Roots of Withania somnifera Inhibit Forestomach and Skin Carcinogenesis in Mice

We evaluated the cancer chemopreventive efficacy of the Withania somnifera root, which has been used in the Indian traditional medicine system for many centuries for the treatment of various ailments. Since, studies showing its mechanism-based cancer chemopreventive efficacy are limited, this was investigated in the present study. We studied the effect of dietary administration of Withania root on hepatic phase I, phase II and antioxidant enzymes by estimation of its level/activity, as well as in attenuating carcinogen-induced forestomach and skin tumorigenesis in the Swiss albino mouse model. Our findings showed that roots of W.somnifera inhibit phase I, and activates phase II and antioxidant enzymes in the liver. Further, in a long-term tumorigenesis study, Withania inhibited benzo(a)pyrene-induced forestomach papillomagenesis, showing up to 60 and 92% inhibition in tumor incidence and multiplicity, respectively. Similarly, Withania inhibited 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene-induced skin papillomagenesis, showing up to 45 and 71% inhibition in tumor incidence and multiplicity. In both studies, Withania showed no apparent toxic effects in mice as monitored by the body weight gain profile. Together, these findings suggest that W.somnifera root has chemopreventive efficacy against forestomach and skin carcinogenesis and warrants the identification and isolation of active compounds responsible for its anticancer effects, which may provide the lead for the development of antitumor agents

Detection of oligoclonal IgG kappa and IgG lambda bands in cerebrospinal fluid and serum with Hevylite™ antibodies. comparison with the free light chain oligoclonal pattern

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oligoclonal IgG bands in cerebrospinal fluid that are absent in serum indicate intrathecal IgG synthesis and are a sensitive marker of CNS inflammatory diseases, in particular multiple sclerosis. It may be of interest to determine whether these bands are predominantly IgGκ or IgGλ.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We have used Hevylite™ antibodies and developed a technique for detection of oligoclonal IgGκ and IgGλ bands by means of isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting. The same technique was used for oligoclonal free κ and free λ detection. Among several techniques tested, affinity immunoblotting appears to be the most sensitive; it can detect less than 1 ng of IgGκ or IgGλ paraprotein. We compared oligoclonal IgG profiles with those of oligoclonal IgGκ and IgGλ. There was good agreement concerning the presence or absence of intrathecal synthesis. We observed the ratios between oligoclonal IgGκ and IgGλ bands, and they did not always match the ratios between free κ and free λ bands. We were also able to detect antigen-specific CSF-restricted oligoclonal IgGκ and IgGλ bands in neuroborreliosis. It remains to be determined subsequently by a clinically-oriented prospective study, whether predominant IgGκ/IgGλ or free κ/free λ can be observed more frequently in particular diseases with oligoclonal IgG synthesis.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Very sensitive detection of oligoclonal IgGκ and IgGλ bands in cerebrospinal fluid with Hevylite antibodies is feasible; detection of antigen-specific IgGκ or IgGλ is possible as well. In particular situations, e.g. when difficulties arise in distinguishing between oligoclonal and monoclonal pattern, the test may be of considerable clinical value.</p

Strength properties and microstructural characterization of metakaolin geopolymer concrete synthsized at ambient temperature.

Geopolymer concrete has been gaining extensive attention in recent years due to its numerous advantages over Ordinary Portland cement concrete in terms of reduced carbon footprint, improved mechanical strength, durability as well as chemical resistance. However, production of geopolymer concrete is usually affected by several factors such as the synthesis temperature, nature of the source material and the type of alkaline activator used. For these materials to have wider application within the Nigerian construction industry, there is a need to synthesize the concrete at ambient temperature and to examine the suitability of native Alkaleri kaolin to produce geopolymer concrete. The study presents the strength and microstructural properties of Metakaolin Geopolymer Concrete synthesized at ambient temperature. Alkaleri calcined kaolin from Bauchi state Nigeria was used as the main geopolymer precursor with sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate as the alkaline activating agent.&nbsp; The Geopolymer concrete was prepared with Silicon/Aluminium ratio of 2.0 and 2.5 (Geopolymer concrete M1 and M2 respectively) and cured for 3, 7, 14, 28, and 90 days at ambient condition (average temperature of 26°C and average relative humidity of 61± 15%). Fourier Transform Infra-Red, X-ray Diffraction, Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy as well as compressive strength and split tensile strength test were conducted on the Geopolymer concrete at appropriate curing age to examine their microstructure and strength properties. The Fourier Transform Infra-Red revealed that there was an immediate geopolymeric reaction between the metakaolin and the alkali activator. The X-ray Diffraction showed that the raw metakaolin sample and both Geopolymer concrete M1 and M2 were amorphous in nature; while the Geopolymer concrete M2 (Silicon/Aluminium ratio of 2.5) exhibited good dissolution of the kaolinite which resulted in a more compact and stable structure in comparison with Geopolymer concrete M1 (Silicon/Aluminium ratio of 2.0). This was also confirmed by the Scanning Electron Microscopic images of the Geopolymer concretes.&nbsp; The Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis revealed that both Geopolymer concrete M1 and M2 were thermally stable at 300°C and at 800°C, only the organic phase of the geopolymer decomposed. The strength properties (compressive and tensile strength) of Geopolymer concrete M1 and M2 increased with increase in the curing age, and Geopolymer concrete M2 displayed slightly higher strength in all the curing ages as compared with the Geopolymer concrete M1. This implies that the higher the Silicon/Aluminium ratio, the higher the mechanical strength of the geopolymer. Both the Geopolymer concrete samples attained a compressive strength that can be acceptable for structural use as normal strength concrete grade C20/25 as specified in the requirement of BS EN 206-1 2000 at 28 days curing