Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Potential Bergenia ligulata

Abstract Bergenia ligulata Wall., family Saxifragaceae, is an Indian folk medicine used for a variety of pharmacological effects. In this study, evidence is provided in animal model to demonstrate the role of aqueous as well as 50% ethanolic extract of B. ligulata in inflammation and as antibacterial agent. Oral administration of the extract at a dose level of 1 gm/kg bw showed anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging activity as evaluated using pharmacological and biochemical parameters. The effect was studied on biochemical parameters reportedly perturbed in inflammation. While the extract treatment could alleviate the level of succinate dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase, which increase in inflammation, the level of superoxide dismutase increased following the treatment with the extract as well as the diclofenac. Role of oxygen free radicals/peroxides was evaluated by measuring lipid peroxidation and glutathione. Treatment with the extract could significantly decrease the enhanced level of lipid peroxidation in inflammation, and increased the level of glutathione. Further, the antibacterial activity of various fractions was tested in vitro using cultures of Escherichia coli, Baccillus subtilis, and S. aureus, and the fractions were found to be antibacterial. The antifungal activity was also tested using the culture of Saccharomyces. However, the drug was ineffective in inhibiting fungal growth. Results provide evidence suggesting the anti-inflammatory as well as the antibacterial role of B. ligulata, thus implicating the plant extract in treatment against the bacterial infection and inflammation

Carbon tetrachloride induced kidney and lung tissue damages and antioxidant activities of the aqueous rhizome extract of Podophyllum hexandrum

BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum. The antioxidant potential of the plant extract under in vitro situations was evaluated by using two separate methods, inhibition of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide radical. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) is a well known toxicant and exposure to this chemical is known to induce oxidative stress and causes tissue damage by the formation of free radicals. METHODS: 36 albino rats were divided into six groups of 6 animals each, all animals were allowed food and water ad libitum. Group I (control) was given olive oil, while the rest groups were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of CCl(4 )(1 ml/kg) as a 50% (v/v) solution in olive oil. Group II received CCl(4 )only. Group III animals received vitamin E at a concentration of 50 mg/kg body weight and animals of groups IV, V and VI were given extract of Podophyllum hexandrum at concentration dose of 20, 30 and 50 mg/kg body weight. Antioxidant status in both kidney and lung tissues were estimated by determining the activities of antioxidative enzymes, glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD); as well as by determining the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). In addition, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity of the extract was also determined. RESULTS: Results showed that the extract possessed strong superoxide and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity comparable to that of known antioxidant butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT). Our results also showed that CCl(4 )caused a marked increase in TBARS levels whereas GSH, SOD, GR, GPX and GST levels were decreased in kidney and lung tissue homogenates of CCl(4 )treated rats. Aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum successfully prevented the alterations of these effects in the experimental animals. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum could protect the kidney and lung tissue against CCl(4 )induced oxidative stress probably by increasing antioxidant defense activities

Antioxidant and Protective Effect of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Podophyllum Hexandrum Rhizome on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Rat Liver Injury

The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of ethyl acetate extract was carefully investigated by the methods of DPPH radical scavenging activity, Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, Superoxide radical scavenging activity, Hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity and its Reducing power ability. All these in vitro antioxidant activities were concentration dependent which were compared with standard antioxidants such as BHT, α-tocopherol. The hepatoprotective potential of Podophyllum hexandrum extract was also evaluated in male Wistar rats against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage. Pre-treated rats were given ethyl acetate extract at 20, 30 and 50 mg/kg dose prior to CCl4 administration (1 ml/kg, 1:1 in olive oil). Rats pre-treated with Podophyllum hexandrum extract remarkably prevented the elevation of serum AST, ALT, LDH and liver lipid peroxides in CCl4-treated rats. Hepatic glutathione levels were significantly increased by the treatment with the extract in all the experimental groups. The extract at the tested doses also restored the levels of liver homogenate enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S- transferase) significantly. This study suggests that ethyl acetate extract of P. hexandrum has a liver protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and possess in vitro antioxidant activities

In Vitro

Arnebia benthamii is a major ingredient of the commercial drug available under the name Gaozaban, which has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. In the present study, in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity of different extracts of Arnebia benthamii were investigated. Antioxidant potential of plant extracts was evaluated by means of total phenolics, DPPH, reducing power, microsomal lipid peroxidation, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. The highest phenolic content (TPC) of 780 mg GAE/g was observed in ethyl acetate, while the lowest TPC of 462 mg GAE/g was achieved in aqueous extract. At concentration of 700 µg/mL, DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be highest in ethyl acetate extract (87.99%) and lowest in aqueous extract (73%). The reducing power of extracts increased in a concentration dependent manner. We also observed its inhibition on Fe2+/ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) on rat liver microsomes in vitro. In addition, Arnebia benthamii extracts exhibited antioxidant effects on Calf thymus DNA damage induced by Fenton reaction. Cytotoxicity of the extracts (10–100 µg/mL) was tested on five human cancer cell lines (lung, prostate, leukemia, colon, and pancreatic cell lines) using the Sulphorhodamine B assay

Assessment of Human Papilloma Virus infection in cervical epithelium of Kashmiri women

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is estimated to be the most common sexually transmitted infection. Because Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is one of the causal factors in cervical cancer, understanding the epidemiology of this infection is an important step towards developing strategies for prevention. The aim of the present study was to examine the HPV prevalence and distribution of high risk HPV 16 and HPV 18 in cervical smears in a sample of Kashmiri women attending a gynecological outpatient department at Lal Ded Hospital Srinagar and also to explore the determinants of the infection. A total of 210 women visiting the gynecology outpatient department with varied complaints were studied with mean age 37.7yrs. Most of the participating women had low level of education with 40.95% of women having ≤6 years of education, 37.6% of women having 6-12yrs of education and 21.42% of women having ≥12yrs of education. All the women were married. Around 62.85% were 18-25yrs of age at the time of marriage. Of the married women most (50.4%) had ≥4 number of full term pregnancies. About 48.09% of women had low monthly income. Oral contraceptive was the most common method of contraception (26.66%). It is noteworthy that almost half of the study participants did not use any contraceptive method (53.33%). DNA was extracted from all the samples and subjected to polymerase chain reaction, using consensus primers for HPV. The samples that were positive for HPV DNA were subsequently assessed for high-risk consensus primers, types 16 and 18. The overall HPV prevalence as observed in our study was 13.8% among our sample of Kashmiri females aged 19 to 57 years (n=210). HPV prevalence was 33.3% among females aged 19 to 27 years, 11.3% among women aged 28 to 37 years, 7.9% among women aged 39 to 47 years and 13.5% among women aged 48 to 57 years. The prevalence of HPV infection in Kashmiri women is similar as observed in other states of India. The age pattern of HPV prevalence of the study group showed a general decrease, there was statistically significant (P=0.038) differences in the age-specific rates of HPV DNA detection in the study women aged 18-57. A statistically higher prevalence of high-risk HPV was observed in low economic status (P=0.017) and rural groups (P=0.016). Statistically significant association was found between HPV prevalence with age (P=0.038), parity (P=0.037) and age at marriage (P=0.025). This preliminary study could become a useful data for laying guidelines for mass screening of HPV, treatment and prophylaxis in the local population

Understanding the role of Rho GTPase Rac1 in signaling pathways using antioxidants.

Antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage, the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases. Antioxidants are molecules, which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. Although there are several enzyme systems within the body that scavenge free radicals, the principle micronutrient antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Additionally, selenium, a trace metal that is required for proper function of one of the body's antioxidant enzyme systems, is sometimes included in this category. The body cannot manufacture these micronutrients so they must be supplied in the diet. Antioxidant is capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols or polyphenols. Although oxidation reactions are crucial for life, they can also be damaging; hence, plants and animals maintain complex systems of multiple types of antioxidants, such as glutathione, Vitamin C, and vitamin E as well as enzymes such as catalase, super oxide dismutase and various peroxidases. Low levels of antioxidants, or inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes, causes oxidative stress and may damage or kill cells. As oxidative stress might be an important part of many human diseases, the use of antioxidants in pharmacology is intensively studied, particularly as treatments for stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. However, it is unknown whether oxidative stress is the cause or the consequence of disease.Digital copy of Thesis.University of Kashmir

Study of IRF-8 gene in Kashmiri population and its relation with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal hematopoietic disorder caused by an acquired genetic defect in a pluripotent stem cell. A number of theories have been postulated to describe the etiology of CML such as genetic alterations and alterations in cytokine production. A combination of inflammatory cytokines have an important role in cancer development. The aim of this study was to screen for mutations of IRF-8 gene in CML cases and healthy controls of the Kashmiri population. We included eighty confirmed CML cases and an equal number of age, district and gender matched controls in this study. HaeIII enzyme digestion cuts amplified product at 5’-GGCC-3’ sequence and any mutation in it abrogates restriction digestion by this enzyme. Restriction results showed wild conditions with no mutation at any of the 6 positions where HaeIII cuts, which was confirmed by the sequencing results as well. Further sequencing results showed interesting single G A substitution at position 92 of the amplified product. In CML cases, the allelic frequency for normal allele (G) was found to be 47.5% (76/160) and the allelic frequency observed for G A type was found to be 52.5% (84/160). The allelic frequency observed in controls for normal allele (G) was 91.25% (146/160). The frequencies analyzed for G A allele was 8.75% (14/160). Since the frequency observed for G A allele was higher in CML cases (52.5%) than in normal controls (8.75%) and it was found to be statistically significant (OR= 11.52, 95%CI: (6.13-21.6); p = 0.001). Sequencing results further showed occasional deletion at the same position where transition was seen. Also we found that CML is prevalent more in males as compared to females (ratio is 1:1.12). Majority of the CML case were from district Srinagar of the Valley. Mean age of the cases and controls were found to be 44.7 years and 43.6 years respectively. We observed a higher representation of CML cases in the age group between 30 and 40. Furthermore, the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome (BCR-ABL fusion gene) was observed in 82.5% of CML cases in our study. This is the first report of the sequence variation in exon 7 region of IRF-8 gene and the risk to CML in the Kashmiri population. However, more insight need to be gained and further substantiated by conducting a similar study on statistically significant sample size

Height and body-mass index trajectories of school-aged children and adolescents from 1985 to 2019 in 200 countries and territories: a pooled analysis of 2181 population-based studies with 65 million participants

Summary Background Comparable global data on health and nutrition of school-aged children and adolescents are scarce. We aimed to estimate age trajectories and time trends in mean height and mean body-mass index (BMI), which measures weight gain beyond what is expected from height gain, for school-aged children and adolescents. Methods For this pooled analysis, we used a database of cardiometabolic risk factors collated by the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends from 1985 to 2019 in mean height and mean BMI in 1-year age groups for ages 5–19 years. The model allowed for non-linear changes over time in mean height and mean BMI and for non-linear changes with age of children and adolescents, including periods of rapid growth during adolescence. Findings We pooled data from 2181 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in 65 million participants in 200 countries and territories. In 2019, we estimated a difference of 20 cm or higher in mean height of 19-year-old adolescents between countries with the tallest populations (the Netherlands, Montenegro, Estonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for boys; and the Netherlands, Montenegro, Denmark, and Iceland for girls) and those with the shortest populations (Timor-Leste, Laos, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea for boys; and Guatemala, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Timor-Leste for girls). In the same year, the difference between the highest mean BMI (in Pacific island countries, Kuwait, Bahrain, The Bahamas, Chile, the USA, and New Zealand for both boys and girls and in South Africa for girls) and lowest mean BMI (in India, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Ethiopia, and Chad for boys and girls; and in Japan and Romania for girls) was approximately 9–10 kg/m2. In some countries, children aged 5 years started with healthier height or BMI than the global median and, in some cases, as healthy as the best performing countries, but they became progressively less healthy compared with their comparators as they grew older by not growing as tall (eg, boys in Austria and Barbados, and girls in Belgium and Puerto Rico) or gaining too much weight for their height (eg, girls and boys in Kuwait, Bahrain, Fiji, Jamaica, and Mexico; and girls in South Africa and New Zealand). In other countries, growing children overtook the height of their comparators (eg, Latvia, Czech Republic, Morocco, and Iran) or curbed their weight gain (eg, Italy, France, and Croatia) in late childhood and adolescence. When changes in both height and BMI were considered, girls in South Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and some central Asian countries (eg, Armenia and Azerbaijan), and boys in central and western Europe (eg, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, and Montenegro) had the healthiest changes in anthropometric status over the past 3·5 decades because, compared with children and adolescents in other countries, they had a much larger gain in height than they did in BMI. The unhealthiest changes—gaining too little height, too much weight for their height compared with children in other countries, or both—occurred in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, New Zealand, and the USA for boys and girls; in Malaysia and some Pacific island nations for boys; and in Mexico for girls. Interpretation The height and BMI trajectories over age and time of school-aged children and adolescents are highly variable across countries, which indicates heterogeneous nutritional quality and lifelong health advantages and risks