Most pomegranate (
Punica granatum Linn., Punicaceae) fruit parts are known to possess enormous antioxidant activity. The present study evaluated antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of ...pomegranate flowers. Alcoholic (ethanolic) extract of flowers was prepared and used in the present study. The extract was found to contain a large amount of polyphenols and exhibit enormous reducing ability, both indicative of potent antioxidant ability. The extract showed 81.6% antioxidant activity in DPPH model system. The ability of extract to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) was tested and it was found to significantly scavenge superoxide
(
O
2
-
)
(by up to 53.3%), hydrogen peroxide (H
2O
2) (by up to 30%), hydroxyl radicals (
OH) (by up to 37%) and nitric oxide (NO) (by up to 74.5%). The extract also inhibited
OH induced oxidation of lipids and proteins in vitro. These results indicated pomegranate flower extract to exert a significant antioxidant activity in vitro. The efficacy of extract was tested in vivo and it was found to exhibit a potent protective activity in acute oxidative tissue injury animal model: ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Intraperitoneal administration of 9
mg/kg body wt. Fe-NTA to mice induced oxidative stress and liver injury. Pretreatment with pomegranate flower extract at a dose regimen of 50–150
mg/kg body wt. for a week significantly and dose dependently protected against Fe-NTA induced oxidative stress as well as hepatic injury. The extract afforded up to 60% protection against hepatic lipid peroxidation and preserved glutathione (GSH) levels and activities of antioxidant enzymes viz., catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) by up to 36%, 28.5%, 28.7%, 40.2% and 42.5% respectively. A protection against Fe-NTA induced liver injury was apparent as inhibition in the modulation of liver markers viz., aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and albumin in serum. The histopathological changes produced by Fe-NTA, such as ballooning degeneration, fatty changes, necrosis were also alleviated by the extract. These results indicate pomegranate flowers to possess potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective property, the former being probably responsible for the latter.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Sterile inflammation (SI) is an essential process in response to snakebite and injury. The venom induced pathophysiological response to sterile inflammation results into many harmful and deleterious ...effects that ultimately leads to death. The available treatment for snakebite is antiserum which does not provide enough protection against venom-induced pathophysiological changes like haemorrhage, necrosis, nephrotoxicity and often develop hypersensitive reactions. In order to overcome these hindrances, scientists around the globe are searching for an alternative therapy to provide better treatment to the snake envenomation patients. In the present study TiO
(Titanium dioxide)-NPs (Nanoparticles) has been assessed for antisnake venom activity and its potential to be used as an antidote. In this study, the synthesis of TiO
-NPs arrays has been demonstrated on p-type Silicon Si < 100 > substrate (∼30 ohm-cm) and the surface topography has been detected by Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The TiO
-NPs successfully neutralized the Daboia russelii venom (DRV) and Naja kaouthia venom (NKV)-induced lethal activity. Viper venom induced haemorrhagic, coagulant and anticoagulant activities were effectively neutralized both in in-vitro and in vivo studies. The cobra and viper venoms-induced sterile inflammatory molecules (IL-6, HMGB1, HSP70, HSP90, S100B and vWF) were effectively neutralised by the TiO
-NPs in experimental animals.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Pectin has been oxidized to introduce aldehyde groups.•Effect of reaction conditions on the aldehyde content generated has been thoroughly investigated.•Upon oxidation, crystal perfection in the ...structure of pectin is observed.
High methoxy citrus pectin was oxidized by periodic acid to prepare a dialdehyde functionalized material. The effect of various reaction conditions, viz., reaction time, reaction temperature, pH of the medium, periodic acid concentration and solvent composition on the oxidation process was investigated. With an increase in the reaction time, the aldehyde content increased. However, the intrinsic viscosity of the system decreased indicating that degradation takes place simultaneously with oxidation. The amount of aldehyde generated also increased with an increase in reaction temperature and the concentration of periodic acid. Due to the polyanionic behaviour of pectin, greater aldehyde contents were obtained at lower pH. Keeping all other reaction conditions constant, greater aldehyde contents were obtained in water–ethanol system than in pure aqueous medium. Increase in the ethanol content increased the amount of aldehyde generated. FTIR spectra of oxidized pectin systems show a carbonyl peak at 1734cm−1. They further reveal that partial ionisation ofCOOH groups takes place leading to a peak at 1614cm−1.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
d-Limonene, a common monoterepene has been shown to have antiproliferative, apoptosis-inducing and chemopreventive effects. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of d-limonene on the ...growth of 7,12-dimethylbenzaanthracene (DMBA)-initiated and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-promoted skin tumor development. We found that d-limonene (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) treatments to the mouse skin significantly reduced the TPA-induced (a) edema and hyperplasia (p < 0.001); (b) expression of cyclooxygenase-2; (c) ornithine decarboxylase activity (p < 0.001); and (d) 3H thymidine incorporation into DNA (p < 0.001). In addition, treatment of d-limonene effectively restored the level of reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, catalase and malondialdehyde production in TPA-treated mouse skin. In a two-stage skin tumorigenesis study, d-limonene significantly reduced the tumor burden (p < 0.005) and tumor incidence as compared to DMBA/TPA-treated mice. d-Limonene treatment also extended the latency period of tumor development from 4 to 9 weeks. d-Limonene treatment decreased the expression level of Ras, Raf and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 in DMBA/TPA-induced tumors. A decrease in the expression of Bcl-2 and an increase in Bax expression were also observed in tumor tissues of mice treated with d-limonene. Taken together, our findings suggest that d-limonene may exert its chemopreventive activity through the inhibition of inflammation, oxidative stress and Ras-signaling as well as the induction of pro-apoptotic state during TPA-mediated promotion of DMBA-induced skin cancer in mouse model.
The study was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activity of alcoholic extract of
Cassia siamea Lam. (Fabaceae) flowers. The extract was found to contain a large amount of polyphenols and also ...exhibited an immense reducing ability. At a concentration of 250
μg/ml, 96% of DPPH radicals and at 500
μg/ml, 42.7, 32.7 and 64.5% of O
2
−, H
2O
2 and NO respectively could be scavenged by
C. siamea flower extract. The extract also inhibited
OH radical induced oxidation of protein (BSA) and LPO in murine hepatic microsomes. The determination of metal chelating capacity of the extract indicated chelating of metal ions (Fe
2+) to be a putative mechanism implicated in the inhibition of
OH radical-induced BSA oxidation and LPO.
C. siamea flower extract also exhibited a significant antioxidant activity in acute oxidative tissue injury animal model constituted by CCl
4 induced hepatotoxicity. Oral administration of the extract at a dose of 50–150
mg/kg of body weight significantly protected from CCl
4 induced elevation in AST and ALT in the serum, elevation in hepatic LPO, depletion of hepatic GSH and decrease in the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes: SOD, CAT and GPX. The extract also protected against histopathological changes produced by CCl
4 such as necrosis, fatty changes, ballooning degeneration, etc. The data obtained in the present study suggests that the alcoholic extract of
C. siamea flowers have potent antioxidant activity against free radicals, prevent oxidative damage to major biomolecules and afford significant protection against oxidative damage in the liver.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Snake envenomation leads to the formation of damage–associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which are mediated by endogenous intracellular molecules. These are recognized by pattern-recognition ...receptors (PRRs) and can induce sterile inflammation.
In the present study, we aim at understanding the mechanisms involved in DAMPs induced sterile inflammation to unravel the novel therapeutic strategies for treating snake bites. The potential of benzodiazepinone derivatives to act against snake venom induced inflammation has been explored in the present investigation.
Three compounds VA 17, VA 43 and PA 03 were taken from our library of synthetic compounds. Oxidative stress markers such as lipid peroxidation, superoxide and nitric oxide were measured along with the analysis of DAMPs (IL6, HMGB1, vWF, S100b and HSP70). These compounds have been docked using molecular docking against the snake venom PLA2 structure (PDB code: 1OXL).
The compounds have been found to effectively neutralize viper and cobra venoms induced lethal activity both ex vivo and in vivo. The compounds have also neutralized the viper venom induced hemorrhagic, coagulant, anticoagulant reactions as well as inflammation. The fold of protection have always been found to be higher in case of ex vivo than in in vivo. These compounds have neutralized the venom induced DAMPs as exhibited by IL6, HMGB1, vWF, S100b and HSP70. The fold of neutralization is found to be higher in VA 43.
The identified compounds could be used as potential candidates for developing treatment of snakebites in areas where antiserums are not yet available.
•Snake envenomation leads to formation of DAMPs.•DAMPs can induce sterile inflammation.•Exploration of potential of benzodiazepinone derivatives against inflammation.•The compounds are characterized to study venom induced pathophysiological changes.•The compounds neutralized the viper and cobra venoms induced lethal activity.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
To improve the paper strength, a number of resins and polymeric materials are being used, which is not environmental friendly and sustainable. Therefore, bio-based paper additives for the papermaking ...industry are essential. In this investigation, a water soluble biopolymer like carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) was prepared. The degree of substitution of the prepared CMCh was 2.49. The solubility of the prepared CMCh was 2.0 (w/v) % at 50 °C, and the conductivity increased with the increase of CMCh concentration in water. The prepared CMCh was applied as dry and wet strength agent of unrefined and refined softwood pulps. Both pulp increased dry and wet strength with increasing CMCh dose. An addition of 2.0 % CMCh increased dry strength by 125 % and wet strength by 293 % of unrefined pulp. On the other hand, the dry and wet tensile index of refined pulp increased from 59.48 N·m/g to 66.11 N·m/g and 2.48 N·m/g to 3.47 N·m/g, respectively, with the addition of 1.0 % CMCh. The CMCh was also used in filler modification. The precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) modified with CMCh increased the ash content in paper with improved strength properties. The CMCh can be used in papermaking both for improving paper strength and filler retention.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The aim of the present study was to develop PVA/PEO/CMC/aloe vera (PPCAV) and PVA/PEO/CMC/curcumin (PPCCu) dressings with nonwoven polyester fabric as the support layer via freeze-drying (FD) ...approach. Tetracycline hydrochloride drug (TC) was loaded along with curcumin and aloe vera on these dressings. The morphology of the dressings was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The swelling behavior, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), in vitro drug release and antimicrobial nature were analyzed to assess the applicability of these freeze-dried membranes as wound dressing materials. The results show that these dressings made from PPCAVTC and PPCCuTC were highly porous with three-dimensional interconnected porous morphology. The cumulative release of drug from the dressings increases with increasing immersion time and continued up to 24 h, after that it gets leveled off. These dressings evidenced wonderful antimicrobial nature in vitro. These dressings were found to have more than 900 % PBS uptake, WVTR was found to be in the range 2,000–2,500 gm
−2
day
−1
. These dressings possess many characteristics desirable in an ideal wound dressing material.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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