Antiurolithic activity of Origanum vulgare is mediated through multiple pathways

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Origanum vulgare </it>Linn has traditionally been used in the treatment of urolithiasis. Therefore, we investigated the crude extract of <it>Origanum vulgare </it>for possible antiurolithic effect, to rationalize its medicinal use.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The crude aqueous-methanolic extract of <it>Origanum vulgare </it>(Ov.Cr) was studied using the <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo </it>methods. In the <it>in vitro </it>experiments, supersaturated solution of calcium and oxalate, kidney epithelial cell lines (MDCK) and urinary bladder of rabbits were used, whereas, in the <it>in vivo </it>studies, rat model of urolithiasis was used for the study of preventive and curative effect.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the <it>in vitro </it>experiments, Ov.Cr exhibited a concentration-dependent (0.25-4 mg/ml) inhibitory effect on the slope of nucleation and aggregation and also decreased the number of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals (COM) produced in calcium oxalate metastable solutions. It also showed concentration-dependent antioxidant effect against DPPH free radical and lipid peroxidation induced in rat kidney tissue homogenate. Ov.Cr reduced the cell toxicity using MTT assay and LDH release in renal epithelial cells (MDCK) exposed to oxalate (0.5 mM) and COM (66 μg/cm²) crystals. Ov.Cr relaxed high K⁺(80 mM) induced contraction in rabbit urinary bladder strips, and shifted the calcium concentration-response curves (CRCs) towards right with suppression of the maximum response similar to that of verapamil, a standard calcium channel blocker. In male Wistar rats receiving lithogenic treatment comprising of 0.75% ethylene glycol in drinking water given for 3 weeks along with ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) for the first 5 days, Ov.Cr treatment (10-30 mg/kg) prevented as well as reversed toxic changes including loss of body weight, polyurea, crystalluria, oxaluria, raised serum urea and creatinine levels and crystal deposition in kidneys compared to their respective controls.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data indicating the antiurolithic activity in Ov.Cr, possibly mediated through inhibition of CaOx crystallization, antioxidant, renal epithelial cell protective and antispasmodic activities, rationalizes its medicinal use in urolithiasis.</p

Studies on bronchodilator and cardiac stimulant activities of Urginea indica

This study was designed to evaluate bronchodilator and cardio-tonic effects of Urginea indica to provide rational for these medicinal uses. U. indica bulb extract was studied on rabbit tracheal and guinea-pig atrial preparations mounted in tissue baths under simulated physiological conditions. U. indica inhibited carbachol (1 µM) and K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions in rabbit trachea, similar to dicyclomine, suggesting the presence of anticholinergic and calcium channel blocking (CCB) mechanisms in U. indica. Anticholinergic and CCB effects of U. indica were respectively confirmed when it shifted the carbachol and Ca2+ concentration-response curves rightwards, similar to dicyclomine. U. indica (0.01-1 mg/mL) increased force of guinea-pig atrial contractions without significantly affecting the rate. These data, indicating that U. indica possesses the bronchodilator activity possibly mediated through a combination of anticholinergic and Ca2+ antagonist mechanisms together with selective positive inotropic effect, provide rational for medicinal applications of U. indica in airways and cardiac disorders

Catalytic Performance of Calcium-Lanthanum co-doped Ceria (Ce0.85-xLa0.15CaxO2-δ) in Partial Oxidation of Methane

In this study, Ce0.85-xLa0.15CaxO2-δ was synthesized using sol-gel combustion method and appliedfor partial oxidation of methane (POM). The physicochemical properties of catalyst were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Material shows a pure cubical structure and is highly stable up to 850 °C. The performance testing indicated the conversion of CH4 is 65% and selectivity of H2 and CO are 28% and 8%, respectively. The performance indicated the catalyst has a potential to be used for partial oxidation of methane on a larger scale. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

Investigating the variation of benzene and 1,3 butadiene in the UK during 2000–2020

The concentrations of benzene and 1,3-butadiene in urban, suburban, and rural sites of the U.K. were investigated across 20 years (2000–2020) to assess the impacts of pollution control strategies. Given the known toxicity of these pollutants, it is necessary to investigate national long-term trends across a range of site types. We conclude that whilst legislative intervention has been successful in reducing benzene and 1,3-butadiene pollution from vehicular sources, previously overlooked sources must now be considered as they begin to dominate in contribution to ambient pollution. Benzene concentrations in urban areaswere found to be ~5-fold greater than those in rural areas,whilst 1,3-butadiene concentrations were up to ~10-fold greater

Abundance of no3 derived organo-nitrates and their importance in the atmosphere

The chemistry of the nitrate radical and its contribution to organo-nitrate formation in the troposphere has been investigated using a mesoscale 3-D chemistry and transport model, WRFChem-CRI. The model-measurement comparisons of NO2 , ozone and night-time N2O5 mixing ratios show good agreement supporting the model’s ability to represent nitrate (NO3 ) chemistry reasonably. Thirty-nine organo-nitrates in the model are formed exclusively either from the reaction of RO2 with NO or by the reaction of NO3 with alkenes. Temporal analysis highlighted a significant contribution of NO3 -derived organo-nitrates, even during daylight hours. Night-time NO3 -derived organo-nitrates were found to be 3-fold higher than that in the daytime. The reactivity of daytime NO3 could be more competitive than previously thought, with losses due to reaction with VOCs (and subsequent organo-nitrate formation) likely to be just as important as photolysis. This has highlighted the significance of NO3 in daytime organo-nitrate formation, with potential implications for air quality, climate and human health. Estimated atmospheric lifetimes of organo-nitrates showed that the organo-nitrates act as NOx reservoirs, with particularly short-lived species impacting on air quality as contributors to downwind ozone formation

Heat Governance in Urban South Asia: The Case of Karachi

This scoping study draws on a review of key policy documents, plans, grey, academic, and scientific literature to outline the role of state and non-state actors in Karachi’s heat governance. It emphasizes the need to understand heat, microclimates, urban planning, infrastructural inequities, and vulnerability in a relational context. It also presents original climate data analysis for the last 60 years in Karachi, to quantify the rapid temperature change in the city: findings that underscore why it is important now, more than ever, to talk about heat in the context of an unequal city

Studies on tracheorelaxant and anti-inflammatory activities of rhizomes of polygonatum verticillatum

Background: The present study describes the tracheorelaxant and anti-inflammatory effects of Polygonatum verticillatum which may support its medicinal use in hyperactive airway complaints and inflammatory disorders.Methods: The tracheorelaxant activity of crude extract of the rhizomes of P. verticillatum (PR) was assessed in isolated guinea-pig tracheal tissues immersed in tissue organ bath filled with Tyrode\u27s solution and a continuous supply of carbogen gas (95% O2 and 5% CO2). The contractile and relaxant responses of the tissue were measured using isometric transducers coupled with Power-Lab data acquisition system. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model, while the lipoxygenase inhibitory activity was performed in the in-vitro assay. Various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques were used for the isolation and characterization of pure molecules.Results: In isolated guinea-pig tracheal preparations, PR caused complete inhibition of the high K+ (80 mM) and carbachol-induced contractions however, it was more potent against K+ than CCh, similar to verapamil. Pretreatment of the tissue with PR, displaced the Ca2+ concentration-response curves to the right, similar to that induced by verapamil, indicating the presence of Ca2+ channel blocking like activity. When tested on carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, PR demonstrated a marked reduction in edema with 65.22% protection at 200 mg/kg, similar to aspirin. In the in-vitro assay, PR showed lipoxygenase inhibitory activity (IC50: 102 ± 0.19 μg/mL), similar to baicalein. Bioactivity-guided fractionation led to the isolation of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid and β-sitosterol.Conclusions: These results indicate that the plant possesses tracheorelaxant, mediated possibly through a Ca2+ channel blockade mechanism, and anti-inflammatory activities, which may explain the medicinal use of this plant in airway disorders and inflammation