Separation and Identification of Phenolic Acid and Flavonoids from Nerium indicum Flowers

Four major compounds were separated and identified from the methanol extracts of Nerium indicum flowers (Arali) using HPLC and mass spectral data. Through mass data, the chemical structures were elucidated as: trans5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (1), quercetin-3-O- rutinoside (2), luteolin-5-O-rutinoside (3) and luteolin-7-O-rutinoside (4). In addition, the cis isomers of 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid in Nerium indicum flowers were confirmed by Mass, HPLC and UV. The structures of these compounds confirmed with the help of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.     

Anihypercholesterolemic effect of Semecarpus anacardium Linn nut milk extract in high-cholesterol-fed rats

The present study was carried to bring about the hypolipidemic effect of the drug Semecarpus anacardium Linn nut milk extract (SA) in hypercholesterolemia-induced rat model. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups which included control rats, hypercholesterolemia-induced rats (high-cholesterol diet (4 %) for 30 days), hypercholesterolemic rats treated with the drug SA (200 mg/kg/b. wt oil), and the control rats treated with the drug SA (200 mg/kg/b. wt). Increased level of ROS and lipid peroxides were observed in hypercholesterolemic rats, whereas the levels of activities of antioxidant enzymes were found to be decreased in animals fed with a high-fat diet. Simultaneous administration of SA to these rats reverted back the changes to near-normal levels. Similarly, an increase in the expression of iNOS and LOX-1 were observed in high-fat-fed rats when compared to normal rats. Upon treatment with the drug SA, their expressions were brought back to near-normal levels. No adverse effects were observed in SA-alone treated group of rats, indicating its protective nature. The present study suggests that SA could play a protective role against hypercholesterolemia, thereby preventing coronary heart disease.     

A simple K-wire cap

The authors describe a simple technique to cap sticking K-wires using plastic syringes readily available in the hospitals, that has not been described before.     

S‐allylcysteine attenuates renal injury by altering the expressions of iNOS and matrix metallo proteinase‐2 during cyclosporine‐induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is the first choice immunosuppressant used for the prevention of allograft rejection in solid organ transplantation and immune‐mediated diseases. Reactive oxygen species‐induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation are implicated in the pathophysiology of CsA‐induced renal injury. In this work, we have studied the effect of a garlic‐derived compound, S‐allylcysteine (SAC) on CsA‐induced nephrotoxicity. CsA‐induced nephrotoxicity was assessed in terms of increased activities of serum marker enzymes and levels of kidney markers. CsA administration induced significant elevation in lipid peroxidation along with abnormal levels of enzymic and non‐enzymic antioxidants in the kidneys of the rats. SAC administration improved renal function by bringing about a significant decrease in peroxidative levels and increase in antioxidant status. Elevated expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) due to CsA administration were reduced by SAC treatment. An increase in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) was evident in CsA‐induced groups of rats, which was moderately reduced in SAC treated rats. An increase in the levels of serum constituent's urea, uric acid and creatinine was observed in the CsA‐induced rats, which was reduced upon treatment with SAC. These results indicate that SAC has a protective action against CsA‐induced nephrotoxicity which is also supported by histopathological studies. A comparative study of the antioxidant vitamin C and SAC is more valuable to assess the efficacy of the drug that can be used for the treatment of nephrotoxicity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of Semecarpus anacardium in a High fat diet: STZ-induced Type 2 diabetic rat model

Introduction

Semecarpus anacardium, known as marking nut, has been used in indigenous system of medicine against various ailments.

Aim

To evaluate the antilipidemic and anti-inflammatory effect of S. anacardium Linn. nut milk extract (SA) in Type 2 diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

Diabetes was induced in rats by feeding them with a high fat diet followed by i.p. of 35 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were treated with the drugs, SA (200 mg/kg body weight) and metformin (500 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days. Antilipidemic effect of the drug was established by studying the lipoprotein alterations and also the alterations in the lipid profile and lipid metabolizing enzymes in the experimental group of rats. The effect of the drug on the expression of PPAR γ was also studied. To determine the anti-inflammatory effect of the drug, the levels of inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6 and also C-reactive protein were determined.

Results and discussion

Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract at a dosage of 200 mg/kg orally significantly (p < 0.05) reduced and normalized the alterations in the lipid metabolism in diabetic rats effectively than metformin. SA treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased the mRNA expression of PPAR γ, thereby establishing the antilipidemic effect of the drug. The increase in the levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly (p < 0.05) brought down to near normal levels on treatment with the drug SA.

Conclusion

The present study thereby establishes the antilipidemic and anti-inflammatory effect of the drug. Thus, by decreasing the alterations in the lipid metabolism and inflammatory status, the drug can effectively improve the insulin sensitivity in rats and can serve as an excellent drug in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a pilot study in a South Indian population

Objectives: To assess the plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction: VonWillebrand factor (vWF), Platelet derived microparticles (PMPs), and Endothelin-1 (ET-1) in various types of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and correlate with the pregnancy outcome.

Methods: Plasma levels of vWF, PMPs and ET-1 were analyzed by ELISA kits in gestational hypertension (GH), late onset preeclampsia (LOPE), early onset preeclampsia (EOPE), eclampsia (E) and control pregnant women (CPW) during third trimester. The gestational age at the time of delivery (GA) and birthweight (BW) of the baby also were measured.

Results: The GA and the BW of the baby were found to be significantly lower in EOPE and eclampsia compared to CPW, GH and LOPE. The circulating levels of markers of endothelial dysfunction: vWF, PMPs and ET-1 were significantly higher in EOPE and Eclampsia compared to CPW, GH. Also a negative correlation was observed between vWF levels with pregnancy outcome; GA and BW.

Conclusions: A generalized endothelial dysfunction and poor birth outcomes were observed in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. There is a spectrum of biochemical derangements related to endothelial dysfunction in GH, EOPE, LOPE and E in that order.     

Investigation of Mechanical Properties and Salt Spray Corrosion Test Parameters Optimization for AA8079 with Reinforcement of TiN + ZrO2

This work mainly focuses on increasing the mechanical strength and improving the corrosion resistance of an aluminum alloy hybrid matrix. The composites are prepared by the stir casting procedure. For this work, aluminum alloy 8079 is considered as a base material and titanium nitride and zirconium dioxide are utilized as reinforcement particles. Mechanical tests, such as the ultimate tensile strength, wear, salt spray corrosion test and microhardness test, are conducted effectively in the fabricated AA8079/TiN + ZrO₂ composites. L9 OA statistical analysis is executed to optimize the process parameters of the mechanical and corrosion tests. ANOVA analysis defines the contribution and influence of each parameter. In the tensile and wear test, parameters are chosen as % of reinforcement (3%, 6% and 9%), stirring speed (500, 550 and 600 rpm) and stirring time (20, 25 and 30 min). Similarly, in the salt spray test and microhardness test, the selected parameters are: percentage of reinforcement (3%, 6% and 9%), pH value (3, 6 and 9), and hang time (24, 48 and 72 h). The percentage of reinforcement highly influenced the wear and microhardness test, while the stirring time parameter extremely influenced the ultimate tensile strength. From the corrosion test, the hang time influences the corrosion rate. The SEM analysis highly reveals the bonding of each reinforcement particle to the base material.     

Mechanical and Abrasive Wear Performance of Titanium Di-Oxide Filled Woven Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites by Using Taguchi and EDAS Approach

Two-body abrasive wear behavior of glass fabric reinforced (GC) epoxy and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) filled composites have been conducted out by using a tribo test machine. GC and TiO₂ filled GC composites were produced by the hand layup technique. The mechanical performances of the fabricated composites were calculated as per ASTM standards. Three different weight percentages were mixed with the polymer to develop the mechanical and abrasive wear features of the composites. Evaluation Based on Distance from Average Solution (EDAS), a multi-criteria decision technique is applied to find the best filler content. Based on the output, 2wt% TiO₂ filler gave the best result. Abrasive wear tests were used to compare GC and TiO₂ filled GC composites. The abrasion wear mechanisms of the unfilled and TiO₂ filled composites have also been studied by scanning electron microscopy. The outcome of the paper suggests the correct proportion of filler required for the resin in order to improve the wear resistance of the filled composites. Taguchi combined with Multi-Criteria Decision Method (MCDM) is used to identify the better performance of the TiO₂ filled epoxy composites.