Evaluation of Radioprotective Effect of Garcinia Indica in Mice Exposed to ?-Radiation

The effect of 0, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 40, 50 and 80 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Gracinia indica administered intraperitoneally was studied on the radiation-induced mortality in mice exposed to 6 Gray of γ-radiation. Treatment of mice with different doses of G.indica consequently for five days delayed the onset of mortality and reduced symptoms of radiation sickness when compared with the non-drug treated irradiated controls. The highest protection against gastrointestinal (GI) tract death was observed for 10g of Garcinia indica, where the highest number of survivors were reported up to 9 days post radiation, while 10mg/kg of Garcinia indica administered i.p. provided the best protection as evidenced by the highest number of survivors 30 days post-radiation in this group when compared to other doses of G. indica. Toxicity study showed that G. indica was non-toxic up to doses of 220 mg/kg bw, where no drug-induced mortality was observed. The LD50 dose i.p. of G. indica was found to be 250 mg/kg bw. Our study demonstrated the ability of G. indica as a good radio protective agent and the optimum protective dose was 1/25th of its LD50 dose

Curcumin, garcinol and dietary N-​3 fatty acids, lower the release of lysosomal enzymes in rat peritoneal macrophages

Male Wistar rats (12rats​/group) were fed a diet contg. 8 wt % coconut oil or groundnut oil or cod-​liver oil for a total period of 8 wk. The diets were also supplemented with 2 wt % groundnut oil for providing essential fatty acids. During the last 2 wk, 6 rats form each group were addnl. given curcumin (30 mg​/kg body wt​/day) or garcinol (5 mg​/kg body wt​/day) in 1 mL groundnut oil. The peritoneal macrophages from rats fed cod-​liver oil diet secreted lower levels of lysosomal enzymes collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase as compared to those from rats fed coconut oil or groundnut oil diets. Curcumin and garcinol significantly lowered the secretion of these lysosomal enzymes from macrophages in animals given coconut oil or groundnut oil diet. These studies indicated that dietary cod-​liver oil (rich in n-​3 fatty acids)​, and spice principles curcumin and garcinol can lower the secretory functions of macrophages in a beneficial manner. (Mol Cell Biochem 203:153-​161, 2000)​

Antioxidant Capacities of Fruit Extracts of Garcinia indica with Different Assays and Maturity Stages

This study provides a basis and principle for developing an integrated antioxidant assay of Garcinia indica (kokum). Three maturity stages (unripe, medium ripe and fully ripe) of kokum fruit were analyzed for their total phenolic contents (TPC), 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl-scavenging ability (DPPH-SC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC). Significant correlations were obtained for the four assays used (r ranging from 0.380 to 0.767, all p < 0.01). Two-way ANOVA revealed that there were significant effects of maturity stage, and the interaction maturity stages for TPC, FRAP and ORAC, whereas only maturity stage and the interaction term were significant for DPPH-SC activity. Overall, the present results provide basic data for choosing kokum fruits with higher antioxidant activity for direct consumptio

Plant Profile, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Garcinia indica: A Review

Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) is defined as the recurrence of psychological and physical symptoms in the luteal phase, which remit in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Symptoms of which fall in three domains: Emotional, Physical and Behavioural, eg: depression, irritability, tension, crying, abdominal cramps, fatigue, bloating, food cravings, poor concentration, social withdrawal etc. Premenstrual symptoms can be managed if diagnosed at right time with suitable pharmacological and non pharmacological treatment. Therefore it is suggested that life style modification & counselling are essential. If neglected, may even be life threatening in patients with severe symptoms can be occur. Non-pharmacologic interventions for PMS include patient education, supportive therapy, and behavioural changes. Behavioural measures include keeping a symptom diary, getting adequate rest and exercise, and making dietary changes. Dietary supplements in women with PMS should include vitamins (A, E and B6), calcium,magnesium, multivitamins/mineral supplements and evening primrose oil. Pharmacological treatment includes anti-depressants and hormonal therapy. Surgery may be considered in severely affected patients who fail to respond to other therapies and also have significant gynaecologic problems for which surgery would be appropriate

Palm Oil and Rice Bran Oil: Current Status and Future Prospects

The continued demand for edible oils by the ever increasing population makes it pertinent to explore new sources. In this direction, two new edible oils namely palm oil and rice bran oil have been subjected to nutritional and toxicological evaluations of their chemicals constituents. An attempt has been made in this article to assess the acceptability of the two oils based on the various investigations that have been carried out so far

Knock-out of vasotocin reduces reproductive success in female zebrafish, Danio rerio

The vertebrate nonapeptide vasotocin/vasopressin is evolutionarily highly conserved and acts as neuromodulator and endocrine/paracrine signaling molecule. Circumstantial and mechanistic evidence from pharmacological manipulations of the vasotocin system in several teleost fishes suggest sex- and species-specific reproductive roles of vasotocin. While effects of vasotocin on teleost reproductive physiology involve both courtship behaviors and the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes, comprehensive studies investigating behavioral and physiological reproductive consequences of genetic ablation of vasotocin in a genetically tractable fish model, such as the zebrafish, are currently lacking. Here, we report the generation of homozygous CRISPR/Cas9-based vasotocin gene knock-out zebrafish. Breeding pairs of vasotocin knock-out fish produce significantly fewer fertilized eggs per clutch compared to wildtype fish, an effect coincident with reduced female quivering courtship behavior. Crossbreeding experiments reveal that this reproductive phenotype is entirely female-dependent, as vasotocin-deficient males reproduce normally when paired with female wild-type fish. Histological analyses of vasotocin knock-out ovaries revealed an overall reduction in oocytes and differential distribution of oocyte maturation stages, demonstrating that the reproductive phenotype is linked to oocyte maturation and release. Ovarian hormone quantification and gene expression analysis in mutant fish indicated reduced synthesis of Prostaglandin F2α, a hormone involved in ovarian maturation, egg release and regulation of female courtship behavior in some cyprinids. However, acute injection of vasotocin did not rescue the female mutant reproductive phenotype, suggesting a contribution of organizational effects of vasotocin. Together, this study provides further support for emerging roles of vasotocin in female teleost reproduction in an important teleost model species

Modulatory effect of dietary factors on iron-induced <i style="">in vivo</i> lipid peroxidation in liver and serum of albino rats

32-38Effect of a computed diet based on cereals and spices incorporated with either crude palm oil (CPO)/soybean oil (SBO)/cod liver oil (CLO) at 10% level in the diet in modulating iron-induced in vivo lipid peroxidation was carried out during a 12 week study in albino rats. Three groups of rats, each divided into three sets were fed diets based on casein/ragi/jowar incorporated with CPO or SBO or CLO. The casein group of rats did not receive any spice mixture, while the ragi and jowar groups received spice mixture at 2.5% level. Serum lipid analysis showed significant increase in cholesterol, LDL-c + VLDL-c and decrease in HDL-c levels in all the iron treated group of animals. In liver, non-significant increase in total cholesterol triglyceride and decrease in phospholipid levels were noted. Fatty acid profile of liver tissue exhibited low 18:2 levels in various experimental groups due to peroxidation of membrane lipids. Histopathological examination of liver tissue in particular showed mild cytoplasmic vacuolation in control group of rats fed ragi/jowar and moderate vacuolation in all the iron-treated groups. The results demonstrate that different dietary components can beneficially modulate free radical mediated oxidative stress induced by lipid peroxidation

Respiratory support in patients with severe COVID-19 in the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection (ISARIC) COVID-19 study: a prospective, multinational, observational study

Background: Up to 30% of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 require advanced respiratory support, including high-flow nasal cannulas (HFNC), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors for failing non-invasive respiratory support in patients treated with severe COVID-19 during the first two years of the pandemic in high-income countries (HICs) and low middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: This is a multinational, multicentre, prospective cohort study embedded in the ISARIC-WHO COVID-19 Clinical Characterisation Protocol. Patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who required hospital admission were recruited prospectively. Patients treated with HFNC, NIV, or IMV within the first 24 h of hospital admission were included in this study. Descriptive statistics, random forest, and logistic regression analyses were used to describe clinical characteristics and compare clinical outcomes among patients treated with the different types of advanced respiratory support. Results: A total of 66,565 patients were included in this study. Overall, 82.6% of patients were treated in HIC, and 40.6% were admitted to the hospital during the first pandemic wave. During the first 24 h after hospital admission, patients in HICs were more frequently treated with HFNC (48.0%), followed by NIV (38.6%) and IMV (13.4%). In contrast, patients admitted in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) were less frequently treated with HFNC (16.1%) and the majority received IMV (59.1%). The failure rate of non-invasive respiratory support (i.e. HFNC or NIV) was 15.5%, of which 71.2% were from HIC and 28.8% from LMIC. The variables most strongly associated with non-invasive ventilation failure, defined as progression to IMV, were high leukocyte counts at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 5.86 [4.83-7.10]), treatment in an LMIC (OR [95%CI]; 2.04 [1.97-2.11]), and tachypnoea at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 1.16 [1.14-1.18]). Patients who failed HFNC/NIV had a higher 28-day fatality ratio (OR [95%CI]; 1.27 [1.25-1.30]). Conclusions: In the present international cohort, the most frequently used advanced respiratory support was the HFNC. However, IMV was used more often in LMIC. Higher leucocyte count, tachypnoea, and treatment in LMIC were risk factors for HFNC/NIV failure. HFNC/NIV failure was related to worse clinical outcomes, such as 28-day mortality. Trial registration This is a prospective observational study; therefore, no health care interventions were applied to participants, and trial registration is not applicable

Respiratory support in patients with severe COVID-19 in the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection (ISARIC) COVID-19 study: a prospective, multinational, observational study

Background: Up to 30% of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 require advanced respiratory support, including high-flow nasal cannulas (HFNC), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors for failing non-invasive respiratory support in patients treated with severe COVID-19 during the first two years of the pandemic in high-income countries (HICs) and low middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: This is a multinational, multicentre, prospective cohort study embedded in the ISARIC-WHO COVID-19 Clinical Characterisation Protocol. Patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who required hospital admission were recruited prospectively. Patients treated with HFNC, NIV, or IMV within the first 24 h of hospital admission were included in this study. Descriptive statistics, random forest, and logistic regression analyses were used to describe clinical characteristics and compare clinical outcomes among patients treated with the different types of advanced respiratory support. Results: A total of 66,565 patients were included in this study. Overall, 82.6% of patients were treated in HIC, and 40.6% were admitted to the hospital during the first pandemic wave. During the first 24 h after hospital admission, patients in HICs were more frequently treated with HFNC (48.0%), followed by NIV (38.6%) and IMV (13.4%). In contrast, patients admitted in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) were less frequently treated with HFNC (16.1%) and the majority received IMV (59.1%). The failure rate of non-invasive respiratory support (i.e. HFNC or NIV) was 15.5%, of which 71.2% were from HIC and 28.8% from LMIC. The variables most strongly associated with non-invasive ventilation failure, defined as progression to IMV, were high leukocyte counts at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 5.86 [4.83–7.10]), treatment in an LMIC (OR [95%CI]; 2.04 [1.97–2.11]), and tachypnoea at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 1.16 [1.14–1.18]). Patients who failed HFNC/NIV had a higher 28-day fatality ratio (OR [95%CI]; 1.27 [1.25–1.30]). Conclusions: In the present international cohort, the most frequently used advanced respiratory support was the HFNC. However, IMV was used more often in LMIC. Higher leucocyte count, tachypnoea, and treatment in LMIC were risk factors for HFNC/NIV failure. HFNC/NIV failure was related to worse clinical outcomes, such as 28-day mortality. Trial registration This is a prospective observational study; therefore, no health care interventions were applied to participants, and trial registration is not applicable