Govind Prasad Dubey

Anticancer activity of Moringa oleifera mediated silver nanoparticles on human cervical carcinoma cells by apoptosis induction

Silver nanomaterial plays a crucial role in the growing field of nanotechnology as there is an increasing commercial demand for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) owing to their wide biological applications. The present investigation aims at developing anti-cancerous colloidal silver using Moringa olifera stem bark extract. Electron and atomic force microscopic images were taken to analyze the surface morphology of the synthesized AgNPs. The effects of synthesized AgNPs were tested against human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa) and cell morphology was further evaluated using 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. The efficiency of green synthesized AgNPs was studied with the help of fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and was shown to induce apoptosis through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HeLa cells.

Effect of Terminalia Arjuna on Lipid Profiles of Rabbits Fed Hypercholesterolemic Diet

AbstractRabbits Receiving Terminalia Arjuna Along With A High Cholesterol Diet Showed Lesser Increase In Total Cholesterol (P <0.01) and Triglycerides (P < 0.05) and No Change In High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Than The Rabbits Receiving Only High Cholesterol Diet. Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits Receiving Terminalia Arjuna Treatment Showed A More Marked Reduction In Total Cholesterol (P <0.02) and Triglycerides (P <0.05) and Elevation In High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (P <0.001) Than The Hypercholesterolemic Control Rabbits.

Metaflammatory responses during obesity: Pathomechanism and treatment

Obesity induced inflammation acts as a reflex produced due to altered metabolic homeostasis in accordance to the nutrient overload on the metabolic cells. It involves up-regulation of the genes encoding for cytokines, chemokines and other inflammatory mediators through activated transcription factors - nuclear factor-kB, activator protein-1, nuclear factor of activated T cells and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. These execute macromolecular innate immune cell sensor - inflammasome to activate caspase-1 pathway resulting in proteolytic maturation. Secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, CRP, IL-1β, etc. from the M1 macrophages of white adipose tissue is increased, whereas there occurs a steep decline in the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10, IL-Ra, adiponectin. Not only the adipose tissue, but also the immune cells, liver, brain, muscles and pancreas suffers from the inflammatory insult during obese condition and are exaggeratedly affected. The inflammatory kinases like JNK and IKK apart from inhibiting insulin action and glucose uptake, down-regulate transcriptional process resulting in increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Macrophage-like Kupffer cells initiate the inflammatory process in the liver preceding the inflammatory signals produced by the white adipose tissue which may further lead to hepatic-necro-inflammation. The muscle-fibre is affected by the cytokines and therefore results in decreased glycogen synthesis. The triggered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis further affects the expression of inflammatory cytokines thus altering insulin homeostasis and initiating glucose intolerance. Anti-inflammatory treatment so as to curb the severity of inflammatory responses includes administration of synthetic drugs to target the actual inflammatory molecules and various therapeutic interventions.

Age dependent levels of plasma homocysteine and cognitive performance.

Elevated plasma homocysteine (hcy) levels, also known as hyperhomocysteinemia (hhcy), have been associated with cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative disorders. Hhcy has been attributed to deficiency of B vitamins which can adversely affect the brain and result in memory loss and poor attention power. Monitoring hcy levels and the use of vitamin supplementation to treat hhcy may therefore prove advantageous for the prevention and management of cognitive impairment. With this in consideration, we measured plasma hcy, folate and vitamin B12 levels in 639 subjects from different age groups in two sub-regions of India. Cognitive function was also measured using attention span and immediate and delayed memory recall tests. Depression scores were obtained using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and functional impairment was assessed using the functional activities questionnaire (FAQ) score. As hhcy has also been linked to inflammation, plasma levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were also measured. The results demonstrated significant negative correlations between hcy levels and folic acid levels, vitamin B12 levels and cognitive performance (attention span and delayed but not immediate memory recall) along with significant positive correlations between hcy levels and depression scores and hsCRP (but not IL-6) levels. A positive correlation was also observed between hcy levels and FAQ scores, however this was not found to be significant. Based on these results, folic acid and vitamin B12 intervention in people with elevated hcy levels in India could prove to be effective in lowering hcy levels and help maintain or improve cognitive function.

Structural Elucidation of Possible Metabolic Profile of Mangiferin by Oral and Intraperitoneal Administration

Structural Elucidation of Possible Metabolic Profile of Mangiferin by Oral and Intraperitoneal Administration The natural bioactive xanthone glycoside compound originated from Mangifera indica was Mangiferin. The metabolic fate of the mangiferin through oral and intraperitoneal route is of great significance for its pharmacological mechanisms and discovering drugs from metabolites. In the present study, a systematic and comparative investigation of the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of mangiferin was studied in Wistar rats through intraperitoneal and oral route of administration by sensitive and specific LC-ESI-MS. The structures of the metabolites were unambiguously identified or tentatively proposed by comparing their fragmentation patterns with that of standards, basis of their precursor ions, product ions, and HPLC retention time. The relative bioavailability of the mangiferin after oral administration at a dose of 30 mg/kg of mangiferin is 1.15%. When mangiferin was administered intraperitoneal route, it shows greater extent of absorption and it undergoes methylation, glycosylation and glucuronidation. The aglycone of the mangiferin, Norathyriol is a major metabolite formed oral and i.p route and it also undergoes methylation and glucuronidation. Therefore to increase the bioavailability of the mangiferin from the different extracts and to enhance its pharmacological activity, effective routes of administration in the effective dosage forms should be adopted.

WITHDRAWN: Assessment of serum leptin and resistin levels in association with the metabolic risk factors of pre- and post-menopausal rural women in South India

OBJECTIVES Menopausal status is related with weight gain, abnormal lipid and glucose metabolism leading to metabolic syndrome susceptibility. The aim of this study is to determine circulating serum leptin and resistin levels and to correlate these levels in relationship with the metabolic factors in pre- and post-menopausal women. METHODS A cross-sectional study has been carried out for 34 subjects who were in post-menopause and 31 subjects who had regular menstruation in south Indian rural women. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar (FBS), fasting lipid profile, fasting leptin and resistin levels were measured. RESULTS In a total of 65 subjects, the mean age of pre-menopausal group was 38.65±6.21 and that of post-menopausal group was 55.32±6.32. Fasting serum leptin level was increased considerably in post-menopausal women when compared to pre-menopausal women (P=0.018). Resistin has no significant relationship with metabolic factors except Body Mass Index (BMI) in both the groups. Triglycerides and FBS were lower in pre-menopausal group when compared to post-menopausal group (P<0.001). Leptin was well correlated with BMI in pre-menopausal women (r(2)=0.7120, P<0.0001) as well as post-menopausal women (r(2)=0.2470, P=0.0028). Leptin also had significant correlation with FBS in both pre (r(2)=0.1373, P=0.0402) and post-menopausal women (r(2)=0.2141, P=0.0401). Systolic blood pressure was positively associated with the leptin levels in post-menopausal women (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Leptin was found to have significant association with metabolic factors when compared to resistin in pre- and post-menopausal women and there is no doubt that association of BMI and FBS elevates the level of leptin in both the category.

Identification of beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol in Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss leaf extract using HPLC and its estrogenic effect in vitro

Focus of the study is to identify a safe alternate to Hormone Replacement Therapy by identifying the presence of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol in the hydroalcoholic extract of Bambusa bambos using HPTLC and RP-HPLC-PDA; by evaluating the estrogenic effects of extract containing β-sitosterol and stigmasterol on the growth of MCF-7 cells in vitro. Plant material was identified by DNA sequencing analysis. Presence of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol was confirmed by HPTLC and direct RP-HPLC-PDA. Peaks with retention time about 19.13 and 21.16min were found to be stigmasterol and β-sitosterol in extract. Extract was not cytotoxic to MCF-7 cells in any of the dilutions. It induced cell proliferation and all the dilutions except <500μg/ml have significantly increased cell multiplication. 15.6, 31.2, 62.5 and 125μg/ml of HEBB have shown influence on the proliferation rates similar to the standard 17β-estradiol. The results suggest that HEBB might be used as a safe alternative to estrogen replacement therapies.

Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities of a novel polyherbal formulation in high fat diet/streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model

Objective: To investigate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities of polyherbal formulation (PHF) containing hydroalcoholic extracts of four plants namely Salacia oblonga, Salacia roxbhurgii, Garcinia indica and Lagerstroemia parviflora in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats by administering oral doses (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight). Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into diabetic and nondiabetic groups. Rats were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) and induced with a single low dose of STZ (35 mg/kg) i.p. Diabetic rats were treated with formulation (200 and 400 mg/kg) and metformin 250 mg/kg. Blood glucose levels were measured using blood glucose test strips with ACCU CHEK glucometer. Lipid profile and gluconeogenic enzymes were determined in normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats after oral administration of the PHF for 28 days. Histopathological changes in diabetic rat organs (pancreas, liver, and kidney) were also observed after PHF treatment. Results: Treatment of diabetic rats with PHF and metformin decreased plasma glucose and lipid profile levels. Blood glucose level showed significant reduction after 28 days of treatment with formulation at 200 and 400 mg/kg and in metformin. Formulation treated rats showed significant (P < 0.001) decrease in the activities of gluconeogenic enzymes. Histological examination of various organ tissues of normal control, diabetic control, and drug-treated rats revealed significant results. Treatment with PHF reverses the most blood and tissue changes toward the normal level. Conclusion: These findings suggested the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties of the PHF and thus help in preventing future complications of diabetes.

Nephroprotective role of salacia chinensis in diabetic CKD patients: A pilot study

BACKGROUND Present study aimed to study effect of Salacia Chinensis, a herbal drug, on stabilization of renal functions, and markers of endothelial dysfunction in diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS 30 stable diabetic CKD patients were randomized into 2 groups; group A and B of 15 patients each. Group A was given trial drug Salacia chinensis 1000 mg twice-daily while group B received placebo. Measures of renal function: Serum creatinine and creatinine clearance; markers of endothelial dysfunction: Interleukin-6 and serum Homocysteine, and lipid profile were measured at baseline and during follow-up period of 6 months. RESULTS There was stabilization of renal function as measured by serum creatinine and creatinine clearance in patients who received Salacia Chinensis compared to placebo (P value < 0.05), suggesting that Salacia chinensis may retard the progression of chronic kidney disease. Similarly, there was significant decline in both serum homocysteine and IL-6 levels. [P value < 0.05 for both]. CONCLUSION This pilot study showed a promising role for Salacia chinensis as a renoprotective drug, but further prospective studies involving large number of patients are needed to confirm this and also to delineate possible mechanisms.

Comparative evaluation of fosinopril and herbal drug Dioscorea bulbifera in patients of diabetic nephropathy

Worldwide, diabetic nephropathy is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal failure. This hospital-based single-center prospective open-label randomized case-control interventional study was performed to evaluate and compare the native drug Dioscorea bulbifera with fosinopril in the management of diabetic nephropathy. Patients with diabetic nephropathy with proteinuria >500 mg/day or albuminuria >300 mg/ day, S Cr ≤2.5 mg/dL and hypertension controlled with a single drug were included into the study and were divided into three groups according to the interventional drugs that they were given; group A (n = 46) on fosinopril (5-40 mg/day), group B (n = 45) on Dioscorea bulbifera (500 mg BD) and group C (n = 46) on neither of these drugs. All necessary laboratory investigations needed to assess the effect of both the drugs were carried out. Patients were followed-up for six months. The study included 137 patients (M:F 2.61:1) with an age range of 19-76 years. At the sixth-month follow-up, a significant decrease in the systolic blood pressure was noted in all three groups whereas the diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly only in group B. There was significantly better control of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in group B than in the other groups. Although fasting blood sugar was poorly controlled in the initial visit in all three groups, there was a significant decrease at the sixth-month follow-up in all three groups. Moreover, the decrease was significantly more pronounced in group B than in the other two groups. Low-density lipoprotein decreased significantly only in group B. Proteinuria, serum transforming growth factor-β, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein decreased in both group A and group B, more so in the latter, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. Importantly, proteinuria and serum IL-6 showed an increasing trend in group C. It can be concluded that Dioscorea bulbifera was more effective than fosinopril in controlling blood pressure, glycemia, cholesterolemia and inflammatory state in diabetic nephropathy. Both agents decreased proteinuria. However, creatinine clearance significantly decreased with both the drugs, more so with Dioscera, and thus further evaluation with a larger trial is needed.