Biphasic Effect of Phyllanthus emblica L. Extract on NSAID-Induced Ulcer: An Antioxidative Trail Weaved with Immunomodulatory Effect

Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.), apart from its food value, can be used as a gastroprotective agent in non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastropathy. It has been suggested that the antioxidative property of amla is the key to its therapeutic effect. Hence, on the basis of in vitro antioxidative potential, the ethanolic extract of amla (eAE) was selected for in vivo study in NSAID-induced ulcer. Intriguingly, eAE showed biphasic activity in ulcerated mice, with healing effect observed at 60 mg/kg and an adverse effect at 120 mg/kg.The dose-dependent study revealed that switching from anti-oxidant to pro-oxidant shift and immunomodulatory property could be the major cause for its biphasic effect, as evident from the total antioxidant status, thiol concentration, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content followed by mucin content, PGE2 synthesis and cytokine status. Further, Buthionine sulfoxamine (BSO) pretreatment established the potential impact of antioxidative property in the healing action of eAE. However, eAE efficiently reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and IL-1β) levels and appreciably upregulate anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) concentration. In conclusion, gastric ulcer healing induced by eAE was driven in a dose-specific manner through the harmonization of the antioxidative property and modulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine level

Healing Properties of Some Indian Medicinal Plants against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulceration of Rats

The healing activity of the ethanol extracts of Piper betel, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia bellerica, and Terminalia chebula against the indomethacin-induced stomach ulceration has been studied and compared with that of misoprostol. Compared to autohealing, all the drugs accelerated the healing process, albeit to different extents. The relative healing activities of the extracts was P. betel>E. officinalis>T. bellerica~T. chebula, that correlated well with their in vivo antioxidant and mucin augmenting activities. The excellent healing activity of the extracts of P. betel and E. officinalis indicated a major role of mucin protection and regeneration in the healing of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs mediated stomach ulceration

C(naphthyl)-H Bond Activation by Rhodium: Isolation, Characterization and TD-DFT Study of the Cyclometallates

The C1(naphthyl)-H, C2(naphthyl)-H, C3(naphthyl)-H and C8(naphthyl)-H bonds of the naphthyl group present in a group of naphthylazo-2\u27-hydroxyarenes (H 2L) have been activated by [Rh(PPh 3) 3Cl] in a toluene medium. Here the cyclometallation is accompanied by metal centered oxidation [Rh(i)?Rh(iii)]. All the resulting cyclometallates [Rh(PPh 3) 2(L)Cl] (2-5) have been isolated in a pure form. The characterization of the cyclometallates [Rh(PPh 3) 2(L)Cl] have been done on the basis of spectral (IR, UV-vis, and FAB mass) data. The structures of the representative cyclometallates 2a, 3a, 4a, 4b and 5b have been determined by X-ray diffraction. In all the cyclometallates, rhodium(iii) is coordinated to naphthylazo-2\u27-hydroxyarenes via terdentate C(naphthyl), N(diazene), O(phenolato/ naphtholato) donor centers & one chloride ion in a plane along with two axial trans PPh 3 molecules. Intermolecular association in the solid state is observed due to C-H...p and p...p interactions. Compounds show an oxidative response within 0.93 to 1.11 V (vs. SCE) and a reductive response at ~ -1.0 V (vs. SCE). Both the responses are based on the coordinated diazene function and are irreversible in nature, indicating limited stability of the oxidized and reduced species. The electronic structures of selected cyclometallates have been calculated using a TD-DFT model and the simulated spectra are consistent with the observed spectra of those cyclometallates

Black Tea and Theaflavins Assist Healing of Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulceration in Mice by Antioxidative Action

The healing activities of black tea (BT) and the theaflavins (TF) against the indomethacin-induced stomach ulceration were studied in a mouse model. Indomethacin (18 mg/kg, p.o.) administration induced maximum ulceration in the glandular portion of the gastric mucosa on the 3rd day, accompanied by increased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, depletion of thiol-defense and mucin, as well as reduced expressions of cyclooxygenases (COX) and prostaglandin (PG) E synthesis in the gastric tissues, and plasma total antioxidant status of mice. Treatment with BT (40 mg/kg), TF (1 mg/kg), and omeprazole (3 mg/kg) produced similar (74%–76%) ulcer healing, as revealed from the histopathological studies. Treatment with all the above samples reversed the adverse oxidative effects of indomethacin significantly. BT and TF also enhanced the PGE synthesis by augmenting the expressions of COX 1 and 2, but did not modulate acid secretion

In Silico Molecular Modeling and Structural Analysis of Peroxidase Enzymes from five different plants species

ABSTRACT Upon attacked by pathogens, plants defend themselves by producing array of defense related molecules. Plant peroxidase enzymes are about 300-350 residue long and have multiple isoenzymes that differ in substrate specificity and localization within the plant. In this study, 3D structure of peroxidase enzymes from five different plants was predicted by homology modeling method. The quality of the 3D structure of the model was confirmed by various web based validation programs. When compared secondary and tertiary structure of the model, it showed two peroxidase signature domains (PEROXIDASE_1 and PEROXIDASE_2) are present in the central region. Degree of sequence conserveness showed that sequence size differences do not make any impact on their basic functions

Exploring a New Population of Compact Objects: X-ray and IR Observations of the Galactic Centre

I describe the IR and X-ray observational campaign we have undertaken for the purpose of determining the nature of the faint discrete X-ray source population discovered by Chandra in the Galactic Center (GC). Data obtained for this project includes a deep Chandra survey of the Galactic Bulge; deep, high resolution IR imaging from VLT/ISAAC, CTIO/ISPI, and the UKIDSS Galactic Plane Survey (GPS); and IR spectroscopy from VLT/ISAAC and IRTF/SpeX. By cross-correlating the GC X-ray imaging from Chandra with our IR surveys, we identify candidate counterparts to the X-ray sources via astrometry. Using a detailed IR extinction map, we are deriving magnitudes and colors for all the candidates. Having thus established a target list, we will use the multi-object IR spectrograph FLAMINGOS-2 on Gemini-South to carry out a spectroscopic survey of the candidate counterparts, to search for emission line signatures which are a hallmark of accreting binaries. By determining the nature of these X-ray sources, this FLAMINGOS-2 Galactic Center Survey will have a dramatic impact on our knowledge of the Galactic accreting binary population.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in the Proceedings of The Second Kolkata Conference on Observational Evidence for Black Holes in the Universe'', ed. S. Charkrabarti, Kolkata, India; AIP Conf. Serie

Healing Potential of Picrorhiza kurroa (Scrofulariaceae) rhizomes against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration: a mechanistic exploration.

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of the rhizomes of the Indian medicinal plant, <it>Picrorhiza kurroa </it>in healing indomethacin-induced acute stomach ulceration in mice and examine its capacity to modulate oxidative stress and the levels of prostaglandin (PGE₂) and EGF during the process.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Male swiss albino mice, ulcerated with indomethacin (18 mg/kg, p. o., single dose) were treated up to 7 days with different doses of the methanol extract of <it>P. kurroa </it>rhizomes (designated as PK). The healing capacity of the most effective dose of PK (20 mg/kg, p. o. × 3 d) was compared with that of omeprazole (Omez) (3 mg/kg, p. o. × 3 d). The effects of the drug-treatment for one and three days on the biochemical parameters were assessed by comparing the results with that of untreated mice of the 1^stand 3^rdday of ulceration. The stomach tissues of the mice were used for the biochemical analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The macroscopic indices revealed maximum ulceration on the 3^rdday after indomethacin administration, which was effectively healed by PK. Under the optimized treatment regime, PK and Omez reduced the ulcer indices by 45.1% (<it>P </it>< 0.01), and 76.3% respectively (<it>P </it>< 0.001), compared to the untreated ulcerated mice.</p> <p>Compared to the ulcerated untreated mice, those treated with PK for 3 days showed decreased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (32.7%, <it>P </it>< 0.05) and protein carbonyl (37.7%, <it>P </it>< 0.001), and increased mucin (42.2%, <it>P </it>< 0.01), mucosal PGE₂(21.4%, <it>P </it>< 0.05), and expressions of COX-1 and 2 (26.9% and 18.5%, <it>P </it>< 0.05), EGF (149.0%, <it>P </it>< 0.001) and VEGF (56.9%, <it>P </it>< 0.01). Omez reduced the TBARS (29.4%, <it>P </it>< 0.05), and protein carbonyl (38.9%, <it>P </it>< 0.001), and increased mucin (38.3%, <it>P </it>< 0.01), without altering the other parameters significantly.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>PK (20 mg/kg, p. o. × 3 days) could effectively heal indomethacin-induced stomach ulceration in mice by reducing oxidative stress, and promoting mucin secretion, prostaglandin synthesis and augmenting expressions of cyclooxygenase enzymes and growth factors.</p

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Herbal Remedy: An Alternate Therapy of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Induced Gastric Ulcer Healing

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most commonly used therapeutic drug groups used worldwide for curing an array of health problems like pain, inflammation, cardiovascular complications, and many other diseases, but they may cause different side effects including gastroduodenal disorders. So, there is a growing interest and need to search for nontoxic, antiulcer formulations from medicinal plants to treat NSAIDs induced gastric ulcer. Extensive research has reported on many natural plants like Camellia sinensis, Phyllanthus emblica, Myristica malabarica, Piper betle, Picrorhiza kurroa, and so forth, and their active constituents reduced NSAIDs induced gastric ulcer via their antioxidative as well as immunomodulatory activity. Therefore, use of herbal formulations in daily life may prevent NSAIDs induced gastric ulceration and other side effects