Antitumor activity and antioxidant role of Bauhinia racemosa against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in Swiss albino mice [corrected]

AIM: To study the antitumor effect and antioxidant role of Bauhinia racemosa. METHODS: Antitumor activity and antioxidant status of methanol extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) of Bauhinia racemosa stem bark was evaluated against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor in mice. Acute and short-term toxicity studies were performed initially in order to ascertain the safety of methanol extract of Bauhinia racemosa (MEBR). After 24 h of tumor inoculation, the extract was administered daily for 14 d. After administration of the last dose followed by 18 h fasting, mice were then sacrificed for observation of antitumor activity. The effect of MEBR on the growth of transplantable murine tumor, life span of EAC bearing hosts and simultaneous alterations in the hematological profile and liver biochemical parameters (lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes) were estimated. RESULTS: The MEBR showed decrease in tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count, and increased the nonviable cell count and mean survival time thereby increasing life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Hematological profile reverted to more or less normal levels in extract treated mice. Treatment with MEBR decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation and increased the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase. CONCLUSION: The methanol extract of Bauhinia racemosa stem bark exhibited antitumor effect by modulating lipid peroxidation and augmenting antioxidant defense system in EAC bearing mice.     

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of chloroform extract of Bryonia laciniosa in experimental animal models

The anti-inflammatory effect of the leaves of Bryonia laciniosa was evaluated using carrageenan, dextran, histamine, serotonin induced rat paw oedema and cotton pellet induced granuloma (chronic) models in rats. In mice, carrageenan peritonitis test was performed for the extract by oral administration. The chloroform extract of Bryonia laciniosa (CEBL) exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effect at the dose 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. Maximum inhibition (52.4%) was noted at the dose of 200 mg/kg after 3 h of drug treatment in carrageenan induced paw oedema, whereas the indomethacin (standard drug) produced 62.1% of inhibition. The extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in dextran induced paw oedema in a dose dependent manner. The extract also exhibited significant inhibition on the hind paw oedema in rats caused by histamine and serotonin respectively. In the chronic model (cotton pellet induced granuloma) the CEBL (200 mg/kg) and standard drug showed decreased formation of granuloma tissue by 50.1 and 57.3% (p<0.001) respectively. The extract also inhibited peritoneal leukocyte migration in mice. Thus, the present study revealed that the chloroform extract of Bryonia laciniosa exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in the tested models.     

Targeting oxidative stress component in the therapeutics of epilepsy

The role of free radical-mediated reactions in human neuropathology continues to attract significant interest. Oxidative injury produced by free radicals may play a role in the initiation and progression of epilepsy and, therapies aimed at reducing oxidative stress may ameliorate tissue damage and favorably alter the clinical course. The prevalence of epilepsy increases with age, and mitochondrial oxidative stress is a leading mechanism of aging and age-related degenerative disease, signifying a further involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in seizure generation. Oxidative stress occurs when the generation of reactive oxygen species in a system exceeds the body's ability to neutralize and eliminate them, thus creating an imbalance or over abundance of free radicals. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain oxidative balance and control in the brain, and this is tightly regulated by antioxidants. In the last two decades, there has been an explosive interest in the role of antioxidants or neuroprotectants in clinical as well as experimental models of epilepsy. In this regard, the present review is intended to discuss the current state of knowledge pertaining to neuroprotection in epileptic conditions by employing diverse chemical agents including conventional as well as novel anti-epileptic drugs, and to highlight the efficacy of distinct neuroprotective strategies for preventing or treating epilepsy.     

Effect of Bauhinia racemosa stem bark on N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

The aim of this study is to investigate the antioxidant defense system induced by the methanol extract of Bauhinia racemosa L.(MEBR) against N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wister albino rats. The effects of MEBR on surface visible macroscopic (Morphometry) liver lesions (neoplastic nodules) and the levels of serum enzymes, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants were evaluated in NDEA-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. In rats treated, with NDEA, significantly elevated levels of serum enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP), bilirubin and decreased levels of protein and uric acid were observed. Significantly elevated amount of malondialdehyde (MDA), the end product of lipidperoxidation, indicated higher levels of lipid peroxidation, which was accompanied by significantly decreased levels of antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Administration of MEBR was able to suppress nodule development/hepatocellular lesion formation in rats. The extract treatment increases in antioxidant levels and dramatic decreases in lipid peroxidation levels. MEBR also produced a protective effect by decreasing the level of serum enzymes, bilirubin and increased the protein and uric acid levels. The results suggest that MEBR exert chemopreventive effects by suppressing nodule development and decreasing lipid peroxidation and enhancing the levels of antioxidants in NDEA carcinogenesis by reducing the formation of free radicals.     

Community leaders involvement in leprosy health education

As an alternative approach, 310 community leaders consisting of village political leaders, school teachers, Govt. staff, members of socio-welfare and religious agencies, graduate students and traders from 21 villages of Chingleput district of Tamilnadu (India) were interviewed to explore the possibilities of their involvement in leprosy health education community. Though majority (76%) of respondents were not fully aware about various aspects of leprosy and showed negative reactions (51%) towards leprosy patients; almost all realised the importance of educating community about leprosy for its early control, for which a large majority (88%) of them had expressed their willingness to participate in leprosy health education and control programme by devoting an average of 4.4 +/- 5.4 hours per week. A good number (54%) of them had also been educating people about leprosy in one or the other way. The leaders who had been exposed to leprosy health education especially in recent past, were significantly better equipped with knowledge about leprosy and its control and were much more willing to participate in NLCP, than others. Study concluded that if the community leaders are approached, educate and motivated properly, they would certainly involve themselves to provide a valuable strength to our leprosy health education and control programme.     

Effects of methanol extracts of Caesalpinia bonducella and Bauhinia racemosa on hematology and hepatorenal function in mice

The aim of the present investigation deals with the hematology and hepatorenal function of Caesalpinia bonducella Flem. and Bauhinia racemosa Lam. belonging to the Family: Caesalpiniaceae, and used in the traditional system of medicine. The tribal people of Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu, India, use the leaves of Caesalpinia bonducella and the stem bark of Bauhinia racemosa in combination with some other herbs for the treatment of various tumors, liver disorders, inflammation and some other diseases. In ancient Ayurveda medicine these plants were mentioned to possess antitumor agents. Since there are no scientific reports regarding the toxicological aspects of these plants, the present investigation deals with the sub-chronic toxicity studies of a methanol extract of Caesalpinia bonducella (MECB) leaves and Bauhinia racemosa (MEBR) stem bark in Swiss albino mice. The MECB and MEBR were administered intraperitoneally (i.p) to Swiss albino mice twice a week for thirteen weeks. No significant alterations in hematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters were observed in the MECB- and MEBR-treated groups at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight. Administration of MECB and MEBR at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight elevated the levels of serum enzymes and altered the hematological parameters. Our results suggested that MECB and MEBR at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight did not induce any toxic effects in the mice. Adverse effect was noted at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight.     

Glia Maturation Factor Induces Interleukin-33 Release from Astrocytes: Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Multiple sclerosis (MS) involve activation of glial cells and release of inflammatory mediators leading to death of neurons. Glia maturation factor (GMF) is up-regulated in the central nervous system (CNS) in these neurodegenerative diseases. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is highly expressed constitutively in the CNS. We have treated mouse astrocytes, mixed culture with glial cells and neurons, and only neurons with GMF and/or IL-33 in vitro. Both GMF and IL-33-induced chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) release in a dose and time-dependent manner. We report that GMF induced IL-33 release, and that IL-33 augments GMF-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) release from mouse astrocytes. IL-33 induces CCL2, TNF-α and nitric oxide release through phosphorylation of ERK in mouse astrocytes. Incubation of mixed culture containing glial cells and neurons or only neuronal culture with IL-33 reduced the number of neurons positive for microtubule-associated protein 2. In conclusion, IL-33 augments GMF-mediated neuroinflammation and may provide a new drug target for neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases.     

Characterization of indoor bioaerosols from a hospital ward in a tropical setting

Objectives

Study was conducted to assess whether temporal variation exists in airborne microbial concentrations of a hospital ward (west-Chennai, India) using active and passive methods, and characterise the microorganisms.

Methods

Air samples (duplicates) were collected simultaneously using exposed-plate, impingement (BioSampler) and filtration (personal sampling filter cassette loaded with gelatin filter) methods over different periods of the year. Bacterial plates were incubated at 37°C and observed for growth after 48h; fungal plates were incubated at 25°C and 37°C and observed upto 7 days. Microorganisms were identified using standard microbiological procedures.

Results

Microbial loads were found to vary with the sampling method. Concentrations of bacteria were higher (exposed-plate: 45–150 CFU/plate; impingement: 1.12E+03–1.6856E+05 CFU/m³; filtration: 3.788E+03−1.91111E+05 CFU/m³) than fungi (exposed-plate: 0–13 CFU/plate; impingement: 0–3.547E+03 CFU/m³; filtration: 0–1.515E+04 CFU/ m³). Coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Micrococci were the predominant Gram-positive cocci in active and passive samples. Enterobacter and Pseudomonas were the predominant Gram-negative bacilli. Among fungi, Aspergillus niger was isolated throughout the year. There was no significant temporal variation in airborne microbial loads irrespective of methods.

Conclusions

Exposed-plate method was found to capture microorganisms efficiently with little variation in duplicate samples, suggesting its use in hospitals for preliminary assessment of indoor air quality and determine pathogenic microorganisms due to particle fall-out.     

Adenylyl cyclase type 6 overexpression selectively enhances β-adrenergic and prostacyclin receptor-mediated inhibition of cardiac fibroblast function because of colocalization in lipid rafts

Cardiac fibroblasts produce and degrade extracellular matrix and are critical in regulating cardiac remodeling and hypertrophy. Fibroblasts are activated by factors such as transforming growth factor beta and inhibited by agents that elevate 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels. cAMP signal generation and response is known to be compartmentalized in many cell types in part through the colocalization of receptors and specific adenylyl cyclase isoforms in lipid rafts and caveolae. The present study sought to define the localization of key G protein-coupled receptors with adenylyl cyclase type 6 (AC6) in lipid rafts of rat cardiac fibroblasts and to determine if this colocalization was functionally relevant. We found that cardiac fibroblasts produce cAMP in response to agonists for beta-adrenergic (isoproterenol), prostaglandin EP(2) (butaprost), adenosine (adenosine-5'-N-ethylcarboxamide, NECA), and prostacyclin (beraprost) receptors. Overexpression of AC6 increased cAMP production stimulated by isoproterenol and beraprost but not by butaprost or NECA. A key function of fibroblasts is the production of collagen. Isoproterenol- and beraprostmediated inhibition of collagen synthesis was also enhanced by AC6 overexpression, while inhibition by butaprost and NECA were unaltered. Lipid raft fractions from cardiac fibroblasts contain the preponderance of beta-adrenergic receptors and AC6 but exclude EP(2) receptors. While we could not determine the localization of native prostacyclin receptors, we were able to determine that epitope-tagged prostanoid IP receptors (IPR) expressed in COS7 cells did localize, in part, in lipid raft fractions. These findings indicate that IP receptors are expressed in lipid rafts and can activate raft-localized AC isoforms. AC6 is completely compartmentized in lipid raft domains where it is activated solely by coresident G protein-coupled receptors to regulate cardiac fibroblast function.