Kishori G Apte

Combination of vitamin B12 active forms improved fetal growth in Wistar rats through up-regulation of placental miR-16 and miR-21 levels

Aim: Epidemiological studies have indicated importance of folate and vitamin (B12) during pregnancy. Also available evidence on efficacy of B12 forms viz. Cyanocobalamin (Cbl), Methylcobalamin (MeCbl), Adenosylcobalamin (AdCbl) and Hydroxycobalamin (HCbl) in preventing or treating cobalamin deficiency is limited. The present study examines the effect of various forms of B12 in combination with folate during pregnancy and their effect on gestational outcomes. Main method: In the present study, we examined the effect of various vitamin B12 forms in presence of recommended folate (RFol: 400 &mgr;g/day) and high folate (HFol: 5 mg/day) on gestational outcomes in female Wistar rats. Findings: Dams dosed with excessive folate (HFol group) delivered low birth weight (LBW) offsprings (p < 0.01) as compared to RFol dams. Plasma homocysteine levels were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in dams of HFol group and were reduced after vitamin B12 supplementation. Excessive folate supplementation and homocysteine levels showed inverse association with placental weight (p < 0.01) and placental efficiency (p < 0.05). B12 supplementation significantly up‐regulated placental miR‐16 and miR‐21, associated with fetal growth which in turn reflected in improved birthweights. Supplementation with vitamin B12 forms, especially combination of active forms of cobalamins: MeCbl + AdCbl significantly increased birth weights (p < 0.05) and modulated gestational outcomes in RFol as well as HFol supplemented dams. Significance: Our results indicated supplementing vitamin B12 along with folate during pregnancy had positive impact on the gestational outcomes. We have shown for the first time that combination of active forms of vitamin B12: MeCbl + AdCbl has better efficacy as compared to Cbl, MeCbl, AdCbl and HCbl alone. Graphical abstract Figure. No Caption available. Highlights:Supplementation of excess folic acid (FA) during pregnancy decreased birth weights.Homocysteine levels increased in dams supplemented with high folic acid.High FA supplementation impaired placental efficiency and miRNA regulation.Treatment with B12 modulated gestational outcomes at high FA supplementation.Combination of MeCbl + AdCbl was found to be most effective at high FA condition.

Studies on wound healing potential of polyherbal formulation using in vitro and in vivo assays

Background The use of herbal plant extracts in wound healing is known through decades, but it is necessary to provide scientific data through reverse pharmacology. Objective The aim of the present study is to find the mechanism behind the healing of wounds using in vitro and in vivo assays. Material and methods The study was designed to determine proliferation and mobilization of fibroblast and keratinocytes at the site of injury, angiogenesis at the site of healing and reduction in oxidative stress while healing. In our earlier studies it was observed that herbal extract of Vitex negundo L. (VN), Emblica officinalis Gaertn (EO), and Tridax procumbens L. (TP) showed rapid regeneration of skin, wound contraction and collagen synthesis at the site of injury in excision wound model. In the present study the cell mobilization was monitored in the scratch assay on L929 fibroblastic cell line and HaCaT keratinocytes cell line under the influence of aqueous plant extracts and its formulation. This formulation was also assessed for its angiogenic potential using CAM assay. Study was carried out to probe synergistic effect of polyherbal formulation using excision model in rat. Results The formulation was found to contain high amount of flavonoids, tannins and phenols which facilitate wound healing. At 20 μg/ml concentration of formulation, significant increase in tertiary and quaternary vessels were observed due to angiogenic potential of formulation. Formulation at the concentration of 3 μg/ml and 5 μg/ml showed significant mobilization of keratinocytes and fibroblasts respectively at the site of injury. Polyherbal formulation showed rapid regeneration of skin and wound contraction. Biochemical parameters like hydroxyproline, hexosamine and collagen turnover was increased in test drug treated animals as compared to untreated, whereas antioxidants such as catalase and GSH were increased significantly and decreased amount of tissue MDA was observed. Conclusion Polyherbal formulation prepared from the plant extracts accelerates wound healing process by proliferation and mobilization of fibroblast and keratinocytes, and angiogenesis at the site of injury. It also shows fast contraction of wound with its beneficial improvement in tissue biochemical and antioxidant parameters.

Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidaemic effect of Arjunarishta in high-fat fed animals

Background Arjunarishta (AA), a formulation used as cardiotonic is a hydroalcoholic formulation of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight and Arn. (TA) belonging to family Combretaceae. Objective To evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of Arjunarishta on high-fat diet fed animals. Materials and methods High-fat diet fed (HFD) Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups and treated with phytochemically standardized Arjunarishta (1.8 ml/kg), and hydroalcoholic extract of T. arjuna (TAHA) (250 mg/kg) and rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg), for 3 months. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, blood biochemistry, liver triglyceride and systolic blood pressure were performed in all the groups. Effect of these drugs on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and peroxisome proliferators activated receptor γ coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α) were studied in liver tissue using Quantitative Real-time PCR. Results HFD increased fasting blood glucose, liver triglyceride, systolic blood pressure and gene expression of TNF-α, IRS-1 and PGC-1α. Treatment of AA and TAHA significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These treatments significantly decreased gene expression of TNF-α (2.4, 2.2 and 2.6 fold change); increased IRS-1 (2.8, 2.9 and 2.8 fold change) and PGC-1α (2.9, 3.7 and 3.3 fold change) as compared to untreated HFD. Conclusion Anti-hyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic effect of Arjunarishta may be mediated by decreased TNF-α and increased PGC-1α and IRS-1.

Air pollution exacerbates effect of allergenic pollen proteins of Cassia siamea: a preliminary report

Abstract Pollinosis caused by several allergenic proteins in pollen grains has been a major problem of healthcare in most parts of the world. Environmental factors such as air pollution are known to alter the release of allergenic pollen proteins from a variety of the plant species. Cassia siamea is commonly planted along roadsides and in industrialised areas in many parts of India. The present study reports the findings of animal experiments demonstrating the effect of air pollution on the allergenicity of Cassia siamea pollen proteins. Total white blood cell (WBC) count and lymphocyte count were significantly higher in animals that received protein extract of pollen collected from a polluted site compared to those that received protein extract of pollen collected from a non-polluted site. This was concomitant with increased production of IgE antibodies; followed by marked degranulation of mast cell leading to heighten type I hypersensitivity in these animals. These results are important for the development of a consensus linking ever-increasing pollution due to industrialisation and an increase in associated pollinosis.