Monkeypox Virus: Lessons Learnt

The world has been facing a back-to-back hit to life after widespread of viruses since the time of COVID-19. The pandemic had a devastating effect and created history in mankind, but that was not enough for the time. The viruses are been known to be the deadliest microbes by virtue of their ability to reside as inactive for long time and become active again along with new variants when the conditions are favourable. One such noted spread out of virus has been that of Monkeypox Virus in humans. A zoonotic orthopoxvirus that can infect humans, the monkeypox virus (MPV) can cause disease with varied morbidity and death in humans. It has been demonstrated that members of the Orthopoxvirus genus decrease antiviral cell defences, take advantage of host cell machinery, and postpone infection-induced cell death. The name Monkeypox was after its first observation in Macaque monkey but the virus’s origin has been linked to a number of rodents and small mammals. The virus was endemic to Africa and is closely related to notorious variola (smallpox) virus. They both affect people with a febrile rash sickness that is similar to smallpox but has less severity. Monkeypox can spread from person to person and it is frequently related to breathing droplets or direct contact with mucocutaneous lesions of an affected person. There is now no cure available for those who are affected, yet supporting therapies can be used to help people with their symptoms. To better comprehend and prevent human infections, additional study is required on the epidemiology, ecology, mutations and biology of the new virus strains in endemic locations

Immunosuppressive and anti-cancer potential of aqueous extract of Solanum Xanthocarpum

451-457In this study whole plant aqueous extract of Solanum Xanthocarpum (HAESX) was investigated to assess its effect on humoral immune response along with interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and its expression in Wistar albino rats splenocytes culture. Anticancer potential of HAESX was investigated using rat lever hepatoma (N1S1 cancerous cell line). The effect of HAESX over humoral immune response was studied using four groups of five animals each (Group-I as control, Group -II orally fed with 125 mg/kg body weight, Group -III orally fed with 250 mg/kg body weight and Group -IV orally fed with 500 mg/kg body weight of HAESX). Quantification of IL-2 was done by sandwich ELISA and its expression was detected by the real time PCR. SRB assay (Sulforhodamine B) was done for detecting the effect of HAESX on N1S1 cell line. Dose dependent decrease in antibody titer was observed and production of IL-2 was also decreased significantly. Suppression of IL-2 production at 250 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL dose was also confirmed by the Real time PCR. Relative fold change in the expression of IL-2 gene was 592.22 and 10.77 at 250, 500 μg/mL HAESX concentrations respectively with respect to control. Dose dependent suppression of percent growth of N1S1 cells with increasing concentrations (10, 20, 40 and 80 µg/mL) of HAESX was found. It was concluded that S. xanthocarpum have the immunosuppressive, and anti cancer activity that can be further explore in treatment of various inflammatory and autoimmune disease

Immunosuppressive and anti-cancer potential of aqueous extract of Solanum Xanthocarpum

In this study whole plant aqueous extract of Solanum Xanthocarpum (HAESX) was investigated to assess its effect on humoral immune response along with interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and its expression in Wistar albino rats splenocytes culture. Anticancer potential of HAESX was investigated using rat lever hepatoma (N1S1 cancerous cell line). The effect of HAESX over humoral immune response was studied using four groups of five animals each (Group-I as control, Group -II orally fed with 125 mg/kg body weight, Group -III orally fed with 250 mg/kg body weight and Group -IV orally fed with 500 mg/kg body weight of HAESX). Quantification of IL-2 was done by sandwich ELISA and its expression was detected by the real time PCR. SRB assay (Sulforhodamine B) was done for detecting the effect of HAESX on N1S1 cell line. Dose dependent decrease in antibody titer was observed and production of IL-2 was also decreased significantly. Suppression of IL-2 production at 250 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL dose was also confirmed by the Real time PCR. Relative fold change in the expression of IL-2 gene was 592.22 and 10.77 at 250, 500 μg/mL HAESX concentrations respectively with respect to control. Dose dependent suppression of percent growth of N1S1 cells with increasing concentrations (10, 20, 40 and 80 µg/mL) of HAESX was found. It was concluded that S. xanthocarpum have the immunosuppressive, and anti cancer activity that can be further explore in treatment of various inflammatory and autoimmune disease

COVID-19 Evolution and Alternative Medicine - A Review

The current global health emergency, COVID-19, is not the first time that coronaviruses have posed a threat to human world shrinking our numbers by thousands. Before this SARS-CoV in 2003 and MERSCoV in 2013 have caused epidemics. Four months in existence, and it has already affected 1,995,983 people and taken over 131,037 lives worldwide, yet we do not have any specific treatment available with us and the management is purely empirical. Looking at the similarities between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 in origin, genomics, pathogenesis and epidemiology, we can bring the researches done for SARS-CoV in use which can be our guide in finding an effective management strategy against SARSCoV-2. There are various researches and studies reporting the use and effect of various phytochemical compounds in SARS-CoV treatment. Already, the thought has been put into action and in-silico screening for various natural plant compounds have been done to find a potential candidate compound. One such example is of curcumin, a secondary metabolite of turmeric, which is found to be effective against COVID-19 protease by molecular docking analysis

Ocimum sanctum: in vitro antiviral potential against animal viruses

Ocimum sanctum, a well and widely used medicinal plant has been reported to be efficient for many ailments quoted in Ayurvedic literature. It has been reported to treat the various ailments due to viral infections in humans like measles, chickenpox, influenza and Smallpox. Besides, it has also shown its potential to give protection in malignancy related disorders. The present study was carried out to screen its potential against animal viruses infecting the dairy animals. Bovine Herpes Virus-type-1 (BHV-1) and Foot and Mouth disease virus (FMDV) affecting cattles and Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) affecting poultry were screened. Cytopathic inhibition test was used to check the antiviral effect of O. sanctum against BHV-1 and FMDV in MDBK and BHK cell lines, respectively. Chick embryo fibroblasts were cultured to propagate NDV and tested by haemagglutination inhibition test. The maximum non-toxic dose of Ocimum sanctum leaves was determined in MDBK and BHK cell lines as well as in chick fibroblast by MTT assay. Ocimum sanctum nontoxic concentrations, 2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL were found in MDBK cell line, BHK cell line and chick fibroblast culture respectively. Concentrations lower than MNTD were used for studies. 85.3% and 98.4% protection were recorded against BHV-1 and NDV, respectively. However, no significant effect against FMD virus was observed. Thus, it can be effectively utilised in curing these viral diseases in farm animals

Wound healing potential of <i style="">Ocimum sanctum </i>Linn. with induction of tumor necrosis factor-<img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif' border=0>

402-406Ocimum sanctum, a well known herb in Indian medicine, possesses various therapeutic properties including healing properties and cytokine induction. Wound healing activity of cold aqueous extract of O. sanctum leaves along with its effect on tumor necrosis factor- (TNF- ) was assessed using excision model of wound repair in Wistar albino rats. After application of the O. sanctum extract, rate of epithelization with an increase in wound contraction was observed. In animals, treated with 10% O. sanctum extract in petroleum jelly, wound healing was faster as compared to control group which were treated with petroleum jelly alone but significant accelerated healing was noticed in animals which in addition to the topical application of 10% extract of O. sanctum, were prefed with 250mg/kg body weight of aqueous O. sanctum extract daily for 20 consecutive days. During wound healing phase TNF- level was found to be up regulated by O. sanctum treatment. Early wound healing may be pronounced due to O. sanctum extract, by elevating TNF- production

Insights into <i>Mycobacterium leprae</i> Proteomics and Biomarkers—An Overview

Although leprosy is curable, the identification of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of leprosy would play a pivotal role in reducing transmission and the overall prevalence of the disease. Leprosy-specific biomarkers for diagnosis, particularly for the paucibacillary disease, are not well defined. Therefore, the identification of new biomarkers for leprosy is one of the prime themes of leprosy research. Studying Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy, at the proteomic level may facilitate the identification, quantification, and characterization of proteins that could be potential diagnostics or targets for drugs and can help in better understanding the pathogenesis. This review aims to shed light on the knowledge gained to understand leprosy or its pathogen employing proteomics and its role in diagnosis

Cancer-Preventive Activity of <i>Argemone mexicana</i> Linn Leaves and Its Effect on TNF-α and NF-κB Signalling

Skin cancer is the 5th most common cancer in Western countries with a surge in case occurrences making it a global burden on healthcare systems. The present study aims to evaluate the cancer-preventive activity of an ethanolic extract of Argemone mexicana Linn leaves (AML). The DMBA/TPA method was used to induce skin cancer in mice. Experimental animals were divided into three pretreatment groups of 100 mg/kg BW, 250 mg/kg BW, and 500 mg/kg BW of AML extract, and feeding was continued during the induction process. In the fourth group, 500 mg/kg BW AML extract treatment was started along with the cancer induction. The analyses were performed on the basis of the time period of in-tumour induction incidence, haematological parameters, histopathology and augmentation of TNF-α secretion and the NF-κB (p65 subunit) signalling pathway. The AML extract resisted and delayed tumour formation for up to 8 weeks in the 500 mg/kg BW pretreated group as compared to 4 weeks in the negative control group. The tumour burden varied in a dose-dependent manner in the different groups. On the 60th day, a significantly high burden (p p Argemone mexicana Linn leaves (AML) in the mouse model and paved a pathway for molecular approaches which could be explored more in future studies

Immunomodulatory activity of <em>Neolamarckia cadamba</em> (Roxb.) Bosser with reference to IL-2 induction

451-459Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser syn. Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq., an evergreen tropical tree, known in Hindu Mythology, for its various medical properties. In the present study, immunomodulatory potential of N. cadamba has been investigated in Wistar albino rat model. The effect of hot aqueous extract (HAE) of N. cadamba leaves over differential leukocyte count and humoral immune response was assessed using four groups of six animals each (Gp-I as control, Gp-II orally fed with 125 mg/kg body weight, Gp-III orally fed with 250 mg/kg body weight and Gp-IV orally fed with 500 mg/kg body weight of HAE of N. cadamba leaves). Differential leukocyte count (DLC) was measured in blood, collected from retro-orbital plexus of rats of control and experimental groups. In vivo humoral immune response was determined by estimating the serum antibody titer against Salmonella typhimurium ‘O’ antigen using indirect ELISA. Interleukin (IL)-2 was assayed by sandwich ELISA in presence of different concentrations of HAE (20-500 µg/mL) in the culture supernatant of splenocytes and its expression was determined by quantitative reverse transcription real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results suggested significant increase (p N. cadamba. Serum antibody titer was also significantly increased (p N. cadamba fed animals. IL-2 level was augmented significantly (p in vitro splenocytes culture of 250 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL HAE treated animals in comparison to controls. IL-2 expression was confirmed at molecular level by qRT-PCR analysis of mRNA transcripts of IL-2 gene. Fold expression of IL-2 gene was 28.84 and 330.84 at 250 µg/mL, 500 µg/mL concentrations of HAE respectively in comparison to control. It is concluded that HAE of N. cadamba leaves is a promising drug with immuno-stimulant properties

Difference between Capillary Blood Glucose of Free Flap and the Patient: A Novel Objective Marker of Free Flap Vascular Compromise during Postoperative Monitoring

Background Defining cut-off values of flap glucose levels in diagnosing free flap vascular compromise, without taking patients' glucose levels into account, does not hold good in all circumstances, especially in cases of high fluctuations in patients' capillary blood glucose and in diabetic patients. The aim of our study was to establish the role of capillary blood glucose measurements of the flap in relation to patients' fingertip, as an objective tool for postoperative free flap monitoring. Methods A total of 76 free flaps underwent postoperative monitoring with reference test (clinical parameters) and simultaneously with our index test (difference between capillary blood glucose of free flap and the patient), in non-diabetic and diabetic patients. Patients' demography and flap characteristics were also recorded. An ROC curve was plotted to determine diagnostic accuracy and cut-offs of the index test in diagnosing free flap vascular compromise. Results Our Index test has a cut-off value of 24.5 mg/dL with 68.75% sensitivity and 93% specificity, with an accuracy of 91.54%. Conclusion The difference between capillary blood glucose of free flap and the patient is simple, feasible, and inexpensive, and can be done by any health care professional and does not require any specialized facilities or training. It has an excellent diagnostic accuracy to detect impending free flap vascular compromise, especially in non-diabetics. Although in diabetics, this test becomes less accurate. Being an observer-independent objective test, the difference in capillary blood glucose of patient and flap measurement can be used as a highly reliable tool for postoperative free flap monitoring