Dinesh Kumar Chellappan

The protective action of the aqueous extract of Auricularia polytricha in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Natural antioxidant products are increasingly being used to treat various pathological liver injuries considering the role of oxidative stress in their pathogenesis. Auricularia polytricha has been used as food or medicine due to its antioxidant activity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the protective effect of the aqueous extract of the fruiting bodies of A. polytricha against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in rats. Liver toxicity was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by oral administration of 2g/kg paracetamol on the 15th day after the administration of aqueous extract and silymarin 100 mg/kg. Aqueous extract of A. polytricha was administered orally at 250 and 500 mg/kg doses, daily for a period of 14 days. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Total bilirubin (TB), Total protein (TP), Triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol were measured to assess the effect of the extract on paracetamol-induced hepatic damage. The patent on Auricularia Polytricha (EP0413052A1) assisted in selecting the extraction procedure. The study also included histopathological examination of liver sections to assess hepatoprotective activity. Paracetamol significantly (P<0.001) increased the serum AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, TB, TG and cholesterol and decreased TP levels. Extract treatment significantly (P<0.001 to P<0.05) attenuated the paracetamol induced increase in AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, TB, TG and cholesterol and increased the diminished TP in a dose dependent manner. The standard drug, silymarin produced significant (P<0.001) decrease in AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, TB, TG and cholesterol and increase in TP. Histopathological examination of animals treated with paracetamol showed large areas of centrilobular necrosis with congestion and dilatation in both central and portal veins. These results indicate that the aqueous extract of A. polytricha has significant protective effect against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in rats, due to its potent antioxidant activity.

Review on treatment of premenstrual syndrome: from conventional to alternative approach.

Abstract Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is the most common problem associated with women’s health. Most women take alternative therapies for the treatment of PMS along with conventional therapies. A literature search was conducted which investigated various conventional and alternative therapies for the treatment of PMS. Web- and manual-based literature surveys were conducted to assess the information available on conventional and alternative treatment of PMS. Pubmed, Scopus, and Google scholar databases were screened, using the terms ‘PMS and its management’, ‘pharmacotherapy of PMS’, ‘Alternative therapies for the treatment of PMS’. Publications with abstract/full articles and books were reviewed. Based on the available literature, there have been randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and high levels of evidence studies. The review addressed that drosperinone with ethinylestradiol has shown great improvement in symptoms of PMS in various RCTs. Among the alternative therapies use of micronutrients and herbs were found effective in treatment for symptoms of PMS.

The role of pazopanib on tumour angiogenesis and in the management of cancers: A review

Pazopanib is a relatively new compound to be introduced into the chemotherapy field. It is thought to have decent anti-angiogenic properties, which gives an additional hope for the treatment of certain types of cancers. A systematic review solely discussing about pazopanib and its anti-angiogenic effect is yet to be published to date, despite several relevant clinical trials being conducted over the recent years. In this review, we aim to investigate the mechanism of pazopanibs anti-angiogenic effect and its effectiveness in treating several cancers. We have included, in this study, findings from electronically searchable data from randomized clinical trials, clinical studies, cohort studies and other relevant articles. A total of 352 studies were included in this review. From the studies, the effect of pazopanib in various cancers or models was observed and recorded. Study quality is indefinite, with a few decent quality articles. The most elaborately studied cancers include renal cell carcinoma, solid tumors, advanced solid tumors, soft tissue sarcoma, breast cancer and gynecological cancers. In addition, several less commonly studied cancers are included in the studies as well. Pazopanib had demonstrated its anti-angiogenic effect based on favorable results observed in cancers, which are caused by angiogenesis-related mechanisms, such as renal cell carcinoma, solid tumors, advanced solid tumors and soft tissue sarcoma. This review was conducted to study, analyze and review the anti-angiogenic properties of pazopanib in various cancers. The results obtained can provide a decent reference when considering treatment options for angiogenesis-related malignancies. Furthermore, the definite observations of the anti-angiogenic effects of pazopanib could provide newer insights leading to the future development of drugs of the same mechanism with increased efficiency and reduced adverse effects.

Pharmacological Evaluation of Antidepressant-Like Effect of Genistein and Its Combination with Amitriptyline: An Acute and Chronic Study

The present study was designed to evaluate the acute and chronic antidepressant effect of genistein in combination with amitriptyline in mice. Animals were divided into six groups (n = 6) for treatment with water, genistein, or amitriptyline, either alone or in combination for ten days. Animals were subjected to locomotor activity testing; tail suspension test (TST); and forced swim test (FST) and immobility time was recorded on day one and day ten. Acute treatment of all treatment groups did not significantly reduce the immobility time (p > 0.05). Chronic treatment of combination of genistein (10 mg/kg) and amitriptyline (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the immobility time as compared to control group (p < 0.001) and was comparable to amitriptyline alone (10 mg/kg). However, no changes in anti-immobility activity in combination of subeffective doses of genistein (5 mg/kg) and amitriptyline (5 mg/kg) were observed. Genistein at its standard dose (10 mg/kg) rendered synergistic effects in combination with subeffective dose of amitriptyline (5 mg/kg) and additive effects in combination with therapeutic dose of amitriptyline (10 mg/kg).

Immunological axis of curcumin-loaded vesicular drug delivery systems

Several vesicular systems loaded with curcumin have found their way in the therapeutic applications of several diseases, primarily acting through their immunological pathways. Such systems use particles at a nanoscale range, bringing about their intended use through a range of complex mechanisms. Apart from delivering drug substances into target tissues, these vesicular systems also effectively overcome problems like insolubility and unequal drug distribution. Several mechanisms are explored lately by different workers, and interest over vesicular curcumin has been renewed in the past decade. This commentary discusses several immunological targets in which curcumin is employed in a vesicular form.

Pharmacological Evaluation of the Recuperative Effect of Morusin Against Aluminium Trichloride (AlCl3) - Induced Memory Impairment in Rats

BACKGROUND Elevation in brain levels of aluminium can be neurotoxic and can cause learning and memory deficiencies. In Chinese medicine, Morus alba is used as a neuroprotective herb. The current study was intended to discover the recuperative effect of morusin against aluminium trichloride (AlCl3)-induced memory impairment in rats along with biochemical mechanism of its protective action. METHODS Memory deficiency was produced by AlCl3 (100 mg/kg; p.o.) in experimental animals. Learning and memory activity was measured using Morris water maze (MWM) test model. Central cholinergic activity was evaluated through the measurement of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. In addition to the above, oxidative stress was determined through assessment of brain thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) levels. RESULTS AlCl3 administration prompted significant deficiency of learning and memory in rats, as specified by a noticeable reduction in MWM presentation. AlCl3 administration also produced a significant deterioration in brain AChE action and brain oxidative stress (increase in TBARS and decrease in GSH) levels. Treatment with morusin (5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, dose orally) significantly overturned AlCl3- induced learning and memory shortages along with diminution of AlCl3-induced rise in brain AChE activity and brain oxidative stress levels. CONCLUSION It may be concluded that morusin exerts a memory-preservative outcome in mental discrepancies of rats feasibly through its various activities.

Alteration of glucose lowering effect of glibenclamide on single and multiple treatments with fenofibrate in experimental rats and rabbit models

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome of multiple etiologies. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes lead to multiple abnormalities of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. The aim of this investigation was to study the influence of fenofibrate on the blood glucose lowering effect of glibenclamide. Materials and Methods: Glibenclamide (0.45, 0.23 mg/kg) and fenofibrate (18.1, 9.38 mg/kg) was treated to normal, diabetic rats, and normal rabbits. Blood samples were collected at various time intervals and were analyzed for blood glucose levels using a glucometer. Results: Co-administration of fenofibrate with glibenclamide significantly elevated the blood glucose reduction exhibited by glibenclamide. Conclusion: The results obtained from single and multiple dose treatments clearly demonstrated the existence of drug-drug interaction at the dose tested in animal models. Hence, this investigation would serve as a preclinical evidence for the effect of fenofibrate on the therapeutic efficacy of glibenclamide.

Vesicular Systems Containing Curcumin and Their Applications in Respiratory Disorders – A Mini Review

BACKGROUND Vesicular systems like nanotechnology and liposomes are gaining tremendous attention lately in the field of respiratory diseases. These formulations enhance bioavailability of the drug candidate, which could be achieved through a novel drug delivery mechanism. Moreover, the therapeutic potential achieved through these systems is highly controllable over long durations of time providing better efficacy and patient compliance. OBJECTIVE The objective of this paper is to review the recent literature on vesicular drug delivery systems containing curcumin. METHODS We have collated and summarized various recent attempts made to develop different controlled release drug delivery systems containing curcumin which would be of great interest for herbal, formulation and biological scientists. There are several vesicular nanotechnological techniques involving curcumin which have been studied recently, targeting pulmonary diseases. RESULTS Different vesicular systems containing curcumin are being studied for their therapeutic potential in different respiratory diseases. There has been a renewed interest in formulations containing curcumin recently, primarily owing to the broad spectrum therapeutic potential of this miracle substance. Various types of formulations, containing curcumin, targeting different bodily systems have recently emerged and, nevertheless, the search for newer frontiers with this drug goes on. CONCLUSION This mini review, in this direction, tries to highlight the key research interventions employing vesicular systems of drug delivery with curcumin.

Nephrotoxicity in Rats Exposed to Paracetamol: The Protective Role of Moralbosteroid, a Steroidal Glycoside

Paracetamol (PCM) has an acceptable safety profile when used at prescribed doses. However, it is now understood that paracetamol can damage the kidneys when administered as an overdose. In addition, oxidative stress can play a major role in causing nephrotoxicity. This investigation studies the efficacy of moralbosteroid isolated from M. alba stem bark. Nephrotoxicity was induced with administration of paracetamol. Nephroprotection was studied using two doses of the extract. The experimental animals were divided into four groups (n = 6). Two groups served as positive and negative controls, respectively, and two received the test substances. All of the contents were orally administered. Significant reductions in nephrotoxicity and oxidative damages were observed in the treatment groups. There was a marked decrease in blood levels of urea, creatinine, and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, it was found that glutathione levels in the blood increased dramatically after treatment. Histological findings confirmed the potent renoprotective potential of moralbosteroid. This was evidenced by the minimized intensity of nephritic cellular destruction. In animal studies, moralbosteroid exhibited dose-dependent activity, which is thought to be mediated through its antioxidant potential.

Nanotechnology and Diabetic Wound Healing-A Review

Background and Objective The incidence of diabetes has been on the rise and the rate of rise since the turn of this century has been phenomenal. One of the various battling issues faced by diabetics all over the globe is the management of diabetic wounds. Currently, there are several management strategies to deal with the treatment of diabetic wounds. The conventional methods have several limitations. One of the major limitations is the rate and progression of healing of a diabetic wound when adopting a conventional diabetic wound management therapy. Lately, several nano techniques and nano products have emerged in the market that offer promising results for such patients. The treatment outcomes are achieved more efficiently with such nanomedical products. Methods This review attempts to consider the currently available nanotechnological applications in the management of diabetic wounds. We take a deeper look into the available nanotherapeutic agents and the different nanocarriers that could be used in the management of diabetic wound healing. Lately, researchers around the globe have started providing evidences on the effective use of such nanoparticles in various fields of Medicine extending from genetics to various other branches of medicine. This also includes the management of diabetic wounds. Conclusion This paper discusses the challenges faced with these nanotherapies and nanoparticles with regard to the treatment of diabetic wounds.