Rohit Goyal

Potential biological efficacy of Pinus plant species against oxidative, inflammatory and microbial disorders.

BackgroundTraditionally, Pine has been used to treat oxidative and inflammatory disorders. The study was aimed to investigate biological potential of phytoconstituents of Pinus plant species: Pinus roxburghii, Pinus wallichiana and Pinus gerardiana using in-vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial methods.MethodThe hydro-alcoholic extraction of dried plant: stem bark was done and the antioxidant activity was evaluated using free radical scavenging methods for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, (DPPH), nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide radicals, reducing power assays, and total antioxidant capacity. Anti-inflammatory activity was carried out using albumin denaturation and HRBC membrane stabilization assays. Antimicrobial and antifungal activities were also conducted using agar well diffusion method.ResultsThe qualitative phytochemical analysis of hydro-alcoholic stem bark extracts of three plant species revealed the presence of various biochemical compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, triterpenoids and saponins. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of plant extracts showed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, beta-carotene and lycopene. Plant extracts of three pinus species showed significant antioxidant activity against DPPH, nitric oxide and H2O2 radicals. In in-vitro anti‐inflammatory investigation, Pinus roxburghii exhibited highest protection against albumin denaturation 86.54 ± 1.85 whereas Pinus gerardiana showed 82.03 ± 2.67. Moreover, plant extracts were found to prevent the growth of microorganisms Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans showing promising antibacterial and antifungal activities againstCandida albicans.ConclusionThe findings of the present study derived the rational for the therapeutic usage of Pinus which is a highly timber yielding plant from Himalayan region, against oxidative, inflammatory and microbial diseases.

Certain 4-Iminoflavones Derivatives: Synthesis, Docking Studies, Antiasthmatic and Antimicrobial Agents

Flavonoids are a group of chemical moieties of the compounds whose structure is based on C6-C3-C6 i.e. two phenyl rings are attached through a propane bridge. Flavonoids are a family of plant compounds with a similar flavone backbone composed of two aromatic rings and an oxygen heterocycle attached [1]. Flavonoids can be classified into various classes i.e. flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol), flavones (luteolin, apigenin), flavanones (hesperetin), flavonoid glycosides (rutin), flavonolignans (silibinin), flavans (catechin, epicatechin), isoflavones (genistein, daidzein), anthocyanidins (cyanidin, delphinidin), aurones (leptosidin, aureusidin), leucoanthocyanidins (teracacidin), neoflavonoids (coutareagenin, dalbergin), chalcones [2]. All classes of flavonoids exhibits variety of biological activities, but among them, the flavones have been considerably explored. In recent years, substituted synthetic flavonoids have been dragging continuous attention due to their broad range of biological activities. Flavonoids are very well know and documented to possess antioxidant effects, antiviral and leishmanicidal activity, Certain 4-Iminoflavones Derivatives: Synthesis, Docking Studies, Antiasthmatic and Antimicrobial Agents

Mild alcohol intake exacerbates metabolic syndrome in rodents: a putative role of GSK-3β.

Abstract Metabolic syndrome is characterized with abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hepatic dysfunction. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) expression has been observed in adipose tissues in obese and diabetic humans, and in rodents. The aim of study was to investigate role of GSK-3β in modulation of metabolic alterations in alcoholic fed rats. Male Wistar albino rats (180–220 g) were used. High fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks and alcohol (2%) from third to eighth week were given. Lithium chloride (LiCl), a GSK-3β inhibitor (60 mg/kg) was used orally from third to eighth week. HFD treatment caused significant (p < 0.05) increase in the percentage of body weight gain, BMI, Lee index, different fat pads, liver weights, serum glucose, leptin, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL, cholesterol, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, tissue thio-barbituric acid reactive substances, nitrate/nitrite and significant decrease in food intake (g), serum HDL and tissue GSH in HFD control rats, as compared to normal control (NC). Administration of alcohol (2%) ad libitum potentiated the effect of normal and HFD, respectively, in NC and HFD control rats, respectively. Administration of LiCl produced significant amelioration in biochemical and pathological changes caused in the form of metabolic syndrome in HFD alone and HFD and alcohol-treated rats. The histological observations also showed similar findings in liver tissue. It may be concluded that inactivation of GSK-3β consequently leads to increased leptin and insulin sensitivity as evidenced by the reversal of alterations caused due to metabolic syndrome in rodents fed with HFD and mild alcohol.