FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING INDEX OF CUCURBITA MAXIMA SEEDS AND THEIR LIBS BASED ANTIOXIDANT ELEMENTAL PROFILE

Objective: To assess the free radical scavenging index and antioxidant capacity of C. maxima (Cucurbita maxima) seed extract in vitro and its correlation with the phytoelemental profile, quantitatively assessed by LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy).Methods: A number of in vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging assays were performed along with standard as a reference. Reduction capacity and scavenging potential of C. maxima seeds were analyzed in addition to their IC50 values and were compared with respective standards. Quantitative measurements of phytoelements present which is responsible for antioxidant activity is carried out by LIBS.Results: Significant Antioxidant power of the extract was validated by high values of Total Phenolics (18.42 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent) and Total Flavonoids (5.53 mg/g of quercetin equivalent). A result of Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (163.4 μM Fe+2/g) clearly reflects its reduction capacity. Percentage inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (69.25), Nitric Oxide (63.63) and 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (62.09) radicals proves its antioxidant potential undoubtedly, which was further confirmed by their IC50 values. Reducing power was found to increase significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Extent lipid peroxidation was also measured by comparing the results of Ferric thiocyanate assay with the Thiobarbituric acid method. LIBS analysis showed the presence of certain phytoelements viz. Mg, Ca and Na in the extract, which could be responsible for its antioxidant capacity.Conclusion: Thus, the seeds of C. maxima having a combination of antioxidant phytochemicals and phytoelements could be explored for developing as a complementary and alternative medicine for managing oxidative stress including diabetes as well as aging.Keywords: Reactive oxygen species, Cucurbita maxima, Elemental analysis, Laser spectroscop

Role of Moringa oleifera in regulation of diabetes-induced oxidative stress

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the antioxidant activity of aqueous extract ofMoringa oleifera (M. oleifera) young leaves by in vivo as well as in vitro assays.MethodsIn vitro study included estimation of total phenolic, total flavonol, total flavonoid and total antioxidant power (FRAP assay). In addition, in vivo study was done with the identified most effective dose of 200 mg/kg of its lyophilized powder on normal and diabetic rats. Its effect on different oxidative free radical scavenging enzymes,viz, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), lipid peroxide (LPO) contents were measured.ResultsSignificant increase in activities of SOD, CAT, GST while, a decrease in LPO content was observed. Whereas, total phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol contents in the extract were found to be 120 mg/g of GAE, 40.5 mg/g of QE and 12.12 mg/g of QE, respectively. On the other hand, FRAP assay results ofM. oleifera leaves was (85.00±5.00)μM/g of extract powder.ConclusionsThe significant antioxidant activities ofM. oleifera leaves from both in vivo as well as in vitro studies suggests that the regular intake of its leaves through diet can protect normal as well as diabetic patients against oxidative damage

Understanding the gendered experiences of women in architecture to improve gender diversity in the built-environment industry, an oral history

In the history of architecture women and women of color have faced, and continue to face, many challenges in entering and progressing within the architecture industry. According to AIA surveys, only seventeen percent of women gain licensure and move to upper levels of management in the United States, compared with their male counterparts. However, according to NCARB surveys, almost half the population of graduating architecture students are women. Gender diversity within architecture colleges is certainly improving, but how can we explain the large gap between educational institutions and the profession with respect to women, and particularly women of color? Extant research indicates that male-dominated workspaces and inflexible working conditions contribute to their main challenges. Other issues, related to why women refrain from advancing in their architectural careers, include discrimination at the workplace, unequal pay, sexual harassment, and unsafe working conditions. Consequently, the profession now calls for a greater increase of equitable opportunities for women and institutional restructuring of inclusion strategies to increase the number of women entering the workforce and to help women architects retain their jobs and take leadership positions. As research on STEM-based professions rapidly evolves, research and discourse about women within architecture and construction is still scarce. The architecture industry is far from creating any significant changes in women employment trends. We can at least start by finding ways to make women belong and feel accepted in the workforce. There is a large gap between the academic realm and professional realm within architecture that needs to be investigated urgently and such questions need to be amplified beyond the borders of graduate and undergraduate education to make a real change in the poor standards of diversity, equity and inclusion in the built-environment industry. Moreover, as more women’s support groups, educational institutions, and organizational leadership push for improving diversity in the workforce and demand for inclusive, safe, and equitable working environments, our oral history research and storytelling would help in solidifying the cause for including more women and women of color in the workforce, with equitable working conditions. One such example of an endeavor of highlighting these issues through the method of collecting oral histories and showcasing the positive impacts of feminist thought in architecture is visible in the multiple conversations recorded in the book- ‘Women [re] build: stories, polemics, futures.’ The collection of personal career stories shared by leading women architects, designers, builders, historians, thinkers, and activists, urge us to ask some crucial questions that would redefine the architectural practice, such as “ Where are the women whose architectural work should be celebrated and recognized for its courage and impact; who have cultivated female leadership while challenging the very principles of the discipline they represent; and who've asked the most difficult and rigorous of questions of those who build their visions?" (Ockman, et al. 2019). The context of this thesis is the historic and contemporary academic and professional setting for women architects. By conducting in depth interviews to understand the gendered experiences of women, and women of color in architecture, we generate a series of oral histories spanning three different generations and more than two hundred years of collective (cumulative period of work experiences of all interviewees) professional experiences. The interview responses reveal the unique challenges that women, and women of color have been facing, and continue to face within architectural institutions. We close the interviews with a discussion on insights and key findings to allow architectural institutions to empathize with the unique perspectives of women architects, by understanding how women perceive and experience the professional environment within the built-environment industry. We suggest these oral histories will help in educating the stakeholders of the built-environment industry about the lack of diversity and inclusion of women, and women of color in their organizations, and provide them a platform through which they can begin understanding their professional- lived experiences, empathizing with the same, and identifying elements within the professional realm that can be changed and updated to improve diversity and inclusion in the built-environment industry

α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity assessment of Cucurbita maxima seeds – a LIBS based study

The aim of the present study was to investigate, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the aqueous extract of Cucurbita maxima seeds in vitro and to correlate their activity with their phytoelemental profile quantitatively assessed by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Diabetes can be managed by controlling postprandial hyperglycemia which can be achieved by inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Results reveal that the C. maxima seeds have appreciable α-amylase inhibitory activity of 46.03±1.37% with IC50 value at 7.00±0.29 mg ml-1 in addition to substantial α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of 35.11±1.04% with IC50 at 8.11±0.36 mg ml-1. Acarbose was used as a reference. LIBS analysis showed the presence of certain phytoelements viz. Mg, Ca, K and Na which are well known glycemic elements and hence could be responsible for inhibitory activity of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes.Thus, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory action of C. maxima seeds would be responsible for their antidiabetic activity. The glycemic elemental profile further validates their role in controlling diabetes and hence C. maxima seeds could be explored as a potential herbal candidate for managing postprandial hyperglycemia causing type 2 diabetes mellitus

Evidence based study of antidiabetic potential of C. maxima seeds – In vivo

Objective: In vitro antidiabetic efficacy of Cucurbita maxima seed extract (CMSE) has already been studied in our previous findings. Thus, in order to validate these findings in biological system, in vivo antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract was investigated in normal as well as diabetic experimental models. Methods: Variable doses of extract were administered orally to normal and STZ induced mild diabetic rats during fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glucose tolerance test (GTT) studies. In order to determine the extract's antidiabetic potential long-term FBG and post prandial glucose (PPG) studies were also carried out. Results: Most effective dose of 200 mg kg−1 of CMSE decreases the blood glucose level (BGL) in normal rats by 29.02% at 6 h during FBG studies and 23.23% at 3 h during GTT. However, the maximum reduction observed in BGL of mild diabetic rats during GTT the same interval of time was 26.15%. Moreover, in case of severely diabetic rats a significant reduction of 39.33% was observed in FBG levels whereas, in case of positive control, rats treated with 2.5 mg kg−1 of glipizide, a fall of 42.9% in FBG levels was observed after 28 days. Results of PPG level also showed a fall of 33.20% in severely diabetic rats as compared to the positive control showing a fall of 44.2% at the end of the 28 days. Conclusion: Thus, the present study validate the hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effect of CMSE and hence this extract could be explored further for developing as a novel antidiabetic agent

LIBS Based Screening of Glycemic Elements of Ficus religiosa

The effectiveness of various trace element concentrations in medicinal plants in the cure of various diseases can be determined by their quantitative estimation. Elemental concentrations of aqueous extract of F. religiosa leaves were measured by Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). LIBS is a very powerful and efficient analytical tool for determining elemental constitution. The present study deals with the LIBS-based validation of elements responsible for the glycemic potential of aqueous extract of F. religiosa leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic models. The significant decrease in blood glucose level and marked improvement in glucose tolerance test of diabetic models is correlated to the concentration of elements present in the extract as revealed by LIBS spectra. Elements such as Mg and Ca have been observed in the LIBS spectra of F. religiosa