BENEFICIAL OUTCOMES AFTER COMBINED THERAPY WITH AZATHIOPRINE AND PIOGLITAZONE IN PRECLINICAL ARTHRITIC MODELS

Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities of azathioprine-pioglitazone combination therapy to check whether it has an add on benefit over monotherapy with azathioprine or pioglitazone on disease activity in rodent models. Methods: The antioxidant activity of test drugs and their combination was screened by H2O2 and nitric oxide scavenging assays. They were further evaluated for anti-arthritic activity using in vitro models such as protein denaturation and membrane stabilization and in vivo methods such as formaldehyde and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Results: The combination of test drugs showed better inhibition of free radicals in both H2O2 and nitric oxide scavenging assay than individual counterparts revealing its potential antioxidant activity. They also showed significant inhibition of protein denaturation and proliferation of the red blood cell in in vitro models. The test drugs showed significant inhibition of the paw volume in both the formaldehyde and CFA-induced arthritis along with reverting the altered biochemical parameters. These findings were corroborated by radiological and histopathological studies. Conclusions: Combination of azathioprine and pioglitazone exhibited better antioxidant and anti-arthritic effect than the individual drugs showing synergistic interaction between them

CYTOTOXICITY ACTIVITY OF SOME INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS

Objective: The current study is carried out to evaluate cytotoxicity activity of the methanolic extracts of some medicinal plants (Buchanania axillaris Desr, Tamilnadia ulignosa Retz, Phaseolus semierectus L and Stylosanthes fruticosa Retz).Methods: Cytotoxicity activity was evaluated on human cancer cell lines such as lung cancer (A549) and skin cancer (A431) using MTT assay method.Results: The selected plant extracts showed the dose-dependent cytotoxicity activity on the tested cell lines. The cytotoxicity variations on different cell lines were also observed for tested plants extracts. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was increased as the concentration of them was increased. Among all tested plants extracts Phaseolus semierectus showed the better cytotoxicity activity on tested cell lines.Conclusion: The results of the present study supported the folkloric usage of the studied plants and confirmed that the plant's extracts have the bioactive constituents with cytotoxic properties and their isolation can be useful for developing new anticancer drugs

CYTOTOXICITY ACTIVITY OF SOME INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS

Objective: The current study is carried out to evaluate cytotoxicity activity of the methanolic extracts of some medicinal (Buchanania axillaris Desr, Tamilnadia ulignosa Retz, Phaseolus semierectus L and Stylosanthes fruticosa Retz).Methods: Cytotoxicity activity was evaluated on human cancer cell lines such as lung cancer (A549) and skin cancer (A431) using MTT assay method.Results: The selected plant extracts showed the dose-dependent cytotoxicity activity on the tested cell lines. The cytotoxicity variations on different cell lines were also observed for tested plants extracts. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was increased as the concentration of them was increased. Among all tested plants extracts Phaseolus semierectus showed the better cytotoxicity activity on tested cell lines. Conclusion: The results of the present study supported the folkloric usage of the studied plants and confirmed that the plant's extracts have the bioactive constituents with cytotoxic properties and their isolation can be useful for developing new anticancer drugs

Synthesis of peptidyl ureas using p-​nitrophenyl (9-​fluorenylmethoxycarbonylamino)​methylcarbamate derivatives

Carbamates Fmoc-​NHCHRNHCO2C6H4NO2-​p (Fmoc is 9-​fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, R is an amino acid side chain) were prepd. using isocyanates derived from Fmoc-​amino acid azides and p-​nitrophenol in the presence of an equimolar quantity of N-​ethyldiisopropylamine. The carbamates were coupled with amino acid ester hydrochlorides to afford dipeptidyl ureas

MW-​enhanced high-​speed deprotection of Boc group using p-​TsOH and concomitant formation of N-​Me-​amino acid benzyl ester p-​TsOH salts

A high-​speed, complete deprotection of Boc group from Boc (Boc = tert-​butoxycarbonyl) amino acids and protected peptide esters employing p-​TsOH in toluene under microwave irradn. is found to be complete in 30 s. The deprotection can be carried out in methanol and acetonitrile also. Under the present conditions, C-​peptide benzyl esters and O-​benzyl ethers have been found to be stable. This has permitted us to carry out the synthesis of [Leu]​enkephalin employing the Boc​/Bzl-​group strategy. Further more, it has been found that both Nα-​Fmoc (Fmoc = 9-​fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl) and Nα-​Z (Z = benzyloxycarbonyl) groups are completely stable. The present conditions can be extended for the concomitant removal of the Boc group and the formation of C-​benzyl amino acid esters as well. This has been utilized for the synthesis of N-​Me amino acid benzyl esters starting from Boc-​N-​Me amino acids in a single step

Improving livelihoods through conservation and education / Magda Rich, Ganga Changappa, Babu Raghavan and Karl M. Rich A case study of the Swastha butterfly garden

Abstract In many parts of the developing world, those with physical or mental handicaps are often considered to be a burden on society, with limited to no remunerative activities available in the workforce. Activities such as butterfly farming, which require precision and attention to detail, are potentially relevant for disadvantaged groups as a source of livelihoods. At the same time, such activities can be integrated with community-led conservation efforts as well. We provide a case study of the development of a butterfly garden at the Swastha Centre for Special Education and Rehabilitation in the Kodagu area of Coorg, a region in the state of Karnataka in India through which conservation-based activities are integrated with special education in a manner than builds skills, improves livelihoods, and serves as an important resource for environmental education. Our case demonstrates a scalable means by which butterflies can be used to educate, improve the environment, and offer livelihoods to the disadvantaged in a country where such opportunities are greatly needed