Fahad Ali

Protective effect of apigenin against N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats.

A number of pharmacological properties have been attributed to apigenin. In the present study the effect of apigenin was investigated with respect to hepatotoxicity induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), a compound that is present in many food stuffs and has been reported to be a hepatocarcinogen. Male rats were exposed to NDEA (0.1mg/ml) dissolved in drinking-water separately, and with 10, 20, or 40mg/ml of apigenin for 21 days. The activity of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured in blood serum. Lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content and micronucleus frequency were determined in hepatocytes. To assess the effect on DNA damage, the comet assay was performed on hepatocytes, blood lymphocytes and bone-marrow cells of the exposed rats. The results of the study reveal that the treatment of NDEA together with apigenin showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in the serum concentration of the enzymes SGOT, SGPT, ALP and LDH (p<0.05). Histological sections of the liver also showed a protective effect of apigenin. A significant dose-dependent reduction in lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl content was observed in rats exposed to NDEA (0.1mg/ml) together with apigenin (p<0.05). The results obtained for the comet assay in rat hepatocytes, blood lymphocytes and bone-marrow cells showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in the mean tail length (p<0.05). The present study supports the role of apigenin as an anti-genotoxic and hepatoprotective agent.

Effect of Centella asiatica Leaf Extract on the Dietary Supplementation in Transgenic Drosophila Model of Parkinson's Disease

The role of Centella asiatica L. leaf extract was studied on the transgenic Drosophila model flies expressing normal human alpha synuclein (h-αS) in the neurons. The leaf extract was prepared in acetone and was subjected to GC-MS analysis. C. asiatica extract at final concentration of 0.25, 0.50, and 1.0 μL/mL was mixed with the diet and the flies were allowed feeding on it for 24 days. The effect of extract was studied on the climbing ability, activity pattern, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content, glutathione content, and glutathione-S-transferase activity in the brains of transgenic Drosophila. The exposure of extract to PD model flies results in a significant delay in the loss of climbing ability and activity pattern and reduced the oxidative stress (P < 0.05) in the brains of PD flies as compared to untreated PD flies. The results suggest that C. asiatica leaf extract is potent in reducing the PD symptoms in transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinsons disease.

Protective effect of Geraniol on the transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinson’s disease

The role of Geraniol was studied on the transgenic Drosophila model flies expressing normal human alpha synuclein (h-αS) in the neurons. Geraniol at final concentration of 10, 20 and 40μM were mixed in the diet and the flies were allowed to feed on it for 24 days. The effect of geraniol was studied on the climbing ability, activity pattern, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl, glutathione, dopamine content, and glutathione-S-transferase activity in the brains of transgenic Drosophila. The exposure of PD model flies to 10, 20 and 40μM of geraniol results in a significant delay in the loss of climbing ability (p<0.05), improved activity pattern reduced the oxidative stress (p<0.05) in the brains of transgenic Drosophila as compared to unexposed PD model flies. The results suggest that geraniol is potent in reducing the PD symptoms in transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinsons disease.

Effect of bromocriptine alginate nanocomposite (BANC) on a transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinson's disease.

ABSTRACT The effect of bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist, administered in the form of bromocriptine alginate nanocomposite (BANC) was studied on Parkinsons disease (PD) model flies. The synthesized BANC was subject to characterization and, at a final concentration of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 µM, was mixed in diet. The PD flies were allowed to feed on it for 24 days. A significant dose-dependent delay in the loss of climbing activity and activity pattern was observed in PD flies exposed to 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 µM BANC. The PD flies exposed to BANC also showed a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and glutathione-S-transferase activity, and an increase in glutathione content. However, no gross morphological changes were observed in the brains of PD flies compared with controls. The results suggest that BANC is effective in reducing the PD symptoms in these transgenic flies. Summary: The results suggest that the bromocriptine alginate nanocomposite is potent in reducing the symptoms of Parkinsons disease in a transgenic fly model of the disease.

Toxic potential of copper-doped ZnO nanoparticles in Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon R)

Abstract Aims: In the present study, copper-doped ZnO nanoparticles (doped ZnO NPs Cu) were synthesized, characterized and evaluated for their possible toxic effects in Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon R). Methods and results: X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry confirm the formation of doped ZnO NPs Cu. Doped ZnO NPs Cu (3%) were mixed in the diet at final concentrations of 1, 2, 4 and 8 µg/µl. The starved male flies were allowed to feed on it for 4 days. After completion of the desired duration, climbing ability, activity pattern, activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), lipid peroxidation (LPO), total protein content and caspases were studied. SDS–PAGE was also performed for whole fly homogenate of control as well as treated flies. No loss in the climbing and activity pattern was observed at the selected doses of doped ZnO NPs Cu. No significant change in the levels of AChE, GSH, GST, LPO, caspase 9/3 and total protein content was observed. The brain sections showed no gross changes in the structure and SDS–PAGE patterns also revealed no change in the protein expression. Conclusions: The results suggest that doped ZnO NPs Cu are non-toxic at 1, 2, 4 and 8 µg/µl of concentration in D. melanogaster.

Protective effect of Genistein against N-nitrosodiethylamine（NDEA）-induced hepatotoxicity in Swiss albino rats

In the present study, we studied the effect of Genistein against the hepatotoxicity induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). NDEA is present in almost all kinds of food stuff and has been reported to be a hepatocarcinogen. The male rats were exposed to NDEA (0.1 mg/mL) dissolved in drinking water separately and along with 25, 50, 100 mg/mL of Genistein for 21 days. The activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in blood serum. Lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content, micronucleus frequency and DNA damage (Comet assay) were performed on rat hepatocytes. The results of the study reveal that the treatment of NDEA along with Genistein showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in the levels of blood serum enzymes i.e., SGOT, SGPT, ALP and LDH (P<0.05). The HE staining of histological sections of the liver also revealed a protective effect of Genistein. A significant dose-dependent reduction in the lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl content was observed in rats exposed to NDEA (0.1 mg/mL) along with Genistein (P<0.05). The results obtained for the comet assay in rat hepatocytes showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in the mean tail length (P<0.05). Thus the present study supports the hepatoprotective role of Genistein.

Health functionality of apigenin: A review

ABSTRACT Apigenin is being used by humans in the form of plant extract for the treatment of a number of disorders and inflammatory conditions, until its discovery as a core compound. Apigenin, chemically known as 4′, 5, 7,-trihydroxyflavone is a yellow crystalline powder belonging to the flavone class, that is the aglycone of several naturally occurring glycosides. It is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. Numerous pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-toxicant, anti-cancer, etc., are attributed to apigenin. Research has shown that apigenin has numerous molecular targets involved in inflammation. Based on the in vivo, in vitro, and clinical trial studies suggested that apigenin is a potent therapeutic agent to overcome diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disorders, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and various type of cancers. Delayed plasma clearance and slow decomposition in liver increases its systemic bioavailability, and makes it a strong therapeutic agent in pharmaceutical studies. In the present review, detailed accounts of the properties of apigenin have been discussed.

Effect on micronucleus frequency and DNA damage in buccal epithelial cells of various factors among pan masala and gutkha chewers

Abstract Objective Gutkha and pan masala addiction among humans of different occupations is very common. The increase in the occurrence of oral cancer has raised a serious concern regarding the nature of these chewables. Study design In the present study, the effect of pan masala and gutkha was studied on micronucleus frequency and comet tail length in the buccal epithelial cells taking into consideration the duration of keeping the chewables (gutkha and pan masala) in mouth, duration of addiction, and the number of pouches of the chewables (gutkha and pan masala) consumed per day. Results The results of the present study reveal that the micronucleus frequency and comet tail length in buccal epithelial cells are higher in gutkha users as compared to pan masala users and also to controls. Conclusion The micronucleus frequency and comet tail length also depend on the duration of chewables kept in mouth, duration of addiction and the number of pouches consumed per day.

Detection of aneugenicity and clastogenicity in buccal epithelial cells of pan masala and gutkha users by pan-centromeric FISH analysis

Chewing of betel quid, smoking and alcohol consumption are all associated with higher incidences of oral cancer. Genetic damage can be detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using human centromeric probes. In the present study FISH was performed on buccal epithelial cells of pan masala and gutkha chewers alone with and without additional tobacco smoking and/or alcohol consumption. The study comprised of 1500 male individuals. The present study found the highest frequency of micronuclei without a centromeric region (MN(-)) among gutkha users who also smoked and drank (P < 0.05). A significant increase in cells having micronuclei with a centromeric region (MN(+)) was observed among pan masala users who also smoked (P < 0.05). The study reveals that the clastogenic effects of pan masala/gutkha increase with smoking and alcohol consumption, but aneugenic effects were also observed among the pan masala chewers who smoked.

Evaluation of the toxic potential of calcium carbide in the third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ)Bg9

In the present study the toxic potential of calcium carbide (CaC2) was studied on the third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ)Bg(9). The third instar larvae were exposed to 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32×10(-3)g/ml of CaC2 in diet for 24h. The results reveal that the dose 2×10(-3)g/ml was not toxic but the remaining doses showed a dose dependent significant increase in the hsp70 expression, β-galactosidase activity, tissue damage, oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl content), glutathione-S-transferase activity, expression of Caspase 3 and 9, apoptotic index and DNA damage (midgut cells). A significant reduction as compared to control group in total protein, glutathione content and acetylcholinesterase activity was also observed. The Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy analysis (ICPAES) reveals the presence of copper, iron, sodium, aluminium, manganese, calcium, nickel and mercury. The toxic effects of CaC2 in the present study may be attributed to the impurities present in it.