Intercropping of medicinal and aromatic plants in coconut gardens

A field study was conducted at Horticulture Research Station, Arsikere, Karnataka during 2006-07 to 2008-09 to identify suitable medicinal and aromatic plants for intercropping in coconut gardens of maidan tract of Karnataka. The experiment consisted of 14 medicinal and aromatic crops viz., Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Makoi (Solanum nigrum), Coleus (Coleus forskohlii), Garden rue (Ruta graveolens), Lepidium (Lepidium sativum), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Arrow root (Maranta arundinaceae), Kacholam (Kaemferia galanga), Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens), Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus), Citronella (Cymbopogon winteranus), Lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanoides). The yield of all the medicinal and aromatic crops grown as intercrop in coconut garden were reduced compared to their sole crop yields. The reduction in yield was less in lemon grass (6.4 %), tulsi (23.5 %), arrow root (23.9 %), vetiver grass (25.1 %), kalmegh (25.7 %), makoi (29.1 %), citronella (30.2 %) and garden rue (30.5 %). The nut yield of coconut was improved with intercropping of medicinal and aromatic crops. The andrographolide content in kalmegh (4.40 to 3.20 %), rutin alkaloids in garden rue (1.68 to 1.40 %) and oil content in lepidium (19.60 to 17.23 %) were significantly reduced when grown as intercrops in coconut garden as compared to sole crop. However, the forskohlin content in coleus (0.43 to 0.61 %) and essential oil content in ambrette (0.24 to 0.29 %) were significantly increased by intercropping. In other medicinal and aromatic crops, the quality parameters were not significantly influenced by intercropping. The intercropping system of growing lemon grass under coconut recorded the highest net income (Rs. 91,561/ha) and B:C ratio (2.89) followed by garden rue (Rs. 81,865/ha and 2.79), tulsi (Rs. 77,472/ha and 2.71), kalmegh (Rs. 75,163/ha and 2.56), arrow root (Rs. 72,211/ha and 2.28) and makoi (Rs. 67,058/ha and 2.68). Hence, intercropping of lemon grass, garden rue, tulsi, kalmegh, arrow root and makoi with coconut can be recommended for maidan tract of Karnataka

Role of estrogen and progesterone receptors in neonatal uterine cell proliferation in the mouse

The major endocrine regulators of the female reproductive tract are 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). This review discusses our recent work related to the roles of E2 and P4 and their receptors, estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and progesterone receptor (PR), respectively, in the neonatal uterus. Neonatal uterine cells in mice are mitogenically responsive to estrogens, but neonatal ovariectomy does not inhibit pre-weaning uterine cell proliferation, indicating that this process does not require endogenous estrogens. Neonatal uterine cell proliferation could result from ligand-independent growth factor activation of ESR1, or be independent of ESR1 neonatally despite its obligatory role in adult uterine epithelial proliferation. To determine the role of ESR1 in uterine development, we analyzed cell proliferation and uterine gland development (adenogenesis) in wild-type (WT) and Esr1 knockout (Esr1KO) mice postnatally. Our results indicate that pre-weaning uterine cell proliferation and adenogenesis are independent of ESR1, but these processes become dependent on E2/ESR1 signaling for maintenance and further proliferation and uterine growth during puberty. How pre- weaning uterine cell proliferation and adenogenesis occur independently of E2/ESR1 signaling remains unknown, but ligand-independent activation of ESR1 is not involved in this process. The synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) inhibits luminal epithelial (LE) proliferation in neonatal mouse uteri, but it has been unclear whether Dex effects were mediated by glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and/or PR. We have used PR knockout (PRKO) mice to test whether PR is required for Dex inhibition of LE proliferation. Our results indicate that maximal inhibitory Dex effects on uterine LE proliferation require PR, possibly reflecting Dex crosstalk with PR. Inhibitory effects of Dex and P4 on LE proliferation may also involve GR binding, as indicated by the small but significant inhibition of LE proliferation by both Dex and P4 in PRKO mice

HDAC Inhibition by LBH589 Affects Phenotype and Function of Human Myeloid Dendritic Cells

LBH589 is a novel pan-HDAC inhibitor which has potent antitumor activity in multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies. However, its impact on immune system has not been defined. We here evaluated the effects of LBH589 on human myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) at clinically relevant concentrations. Exposure to LBH589 affected the surface molecule expression on immature and mature DCs, associated with DC maturation (CD83↓), antigen presentation (HLA-ABC↓), and T cell co-stimulation (CD40↓ and CD86↑). LBH589 decreased both protein and polysaccharide antigen uptake capacities by DCs. Importantly, LBH589 impaired DCs function to stimulate antigen-specific immune responses, resulting in the significant reduction of invariant NKT cell (CD1d-restricted) and T cell (MHC-restricted) activation in innate and adaptive immunity. LBH589 also significantly repressed the production of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-23 and TNF-α by TLR3 and TLR4-induced DCs activation, indicating an important role of HDAC activity in immune regulation and inflammation. RelB, a component of NF-κB signaling pathway, was the key component regulated by HDAC inhibition in DCs. Together, our preclinical study demonstrates that LBH589 significantly impairs phenotype and function of DCs, indicating a need for monitoring the immune status in patients receiving HDAC inhibitor therapy. It also provides a rationale to evaluate LBH589 activity for the treatment of inflammation

Yoga-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Trial

Background: Given the shortage of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs in India and poor uptake worldwide, there is an urgent need to find alternative models of CR that are inexpensive and may offer choice to subgroups with poor uptake (e.g., women and elderly). Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the effects of yoga-based CR (Yoga-CaRe) on major cardiovascular events and self-rated health in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Methods: The trial was conducted in 24 medical centers across India. This study recruited 3,959 patients with acute myocardial infarction with a median and minimum follow-up of 22 and 6 months. Patients were individually randomized to receive either a Yoga-CaRe program (n = 1,970) or enhanced standard care involving educational advice (n = 1,989). The co-primary outcomes were: 1) first occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, or emergency cardiovascular hospitalization); and 2) self-rated health on the European Quality of Life–5 Dimensions–5 Level visual analogue scale at 12 weeks. Results: MACE occurred in 131 (6.7%) patients in the Yoga-CaRe group and 146 (7.4%) patients in the enhanced standard care group (hazard ratio with Yoga-CaRe: 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71 to 1.15; p = 0.41). Self-rated health was 77 in Yoga-CaRe and 75.7 in the enhanced standard care group (baseline-adjusted mean difference in favor of Yoga-CaRe: 1.5; 95% CI: 0.5 to 2.5; p = 0.002). The Yoga-CaRe group had greater return to pre-infarct activities, but there was no difference in tobacco cessation or medication adherence between the treatment groups (secondary outcomes). Conclusions: Yoga-CaRe improved self-rated health and return to pre-infarct activities after acute myocardial infarction, but the trial lacked statistical power to show a difference in MACE. Yoga-CaRe may be an option when conventional CR is unavailable or unacceptable to individuals. (A study on effectiveness of YOGA based cardiac rehabilitation programme in India and United Kingdom; CTRI/2012/02/002408)

Nucleotide excision repair is a potential therapeutic target in multiple myeloma

Despite the development of novel drugs, alkylating agents remain an important component of therapy in multiple myeloma (MM). DNA repair processes contribute towards sensitivity to alkylating agents and therefore we here evaluate the role of nucleotide excision repair (NER), which is involved in the removal of bulky adducts and DNA crosslinks in MM. We first evaluated NER activity using a novel functional assay and observed a heterogeneous NER efficiency in MM cell lines and patient samples. Using next-generation sequencing data, we identified that expression of the canonical NER gene, excision repair cross-complementation group 3 (ERCC3), significantly impacted the outcome in newly diagnosed MM patients treated with alkylating agents. Next, using small RNA interference, stable knockdown and overexpression, and small-molecule inhibitors targeting xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group B (XPB), the DNA helicase encoded by ERCC3, we demonstrate that NER inhibition significantly increases sensitivity and overcomes resistance to alkylating agents in MM. Moreover, inhibiting XPB leads to the dual inhibition of NER and transcription and is particularly efficient in myeloma cells. Altogether, we show that NER impacts alkylating agents sensitivity in myeloma cells and identify ERCC3 as a potential therapeutic target in MM

NetPath: a public resource of curated signal transduction pathways

NetPath, a novel community resource of curated human signaling pathways is presented and its utility demonstrated using immune signaling data