Anti-proliferating effect of Ocimum sanctum and Centella asiatica plant extract on growth of human glioblastoma cells: An in vitro study

Glioblastoma is aggressive brain tumour with poor prognosis with conventional chemotherapy, hence there is need to find alternative targets for developing newer treatment. Advent of new treatment methods involving medicinal plants have shown to reduced Cancer mortalities and prevents development of drug resistance for chemotherapy. Present study aimed at investigates the anti-proliferating activity of two promising medicinal plants, Ocimum sanctum and Centella asiatica. We studied the effect of their plant extract on U87MG Glioblastoma cells proliferation, survival effect and apoptosis. Cytotoxic activity was assessed, after the plant extract treatment on U87MG using MTT assay with dose of 1 mg/mL to 25mg/mL and apoptosis assess was done using Annexin V assay with the three dose (1.5 mg/mL, 2 mg/mL and 2.5 mg/mL). Survivin gene expression was studied using QRT-PCR (Rotar gene Q, Qiagene) has a marker of proliferation. Ocimum sanctum and Centella asiatica treatment of U87MG cells with dosage of 1.5 mg/mL, 2.0 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL showed increase in mean apoptotic cells 2.8 %, 4.9%, 10 % and 3.1%, 5.8% and 7.2%, respectively, compared to untreated U87MG cells. Survivin gene analysis of U87MG cells showed down-regulation in gene expression and differences was significant in comparison to untreated control group with both the plant extract, Centella asiatica showed more down-regulation (97% with 2.5 mg/mL) than Ocimum sanctum. Ocimum sanctum and Centella asiatica exhibited promising anti-proliferating activity and induces apoptosis by down regulation of survivin gene expressio

Identification and characterization of antibacterial compound(s) of cockroaches (Periplaneta americana)

Infectious diseases remain a significant threat to human health, contributing to more than 17 million deaths, annually. With the worsening trends of drug resistance, there is a need for newer and more powerful antimicrobial agents. We hypothesized that animals living in polluted environments are potential source of antimicrobials. Under polluted milieus, organisms such as cockroaches encounter different types of microbes, including superbugs. Such creatures survive the onslaught of superbugs and are able to ward off disease by producing antimicrobial substances. Here, we characterized antibacterial properties in extracts of various body organs of cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) and showed potent antibacterial activity in crude brain extract against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and neuropathogenic E. coli K1. The size-exclusion spin columns revealed that the active compound(s) are less than 10 kDa in molecular mass. Using cytotoxicity assays, it was observed that pre-treatment of bacteria with lysates inhibited bacteria-mediated host cell cytotoxicity. Using spectra obtained with LC-MS on Agilent 1290 infinity liquid chromatograph, coupled with an Agilent 6460 triple quadruple mass spectrometer, tissues lysates were analyzed. Among hundreds of compounds, only a few homologous compounds were identified that contained isoquinoline group, chromene derivatives, thiazine groups, imidazoles, pyrrole containing analogs, sulfonamides, furanones, flavanones, and known to possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, and possess anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, and analgesic properties. Further identification, characterization and functional studies using individual compounds can act as a breakthrough in developing novel therapeutics against various pathogens including superbugs

Tree integration in conservation agriculture: A case study of teak (Tectona grandis) + bael (Aegle marmelos) based agroforestry in the Bundelkhand region

The present study was carried out during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2021–22 and 2022–23 at ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh to study the impact of conservation agriculture practices within a teak (Tectona grandis L.)+ bael (Aegle marmelos L.)-based agroforestry system on growth rate and yield parameters of tree and crop component, as well as on soil properties. It examined the effect of tillage methods and residue retention on the growth and yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) as well as soil properties. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD), with three replications having eight treatments of comprising combinations, viz. Tillage methods (conventional and minimum); Cropping systems (sorghum-chickpea and maize-linseed); and Residue management practices (residue retention and no retention). Results indicated that residue retention under conventional tillage significantly enhanced plant height and dry matter accumulation in both linseed and chickpea. Crop yields were comparable under conventional and minimum tillage, although residue retention significantly boosted the yields of both crops. Conservation agricultural practices contributed to higher productivity in the teak+ bael-based agroforestry system. Residue retention improved soil organic carbon content by 24–39% compared to no residue retention. Additionally, nutrient availability (N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu) was enhanced through minimum tillage combined with residue retention

Hyperglycemia and steroid use increase the risk of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis regardless of COVID-19 hospitalization: Case-control study, India.

BackgroundIn the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an increased incidence of ROCM was noted in India among those infected with COVID. We determined risk factors for rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) post Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among those never and ever hospitalized for COVID-19 separately through a multicentric, hospital-based, unmatched case-control study across India.MethodsWe defined cases and controls as those with and without post-COVID ROCM, respectively. We compared their socio-demographics, co-morbidities, steroid use, glycaemic status, and practices. We calculated crude and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) through logistic regression. The covariates with a p-value for crude OR of less than 0·20 were considered for the regression model.ResultsAmong hospitalised, we recruited 267 cases and 256 controls and 116 cases and 231 controls among never hospitalised. Risk factors (AOR; 95% CI) for post-COVID ROCM among the hospitalised were age 45-59 years (2·1; 1·4 to 3·1), having diabetes mellitus (4·9; 3·4 to 7·1), elevated plasma glucose (6·4; 2·4 to 17·2), steroid use (3·2; 2 to 5·2) and frequent nasal washing (4·8; 1·4 to 17). Among those never hospitalised, age ≥ 60 years (6·6; 3·3 to 13·3), having diabetes mellitus (6·7; 3·8 to 11·6), elevated plasma glucose (13·7; 2·2 to 84), steroid use (9·8; 5·8 to 16·6), and cloth facemask use (2·6; 1·5 to 4·5) were associated with increased risk of post-COVID ROCM.ConclusionsHyperglycemia, irrespective of having diabetes mellitus and steroid use, was associated with an increased risk of ROCM independent of COVID-19 hospitalisation. Rational steroid usage and glucose monitoring may reduce the risk of post-COVID