Evaluation of contact spermicidal potential of Lantana camara leaf extracts on human spermatozooa

Background: The Present study was designed to evaluate the spermicidal potential of various Lantana camara leaf extracts on healthy human spermatozoa.Methods: Four different extracts viz. Petroleum ether, Chloroform, Methanol and Water were prepared and diluted to various concentrations. These were then treated with suitably diluted human semen samples. Various parameters like sperm motility, sperm viability, sperm count, hypoosmotic swelling, acrosomal status and function were noted.Results: The results showed that methanolic and aqueous extracts possessed maximum spermicidal potential in terms of above mentioned sperm health and function parameters. Therefore, methanolic and aqueous extracts were further studied for In-vitro evaluation of pro-oxidant activity by detection of ROS generation using fluorescent probe detection method.Conclusions: The results revealed that both methanolic and aqueous extracts of Lantana camara possessed pro-oxidant potential which could be attributed for its observed contact spermicidal activity

Beneficial effects of Morus alba and Azadirachta indica leaf extract based combination cream in scalding type burn injury in rats

Background: The present study was designed to evaluate the potential of a combination cream of aqueous extracts of leaves of Morus alba (MA) and Azadirachta indica (AI) in scalding type burn wound injury in rats.Methods: Plant material was successively extracted and aqueous extracts were selected. Three extract based cream formulations viz. 20% w/w(MA), 20% w/w (AI), and combination cream containing 10%+10% w/w (MA+AI) were prepared. Cream base and standard anti-burn cream containing silver sulfadiazine were also used for comparison. Scalding type burn was given by pouring water at 90°C on a shaved dorsal area of 20 mm2. Deep second-degree burn injury was produced which was evaluated for next 21 days for a percentage of wound contraction and period of epithelialization. On 21st day, animals were sacrificed and histopathological slides were prepared using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Burned tissue was also screened for levels of oxidative stress using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) estimation.Results: There was a significant increase in the percentage of wound contraction and significant decrease in period of epithelialization in MA, AI, and MA+AI combination cream treated group as compared with control group. However, most significant results were obtained with MA+AI combination cream. Histologically, MA+AI cream treatment resulted in almost complete re-epithelialization and restructuring of the wound tissue. There was a significant rise in TBARS and decrease in GSH levels in burn injury group which was reversed to a major extent by the application of combination cream.Conclusions: The results indicate toward the possible role of free radical scavenging potential of extracts in the Burn wound tissue healing

Evaluation of the protective effect of Prunus amagdylus against aluminium chloride induced neurochemical alterations and spatial memory deficits in rats

Background: The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Prunus amagdylus nut kernels against aluminium chloride induced spatial memory deficits in rats.Methods: Plant material was extracted, and extracts were evaluated for anti-oxidants by DPPH method. Animals were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group 1 was normal group and was kept undisturbed. Group 2 was administered with Aluminium Chloride (4.2mg/kg i.p) for 21 successive days. Group 3 and 4 were pre-administered with Prunus amygdalus methanolic extract at dose 0.5 and 1mg/kg/ p.o) one hour prior to aluminium chloride administration. The memory parameters (both acquisition and retrieval) were evaluated using Morris water maze. After behavioural studies, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation and braintissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH) and catalase activity were measured. Brain tissues from all the groups were histopathologically evaluated using Haematoxylin-eosin staining.Results: Administration of Aluminium chloride resulted in severe memory deficits and neurochemical alterations as was indicated by significant increase in Transfer Latency (TL) time on Morris water maze and increase in the brain tissue TBARS levels in the control group animals. There was significant reduction in the GSH and catalase levels indicating decreased anti-oxidant defence. Histopathologically, control group animal brain tissue showed signs of neuroinflammation. All behavioural and neurochemical and histopathological changes were prevented to a significant extent in the animal groups pre-treated with Prunus amygdalus extract.Conclusions: Methanolic extract of Prunus amaygdalus possesses protective activity against aluminium chloride induced neurotoxicity and associated memory deficits

Preparation and Evaluation of Sulfacetamide Sodium Ocusert for Controlled Drug Delivery

The intent of this research was to formulate and evaluate controlled release ocusert of sulfacetamide sodium for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Ocusert is a sterile preparation having drug as dispersion or as solution in the polymeric base. Prepared Ocuserts were formulated using hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose K-15 and Ethyl cellulose as polymers at various concentrations and combinations. Polymeric Films were prepared by mercury casting method using different ratios of polymers. Selected physiochemical properties such as thickness, weight, percentage moisture absorption, and in-vitro release and sterility studies of sulfacetamide sodium ocusert were studied and reported that prepared ocusert resolved the problems of poor bioavailability, frequent dosing and wastage of active ingredient. Keywords: Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose K-15, ocusert, sulfacetamide sodiu

PROSOPIS CINERARIA (L) DRUCE: A DESERT TREE TO BRACE LIVELIHOOD IN RAJASTHAN

The Prosopis cineraria (L) Druce is an important tree (Khejri- a local name in Rajasthan)for the Thar Desert withhard climatic adaptation and one of the lifeline in desert habitat as mentioned in ancient literature. This is a speciesrepresenting all five F viz., Forest, Fiber, Fuel, Fodder and Food. This tree is also mythological important in localcommunities. High value of this species recognized as a State symbol (state tree of Rajasthan). Prosopis cineraria(L.) Druce is a tree endemic to hot deserts of India, belonging to the family Leguminosae. Pods locally called“Sangri” are considered as dry fruit of desert and are one of the main ingredients of quintessential Rajasthani dish -The Panchkuta. In the present article, we have attempted to review different characteristics of the pods, tounderstand its health benefits. Various phytoconstituents like tannins (gallic acid), steroids (stigmasterol,campesterol, sitosterol, etc.), Flavone derivatives (prosogerin A, B, C, D, and E), alkaloids (spicigerine,prosophylline), etc. have been isolated from the sangri pods .As this plant is found in water stress (or deficient area)so antioxidant potential of pods has also been discussed. Prosopis cineraria (L) Druce is one of the highly valuedplant in the Indigenous System of Medicine. P. cineraria pods provide protein, iron, vitamins A and C and othermicro minerals Unripe pods are also nutritious and are used to prepare curries and pickles. Its bark is said to be apotent drug for several ailments such as leprosy, dysentery, bronchitis, asthma, leucoderma, piles, muscular tremors,asthma, rheumatism and inflammations. Pharmacological activities like analgesic, antipyretic, antihyperglycemic,antioxidant, antihypercholesterolemic, antitumor, nootropic anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral andanticancer activities have been reported from different plant extracts. In view of its medicinal importance, thepresent review is focused to delineate its chemical constitution and therapeutic potentiality, precisely

High yield synthesis of electrolyte heating assisted electrochemically exfoliated graphene for electromagnetic interference shielding applications

Herein, we demonstrate a facile one pot synthesis of graphene nanosheets by electrochemical exfoliation of graphite. In the present study, we report a significant increase in the yield of graphene by electrolyte heating assisted electrochemical exfoliation method. The obtained results of heating assisted electrochemically exfoliated graphene (utilizing H2SO4 + KOH + DW) synthesis clearly exhibit that the yield increases similar to 4.5 times i.e. from similar to 17% (room temperature) to similar to 77% (at 80 degrees C). A plausible mechanism for the enhanced yield based on lattice expansion and vibration of intercalated ions has been put forward and discussed in details. The quality of graphene was examined by Raman, XPS, FTIR, AFM, SEM, TEM/HRTEM and TGA techniques. The Raman as well as morphogenesis results confirm the quality of the graphene nanosheets. We have used this graphene as electromagnetic interference shielding material where a comparatively large quantity of graphene is required. This graphene exhibits enhanced shielding effectiveness (46 dB at 1 mm thickness of stacked graphene sheets in frequency region 12.4 to 18 GHz) as compared to conventional electromagnetic interference shielding materials, which is greater than the recommended limit (similar to 30 dB) for techno-commercial applications. Thus the present work is suggestive for future studies on enhancement of yield of high quality graphene by proposed method and the use of synthesized graphene in electromagnetic interference shielding and other possible applications

Temporally sequenced anticancer drugs overcome adaptive resistance by targeting a vulnerable chemotherapy-induced phenotypic transition

Understanding the emerging models of adaptive resistance is key to overcoming cancer chemotherapy failure. Using human breast cancer explants, in vitro cell lines, mouse in vivo studies and mathematical modelling, here we show that exposure to a taxane induces phenotypic cell state transition towards a favoured transient CD44HiCD24Hi chemotherapy-tolerant state. This state is associated with a clustering of CD44 and CD24 in membrane lipid rafts, leading to the activation of Src Family Kinase (SFK)/hemopoietic cell kinase (Hck) and suppression of apoptosis. The use of pharmacological inhibitors of SFK/Hck in combination with taxanes in a temporally constrained manner, where the kinase inhibitor is administered post taxane treatment, but not when co-administered, markedly sensitizes the chemotolerant cells to the chemotherapy. This approach of harnessing chemotherapy-induced phenotypic cell state transition for improving antitumour outcome could emerge as a translational strategy for the management of cancer

Towards the elimination of paediatric tuberculosis in high-income, immigrant-receiving countries: a 25-year conventional and molecular epidemiological case study

The epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) in high-income countries is increasingly dictated by immigration. The influence of this trend on paediatric TB and TB elimination are not well defined. We undertook a 25-year conventional and molecular epidemiologic study of paediatric TB in Alberta, one of four major immigrant-receiving provinces in Canada. All isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were DNA fingerprinted using standard methodology. Between 1990 and 2014, 176 children aged 0–14 years were diagnosed with TB. Foreign-born children or Canadian-born children of foreign-born parents accounted for an increasingly large proportion of total cases during the study period (from 32.1% to 89.5%). Of the 78 culture-positive cases, 35 (44.9%) had a putative source case identified by conventional epidemiology, with 34 (97.1%) having a concordant molecular profile. Of the remaining 43 culture-positive cases, molecular profiling identified spatially and temporally related sources in six cases (14.0%). These six children, along with four other children whose source cases were discovered through reverse-contact tracing, had a high morbidity and mortality. The increasing burden of paediatric TB in both foreign-born children and Canadian-born children of foreign-born parents calls for more timely diagnosis of source cases and more targeted screening for latent TB infection

Synthesis of macromolecular systems via lipase catalyzed biocatalytic reactions: applications and future perspectives

Enzymes, being remarkable catalysts, are capable of accepting a wide range of complex molecules as substrates and catalyze a variety of reactions with a high degree of chemo-, stereo- and regioselectivity in most of the reactions. Biocatalysis can be used in both simple and complex chemical transformations without the need for tedious protection and deprotection chemistry that is very common in traditional organic synthesis. This current review highlights the applicability of one class of biocatalysts viz. ‘‘lipases’’ in synthetic transformations, the resolution of pharmaceutically important small molecules including polyphenols, amides, nucleosides and their precursors, the development of macromolecular systems (and their applications as drug/gene carriers), flame retardants, polymeric antioxidants and nanocrystalline solar cells, etc

Chromatin dynamics during interphase and cell division:similarities and differences between model and crop plants

Genetic information in the cell nucleus controls organismal development, responses to the environment and finally ensures own transmission to the next generations. To achieve so many different tasks, the genetic information is associated with structural and regulatory proteins, which orchestrate nuclear functions in time and space. Furthermore, plant life strategies require chromatin plasticity to allow a rapid adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the organisation of plant chromatin and dynamics of chromosomes during interphase and mitotic and meiotic cell divisions for model and crop plants differing as to the genome size, ploidy and amount of genomic resources available. The existing data indicate that chromatin changes accompany most (if not all) cellular processes and that there are both shared and unique themes in the chromatin structure and global chromosome dynamics among species. Ongoing efforts to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in chromatin organisation and remodeling have, together with the latest genome editing tools, potential to unlock crop genomes for innovative breeding strategies and improvements of various traits