Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Angiogenesis, the process of the formation of new blood vessels, plays a crucial role in the development and ...progression of breast cancer. In recent years, marine algal bio-products have garnered attention as a potential alternative to traditional chemotherapeutics for the treatment of breast cancer. Marine algae, which are itself a vast universe to explore in the marine ecology, are rich sources of bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological activities, including that of the anti-angiogenic properties. In this review, we aim to summarize the current state of knowledge on the use of marine algal bio-products for targeting angiogenic channels in the treatment of breast cancer. In this paper, we reviewed potential use case scenarios for algal metabolites’ anti-angiogenic inhibition of human breast cancers, discussed the various types of marine algal bio-products that have been studied for their anti-angiogenic effects, and discussed the mechanisms of action by which they exert these effects. We also examined the potential benefits and drawbacks of marine algal bio-products as anti-angiogenic agents, as well as the future avenues for study in this area.
Nipah Virus (NiV) is a highly fatal emerging zoonotic virus and a potential threat to global health security. Here we describe the characteristics of the NiV outbreak that occurred in Kerala, India, ...during May-June 2018.
We used real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis of throat swab, blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid specimens to detect NiV. Further, the viral genome was sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. We conducted an epidemiologic investigation to describe the outbreak and elucidate the dynamics of NiV transmission.
During 2-29 May 2018, 23 cases were identified, including the index case; 18 were laboratory confirmed. The lineage of the NiV responsible for this outbreak was closer to the Bangladesh lineage. The median age of cases was 45 years; the sex of 15 (65%) was male. The median incubation period was 9.5 days (range, 6-14 days). Of the 23 cases, 20 (87%) had respiratory symptoms. The case-fatality rate was 91%; 2 cases survived. Risk factors for infection included close proximity (ie, touching, feeding, or nursing a NiV-infected person), enabling exposure to droplet infection. The public health response included isolation of cases, contact tracing, and enforcement of hospital infection control practices.
This is the first recorded NiV outbreak in South India. Early laboratory confirmation and an immediate public health response contained the outbreak.
There is growing concern over the increasing instances of decline in cognitive abilities with aging in humans. The present study evaluated the benefits of the natural antioxidant, grape seed ...proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) in treating the effects of age-related oxidative stress (OS) and accumulation of lipofuscin (LF) on the cognitive ability in rats. Female
Wistar rats of 3- and 12-months of age received a daily oral supplement of GSPE until they attained 6- and 15-months of age. During this period, rats were tested for their cognitive ability. At the end of this period, blood glucose and markers of OS were assessed in the hippocampus. GSPE lowered blood glucose, lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide level, and increased protein sulphydryl (P-SH) content in the hippocampus. In addition, GSPE significantly improved cognitive performance in the two age groups. These results demonstrate that the extent of OS-related LF accumulation is reducible by GSPE. They also suggest a critical role for GSPE as a neuroprotectant in the hippocampus and in preventing cognitive loss with aging.
► Middle-aged female rats are benefited by GSPE supplementation. ► GSPE reduces blood glucose. ► GSPE alleviates lipid and protein oxidations and hydrogen peroxide generation in the hippocampal neurons of these animals. ► Extent of oxidative stress-related lipofuscin accumulation is reducible by GSPE. ► GSPE as an antioxidant significantly reduces the extent of age-related loss in cognitive performance.
Decline in cognition is one of the earliest signs of normal brain aging. Several dietary and non-pharmacological approaches have been tested to slow down this process. The aim of the present study ...was to assess the influence of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) either individually or in combination with swimming training on acetylcholine esterase activity (AChE) and m1 acetylcholine receptor (m1AChR) on the extent of cognitive decline with aging. The experimental protocol included the oral administration of GSPE (400 mg/kg body weight) for 14 weeks to 4 (adult) and 18-month-old (middle-aged) male
Wistar
rats along with swimming training. They were subjected to behavioral testing followed by biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis. The results demonstrated that GSPE supplementation and swimming training either individually or in combination had an improvement on acquisition and working memory with reduced AChE activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HC). Immunohistochemical and qRT-PCR evaluation showed an increase in m1AChR protein and mRNA in the CA1 region of HC and also mPFC upon swimming training with GSPE treatment. These beneficial and synergistic effects of GSPE and swimming training are suggestive as interventions in modulating the cognitive function, with GSPE alone being more suitable for middle-aged individuals.
Ciliates are highly developed and diverse eukaryotes belonging to the microzooplankton community; they exhibit a wide distributional range and are a crucial component of the microbial food web. The ...current study addresses the species aggregation of ciliates, which is rare and underreported, from the Indian waters. The aggregation was dominated by coexisting species such as
Amphorides quadrilineata
and
Salpingella faurei
during 2018 (45–95%), whereas
Dadayiella ganymedes
and
Helicostomella subulata
predominated in 2003 (40%), with both aggregations occurring during late summer monsoon (September) in the region. The species environmental correlation revealed that salinity and chlorophyll
a
, especially the nanoplankton fraction, were significant factors responsible for the exceptional abundance and community structure. The pattern of association with the distinct lorica oral diameter (LOD) of the coexisting species exhibits an upper range of 28–32 µm (
A. quadrilineata
and
D. ganymedes
) and a lower LOD range of 15–17 µm (
S. faurei
and
H. subulata
), delineating a niche based on resource spectrum and revealing why certain species successfully predominate in utilizing the available resources. Although such events have received sporadic attention, the recurrence of aggregation comprising strategic coexistence of species indicates the status of the ecosystem and argues for future monitoring to better understand the dynamics of the region.
Beta asarone is the major constituent of oil obtained from Acorus calamus, the Indian traditional medicine plant. Several studies have shown that beta asarone causes liver and cardiac damages but the ...reproductive toxicity is not well understood. The present study was initiated to investigate whether beta asarone has the potential to cause reproductive toxicity by inducing oxidative stress in the testis of male Wistar albino rats.
For this study, the animals were divided into six groups: Group I was treated with saline (normal saline), Group II with DMSO (vehicle control) and Group III with cisplatin (10mg/kgb.wt.). Group IV, V and VI animals were administrated at three dose levels of beta asarone 12.5, 25 and 50mg/kgb.wt. The treatment was carried out for 14days and animals were sacrificed on 29th day and processed for sperm analysis, hormone assay, histopathological, and antioxidant enzymatic assays. We also used molecular docking studies to predict the binding nature of beta asarone with luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR).
Beta asarone administered at a dose of 50mg/kgb.wt. was responsible for inducing certain noticeable degenerative changes in histopathological analysis of the tissue. This was supported by altered sperm morphology and hormonal variations when compared to the control groups. Antioxidant enzyme levels were also found to be decreased. This was further validated by molecular docking studies.
The present study provides evidence that beta asarone administered at a dose of 50mg/kg b.wt. is capable enough in bringing about moderate amount of degenerative changes in rat testis and altered antioxidant status. Therefore provides a suitable evidence to prove that beta asarone causes reproductive toxicity.
The present study explored the effects of swimming training and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on neuronal survival in the hippocampus (HC) of middle-aged rats along with oxidative stress ...(OS) parameters. Further, the bioavailability of the GSPE, catechin, epicatechin and gallic acid were measured in the HC and plasma. Male Wistar rats were grouped into: sedentary control, SE-C; swimming trained, SW-T; SE-C, supplemented sedentary, SE-C(PA) and swimming trainees, SW-T(PA). The supplement was a daily dose of 400mg GSPE/kg body weight. Swimming training lasted for 2h/day and for 14weeks. Glutathione level was increased in response to single and combined interventions in the middle-aged rats. Adult trainees showed increased glutathione peroxidase activity unlike middle-aged wherein increase was seen in SE-C(PA) alone. Lowered catalase activity with age in the HC increased in response to the combined interventions although single interventions were also effective. HC from both ages showed decrease in lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide levels in response to the interventions. GSPE constituents were seen in the HC of swimming trained middle-aged and adult rats. The study suggests that combined intervention is effective in decreasing LPO and H2O2 generation in the HC. Further, the neuronal numbers and planimetric volumes of CA1 pyramidal layer was significantly reduced in middle-aged rats compared to adults. Interestingly, both interventions enhanced the numbers and volumes in adult and middle-aged rats. Thus, age-associated decrease in CA1 neurons could be restored by both the interventions. The results of the present study will help in developing effective therapies for age-associated degenerative changes and cognitive deficits.
•Swimming rats show coordination between hippocampal polyphenols and antioxidants.•Declination in H2O2 generation with the interventions is seen irrespective of age.•Middle-age is particularly responsive in overcoming oxidative stress by GSPE alone.•GSPE improves neuron number in CA1 subfield of HC in adult and middle-aged rats.
This study aims to describe the planktonic food web structure with respect to phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) and prevailing environmental conditions at the South Subtropical Front (SSTF) and ...the Polar Front (PF) in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. Sampling was carried out at each front for 72 hrs, at 6-hr intervals, during the austral summer 2011. Considerable variations were observed in the hydrography between these two fronts. A strong temperature minimum layer was observed at the PF. Although the surface primary production and chlorophyll a values showed similar trends at both the fronts, the water column values of these parameters showed major disparities. The phytoplankton composition also revealed marked difference between the fronts. A deep chlorophyll maximum concordant with the upper limit of the temperature minimum layer was prominent at the PF. The microzooplankton abundance at the SSTF was twice as high as at the PF. The mesozooplankton biovolume and population density also showed considerable variations between these fronts. Noticeable diel variations were observed in the surface mesozooplankton biovolumes at both the fronts and the copepod Pleuromamma gracilis showed active diel vertical migration at SSTF. Both the grazing and senescence indices showed significant variations between these fronts, suggesting a disparity in the ecological efficiency of the two regions. The variability observed in the plankton community structure with respect to the hydrography and the biological components measured suggests that a multivorous food web at the SSTF and a conventional food web at the PF prevailed during the period of study.
Currently, the field of nanomedicine, which uses active compounds from medicinal plants, has emerged as a therapy for diabetic nephropathy. From this study, the renoprotective effect of TC‐loaded PLA ...Nanoparticles (TC‐PLA NPs) on streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic nephropathy rats was investigated. The results showed that the nephroprotective effect of TC‐PLA NPs reduces the blood glucose level, regulates the renal parameters, decreases the cytokine levels and reduces the mRNA expressions level of different genes related to diabetic nephropathy.
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