BR) rich in anti-oxidant principles has a potential to be an anti-tumor agent. BR treatment of MAT-LyLu cell inoculated Copenhagen rats resulted in a decrease of palpable tumor incidence, delay in tumor occurrence and lower mean tumor volumes. Also, a significant reduction in tumor weight and lung metastasis was observed in BR treated animals in comparison to untreated controls. In the present study, we focused to examine the effect of BR on angiogenesis and regulation of molecular markers involved in angiogenesis using in-vivo and in-vitro models. BR treatment showed a significant reduction in Factor VIII expression compared to control indicating reduced angiogenesis. BR treated tumor specimens showed a decrease in the pro-angiogenic factors like VEGF, MMP-9 and MMP-2. Methanolic extract of BR was found to inhibit the proliferation, tube formation, cell migration and attachment of HUVEC on matrigel in a dose dependant manner. These findings suggest the possible mechanism(s) of action of BR in the reduction of tumor growth and metastatic spread.     

Homeopathic medicines do not alter growth and gene expression in prostate and breast cancer cells in vitro

BACKGROUND: Homeopathy is an alternative medical system practiced in all parts of the world. Although several theories are proposed to explain the mechanisms of action, none are scientifically verified. In this study, the authors investigate the effect of selected homeopathic remedies often used to treat prostate and breast cancer. Materials and METHODS: The authors investigated the effect of the homeopathic medicines Conium maculatum, Sabal serrulata, Thuja occidentalis, Asterias, Phytolacca, and Carcinosin on prostate and breast cancer cell (DU-145, LNCaP, MAT-LyLu, MDA-MB-231) growth and on gene expression that regulates apoptosis, using MTT and multiprobe ribonuclease protection assay. RESULTS: None of the homeopathic remedies tested in different potencies produced significant inhibitory or growth-promoting activity in either prostate or breast cancer cells. Also, gene expression studies by ribonuclease protection assay produced no significant changes in mRNA levels of bax, bcl-2, bcl-x, caspase-1, caspase-2, caspase-3, Fas, or FasL after treatment with homeopathic medicines. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that the highly diluted homeopathic remedies used by homeopathic practitioners for cancer show no measurable effects on cell growth or gene expression in vitro using currently available methodologies.     

Design and Evaluation of Celecoxib Porous Particles using Melt Sonocrystallization

Purpose The purpose of the article was to study melt sonocrystallization (MSC) for a drug forming a viscous melt when processed below its glass transition temperature. Methods A molten mass of drug was poured in a vessel containing deionized water, maintained at 40°C using cryostatic bath, and sonicated for 1 min using probe ultrasonicator at an amplitude of 80% and a cycle of 0.8 per second. The product obtained after solidification of dispersed droplets was separated by filtration and dried at room temperature. MSC celecoxib was characterized by solubility determination, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, and stability study. Results The MSC technique was designed for celecoxib, which undergoes fast solidification. The particles obtained by MSC were porous, irregular in shape, and amorphous in nature. An increase in the apparent solubility was observed for the MSC particles. These amorphous particles also exhibited a higher stability in the amorphous state as compared with particles obtained by melt quenching. Conclusions The reported MSC technique for celecoxib demonstrates advantages over other approaches and can be exploited in area of particle design for the amorphization of drugs.     

Osteochondroma of C7 vertebra presenting as compressive myelopathy in a patient with nonhereditary (nonfamilial/sporadic) multiple exostoses

Introduction Osteochondromas are most commonly found in the appendicular skeleton. They occur less frequently in the spine and compression of the spinal cord is very rare. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an osteochondroma arising from C7 vertebra presenting with compressive myelopathy in a patient with nonhereditary multiple exostoses. Our purpose is to report this rare presentation and its successful management, and to highlight the clinico-radiological features of this treatable condition.Materials and methods A 20-year-old male with nonhereditary exostoses presented with gradual onset weakness in bilateral lower limbs, which had rapidly progressed to complete paraplegia over 1 month. The tumor was effectively treated by surgical excision along with spinal decompression. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological evidence complemented by clinico-radiological studies.Results There has been a complete functional recovery without any evidence of recurrence at last follow-up at 2 years.Conclusion Compressive myelopathy due to an osteochondroma arising from C7 vertebra in a case with nonhereditary multiple exostoses is being reported for the first time. Both CT and MRI demonstrated the origin, size, extent and relationship of the tumor to the vertebral and neural elements. Complete recovery of functions after surgical decompression was achieved in this case. An osteochondroma of spine must always be considered in all patients with multiple exostoses who have spine pain or develop neural deficit.     

Non-Hodgkins lymphoma of the faucial tonsil

Non-Hodgkins lymphoma of faucial tonsil usually presents with symptoms of mechanical interference and obstruction with unilateral tonsillar enlargement which can be mistaken as peritonsillar abscess. Cervical lymphadenitis is a common feature. Present case showed involvement of superior laryngeal nerve which is a rare feature. Diagnosis is made on clinical, heamatological and histological findings. Radiotherapy (Co 60) is the treatment of choice.     

Reversible inhibition of mammalian brain acetylcholinesterase and sodium potassium-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase by cyclopropane.

Membrane-bound and purified forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) derived from beef brain caudate nucleus tissue were inhibited reversibly by cyclopropane at low gas pressures (0.025 to 0.25 atm). Inhibition followed mixed kinetics which suggested interactions of the anesthetic gas with both active sites(s) and other sites on the enzyme molecule. At gas pressures of 1 atm and higher, cyclopropane inhibited membrane-bound and solubilized preparations of brain Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase without affecting Mg²⁺-ATPase activity. This inhibition was reversible, followed uncompetitive kinetics and was not due to pressure per se. AT³²P-labeling experiments suggested that cyclopropane inhibited Na⁺-K⁺ATPase at or before the phosphorylation step in the enzyme reaction cycle.     

A study of height and weight of primary school children of a rural area near Kanpur

Summary and Conclusions 759 school children from five primary schools in a rural area of Kanpur were studied. The children ranged in age from 5 to 15 years. Nearly two-thirds belonged to the scheduled castes. No significant difference in the average height and weight in different castes was observed but the variance of individual observations was greater in the scheduled castes than in the Brahmins. The correlation between different parameters was calculated. The height of school children in this study compared well with the I.C.M.R. averages but the weight was comparable only for the younger children being less than the All-India figures for older ones. From the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur.