Cannabinoid Type 2 (CB2) Receptors Activation Protects against Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation Associated Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in Rotenone Model of Parkinson's Disease

The cannabinoid type two receptors (CB2), an important component of the endocannabinoid system, have recently emerged as neuromodulators and therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD). The downregulation of CB2 receptors has been reported in the brains of PD patients. Therefore, both the activation and the upregulation of the CB2 receptors are believed to protect against the neurodegenerative changes in PD. In the present study, we investigated the CB2 receptor-mediated neuroprotective effect of β-caryophyllene (BCP), a naturally occurring CB2 receptor agonist, in, a clinically relevant, rotenone (ROT)-induced animal model of PD. ROT (2.5 mg/kg BW) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) once daily for four weeks to induce PD in male Wistar rats. ROT injections induced a significant loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and DA striatal fibers, following activation of glial cells (astrocytes and microglia). ROT also caused oxidative injury evidenced by the loss of antioxidant enzymes and increased nitrite levels, and induction of proinflammatory cytokines: IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as inflammatory mediators: NF-κB, COX-2, and iNOS. However, treatment with BCP attenuated induction of proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators in ROT-challenged rats. BCP supplementation also prevented depletion of glutathione concomitant to reduced lipid peroxidation and augmentation of antioxidant enzymes: SOD and catalase. The results were further supported by tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry, which illustrated the rescue of the DA neurons and fibers subsequent to reduced activation of glial cells. Interestingly, BCP supplementation demonstrated the potent therapeutic effects against ROT-induced neurodegeneration, which was evidenced by BCP-mediated CB2 receptor activation and the fact that, prior administration of the CB2 receptor antagonist AM630 diminished the beneficial effects of BCP. The present study suggests that BCP has the potential therapeutic efficacy to elicit significant neuroprotection by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities mediated by activation of the CB2 receptors

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES IN VARIOUS EXTRACTS FROM THE LEAVES OF FLAGELLARIA INDICA L. FROM SABAH, MALAYSIA

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant capacities of the leaves of Flagellaria indica L. (FI) and its phytochemical constituents in six different extracts.Methods: The assessment was done via a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay for the antioxidant test, the Folin-ciocalteau method for total phenolic content, Willet's method for total flavonoid content and several other qualitative phytochemical tests carried out on all extracts.Results: The results show the highest values of radical scavenging in the following order of extracts: butanol>ethyl acetate>aqueous>chloroform>methanol>hexane. The total phenolic content is the highest in the ethyl acetate (e. acetate) extract (153.28 mg/g) followed by butanol (134.78 mg/g), aqueous extract (65.88 mg/g), chloroform (55.28 mg/g), methanol (45.98 mg/g) and hexane (22.78 mg/g), expressed as gallic acid equivalents. The total flavonoids content was also the highest in e. acetate extract (38.96 mg/g) followed by butanol (28.45 mg/g), aqueous (21.18 mg/g), chloroform (12.9 mg/g), methanol (10.78 mg/g) and hexane extract (4.92 mg/g) using cathechin equivalents.Conclusion: The antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of FI might be due to the strong presence of phenolic constituents, flavonoids and several other bioactive compounds. Thus, further research can be conducted to elucidate the potential of this plant for pharmacological importance.Â

Improved HPLC determination of acidic opines by phenylisothiocyanate derivatization and its application to marine animals.

We present here a reliable and sensitive method for the determination of acidic opines such as meso-alanopine, beta-alanopine, tauropine and strombine in biological samples. Interfering primary amino acids were eliminated by reaction with o-phthalaldehyde, and the derivatized compounds were passed through Sep-Pak Plus PS-1 cartridges. The acidic opines were recovered by flushing the cartridges with water, then determined by high performance liquid chromatography after a second derivatization with phenylisothiocyanate. All 4 acidic opines were detected within 30 min. This method ensured good separation and guaranteed almost full recovery of all acidic opines. This method was applied to analyze opines in marine animals and to test whether opines are metabolized in the livers of the rat and fish.</p

Waste management practices and profitability analysis of poultry farming in Mymensingh district: A socioeconomic study

Poultry manure is a hazard to the environment and health due to the release of toxic substances as well as pathogenic microorganisms. The present study was undertaken to assess the current scenario of poultry waste management considering its social as well as environmental and health hazards. A questionnaire based survey was conducted in 36 commercial poultry farms (which included 15 broiler, 14 layer, 3 cockerel and 4 mixed farms) in Mymensingh district from February to June 2016. Most of the broiler and layer farms had between 500 to 2000 birds, while most of the cockerel farms had between 3000 to 4000 birds. The study showed that 69 percent of the poultry farmers were unaware of the health and environmental problems of the poultry waste. Majority of the small scale farmers disposed their droppings to fish ponds (31 percent) and agricultural farms (16 percent) directly, while only 6 percent farmers used those droppings in biogas plant. However, 53 percent farmers had knowledge about hygienic handling of poultry dropping, although only 19 percent of them used protective gloves during dropping handling. The profitability analysis revealed that average variable cost and fixed cost per farm per year were TK. 2,17,355 and TK. 3,93,106, respectively. The benefit cost ratio per farm per year poultry farming was 1.55. Considering the findings, it is suggested that proper poultry waste management could be highly beneficial for the farmers. On the other hand, improper dispose of poultry litter could be a cause for social, environmental and public health hazard

Hypertension and associated risk factors in some selected rural areas of Bangladesh

Background:Although, Bangladesh has the ninth highest rate of age-standardized rates of deaths due to chronic diseases, mostly due to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. There is scanty literature on the estimated burden, and the determinants of hypertension in the rural areas of Bangladesh.Methods:This facility based cross-sectional survey was conducted at sub-urban field research clinic from four unions of Araihazar upazilla of Narayangong district, Bangladesh. The analyses were based on 212 male and female respondents of more than 30 years of age. The prevalence of hypertension was the main outcome of interest.  Results:The study found that the prevalence of systolic hypertension among the respondents is 15.6% and that of diastolic pressure is 12.3%. Systolic pressure was found in an increasing manner with the increase of age and BMI. Tendency of increase systolic pressure was observed among those who took extra salt. Significant association was also found between increasing systolic pressure with the heart disease. No significant association was found between increasing systolic pressure with smoking habit, physical activity and vegetable intake and with the development of systemic diseases namely cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus and coronary obstetrics pulmonary disease.Conclusion:Suggestion on regular periodical health check-up especially including blood pressure monitoring and restriction of taking extra salt to all the people of age more than 30 years is recommended.