Inhibitory effects of flavonoids isolated from Givotia rottleriformis bark and Cassia tora leaves on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS stimulated human whole blood

The plants Givotia rottleriformis bark and Cassia tora leaves were used in indigenous medicine in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases like psoriasis. In previous work, three flavonoids namely Rutin (I), Luteolin-7-O-β-D-Glucuronide (II) and Kaempferol 3-O-[2-O-(6-O-feruloyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-β-D-galactopyranoside (III) were isolated from G. rottleriformis bark and three flavonoids viz quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucuronide (IV), Luteolin-7-O-β-glucopyranoside (V) and Formononetin-7-O-β-D-Glucoside (VI) were isolated from C. tora leaves and evaluated for antipsoriatic activity. The cytotoxic effect of isolated compounds I-VI was evaluated using HaCaT cells, a rapidly multiplying human keratinocyte cell line, as a model of epidermal hyperproliferation in psoriasis. Among the isolated compounds, compound II, III and VI showed significant antiproliferant activity in HaCaT cells. Pro-inflammatory cytokines viz., IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17 and TNF-α contributes to the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and has been a target for the development of the new anti-psoriatic drug. Hence the present study aimed to evaluate inhibitory effects of ethanol extract of selected plants and isolated compound II, III and VI (5-40 mg/mL) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced pro-inflammatory cytokines viz., IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17 and TNF-α production. The level of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17 and TNF-α pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The ethanol extract of both the plants was standardized by HPLC using chemical markers. Preincubation with isolated compounds II, III, VI and ethanol extract of selected plants strongly attenuated LPS-induced increase in the concentrations of IL-6 (50-73 %) and TNF-α (64-90 %). The compound II and III also showed significant inhibition (*p ≤0.05) of IL-1β, IL-8 and IL-17. The results showed that the selected plants and isolated flavonoids have potential effects as anti-inflammatory agents by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines supporting the folkloric utilization

Role of nitric oxide in seed biology and seed production: A review

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signalling molecule employed by plants to control many physiological aspects. This review summarizes that crosstalk between NO/H2O2/Ca2+ signalling pathways that drive pollen tube for sexual reproduction in flowering plants. NO is produced in seeds by both enzymatic and non-enzymatic sources that control many physiological aspects of seeds. The interplay of NO and Reactive oxygen species are likely important players in hormonal crosstalk controlling seed germination and dormancy. Mechanism of seed germination and dormancy is mainly regulated by plant hormones like Abscisic acid (ABA) and Gibberellic acid (GA). Based on mode of action of NO with reference to triggering the germination of crop seeds under abiotic stress condition it is infer that there is a linkage between NO and plant growth regulator production. NO cross-talk with reactive oxygen species (ROS) during abiotic stress condition, modulate the light and hormone depended developmental process in the early stage of plant development. NO action to enhancing abiotic stress tolerance by improving antioxidant enzymes and protection against oxidative damage in many crops are discussed in detail

Long-term regulation of proximal tubule acid–base transporter abundance by angiotensin II

In the proximal tubule, angiotensin II (Ang-II) regulates HCO−3 reabsorption and H+ secretion by binding the type 1 Ang-II (AT1) receptor, stimulating Na+/HCO−3 cotransport and Na+/H+ exchange. Studies were carried out to determine if long-term changes in Ang-II receptor occupation alter the abundance of the basolateral Na+/HCO−3 cotransporter (NBC1) or the apical membrane type 3Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE3). In the first set of experiments, rats eating a low-sodium diet were infused with the AT1 blocker, candesartan, or vehicle. In the second, lisinopril-infused rats were infused with either Ang II or vehicle. Transporter abundances were determined in whole kidney homogenates (WKH) and in brush border membrane (BBM) preparations by semiquantitative immunoblotting. Tissue distribution of transporters was assessed by immunocytochemistry. Blockade of the AT1 receptor by candesartan caused decreased abundance of NBC1 in WKH (59±9% of control; P<0.05) and Ang-II infusion increased abundance (130±7% of control; P<0.05). Changes in NBC1 in response to candesartan were confirmed immunohistochemically. Neither candesartan nor Ang II infusion affected the abundance of NHE3 in WKH or cortical homogenates. Candesartan decreased type 2 sodium-phosphate cotransporter abundance in both WKH (52±7% of control; P<0.05) and BBM (32±7% of control; P<0.05). Serum bicarbonate was decreased by candesartan and increased by Ang-II. Candesartan also decreased urinary ammonium excretion (P<0.05). The long-term effects of Ang-II in the proximal tubule may be mediated in part by regulation of NBC1 abundance, modifying bicarbonate reabsorption

Evidence for the Double Excimer State of conjugated polymer in a liquid solution

In this paper, the spectral properties of a conjugated polymer poly [2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1, 4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) in benzene have been studied. The results showed that the fluorescence spectra of MEH-PPV under low concentrations had two peaks; the dominant one due to monomer was around 560 nm, and the shoulder one attributed to the excimer was around 600 nm. Under higher concentrations, it was found that there was only one band around 600 nm due to the excimeric state. By increasing the concentrations of MEH-PPV, it could be seen that there was a new band around 640nm. This band is being attributed to the double excimer. Under high power pulsed laser excitation, we observed amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) at 570 nm, 605 nm and 650 nm. These ASE peaks could arise from the monomer, excimer and double excimer states of the macromolecule respectively. To the best of our knowledge this is perhaps the first report on ASE from double excimer of the conjugated polymer, MEH-PPV in liquid solution

Facile and Novel Strategy for Methods of Extraction of Biofuel Grade Lipids from Microalgae- an Experimental Report

The structural features of microalgal cell make it too difficult to extract the total lipid content of the cell as such. Thus, the cell disruption before lipid extraction becomes mandatory and has to be cost-effective. In the present study various methods and combination of few methods were adopted for effective extraction in order to choose the most effective cell disruption method for the complete extraction of lipids from a selected indigenous freshwater isolate, Scenedesmus sp. NTEB03. Interestingly, we found that grinding and bead-beating method showed two fold increased lipid productivity (23.2%) than the other methods tested. Biomass and lipid productivity of Scenedesmus sp., was found to be 0.0418 g L-1 d-1 and 4.3 mg L-1 d-1 respectively. Fatty acid profiles revealed that oleic (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) content being higher in the lipids, which are most appropriate for the biodiesel production. A novel strategy for most effective, simple method for cell disruption in Scenedesmus sp., was grinding/bead-beating, which is the most suitable method for complete extraction of biofuel grade lipids

SWAT BASED ASSESSMENT AND PREDICTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT IN THENPENNAI SUB-BASIN OF SOUTH INDIA

Climate change impacts on watershed ecosystems and hydrologic processes are complex. The key significant parameters responsible for balancing the watershed ecosystems are temperature and rainfall. Though these parameters are uncertain, they play a prime role in the projections of dimensional climate change studies. The impact of climate change is more dependent on temperature and precipitation which contributes at a larger magnitude for characterising global warming issues. This paper aims to forecast the variations of temperature and precipitation during the period of 2020&ndash;2050 for the northern part of Thenpennar sub basin. This study is modelled using SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) &ndash; a scale model developed to predict the impact of changes that occurs in land, soil and water over a period of time. This study is validated using the base period from 1980&ndash;2000 which shows the distribution of rainfall and temperature among 38 watersheds. The results from this study show that there is a decrease in the rainfall for a maximum of about 20% in the month of December during the predicted period of 2020 and 2050. This study assesses the possible adverse impact of climate change on temperature and precipitation of Thenpennai sub-basin. This kind of predictions will help the government agencies, rulers and decision makers in policy making and implementing the adaptation strategies for the changing climatic conditions

Antigen targeting to dendritic cells elicits long-lived T cell help for antibody responses

Resistance to several prevalent infectious diseases requires both cellular and humoral immune responses. T cell immunity is initiated by mature dendritic cells (DCs) in lymphoid organs, whereas humoral responses to most antigens require further collaboration between primed, antigen-specific helper T cells and naive or memory B cells. To determine whether antigens delivered to DCs in lymphoid organs induce T cell help for antibody responses, we targeted a carrier protein, ovalbumin (OVA), to DCs in the presence of a maturation stimulus and assayed for antibodies to a hapten, (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl) acetyl (NP), after boosting with OVA-NP. A single DC-targeted immunization elicited long-lived T cell helper responses to the carrier protein, leading to large numbers of antibody-secreting cells and high titers of high-affinity antihapten immunoglobulin Gs. Small doses of DC-targeted OVA induced higher titers and a broader spectrum of anti-NP antibody isotypes than large doses of OVA in alum adjuvant. Similar results were obtained when the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium yoelii was delivered to DCs. We conclude that antigen targeting to DCs combined with a maturation stimulus produces broad-based and long-lived T cell help for humoral immune responses

Aldosterone does not require angiotensin II to activate NCC through a WNK4–SPAK–dependent pathway

We and others have recently shown that angiotensin II can activate the sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC) through a WNK4–SPAK-dependent pathway. Because WNK4 was previously shown to be a negative regulator of NCC, it has been postulated that angiotensin II converts WNK4 to a positive regulator. Here, we ask whether aldosterone requires angiotensin II to activate NCC and if their effects are additive. To do so, we infused vehicle or aldosterone in adrenalectomized rats that also received the angiotensin receptor blocker losartan. In the presence of losartan, aldosterone was still capable of increasing total and phosphorylated NCC twofold to threefold. The kinases WNK4 and SPAK also increased with aldosterone and losartan. A dose-dependent relationship between aldosterone and NCC, SPAK, and WNK4 was identified, suggesting that these are aldosterone-sensitive proteins. As more functional evidence of increased NCC activity, we showed that rats receiving aldosterone and losartan had a significantly greater natriuretic response to hydrochlorothiazide than rats receiving losartan only. To study whether angiotensin II could have an additive effect, rats receiving aldosterone with losartan were compared with rats receiving aldosterone only. Rats receiving aldosterone only retained more sodium and had twofold to fourfold increase in phosphorylated NCC. Together, our results demonstrate that aldosterone does not require angiotensin II to activate NCC and that WNK4 appears to act as a positive regulator in this pathway. The additive effect of angiotensin II may favor electroneutral sodium reabsorption during hypovolemia and may contribute to hypertension in diseases with an activated renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system

Over-expression of adenosine deaminase in mouse podocytes does not reverse puromycin aminonucleoside resistance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Edema in nephrotic syndrome results from renal retention of sodium and alteration of the permeability properties of capillaries. Nephrotic syndrome induced by puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) in rats reproduces the biological and clinical signs of the human disease, and has been widely used to identify the cellular mechanisms of sodium retention. Unfortunately, mice do not develop nephrotic syndrome in response to PAN, and we still lack a good mouse model of the disease in which the genetic tools necessary for further characterizing the pathophysiological pathway could be used. Mouse resistance to PAN has been attributed to a defect in glomerular adenosine deaminase (ADA), which metabolizes PAN. We therefore attempted to develop a mouse line sensitive to PAN through induction of normal adenosine metabolism in their podocytes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A mouse line expressing functional ADA under the control of the podocyte-specific podocin promoter was generated by transgenesis. The effect of PAN on urinary excretion of sodium and proteins was compared in rats and in mice over-expressing ADA and in littermates.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We confirmed that expression of ADA mRNAs was much lower in wild type mouse than in rat glomerulus. Transgenic mice expressed ADA specifically in the glomerulus, and their ADA activity was of the same order of magnitude as in rats. Nonetheless, ADA transgenic mice remained insensitive to PAN treatment in terms of both proteinuria and sodium retention.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Along with previous results, this study shows that adenosine deaminase is necessary but not sufficient to confer PAN sensitivity to podocytes. ADA transgenic mice could be used as a background strain for further transgenesis.</p