Siberian ginseng, perennial herb belongs to Araliaceae family used in traditional medicines to treat hypertension, thrombus, inflammation and cancer. In the present study, we biosynthesized ...goldnanoparticles using Siberian ginseng aqeous extract in a cost effective manner. The synthesized Siberian ginseng gold nanoparticle (SG-GNPs) were characterized using UV-Vis spec, HR-TEM, XRD, FTIR, SAED analysis. UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis showed a surface Plasmon resonance peak at 538 nm which does not reduce till 30 days of incubation. The results of HR-TEM, XRD and SAED confirm the spherical shape, crystalline nature and the size of the synthesized gold nanoparticles. The FTIR results prove that the biological components present in the Siberian ginseng had reduced the gold ions to synthesis gold nanoparticles. After characterization, the efficacy of SG-GNPS against the melanoma, a deadliest skin carcinoma, was assessed in vitro using B16 murine melanoma cells. The CC50 dose of SG-GNPs against B16 cells were assessed with MTT assay and the anticancer activity was evaluated using Rhodamine 123, H2DCFDA and dual staining techniques. The induction of apoptosis by SG-GNPs against melanoma cells were confirmed with q-PCR analysis. The results of staining techniques prove that SG-GNPs increase the reactive oxygen species and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. It is further confirmed by the results of q-PCR analysis which shows increased apoptotic Bid, Bad, Casp3, Casp 9 genes and decreased antiapoptotic Bcl2 gene expression in SG-GNPs treated cells. Our results authentically prove the biosynthesized SG-GNPs induces apoptosis in melanoma cells and it possesses anticancer property.
Zingerone (ZO), an active phenolic agent derived from Zingiber officinale (Ginger), has many pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, antiangiogenic, and antitumor. However, its potential ...value in cancer and the mechanism by which ZO wields its therapeutic effects remain obscure. Therefore, in this current study, we explored the effects of ZO on suppressing cell proliferation and enhancing apoptosis in colon cancer cells (HCT116). Our results indicated that ZO significantly enhances the production of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance TBARS), and loss of cell viability; and reduces mitochondrial membrane potential and antioxidant levels (SOD, CAT, and GSH) in ZO-treated HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent (2.5, 5, and 10 µM) manner. Furthermore, ZO induces oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis as evidenced by apoptotic morphological changes predicted by AO/EtBr, Hoechst staining and further confirmed by comet assay. Moreover, immunoblotting techniques showed that ZO treatment effectively enhances Bax, caspase-9, and caspase-3 expressions and decreases the expression of Bcl-2 in colon cancer cells. Together, our results evidenced that the antitumor effects of ZO reduce cell proliferation and stimulate apoptosis through modulating pro- and antiapoptotic molecular events in HCT116 colon cancer cells. Therefore, based on our findings, ZO may be used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of colon cancer.
Thyroid cancer is the most widespread endocrine malignant cancer and its worldwide occurrence rates are swiftly mounting more pressure in the research institutions. Even though the transience of ...thyroid cancer is comparatively short, its rate of reappearance is moderately elevated, which is a major cause of the incurable disease of the thyroid gland. Consequently, we used natural component which restrains the cancer cell growth by amending precise molecular mechanisms. In this current study, we assessed sesame, which is a very active substance that inhibits cell proliferation by modulation of JAK/STAT-3 signaling in thyroid cancer cell lines (FTC-133). Results showed that sesame triggers cytotoxicity, ROS production and apoptosis in FTC-133 cell lines by time-dependent approach. Furthermore, Signal Transducer and Activating Transcription (STAT-3) is a novel oncogenic transcriptional factor which normalizes apoptosis and proliferation. The reticence of STAT-3 transcription was measured as an innovative approach to hamper thyroid cancer cell growth. In this current study, we established that sesame deactivates STAT-3 translocation, thereby reducing the elevated expression of, cyclin-D1, Bcl-2 and diminished expression of Bax, caspase-9 and 3 in FTC-133 cell lines. Conclusively, sesame hampers thyroid cell expansion and initiates apoptosis by hindering STAT-3 translocation.
Abstract
Background
In medical education, the conventional didactic lectures make the learning process tedious and cause disinterest among students. To overcome this, an effective experiential ...learning integrated with game-based approach that intends to make the learning process fun filled, interesting and enhance the active participation of students to understand complex topics in a simple and optimum manner should be adopted.
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to assess the efficiency of a puzzle-based innovation, METAPAD (METAbolic PAthways Decoded) in understanding the complexity of biochemical pathways by enhancing the self-directed learning of students through active engagement in small groups
Methods
In this mixed-method study, 103 first professional year medical students in small groups were enrolled for the METAPAD gaming puzzle-based learning activity. The puzzles were integrated with a relevant clinical case study. Decoding the puzzle after identification of the metabolic pathway involved in the case was conducted in level 1,2 and 3 with increasing complexity of puzzles at every level. Following the puzzle activity, A 21-item questionnaire was administered to evaluate the usefulness of the innovation and students’ perceptions towards different learning styles. Also, students’ feedback was obtained through personal interviews for qualitative analysis and thematic analysis was performed.
Results
One hundred and three first year undergraduate medical students participated in the study. Most of the students perceived the METAPAD gaming puzzle to be an effective and innovative style of learning. There was not any significant association between age, gender and acceptance towards the METAPAD gaming puzzle. The predominant type of learning style among the students was multimodal (49.5%). Also, there was no great influence of the learning styles on the overall perception towards the METAPAD gaming puzzle. However, learners emphasized the need to focus more while solving the puzzles.
Conclusion
Students perceive the METAPAD gaming puzzle as an actively engaging teaching-learning method that enhances their creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. It promotes self-directed learning of complex pathways in biochemistry which helps in remembering and recalling information and improves their learning skills.
Breast cancer (BC) is a foremost type of cancer in women globally with an increased mortality rate in developing countries. Information regarding hereditary factors, lifestyle, work environment, food ...habits, and personal history could be useful in diagnosing breast cancer. Among such food habits, the reuse of edible oil for preparing food is a common practice in any developing country. The repeated heating of oils enhances the oxidative degradation of oil to produce polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) which could disrupt the redox balance and generate reactive oxygen species. These reactive toxic intermediates can lead to BRCA1 mutations that are responsible for breast cancer. Mutations in DNA are the main cause for the conversion of proto-oncogenes into oncogenes which leads to change in expression and an increase in cell proliferation wherein a normal cell gets transformed into a malignant neoplastic cell. This review summarizes the possible mechanism involved in the induction of breast cancer due to repeated heating of edible.
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is the most excellent anticancer theranostic nanoparticles synthesized through efficient, simple and green synthesis method using extracts of Trichosanthes kirilowii, ...extensively characterized by UV-spectroscopy, FT-IR and TEM techniques. The AuNPs, synthesized by means of T. kirilowii extracts identified that nanoparticles were ∼50 nm in size, which is an admirable nano dimension attained by green synthesis. In agreement with the outcome of microscopic cellular morphological observations, MTT assay showed effective, selective, anticarcinogenic effect of AuNPs on HCT-116 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The AuNPs significantly enhance ROS generation, cause mitochondrial membrane damage and induce morphological changes using AO/EtBr staining assay. Furthermore, AuNPs treatment induces G0/G1 phase cell-cycle arrest in HCT-116 cells. Also, AuNPs treatment activates caspase expression and downregulates the anti-apoptotic expression in HCT-116 cells. Our results point out that the phytoconsituents isolated from T. kirilowii can act as appropriate reducing and stabilizing agents in the properties of AuNPs; hereby, it leads to the green synthesis of an anti-carcinogenic agent with highly efficient potential for cancer treatment.
Mushrooms and truffles have gained a lot of attention due to their aroma for culinary use and high nutritional content. Truffles, which are distributed in many African and European countries, have ...been successfully grown in recent times. Truffles are mycorrhizal fungi, which represent a symbiotic association of fungi Terfezia with the roots of Helianthemum species as host. Apart from being used as edibles, various biological uses of truffles have been reported which include antioxidant antiviral, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, anti-mutagenic, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this review, we have summarized their classification with special emphasis on chemical constituents and biological activities of three desert truffles, viz. Terfezia boudieri, Terfezia claveryi, and Tirmania nivea. Strong antioxidant potential has been shown by these truffles along with antibacterial and antiviral effect in vitro and in animal studies (preclinical studies). These truffles have also been assessed for their anti-cancer and antidiabetic properties and were used as a folk medicine for their aphrodisiac powers which has been proven by various in vivo studies. The main drawback with the use of these truffles is that their bioactive components and properties have not been well studied. The detailed studies on these aspects would help in the use of these truffles for medicinal purposes in clinics.
Jaundice is a common condition that requires integrating knowledge of biochemistry, physiology, pathology, and general medicine. However, medical students face difficulty in learning with passive ...teaching methods. To enhance their learning, an educational story game that promotes active learning and assessment with immediate feedback was implemented.
This jaundice game was named Livogena: The Ikteros Curse-denoting the liver as the principal organ and jaundice (icterus) as a problem. One hundred fifty first-year medical students were divided into small groups to play using a game board and cards. The players moved ahead on the game board by providing the correct answer and completing the activities. The first team to reach the end was the winner. Perceptions and feedback questionnaires were distributed to students at the end of the game. Individual views about the game were recorded for qualitative analysis. Also, to analyze the effectiveness of this intervention, pre- and posttests on jaundice were conducted.
Livogena: The Ikteros Curse resulted in a highly significant improvement in students' knowledge and application skills in jaundice, from 5.5 (
= 2.4) in the pretest to 11.2 (
= 7.6) in the posttest for 20 marks (
< .001). Students perceived and rated the game exceptionally positively.
This educational game significantly increased learners' understanding of the concepts of jaundice. Highly positive perceptions from students further affirm this to be a creative innovation to enhance their learning and application of knowledge in an active and team-based learning environment.
Sleep plays an important role in maintaining neuronal circuitry, signalling and helps maintain overall health and wellbeing. Sleep deprivation (SD) disturbs the circadian physiology and exerts a ...negative impact on brain and behavioural functions. SD impairs the cellular clearance of misfolded neurotoxin proteins like α-synuclein, amyloid-β, and tau which are involved in major neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In addition, SD is also shown to affect the glymphatic system, a glial-dependent metabolic waste clearance pathway, causing accumulation of misfolded faulty proteins in synaptic compartments resulting in cognitive decline. Also, SD affects the immunological and redox system resulting in neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Hence, it is important to understand the molecular and biochemical alterations that are the causative factors leading to these pathophysiological effects on the neuronal system. This review is an attempt in this direction. It provides up-to-date information on the alterations in the key processes, pathways, and proteins that are negatively affected by SD and become reasons for neurological disorders over a prolonged period of time, if left unattended.
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